After working within the gaming industry for well over 20 years, Fire Pro Wrestling creator and designer Masato Masuda has passed away at the age of 48.

The news of Masuda's passing was announced this morning by Goichi "Suda51" Suda, CEO of Grasshopper Manufacture, who provided a statement via Twitter on the death of his longtime friend and mentor:

The creator of Fire Pro-wrestling, Masato Masuda, has passed away. He was 48 years old, still young. I genuinely pray for his happiness in the next world. He was one of the greatest creators of video games and he was my direct teacher. Thank you for giving us our favorite Fire Pro-wrestling. You are the god of it.

Fire Pro Wrestling has long been remembered as one of the standout wrestling series of the generation, leaving a legacy for over two decades after its release under the direction of Masuda and in collaboration with a developer/artist to assist with the graphics on the original title, Pro Wrestling, which released in the US in March 1987.

On behalf of DualShockers, our condolences go out to the family and friends of Masuda following his passing.