Tom Ikeda – Creative Lead on Rule of Rose and Founder of UZZ Co., Ltd.

Tom Ikeda-san is a veteran Japanese game designer, scenario writer, and studio founder whose career spans more than two decades. Known for emotionally driven narratives, experimental mechanics, and bold creative choices, he is considered one of the most original voices in Japanese game design.

Ikeda-san began his career in 2004 with Rule of Rose (Sony Interactive Entertainment) as scenario writer and planner. He went on to work with Marvelous Entertainment on Harvest Moon: Magical Melody and Little King’s Story as lead planner and writer. In 2009, he contributed to Sengoku IXA at Square Enix, followed by his entry into Grasshopper Manufacture Inc. in 2010.

There, he contributed as game designer and 2D director on Shadows of the Damned (2011), and in 2012 served as head of planning on Lollipop Chainsaw, supporting the creative direction of Suda51-san and James Gunn.

Ikeda-san later joined Onion Games Inc., contributing to Dandy Dungeon, Million Onion Hotel, and Black Bird in roles ranging from project lead to level and cutscene designer. In 2018 he joined GramBox Inc., and in 2019 founded TAST α Co., Ltd.

In 2023, he directed The Tower of Children (Shueisha Games), followed by concept work on Hebereke 2 (SUNSOFT). In 2025, Ikeda-san founded UZZ Co., Ltd., where he now serves as CEO and creative lead.

Latest Project: A Farewell to AI

Ikeda-san is currently directing and writing A Farewell to AI, a unique title in which players resist a dystopian future by drawing against artificial intelligence. The game has earned media awards and recognition at major indie festivals including BitSummit.

Notable Works:
– Rule of Rose (2006)
– Little Kings Story (2008)
– Shadow of the Damned (2013)
– Lollipop Chainsaw (2014)

Location:
🇯🇵 – Tokyo