Hiroshi Minagawa

Hiroshi Minagawa (皆川 裕史, Minagawa Hiroshi, born 1970), also known by the nickname Nigoro, is a Japanese video game artist, designer and director.[1]

Hiroshi Minagawa
皆川 裕史
Minagawa attending the European launch of Final Fantasy XII.
Born (1970-08-11) August 11, 1970
NationalityJapanese
Other namesNigoro
OccupationVideo game artist, designer and director
Years active1989–present
EmployerSquare Enix (1995–present)

Career

Minagawa had worked at Quest Corporation alongside his colleagues Yasumi Matsuno and Akihiko Yoshida before they all decided to switch to Square in 1995. He continued collaborating with his co-workers as the art director of Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story.[1][2] For the Final Fantasy XII project, he was originally the graphics and real-time visual director.[3] However, when the original director Matsuno left the company due to an illness, Minagawa was put in charge of directing the game in cooperation with Hiroyuki Ito.[4] He felt that the pressure of working on a Final Fantasy installment helped him and influenced his decisions. Minagawa most enjoyed the period in which the team continued to come up with new ideas, but he ultimately had to decide to abandon many features in order to finish the game.[5]

Following the positive reception of Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, a decision was made to remake Quest's Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. Minagawa directed the game and took on the laborious task of assembling the original 1995 staff members—including Matsuno—who were now working at different companies.[6] Upon finishing his work on the project, Minagawa was asked to join the Final Fantasy XIV team as the lead user interface and web designer. This was part of a plan to salvage the game after its initial negative reception by critics and players. Director Naoki Yoshida considered the fact that one of the Final Fantasy XII directors was now solely responsible for one aspect of Final Fantasy XIV an indication of how serious Square Enix was about improving the game.[7][8] The new and improved version of the game called Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn was eventually released to critical acclaim.

Works
Hiroshi Minagawa (right) and Akitoshi Kawazu (left) at the Final Fantasy XII London Launch Event at HMV in 2007.
ReleaseTitleSystemCredit(s)
1991Magical ChasePC EngineDirector, game design, art direction, CG design[1]
1993Ogre Battle: The March of the Black QueenSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemArt direction, main graphics design, image effects[1]
1995Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling TogetherSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemArt direction, system CG design[1]
1997Final Fantasy TacticsPlayStationArt direction, event direction[1]
2000Vagrant StoryPlayStationArt direction, character model supervisor, artistic supervisor of menu and layout
2000Final Fantasy IXPlayStationSpecial thanks
2003Final Fantasy Tactics AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceArtistic supervisor
2006Final Fantasy XIIPlayStation 2Director, visual design, character texture supervisor
2007Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the LionsPlayStation PortableOriginal staff: Art director, event director
2007Final Fantasy XII International Zodiac Job SystemPlayStation 2Director, visual design, character texture supervisor
2007Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the RiftNintendo DSVisual design supervisor
2009GyromancerXbox 360, WindowsSpecial thanks
2009Final Fantasy XIIIPlayStation 3, Xbox 360Crystal Tools development staff
2010Final Fantasy XIVWindowsSpecial thanks: Crystal Tools
2010Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling TogetherPlayStation PortableDirector
2013Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm RebornWindows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XLead UI designer, lead web designer[8]
2015Final Fantasy XIV: HeavenswardWindows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Mac OS XLead UI designer
2016Dragon Quest BuildersPlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaSupervisor
2017Final Fantasy XIV: StormbloodWindows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XArt director
2017Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac AgePlayStation 4Supervisor[9]
2018Dragon Quest Builders 2PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchSpecial thanks
2019Final Fantasy XIV: ShadowbringersWindows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XArt director

References
  1. "Vagrant Story: from the Development Team". Square. 2000. Archived from the original on 2002-08-08.
  2. "Square Completes Acquisition of Quest". IGN. 2002-06-19. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  3. Nickel, Thomas (2006-11-05). "Interview with Hiroshi Minagawa". G wie Gorilla. Archived from the original on 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  4. Niizumi, Hirohiko (2005-08-01). "FFXII producer steps down". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  5. "Final Fantasy XII Director Interviews". Square Enix. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  6. Richards, Kim (2011-01-18). "Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Hands On". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  7. Nobu (2010-12-28). "プレイヤーとの約束は必ず守ります。新体制への刷新が行われた「FINAL FANTASY XIV」緊急インタビュー。FFXIVを託された吉田氏はどんな人物なのか". 4Gamer.net. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
  8. Wada, Yoichi; Yoshida, Naoki; Tanaka, Hiromichi. "An Important Announcement for Final Fantasy XIV Fans". Square-Enix. Archived from the original on 2010-12-12. Retrieved 2013-05-22.
  9. "The "FFXII" turned into HD "FFXII the Zodiac Age" will be released in 2017 in the PS4". Famitsu. 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
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