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We're sad to report that Neil Broadley, SaGa series Localisation Director at Square Enix, has passed away following a long battle with cancer. He was 45 years old.
Broadley's first job at Square Enix was working on the English localistion for Final Fantasy Dimensions in 2012, and during his time with the company he also worked on Final Fantasy XI Online: Ultimate Collection - Seekers Edition and Final Fantasy X | X-2: HD Remaster.
However, it is the SaGa series that he is most closely associated. He worked on Romancing SaGa 2, Romancing SaGa 3, SaGa Frontier: Remastered, SaGa: Emerald Beyond, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven and SaGa Frontier 2: Remastered.
"If you are reading this message, it means that I have passed after a multi-year battle with stage 4 colon cancer and one of my work colleagues is posting this for me," said Broadley in a statement prepared prior to his death and posted on social media today.
"I had struggled very fiercely with the cancer itself, as well as multiple complications from repeated surgeries, three types of chemotherapy, and one course of radiation treatment, but continued to work on the SaGa franchise and spend time chatting with you all throughout the process," the statement continues. "My work had been very healing for me throughout the entire ordeal, and continuing on made me feel like my life had purpose. I unfortunately will not be around to see the release of my next project, but I am extremely confident that you will enjoy it."
Broadley added:
"I have spent the past couple years preparing to pass the torch on to the next generation in the inevitable event of my death, so rest assured that my successors will be able to continue to provide you with unforgettable SaGa moments. It has been my pleasure and honor to help revive SaGa overseas with remasters, remakes, and new titles, bringing many new players into the fold along the way. I am survived by my wonderful partner of 25 years as well as my precious little dachshund, Noah, both of whom I love more than life itself.
The one message I would like to leave to all of you is to always be kind to everyone you meet, but especially to yourself. You are ultimately the person who has to live with your choices and decisions, and if you are comfortable in your own skin, then you will be a better person to those around you as well. Although I will not be able to share any more stories with you, I hope that you will continue to have many more enjoyable SaGa experiences. Whether you have played a SaGa game or not, and whether you have agreed with my localization philosophy or not, I wish you all nothing but health, happiness, and a long life."
Broadley was working on a remaster of Romancing SaGa 3 at the time of his passing, which is due for release early next year.
Broadley's partner of 25 years also posted a statement to mark his passing:
"Neil was... deeply humble. He sometimes worried that he did not have many friends and that few people would come to his funeral. But he was wrong: more than 100 friends and colleagues gathered at his memorial Mass in Tokyo to pray for his peace. wish he could have known how much he meant to so many people.
To all SaGa fans, I have one request: please continue to love and support Square Enix games. Each one is made with the passion of so many people, including Neil and those who will carry on his work. Nothing would make him happier than knowing the games he loved continue to bring joy to players around the world."
Our thoughts are with Broadley's family and friends at this difficult time.