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Hayashi: Team Ninja taming its 'sex and violence' image in DoA 5
Team Ninja boss Yosuke Hayashi says the studio's perspective has changed since Tomonobu Itagaki left in a huff in 2008, and even though most of its 200 staff are original team members, Hayashi is calling them his "new team." The most obvious shift is the new team's focus on creating an emotional experience, rather than eye candy, Hayashi tells Gamasutra."The old team was known for making games that just had two primary elements: Sex and violence," Hayashi says. "It was very obvious. The new team, we want to take it to a new level -- to a direction that contains emotional experiences that can move players."That's right -- Team Ninja wasn't emotionally invested in all the sexy gameplay you had together, and now it's looking for something more meaningful. Hayashi may find his new, more mature gaming experience in a Dead or Alive crossover with Virtua Fighter, a la Street Fighter X Tekken, Edge reports."In terms of collaboration titles, there are staff on our team who just love fighting games and if there was any chance to do that we'd actively, possibly do that," Hayashi says."The first 3D game I played was Virtua Fighter; that's the IP I respect most. Virtua Fighter was the father of 3D gaming, so it's very well respected."For now, one thing's certain: The women in Dead or Alive 5 will be more respectable, well-rounded (emotionally) than in previous titles. "We've always had the sex factor in the game; in the past, the female characters had to have big breasts, they had to have scanty dress," Hayashi says. "In DoA 5 especially, we're trying to focus on the real women that surround us: the voice of a female, the mannerisms. We are being realistic about it."
Itagaki: 'The era of pursuing technical strength has ended'
When he was at the top of Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki was seemingly obsessed with high-end graphics and processing power, choosing to work exclusively on the first Xbox for technical reasons. With his new Valhalla studio, Itagaki has shed that aspect of his public persona as well. At a party for Famitsu Xbox 360's hundredth issue, Itagaki and Shinji Mikami recorded an installment of Itagaki's "Valhalla Freaks" column, during which the Dead or Alive creator declared that "the era of pursuing technical strength has ended," adding, "From here on out, we should pursue what makes games interesting and fun." According to Andriasang, Itagaki suggested that Japanese developers should share technology like some Western companies do. Xbox 360 marketing chief Jouji Sakaguchi then undercut Itagaki's message about pursuing technical strength by announcing that the monitors for Xbox game demos at this year's Tokyo Game Show would be larger than last year's.
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.
Itagaki's Valhalla Game Studios project to be unveiled at E3
As any of us in the video game journotainment industry will tell you, the only truly dark days are the ones you don't get to spend writing about Tomonobu Itagaki. Not only is the man a constant font of great quotes, but once you make a crack about his leather jacket and sunglasses, you're halfway through your word count. Question: How long's it been since we've written about Itagaki? Answer: far, far too long. Mercifully, the drought will end at E3, where Itagaki has revealed he'll be announcing the inaugural project from Valhalla Game Studios. No hints about the new project yet, but when you've gone more than two months without sunshine in your life, you take what you can get. [Via IGN]
What Itagaki's been playing: 400 hours of Dragon Quest IX
After taking the past two years off from game development following a messy breakup with his old employer, Tecmo, Tomonobu Itagaki is back in the game (biz) as chief creative officer of Valhalla Game Studios. But what was Itagaki up to in those two years? Speaking with Famitsu (translated by 1UP), the Dead or Alive creator explained, "I spent the days doing anything I felt like, researching whatever kind of technology struck me, playing whatever games piqued my interest ... for example, I wound up playing Dragon Quest IX for about 400 hours." That's alotta slime! In fairness, the developer wasn't exclusively sinking hundreds of hours of his free time into a single DS game -- he also spent quite a bit of time traveling to game studios around the world and doing R&D work for Valhalla's next (read: first) project, claimed to be "way outside the scope of our company" by Itagaki. According to him, that next game "will earn Valhalla Game Studios its place in history," and he intends it to sell at least four million copies. But for now, he's got a model train set to build with some of his friends. "I'm planning to rent out some space and build a seriously big train layout, 7 or so meters (23 feet) in length. There are some professionals in that field among my friends, so I'm thinking about building something really decent together with them and having people come over and play with the results. It'd be a business, though I'd make it free for children -- kids are pretty rough with model trains, but I'll just have to deal with that." Kids these days.
Solved mysteries: Itagaki's leather jacket and sunglasses
You may think that, being born into this world, Tomonobu Itagaki escaped the womb wearing a pair of sunglasses and one bitchin' leather jacket -- and you may well be right. Back then, medical records simply did not document such phenomena. Also, if the records did, we wouldn't know because we can't read Japanese. Let's just say he did. Moving on, it would seem Itagaki doesn't have to don the shades and treated animal skin for every picture taken, as this interview with his new outfit, Valhalla Game Studios, shows. The leather and sunglasses are more part of his press persona, which stems from his original dream of being "a pro gambler of mahjong." "If you let someone read your eyes, you may lose many chances to win," Itagaki said. "So I came to wearing sunglasses outside. Basically." You know, it's a simple explanation, but it takes some of the magic out of it, don't you think? Regardless, head on over and give the interview a read for insight into how Valhalla set up the new office work flow and how it plans to get its upcoming not-a-fighter onto store shelves. [Via Siliconera]
Itagaki's suit against Tecmo ends in settlement
Finally, Tomonobu Itagaki can have a restful night of sleep in his sunglasses. The ongoing legal dispute between the Dead or Alive creator and former employer Tecmo, over unpaid salary and bonuses, has ended in a settlement. Itagaki announced the resolution of the dispute in a public statement. Itagaki didn't specify the terms, but we can only imagine a copy of Dead or Alive Paradise was involved. "How could I resist?" we imagine him saying, "It's my own private paradise, in the palm of my hand!" As for things Itagaki actually said, the statement (per Andriasang's translation) revealed that he's working on something new: "I cannot wait for the day when I can announce to everyone the new title that I'm currently conceiving." Itagaki's aiming for "world class entertainment" with "a greater depth of play than before."
Itagaki has only nice things to say about Team Ninja's Metroid project
Being away from Tecmo seems to have done wonders for Tomonobu Itagaki's attitude. In an E3 interview with 1UP's James Mielke, the former Team Ninja head said he was "very honored and pleased to be of service" in response to the suggestion that Ninja Blade was a close imitation of Ninja Gaiden. He admitted he was "pretty tired" of making games featuring super-unrealistic women. He even went so far as to praise Tekken 6 director Katsuhiro Harada, only hating on Tekken when pressed.And rather than harbor hard feelings against his former Team Ninja colleagues who stayed on with Tecmo, Itagaki offered well wishes to the team and its Metroid: Other M project. He called Yoshio Sakamoto, Nintendo's producer on the game, "a veteran I really respect," and suggested that Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi "will learn a lot working with him. I hope Team Ninja works hard in making a good game." We like Nice Itagaki! The only ire was reserved for Bayonetta. "If I made a similar game as a game I made in the company I quit," he said about Platinum's Hideki Kamiya, "people would say, 'What an idiot, can't he make anything else?' Well, that is more or less the opinion I have for, uh, that Bayo-something game."
Itagaki: Easier to develop for PS3 than Famicom
Can we make a formal request? Can Sony hire Itagaki to take Ken Kutaragi's old job? No, we know, Kaz technically has his old position, but Sony really needs someone out there saying crazy things about the PS3, and we think Itagaki's the man for the gig. Here's what he recently told 1UP: "I don't think that developing for the PS3 is hard at all. It was much harder developing for the Famicom. It's true. I mean, give someone who's developing for the PS3 a Famicom and see if they can make a game for it. They won't be able to. Yeah, that'll prove it. We'll bet a drink on it."Bam! Crazy! Can you imagine getting that kind of stuff day in and day out from PS3 HQ? C'mon, Sony give that man whatever he wants ... and we do mean whatever.
Itagaki says PS3 development easier than Famicom
According to former Tecmo employee and Team Ninja leader Tomonobu Itagaki (Dead or Alive series, Ninja Gaiden Sigma), developing for the PS3 is easy-peasy. "I don't think that developing for the PS3 is hard at all. It was much harder developing for the Famicom," Itagaki told 1UP. "It's true. I mean, give someone who's developing for the PS3 a Famicom and see if they can make a game for it. They won't be able to. Yeah, that'll prove it. We'll bet a drink on it."For the longest time now, developers have been struggling with getting a hang of the PS3 hardware; for Itagaki, it's apparently nothing more than shooting the breeze on a Tuesday. So Itagaki-san, want to develop again for the PS3 and show these fools how it's done? It's been a while hasn't it?
Itagaki practices legal ninjitsu in case against Tecmo
Former head of Tecmo's Team Ninja and leather aficionado, Tomonobu Itagaki, is proving himself to be quite the legal eagle hawk whatever bird a ninja might keep as a pet in his ongoing lawsuit against his old employer. In addition to upping his claim for damages from 148 million yen ($1.3 million) to 164m yen ($1.6m) for bonuses and salary not paid, the Dead or Alive creator delivered a blow to accusations by Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda that he was never promised bonuses in the first place.The evidence: an audio recording of Yasuda specifically stating that a legal document known as a ringi, which outlined the contested bonus plan, had in fact been approved by Tecmo's board of directors. Take that! If that didn't sting, Itagaki said (in what we're guessing was a stern voice): "I am prepared to reveal this evidence as the need arises for the sake of greater justice." Hear that? Greater justice. Everything the guy does is intense.
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.
Tecmo fires back, says details of lawsuit are 'inaccurate'
Much like a war that rages on for centuries, the struggle between Tomonobu Itagaki and his almost-former (July 1) employer, Tecmo, continues. The latest volley in this exchange between parties shows Tecmo bashing the lawsuit, claiming the details are "inaccurate."Within the statement, Tecmo is quick to point out that all of Team Ninja's employees aren't following their leader and quitting. Tecmo also says that all 300 employees aren't filing lawsuits against the company.For the rest from Tecmo's official statement, we suggest you head past the post break.
Tecmo attempts to quiet Itagaki, denies exodus rumors
In an effort to quell widespread rumors surrounding the business practices of the company, Tecmo has filed an injunction against former Team Ninja lead Tomonobu Itagaki. Filed in a Tokyo District Court, the injunction places a four-point gag order on Itagaki, effectively removing his opinion from the public forum beyond his existing comments on the matter against Tecmo. The provisional disposition prohibits: Disclosing or leaking information regarding Tecmo's game software, sales, development or any other company secrets Using newspapers, magazines and the internet to criticize company software and company employees Obstructing the company's business through slanderous remarks to third parties Interviews regarding Tecmo or discuss the company and its practices to the press In a statement made today, Tecmo has vehemently denied recent reports that dozens of Team Ninja employees have resigned in the wake of Itagaki's announcement and a lawsuit has been filed against the company on behalf of its 300 employees. Calling the reports "groundless" and "inaccurate," Tecmo has asked the media to approach the situation with a fair and balanced view. We'll update the story as details emerge, however, as proven by the injunction against Itagaki it looks like Tecmo would like to silence anyone who could shed light on the situation.[via Talking About Games & Joystiq]
Tecmo seeks to gag Itagaki with suppression order
Following the very public resignation of Tomonobu Itagaki two weeks ago, Tecmo has appealed to the Tokyo District Court seeking to restrict Itagaki from making further public remarks about ... any and every -thing that begins was a capital "T" ands ends with an "ecmo." The company filed with the court last Tuesday, June 10, but has yet to receive a verdict, Famitsu reports. The gag order seeks to prohibit Itagaki from: Disclosing, destroying or leaking Tecmo's trade secrets, especially those concerning software, development and marketing Making false or misleading statements about Tecmo's business policies and strategies, or criticizing games developed by other Tecmo employees Making defamatory remarks to damage Tecmo's reputation Making public statements about Tecmo, or accepting media invitations (e.g., interviews) to discuss Tecmo while still employed (until July 1) by the company No word yet on whether or not Tecmo has ordered up an additional 300 gags. But buying in bulk certainly saves time and money.[Big thanks to Ittousai over at Engadget Japan for his translation work!]
All Tecmo employees sue Tecmo
We thought it was bad when Tomonobu Itagaki left Tecmo, but little did we know it was about to get much, much worse. As rumored over the weekend, employees of the company are suing for unpaid bonuses. Well, it's not exactly the same as the weekend rumor, which said the lawsuit would come from three dozen or so higher ups. No, apparently the lawsuit has been filed on behalf of all 300 of the company's employees. A Famitsu article on the subject also says the suit complains of employees not getting holiday and overtime pay that they are owed.So, in short, Tecmo is eating itself. You may now carry on with your day.[Via X3F]
Tecmo possibly facing Obliteration
After Itagaki decided to leave due to unpaid bonuses, it looked as though things might just end with that. Then came the rumor that around three dozen employees would follow suit. Now it seems like Tecmo has been dismembered and is just waiting for the inevitable OT. A lawsuit was filed in Tokyo District Court just yesterday on behalf of all 300 of Tecmo's remaining employees, and according to one translation claims that "Tecmo has falsified documents and accounting procedures in regards to employment statuses, overtime pay and various lapses in employment standards when filing documents for labor inspections." Additionally, a Famitsu article on the same topic also notes that employees were not getting their overtime pay, nor were they well-compensated for working on public holidays. The Google Translation of the original Japanese story is a bit dry and difficult to follow (as is to be expected from a computer translation) but specific words such as "forge" and "impersonation" hint at the kind of trouble Tecmo could be facing before this is all over.Whatever happens, we just hope that the talent from Tecmo's various projects all end up alright and get the compensation they deserve. We're certainly no experts, but from what we hear, Japanese game devs (heck, game devs in general) are run pretty ragged and really do deserve their bonuses ...[Via NeoGAF]
Rumor: Team Ninja following Itagaki out
Last week, Tomonobu Itagaki made a characteristically high-profile, loud exit from Tecmo, suing the company for unpaid bonus income on his way out. According to a rumor posted by 1UP's James Mielke, Itagaki isn't the only one vanishing -- several of his translucent orange Shadow Clones (or other Team Ninja employees -- the details are scarce!) are headed out as well. According to Mielke, "as many as three dozen or more" Team Ninja staffers are walking out of Tecmo, and serving the company with their own class-action lawsuit regarding unpaid bonuses. On top of that, Tecmo may have broken the law by failing to report the lawsuits to their shareholders.Tecmo did say that Team Ninja would be intact and working on new games -- they just didn't say who they'd be making those games for. We weren't really expecting another Ninja Gaiden DS game anyway (since the first one bombed in Japan), but now we can really let go of the possibility.
Rumor: Three dozen Team Ninja devs leaving with Itagaki, suing Tecmo
Losing one of your company's most recognizable figureheads, especially one whose name is so closely associated with most of your best-selling properties, is bound to put a damper on things around the office. However, that last statement assumes that there are still people in the office -- 1UP recently printed a rumor that as many as three dozen Team Ninja higher-ups could be leaving the company following Tomonobu Itagaki's resignation, and will sue Tecmo to gain unpaid bonuses for the games they've completed (much like the class-action suit Itagaki planned to file against the company following his departure).1UP's source for the rumor was the ever-present "word on the street", though that's likely just rumorese for "we have an inside source". Whoever it may be, we doubt it's the same hopeful Tecmo higher-up who recently assured the public that Team Ninja was going to be just fine, as losing your poster boy, a heartbreaking amount of stock market value, and supposedly, a healthy portion of your workforce in such a short period of time would surely make any game developer feel anything but.
X3F TV -- Points>Life: Lazy Ninja Technique
Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hording in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game.In honor of our brand new Ninja Gaiden II page, Points>Life is tackling an achievement from Xbox 360's Summer mega-action release, Ninja Gaiden II. Having difficulties landing a 100-hit combo? That wonky camera got you down? Just want 20 random points? You've come to the right place!Check out the video above for a few helpful tips and if you have any tricks of your own, make sure to leave them in the comments!Also, make sure to check out our retrospective features on Tomonobu Itagaki and the Ninja Gaiden Series itself.Music: "Ninja Gaiden" by minibosses[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
