Visionary SEGA hardware designer Hideki Sato has passed away, on February 13, 2026. Born November 5, 1950, he left us at age 75. He is preceded by SEGA co-founder David Rosen, who died at the age of 95 only seven weeks prior, on December 25, 2025.
A native of the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, Sato studied electronic engineering at Tokyo Metropolitan College before joining SEGA Enterprises Ltd., now SEGA Corp., in 1971. He worked on arcade titles and hardware, and came to lead the R&D department in the early 1990s. Sato had a major role in shaping nearly all of the company’s home consoles. He served as its president in the early 2000s, overseeing the transition of the company from a builder of hardware to a maker of software. He departed SEGA in 2008, but during his stay he earned the nickname “the Father of SEGA Hardware.”
SEGA’s X account posted a tribute to Sato yesterday:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hideki Sato, who served as President of SEGA from 2001 to 2003. Sega would like to offer its condolences to his family and friends. Starting his career with the development of arcade machines, Mr. Sato was instrumental in the development of iconic home consoles, including the SG-1000, SC-3000, Mega Drive/SEGA Genesis, SEGA Saturn, and Dreamcast.
“His leadership helped lay the foundation of SEGA, and his contributions had a significant and lasting impact on the entire gaming industry. We will always remember his contributions to our company, and all of us at SEGA extend our deepest condolences as we honor his memory.”
Up from the Ranks, a Legend
Over the course of his tenure at SEGA, he and his teams were responsible for the development of most of SEGA’s hardware platforms, spanning from the SG-1000 to the Dreamcast, as well as numerous arcade systems. He was closely associated with the design and positioning of the SEGA Mega Drive. That device made SEGA a household name, showing off what they did that “Nintendon’t”. The SEGA Saturn represented a mighty leap in the state of the art of gaming. It was the first 16-bit console, and the dedicated 3D, CD-based device defined the state of the art.
In addition to his hardware leadership, Sato held executive management and production oversight roles. He worked on a range of SEGA software titles during the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Sonic Adventure, Sonic Adventure 2, Phantasy Star Online, Burning Rangers, Sonic Advance 2, and Sonic Mega Collection. Earlier in his career, he also contributed to arcade development, with technical credits on titles such as Star Jacker.
Sato walked where few had gone before him. He was a true pioneer of the gaming industry, and helped shape the entire industry as we know it today.
We bow in respect, Mr. Sato. Well done indeed. And, from all of us, thank you.
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