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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.
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.
Itagaki's depression-fueled Armageddon/Aerosmith bender
Did you think it was weird that Dead or Alive games often featured totally out-of-place Aerosmith songs? We always did, but that music choice was fully, definitively justified by Tomonobu Itagaki in a speech at DICE 2012.Itagaki explained that the first PS2 release of Dead or Alive 2 (which only came out in Japan; the one at the US PS2 launch, DOA2 Hardcore, was a remake) was unfinished, and sent to manufacturing under false pretenses. A manager approached him and asked to borrow a copy of the in-progress game to play it. "Instead," he said, "it was taken into a factory for production on that day without me knowing it." The team only had two and a half months to work on it. "To be sure, the company made a huge profit."The game had relatively low-quality, jagged graphics and a lack of extra content. Itagaki became depressed about the unfinished game. "I thought I would quit making games," he said. "Some of the staff, including me, were so depressed by this fact." In this state, he stayed home for "three or four months," drinking and repeatedly watching ... Armageddon, singing along to the sappy "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" with his daughter, which he admitted was a "stupid life." "If I close my eyes now and recall Armageddon, tears still come out," he said.So the secret to the Aerosmith songs in those DOA games is that Itagaki seriously, unironically loves Aerosmith. The real surprise is that Bruce Willis never made it into any of the games.
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?
Bilson gets to the heart of the new THQ in IGDA Leadership keynote
Keynoting the IGDA Leadership Forum last week, THQ "core games" boss Danny Bilson not only reflected on the publisher's steady turnaround (despite a recent slump), but also focused on its goals for the future. Previously reported updates from Bilson on Homefront, Darksiders 2 and Guillermo Del Toro's project, however, were just mere nuggets from his near hour-long presentation, which kicked off with a retelling of his personal journey from non-interactive media to games. Back in the late-90s, Bilson recalled, he was working in television in Vancouver -- specifically, on Viper and The Sentinel. During a business trip, a stranger sitting next to him on the plane asked about the scripts Bilson happened to be reviewing. That stranger was Don Mattrick, who was president of Electronic Arts at the time. Bilson would eventually join EA, launching his career in video games.
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.
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]
'Valhalla Game Studios' headed up by Tomonobu Itagaki
Tomonobu Itagaki has revealed, if not his new game, the place where he'll be making his new game: Valhalla Game Studios. In a Famitsu interview (translated by 1UP), the Dead or Alive creator announced that he is in charge of the development department for the new studio, created by Tecmo alum Satoshi Kanematsu. The studio is staffed by about 50 people, a number Itagaki told Famitsu was intentional. "That may expand a bit, but it's not going to be a 100-person company," he said. "50 people working for two years can produce something better than 100 people working for one year. 100 times 1 and 50 times 2 may produce the same number, but not in creative businesses like this one." Larger, public companies, he said, "have to prove their worth to the stock market on a year-by-year basis, and that means they can't focus all-out on quality." Whatever Itagaki's new game is, it won't be a fighter. For one thing, "I already made Dead or Alive, the best fighting game in the world, in my last company." Besides, he said, "Fighting games are kind of at another dead end right now" without another DOA-type disruption.
