devils-third
Latest
E3 2014 round-up: Weird tales from Los Angeles
Had you been on the floor of the Los Angeles Convention Center this year, you would have heard one question, echoing from journalist to journalist: "This year feels a little ... weird, don't you think?" It's hard to put a finger on exactly why E3 2014 gave off a strange vibe, but darn it all, we're gonna try. Here are some of the most eccentric, the most peculiar, most "hmm"-inducing stories of E3:
One moment for two minutes with Devil's Third
The path Tomonobu Itagaki's Devil's Third is taking to launch is strange and unusual. Once you watch this trailer you can't imagine it having an existence that would allow for the mundane. Itagaki also spoke with us this week at E3 about the over-the-top game's strange path from defunct publisher THQ to Nintendo.
Devil's Third on Wii U asks: 'What does it mean to live?'
Tomonobu Itagaki has been away for a long time. After finishing Ninja Gaiden II for Xbox 360 back in 2008, the man behind some of gaming's most flamboyant creations broke from his team at Tecmo to go independent. He founded Valhalla Studios in 2008 and announced Devil's Third in 2010. Shifting from the martial arts pyrotechnics of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, Devil's Third would be a third-person shooter of all things. After delays, disappearances, and the death of its publisher THQ, Third re-appeared at E3 2014 under an unlikely banner: the Nintendo Wii U. "We developed the game up to an early playable version at THQ but then there was the unfortunate end of that company," Itagaki said via a translator. "Then, when we went looking for partners and found Nintendo who really supported my vision. I'm not really sure if it would have been possible ten years ago to be honest, but I've had a long relationship with Nintendo going back to the Nintendo and Super Nintendo. Once I went independent, I definitely went over to Nintendo to say hello." It's been a long time since he went independent, though. Just like his games, Itagaki was alternately stoic and funny discussing how his development process has changed as he faced myriad challenges to get his game made. "I like to think of myself as a warrior," said Itagaki.
Itagaki's action-packed Devil's Third coming exclusively to Wii U
Last we heard of Tomonobu Itagaki's Devil's Third, the game was nearly finished and ready for launch later this year, though we have now learned that the game will appear exclusively on Nintendo's Wii U console. Itagaki broke the news during an IGN E3 stream, though the developer most famous for the gravity-defying Dead or Alive franchise offered no further information on what we can expect from the Wii U game. Nintendo "really understood my vision," Itagaki stated, "so I felt I really had to work with them." Lacking from Itagaki's revelation was any sort of release date. [Image: Valhalla Games]
Itagaki: Devil's Third almost finished, launching in 2014
Valhalla Games, the new outfit from former Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki, will launch Devil's Third some time next year. It's around 80% complete right now, Itagaki said. "We'll be going all out next year, so please look forward to it." There hasn't been much word on Devil's Third since its old publisher THQ went out of business last year and rights to the game were soon relinquished back to Valhalla Games. In May, Itagaki assured that work on the game would continue even though a new publisher had not been lined up yet. Devil's Third is a third-person shooter with melee combat elements set during a modern-day world war. It's Itagaki's first game since his controversial exit from Tecmo in 2008.
Devil's Third still in production, Itagaki assures
Speaking with Famitsu, Valhalla Game Studios CTO Tomonobu Itagaki confirmed that work continues on his company's third-person shooter Devil's Third, despite publisher concerns and a lack of updates regarding its development. "It's going along really well," Itagaki said in an interview translated by Polygon's Kevin Gifford. "We're discussing things with publishers; we're continuing to expand on and deepen the gameplay. That's about the level we're at." Devil's Third was announced in 2010, and little was revealed about its gameplay in the years since. Devil's Third's intellectual property rights reverted to Valhalla after former publisher THQ failed to find a buyer following its dissolution last year. "It's like we're continuing to go along under the surface, waiting for the right timing to launch our missiles," Itagaki said, addressing the scarcity of details regarding the project. "Besides, if we revealed where we were hiding under the surface, it wouldn't be much of a war, would it?" Itagaki notes that Devil's Third will not be shown at E3 next month, due to timing issues.
Devil's Third developer forms joint venture with Doobic
The now independent Valhalla Game Studios has found another studio to assist with the multiplatform development of former THQ project Devil's Third.Doobic Game Studios, the Korean developer of Combat Arms, has entered into a joint venture with Valhalla Game Studios called "Valhalla&Doobic Co., Ltd," which is handling the development of the PC and tablet versions of Devil's Third.The technical collaboration agreement we have reached with Doobic will greatly help in accelerating the expansion of the "Devil's Third" franchise," Valhalla CEO Satoshi Kanematsu (the one dressed like Steven Tyler in the above picture) said in the brief announcement. Valhalla's expansion plans call for Devil's Third content for other media in addition to games.
Devil's Third heading to 'digital devices' as well as consoles and PC
Tomonobu Itagaki's Valhalla Game Studios is developing Devil's Third for more than just "home consoles and PC," says Valhalla CEO Satoshi Kanematsu. The studio is also crafting the game for "a wide range of digital devices," as Kanematsu explains in a letter posted to the studio's site.What are "digital devices," pray tell? That's a good question – perhaps handhelds like the Vita and 3DS, perhaps mobile devices – we're not sure just yet. But Kanematsu doesn't stop there. "We are also looking beyond the boundaries of video games and plan to work with other various forms of media, including manga, novels, animation and film, to create a blockbuster franchise," he says. Sounds like ex-THQ buddy Danny Bilson and his "transmedia" message may've rubbed off on Valhalla.Devil's Third is a horror title being produced by Valhalla Games independently, having recently broken away from publisher THQ and retained the rights to the IP.
Devil's Third rights relinquished to Itagaki's Valhalla Games
THQ apparently couldn't find a buyer for Valhalla Games' first project, Devil's Third. The rights to the project were handed back to creative lead Tomonobu Itagaki and his studio, THQ confirmed to Eurogamer. "All of the game's IP rights have been returned to Itagaki-san and the Valhalla team," the statement reads.The news comes on the heels of a Famitsu interview Itagaki participated in, where he expressed gratitude to THQ and Danny Bilson for trying to make things work before giving in. "We were anguished and they were really kind to us. Mr. Danny Bilson was searching for a way to work together until the very end. I do appreciate him and THQ managers that signed the transfer contract," Itagaki said, according to EG's translation.Itagaki also said that the game is "in its final stage now, though he admitted that the final stage is also "most expensive." THQ announced its collaboration with Itagaki and Valhalla Studios in 2010 – part of its "Core Games" push – but the publisher's recent financial issues eventually gutted the deal. It's unclear what publisher, if any, will pick up Devil's Third.
THQ looking to sell off Devil's Third
Ex-Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki's first project after leaving Tecmo could be in trouble. During today's financial briefing call to investors, THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell said Devil's Third no longer fits the publisher's "profitability profile.""The profitability profile for Devil's Third no longer met our internal threshold and we are currently in discussions with third parties regarding the future of this title," Farrell said. "There were a couple of unforeseen events that happened during the development of Devil's Third. One was the company that Valhalla was using for the engine went out of business, so we had to assist Itagaki and the team with a new engine – it took a fair amount of time and cost a fair amount of money."The other big issue was the appreciation of the Yen, which reduced Devil's Third's potential for profit compared to other stuff in THQ's pipeline. "We think it's an excellent franchise; we've really enjoyed working with Itagaki-san, and we're going to explore other opportunities with him and others to make sure this product comes to market."Devil's Third is the first project from Tomonobu Itagaki's new development studio, Valhalla Game Studios. Itagaki, who is quite possibly best known for his years at Tecmo on the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series of games, left Tecmo back in 2008.
Devil's Third coming 'early 2013,' possibly to Wii U
Speaking to GAME Watch, Valhalla Game Studios head and apparent light sensitivity sufferer Tomonobu Itagaki offered a bit more clarification to the release window for his new action game, Devil's Third. He said that it won't be ready until early 2013. That narrows it down a bit -- we knew it was sometime in either 2012 or early 2013. Itagaki said that the game is 100% complete in terms of mechanics, but only "20-30%" done as a complete product. Devil's Third's multiplayer mode is currently playable, Itagaki said, and the team is working to boost the maximum player count to 32, at which point he will feel they have "done a good job." Itagaki is also considering a Wii U release, which is hardly surprising -- judging by the third-party sizzle reel, publisher THQ is deeply into the platform. Itagaki himself thinks the Wii U is a good idea for Japanese homes without space for multiple televisions, and is "very excited" about possibly getting his game onto the new console.
Devil's Third teaser defies explanation
Having watched a new behind-the-scenes teaser for Devil's Third, we still don't know much more about Tomonobu Itagaki's upcoming project at Vallhalla. We have learned that it will be showcased at this year's Tokyo Game Show. As for the rest of the video, it's ... well ... hrm. Just watch and see.
Itagaki's Valhalla Game Studios sharing tech with Relic for Devil's Third
Among the many things touched on by THQ Core Games head Danny Bilson in his speech this morning was Tomonobu Itagaki's post-Team Ninja home, Valhalla Game Studios. Rather than speak to when we'll hear more about Devil's Third, Bilson outed Itagaki's current location: Vancouver, Canada. Apparently, the head of Valhalla Studios and some of his team are "in Vancouver at Relic Studios, partnering with Relic on a few really cool aspects of the technology in their game." Bilson brought this up in an effort to explain how THQ treats, "all our external teams as internal teams" -- Relic Entertainment is owned by THQ, while Valhalla is self-owned -- and that means sharing technology on a regular basis. We later clarified with Bilson that this means Relic is contributing in some way to Devil's Third (rather than vice versa), leaving us to speculate what this could mean Devil's Third -- an extra space marine or two? Some form of hybrid ninja slash marine thing? Ohhhh, right, that already exists. How could we have forgotten?
Itagaki 'would like' to offer 3D option in Devil's Third
It's still up in the air what the "third" in Devil's Third means -- could it be the third dimension? Tomonobu Itagaki told Impress Watch during a TGS 2010 interview (the game wasn't at the show in any kind of official capacity) that he was looking into 3D. "It's not a game that's built around it, but I'd like to at least offer it as an option," Andriasang translates. 3D was a hot topic at TGS 2010, something that Sony's pushing big time with the PS3. But what about the Xbox 360? Itagaki said he could do it, as long as it's "side by side" with the PS3 version, but considering his game won't be out for years -- Itagaki reiterated during the interview that the game would not launch in 2011 -- we'd suggest sitting back and seeing how this whole 3D thing plays out before diverting sunglasses and leather jacket funds to making the game 3D.
Devil's Third expected before April 2013
Previously only hinted in a slide on an investor presentation, we know have a somewhat clear idea of at least the year of release for Tomonobu Itagaki's new game, Devil's Third. "The game is currently scheduled for release in THQ's fiscal year ending March 31, 2013," according to publisher THQ's latest earnings release. Perhaps Valhalla Game Studios would be able to get the game done before then, but the kind of quality that justifies Itagaki-level boasting takes time. Besides, there are trains to build.
THQ puts Devil's Third in 2012, announces UFC Trainer
While we were furiously running from appointment to appointment somewhere inside the LA Convention Center last week, THQ was busy holding an investor call -- and subsequently detailing a densely packed game release future. While we already heard from the publisher back in February that Darksiders and Saint's Row sequels would be arriving sometime in fiscal 2012 (between March 2011 and April 2012), it seems that Valhalla Games' debut effort Devil's Third will join the fold (as evidenced by the above image). Also of note, "UFC Trainer" was detailed in the financial call as a Kinect/Move/Wii exercise/training title set for release in Jan 2011 (as reported by GameSpot). It's aiming to contend with the likes of EA Sports Active and Wii Fit, albeit with a tougher slant. "We want this thing tuned to perfection without lag. And I'm not going to ship it until it's the coolest fighting thing in the world," THQ exec Danny Bilson said of UFC Trainer, explaining its absence from E3. He also reconfirmed that a sequel to Darksiders has been "greenlit" and is currently in production, though said nothing of the Devil's Third release window specifically (presumably for fear of being sliced to bits by Valhalla's ninjas).
Devil's Third is Itagaki's bloody, bullet-filled new game
Missed Tomonobu Itagaki? After a controversial departure from Tecmo, the producer of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden found himself with some free time ... and a job offer from THQ. Devil's Third is the debut game from his new studio, Valhalla Games -- and it features all the violence and gore that you'd want from an Itagaki game. Unlike many of his previous titles, this looks to be a multiplatfom release, gracing both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Check out the trailer, courtesy of GameTrailers, after the break.
