Ono hands over duties following hospitalisation

Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono will be out of action for an extended period, the game design boss has said, following his hospitalisation over concerns of “rapidly declining” health.

Ono was admitted to hospital last week after his physical condition " heavily deteriorated" during a game promotion tour across Asia.

The details of Ono’s condition have not been disclosed. It is not known if his declining health is work related.

The popular games industry figure said another person has taken charge of the Street Fighter series while he recouperates.

“I’ll refrain from work for current job for a while,” he told his followers on Twitter.

In what could signal the extent in which he will be out of action, Ono said he would spend his spare time debating “the new future of fighting games”.

“Physical health is of paramount importance,” he added.