The composer behind the Dragon Quest series, Koichi Sugiyama, has composed more than five hundred songs during the franchise’s existence.

When we called Sugiyama the eldest, we have a solid reason to do so: according to the Guinness World Records, he indeed is holding this record. He has been working on Dragon Quest’s music since 1986, and his final works will be included in the already announced but in-development title, Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. So we can see how he has stood by the franchise for three and a half decades, which isn’t a common sight! (Especially if we consider how Dragon Quest has a lot of spin-off series!)

Sugiyama passed away on September 30 due to septic shock, according to the official Dragon Quest blog. Close family and friends held funeral services for Sugiyama. However, Square Enix plans to hold a memorial gathering for Sugiyama, but the date hasn’t been decided yet.

Sugiyama wasn’t working solely on Dragon Quest. You can hear his work in the three World Golf games between 1985 and 1990, the Tomy port of Monopoly (1993), or Torneko: The Last Hope (1999 on PS1, then 2001 on GBA). He also had experience in film/TV composing. Here are a few examples: Skyers 5 (1967), Return of Ultraman (1971), Cyborg 009 (1979), Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989), but he also had that Dragon Quest link involved (The Adventure of Dai: 1991; Dai no Daibōken Tachiagare!! Aban no Shito and Dai no Daibōken Buchiya bure!! Shinsei Rokudai Shoguo: 1992; and Your Story: 2019).

Sugiyama has left a significant legacy behind, and while it is true that Dragon Quest was the most crucial part of his work, his world record might not ever be topped, as he passed away at the age of 90. We don’t know any other person involved in video game composing at the moment.

May he rest in peace.

Source: Gematsu