Hideki Sato, a pivotal figure in the gaming industry and former president of Sega, passed away on Friday at the age of 77. His contributions to the company spanned from 1971 to the early 2000s, significantly influencing the development of various iconic gaming consoles, including the SG-1000, Genesis, Saturn, and Dreamcast.
Beep21, a Japanese gaming news outlet, confirmed his death and highlighted his role in shaping the landscape of Japanese gaming. In their tribute, they emphasized Sato's lasting impact on fans worldwide and his status as a prominent figure in the history of gaming. His passing follows that of David Rosen, Sega's co-founder, who died in December at the age of 95.
Sato also held the position of Sega's president from 2001 to 2003, further cementing his legacy within the company. His work during the golden age of gaming has left an indelible mark on multiple generations of players.