Dead or Alive
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Dead or Alive Paradise bounces to America this March
Finally! A Dead or Alive game that gets rid of that annoying "fighting" and "volleyball" nonsense. Dead or Alive Paradise is making its way to America on UMD and PSN this March. The game takes place on a two-week vacation on New Zack Island. You'll be able to play with nine Tecmo girls in an assortment of mini-games found throughout the island. As you befriend the girls, you'll be able to choose from over 100 bathing suit designs, ranging from scantily-clad to barely anything at all. The press release seems to know exactly what players of Paradise will do when they pick up a copy. "You are in full control to create your own private paradise, in the palm of your hand ... Take your girls anywhere, and play with them anytime." Um ... are we done with this post yet? %Gallery-83709%
Police suspect suicide in death of Japanese voice actor
Japanese voice actor Daisuke Gōri (real name: Yoshio Nagahori) passed away under somewhat bizarre circumstances in Tokyo this weekend -- he was found lying on his stomach in the streets of Nakano ward, bleeding from the wrist, with both a sharp weapon and his will lying nearby. Police are investigating the death as a suicide, though they haven't confirmed that ruling yet. Gōri had an extensive resume as a voice actor in both animation and video games, and is probably known best as the Japanese voices for both Tekken's Heihachi Mishima and Dead or Alive's Bass Armstrong. In Japan, he was renowned for doing voices for the Dragon Ball Z and Kinnikuman series. He was 57. [Via Kotaku]
Rumor: Dead or Alive 5 in the works for PS3
According to a scan of the "Rumour Machine" section of the latest UK Official PlayStation Magazine found on Playstation Lifestyle, Tecmo's flagship fighting franchise, Dead or Alive, could be set for a return for the first time since Tomonobu Itagaki's departure -- and this time, it'll be on PS3. The magazine, which also rehashes some old rumors, claims that Dead or Alive 5 is "in production for PS3," something that doesn't necessarily rule out an Xbox 360 release (a PlayStation magazine would simply have no reason to mention that). It seems does likely that Team Ninja would want to develop a new DOA. After all, that's the perfect showcase for the studio's latest Jiggle Tech® -- now in triple-D. The most recent Dead or Alive game to be announced will also be on a Sony platform: the beach minigame collection, DOA Paradise, which is coming to PSP this spring. Maybe now that Itagaki's out, Tecmo can pursue whatever interest it must have had in publishing DOA on PlayStation -- something that hasn't happened since the Xbox was released.
Dead or Alive Paradise coming to PSP, sans fighting (and volleyball)
Do you love the Dead or Alive franchise? Do you wish Tecmo would just get rid of all that pesky fighting and volleyball gameplay and give fans what they really want out of the franchise: quality alone time with the DoA girls? Thankfully, Tecmo has answered that call. Seriously. The latest issue of Famitsu reveals a new Dead or Alive game for PSP called Dead or Alive Paradise. However, this isn't a new game in Tecmo's franchise. In fact, it's barely a game at all. The Examiner notes that this is a port of a mobile game, one which lets you play mini games with the girls, as you continue to purchase skimpier and skimpier outfits for them. Classy. Paradise is scheduled for a Spring 2010 release in Japan and, thankfully, it's a single-player only experience. We'd hate to think what kind of terrible multiplayer modes Tecmo would imagine for a game like this.
Anti-Aliased: Blade & Soul > Aion
All right, now that the inflammatory title that makes you look at my column is out of the way, let's get down to business. This week we got to see a 30-second teaser trailer from the folks at NCsoft about Blade & Soul, a game from NCsoft that has been stealthing in the background, waiting for the right time to strike and jump in front of Aion. Blade & Soul isn't a brand new game though. In fact, the game's artwork has already made a guest appearance on our website. (With subsequent comments on how that woman's back is going to break in half if she should walk forward.) Plus, if you really want to see what the game has to offer, a quick YouTube search will bring you to the Blade & Soul HD gameplay video which looks, well, simply stunning. So why am I dedicating my opinion column to a game that's nowhere close to being released? Well, because I think it has potential, and because it's my opinion column. So come along after the break, and let's look at Blade & Soul.
Dead or Alive and Final Fantasy characters clash again
Over the past few years, Haloid and Dead Fantasy animator Monty Oum has repeatedly shocked us with his studio's stunning renditions of Samus Aran fighting Master Chief, as well as various Final Fantasy femme fatales battling their busty counterparts from the Dead or Alive series. Today is no different, as he pits FFVII's Tifa against Dead or Alive's Hitomi. An epic battle taking place in a church set ablaze while snow quietly falls outside? Some sort of magical, glowing orbs introduced mid-fight? And it involves Japanese video game characters? Weird! Check out the whole girlfight after the break.[Via Insulin Funk]
Tecmo/Koei crossover games possible [update]
According to what Gigazine claims to be scans from the Nikkei Corporate Quarterly (a book that provides snapshots of information about Japanese companies), the new Tecmo Koei Holdings is planning to combine IP in at least one new game.Andriasang translated the relevant blurb: "New Games: Will release games that combine Tecmo and Koei titles. The aim is to reach fans of both." The identity (or number) of games, and the identity of the titles that Tecmo and Koei plan to merge are unknown, which means we can amuse ourselves briefly by coming up with our own, like Dead or Alive: Xtreme Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Rygar's Ambition, Dynasty Monster Ranchers, Gitaroo-Man Gaiden Sigma, and Mighty Bomb Genghis Khan. We've checked in with the North American branches of both Koei and Tecmo in an effort to find any additional details about the plan.[Update: Tecmo declined to comment, indicating that the US office didn't know any more than we did about this.]
Shareholders approve Koei/Tecmo merger
The last of Tecmo's investors finally caved, giving the company's $207 million merger with Koei the green light. At the end of it all, Tecmo shareholders will come away with 0.9 shares in the merged company for every Tecmo share in their portfolios, while Koei stakeholders will net a one-to-one swap. The Japanese pair will officially tie the knot on April 1, giving us hope that Dynasty Warriors' disturbing lack of jiggle-tech may someday be realized. Those kingdoms, you know, they're not going to romance themselves.
Dead or Alive's Valance joins Red Alert 3: Uprising camp
Dead or Alive actress Holly Valance is trading in her sword (and vial of box office poison) for a pen and paper as journalist Brenda Snow in the recently announced Red Alert 3: Uprising. Valance will lend her live action camp to the upcoming expansion, which is earmarked for a digital-only release this March.The Australian-born starlet describes her role in the game as "a camp, over-dramatised character," telling Eurogamer that "it was fun to go a little bit over the top." We're sure that's quite a change from DoA's Christie Allen. The four people who saw that movie tell us that she was the very picture of Hollywood grace.
Tecmo-Koei merger faces opposition from investor
Though the planned merger between Koei and Tecmo was recently finalized, one of Tecmo's largest investors, Effissimo Capital Management Pte, has expressed some concern over the benefits shareholders might expect to gain in the aftermath. "We have not had sufficient information from the company to make a judgment on the merger, such as the feasibility of their plan to raise shareholder value," Effissimo Director Takashi Kosaka said in a statement published by Bloomberg.It's unclear whether the firm, which owns 17.6 percent of Tecmo, will act to delay the formation of the new holding company, scheduled to occur on April 1, 2009. We suspect both companies will reassure Mr. Kosaka by emailing him some provocative artwork from the inevitable hit game, Dynasty Warriors: X-Treme Feudal Beach Volleyball.[Via Gamasutra]
Team Ninja open to Wii
Gamasutra spoke with Hitoshi Hasegawa and Yosuke Hayashi of the post-Itagaki Team Ninja about the current and future state of the high-profile development team. So far, those plans don't include the Wii, but the new Team Ninja seems more open to experimenting with other consoles than before. The studio is looking to expand their audience, and "If that lends to one console," Hayashi said, "PS3, or if that's going to be the Wii -- that's just the direction we will go."Hayashi had similarly vague statements last year, but they were more personal at that time than business-oriented. If Team Ninja decides it would not only be fun, but profitable to create a Wii game, that's more likely to justify the expense and development time.Team Ninja may not be working on any Wii projects themselves, of course, but their company, Tecmo, is, and the expertise gained from that stuff may help Team Ninja. "We will continue to work in that path. We have a lot of Wii console fans within the company, so hopefully there's something that we can work on."
Itagaki unloads evidence, raises damages claim
With Tecmo's attempts at getting a gag order failing and bad blood still staining the Tecmo name, Tomonobu Itagaki is steadfast in following through with the lawsuit against his former boss with the introduction of new evidence and an increase in his damages claim.Recently, Itagaki submitted all kinds of documents and recordings as evidence to help his case against Tecmo, where he claims they owe him all kinds of cash. The documents include signed contracts and a transcript of a recording between Itagaki and Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda where they discussed and agreed on contract terms. Also, with the new evidence coming to light, Itagaki has increased his lawsuit's damages from $1.3 million USD to $1.5 million USD. Itagaki is raging mad. Don't mess with a raging mad Itagaki.
Itagaki's departure causes Tecmo stock plummet
Turns out Tomonobu Itagaki's imminent lawsuit might not be Tecmo's biggest problem after all. Within two days of the Ninja Gaiden developer's abrupt resignation from the company, Tecmo shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped rapidly. Assurances that Team Ninja would remain (largely) intact apparently did not appease the stockholders. Shares dropped over 10% from Tuesday's closing of ¥1,102 (USD 10.40), to today's closing of ¥982 (USD 9.30). Not a good start to the company's new Itagaki-less lifestyle, to be sure.
Tomonobu Itagaki: A Blood Splattered History
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Tomonobu_Itagaki_A_Blood_Splattered_History'; Now that Ninja Gaiden 2 developer Tomonobu Itagaki has departed from Tecmo and Team Ninja (and left a lawsuit in his stead), our friends at X3F have compiled a retrospective on Itagaki's career with the company. From his beginnings as a programmer for Tecmo Bowl, through Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden and all the way to his departure, everything is covered. Join us as we take a stroll through memory lane and examine the games, the controversies and the impending future of Tomonobu Itagaki. Click here, get educated.
Tecmo: Team Ninja still 'intact' after Itagaki's departure
Following the resignation of outspoken game designer, Tomonobu Itagaki, and his subsequent lawsuit against his former employer, Tecmo has assured fans that its Team Ninja development studio remains "intact" and involved in "several new projects." In a statement issued to 1UP, the Tokyo-based publisher notes that, due to the legal complaint, it had "no choice" but to accept Itagaki's resignation, effective July 1, 2008.The lawsuit is said to be tied to an outstanding incentive bonus for a past project, one which the parties could not amicably resolve. Tecmo states that it will let the court settle things and bring about a "true, fair, and quick resolution." As for the Team Ninja studio, it remains "committed to producing compelling and cutting edge games in order to maintain its reputation as a high quality developer and to continue to receive the support of its loyal fans."While it's obvious that Tomonobu Itagaki didn't make games like Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden by himself, we wonder if another star developer will emerge to give Team Ninja an incendiary pass to the presses. Is this Itsygaki's time to shine?[Thanks, Fattycop]
UK TV presenter delivers 'chilling verdict' on violent games
Call it a hunch, but we're not convinced that UK television presenter, Anne Diamond, is an ideal choice to "review" games which she says make her "hair stand on end." Though she brushes off several titles which are "so mindless it would be hard to see them as a destructive influence," the ones with "gratuitous use of violence and bloodthirsty imagery" really draw her ire. Honestly, we'd be bitter too if we had copies of Dead Rising LODGED IN OUR SHOULDERS. In a response to Thursday's publication of a Dr. Tanya Byron-led review of video game violence, the UK's Daily Mail has delivered a one-two punch of sensationalist misinterpretation ("allowing children to play on computers unsupervised is as dangerous as letting them play outside on their own") and misguided scaremongering, offering the task of analyzing and rating already-rated violent video games to Diamond. Her "chilling" verdicts are all neatly assembled below a snap of kids playing the infinitely sinister Mario Kart 64. After glossing over Dead or Alive 4 (she wasn't keen on playing as "a martial artist in the fantasy Ninja-style mode"), she becomes truly horrified by a game that "wallows in violence for violence's sake." This dubious honor goes to Resident Evil 4 which, in case you forgot, is about "a cataclysmic chemical attack" spawning legions of zombies which "don't stop until you shoot them in the face or slash their arms off." "This game shouldn't be allowed to be sold, even adults," says a Diamond in the rush to pass judgment. After being "stabbed to death with pitchforks amid fountains of [her] own blood," she calls it quits and declares, "This kind of violence can only be bad for you." Well, that's what the healing herbs are for, Anne. [Thanks, Duncan]
Final Fantasy vs. Dead or Alive: Round 2
We're not sure how he does it or how long it takes him, but animator and generally insane fight choreographer "Montyoum" has once again delved into the many unwritten volumes of fan fiction buried inside our minds and rendered each page in startling, over-the-top clarity. After allowing Samus and Master Chief to find love on the battlefield, Montyoum orchestrated a crossover between the elaborately endowed gals of Dead or Alive and a trio of Final Fantasy femme fatales, labeling the ludicrous result "Dead Fantasy." Above you'll find the sequel, an even bigger display of absurd acrobatics, imaginative pummeling and blissful ignorance of the laws of physics. We love it. [Thanks, dara hoy]
Haloid creator mashes up Final Fantasy and Dead or Alive
After pitting Master Chief and Samus against each other, animator Monty Oum now renders the results of the Final Fantasy universe intersecting with Tomonobu Itagaki's fighting franchise, Dead or Alive. If you take issue with saucer-eyed women pummeling each other in ways that defy logic and gravity, avert your eyes and hide your children (advent or otherwise) before the interminable Matrix music kicks in. Why are Kasumi and Yuna so upset with one another? Why are bullets so utterly useless? Why hasn't someone made Super Smash Sisters yet? Clearly, we're asking way too many questions. Just enjoy the mad choreography and know that if it's anything like Haloid, love can eventually bloom on the battlefield. [Thanks, Kamizar]
Joystiq interview: DOA creator Tomonobu Itagaki, "Tekken sucks"
We caught up with Tomonobu Itagaki at the recent Championship Gaming Series North American World Series Final (try printing that on a hat) in Manhattan Beach recently, and we asked him a few questions. Although he'd had a few beers, we didn't get him to pin down a date or a console for Ninja Gaiden 2, curse you weak American beer! Yes, he was wearing his patent black leather jacket and sunglasses, and no he didn't take them off. Even when it got dark. They might be permanently welded to his face at this point. While he's known for being outspoken and critical to the extreme (especially if your game has the word Tekken in the title), when we asked him about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, he actually handed over his DS to us and let us play through an early build of the game, more on that soon.
DoA movie even deader after arrival
After what seems like a lifetime in development, direct-to-DVD speculation and a dismal 18th place opening last weekend, we thought things couldn't get much worse for the Dead or Alive movie. But we were wrong. Dead wrong, if you will. This weekend's box office numbers show earnings for the movie dropping off an incredible 91.9 percent to just over $21,000. Total. For the whole country. For reference, top-earner Evan Almighty made that much off just three of its 3,604 opening screens. The 54th-most popular movie for the weekend, DoA was shown in just 98 theaters, earning an average $214 per screen. For even more context, action flick 300 was shown in 140 theaters and averaged $737 per showing despite being four months old. Granted, DoA was a low-budget popcorn flick with no big names attached and next to no advertising. Still, what does this unmitigated flop say about the prospects of other upcoming, game-based movies like Prince of Persia or Spy Hunter ... or Metal Gear Solid or Diablo ... or City of Heroes or The Sims? They can't all be Tomb Raider, after all. [Via 1up]
