Overview
Few designers shaped arcade gaming more than Yoshiki Okamoto. Starting at Konami before moving to Capcom, he created or produced genre-defining titles across shooting, fighting, and action games. His philosophy emphasised immediate engagement—games that grabbed players within seconds and kept them feeding coins.
Fast facts
- Born: 1961, Japan.
- Early career: Konami (Time Pilot, Gyruss).
- Capcom period: 1984-2003.
- Notable works: 1942, Street Fighter II, Final Fight.
Konami period
| Title | Year | Contribution |
|---|
| Time Pilot | 1982 | Designer |
| Gyruss | 1983 | Designer |
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|
| 1942 | 1984 | Director |
| Sonson | 1984 | Designer |
| Gun.Smoke | 1985 | Designer |
| Final Fight | 1989 | Producer |
| Street Fighter II | 1991 | Executive producer |
| Resident Evil 2 | 1998 | Executive producer |
Design philosophy
| Principle | Implementation |
|---|
| Instant appeal | First seconds must hook player |
| Readable action | Clear visual feedback |
| Satisfying destruction | Impactful enemy defeats |
| Difficulty curve | Gradual but relentless |
Post-Capcom
| Company | Period |
|---|
| Flagship | 2002 (co-founded) |
| Game Republic | 2003-2011 |
See also