From our little one-on-one with Tomonobu Itagaki last week, it looks like the man mainly responsible for the DOA and Ninja Gadien series is at a crossroads in his career.
He told us there'll be no more Ninja Gaiden games. Or Dead Or Alive beat-'em-ups. So what's next for the outspoken Japanese dev? From what he's said, even he doesn't know yet...
Please tell us that the stories of Ninja Gaiden II being the last game in the series EVER aren't true!
Tomonobu Itagaki: Ha, I've done everything I wanted to accomplish with this franchise and all of my closest colleagues are satisfied and agree that we've done as much as we can with it.
What did you think of the PS3 game Ninja Gaiden: Sigma? I'm told you won't even sign copies of the game...?
Itagaki: It was no good.
Why's that? I thought it was pretty good.
Itagaki: All you need to do is play Ninja Gaiden II and then try and play Sigma afterwards and you'll see why.
Despite the fact that it's on a 'next-generation' console there's no evolution whatsoever. That was made not by me, but one of my sub-ordinates who basically tried to copy the success of Ninja Gaiden.
Does that mean we'll never see NGII on PS3?
Itagaki: No because it's a 360 exclusive.
But Ninja Gaiden and Ninja Gaiden: Black were Xbox exclusives at the time...
Itagaki: We've announced it as an Xbox 360 exclusive, but I don't own Tecmo the company. But if that were to ever happen it would be a loss of face for everyone involved.
As the NG series is at an end then, what's your favourite memory of the series?
Itagaki: I think it's probably the Attract mode which you might have seen when you leave the screen on without doing anything. It shows a ninja graveyard. That's my most memorable moment.
What would you like the series to be remembered for?
Itagaki: I'd like to be remembered as the black sheep of game design.
So what's next for Dead or Alive?
Itagaki: This is another area that me and my closest colleagues all agree that we were able to achieve the definitive fighting game with DOA4. So we're not looking to extend the series at this point.
What's next then? Where do you go from here?
Itagaki: I'd like to make a brand new action game. Something that no one's ever seen before.
And ideas on what that might be? You're going to take some time off first though, right?
Itagaki: Yes, I'm going to take a few months off before I really get into it. But regardless of what it is I think you'll definitely see violence as a component of that franchise as well.
So the whole 'violence in games' issue doesn't worry you then?
Itagaki: No, it does not bother me because we are following all of the rules in terms of ratings. And I believe we're following morality as well in only showing violence between combatants. I think the 'violence issue' is something that is within each individual who plays the game.
I'm not shallow enough to tell people that they shouldn't be concerned with violence and I don't want to put words in other people's mouths. I just know that I have to follow the ratings and make sure it's not going to offend anybody. I feel there is no issue with that.
If I had any complaints about government regulations it would be the fact that Tokyo recently outlawed smoking in taxi cabs. That's a bigger problem for me right now.
What are your thoughts on Grand Theft Auto IV?
Itagaki: I think it's made extremely well and is a fun game. People always use that as an example of violence in games. I don't think there's anyone who takes their job as seriously as the guys who make that game. You only have to look at all the detail in there.
Worthy of being the biggest game of all time?
Itagaki: I think it's an important argument to make that; how many billions of people in the world are there? And it sold a few million copies. In the overall scheme of things it's not a huge deal.
But it is the biggest entertainment launch ever. And that's a fact. Do you think it's worthy of that headline?
Itagaki: I don't want you to think I'm being cynical, or that I'm trying to dodge the question or anything, but I don't think of those things like that. As far as me thinking it's worthy, I don't have a particular opinion. I mean it sold, people bought it. That's the reality of it.
PR: Time's up.
Itagaki: How did you like the content of the answers?
CVG: Yeah, very good. Better than I thought they'd be through an interpreter.
Heh, you gotta love his honesty and just sheer brazen attitude! Whatever you think of him, you've got to admit, he makes a damn good action game with amazing combat.
Yeah, I'd have to agree, NG was great....like 20 years ago. The new one was alright, I guess, but just didn't have the same allure as the original NG's. I own Sigma, the collector's edition, and it was pound for pound just as good if not better than the 360 vers (I only say better because of the additional content...). His exclusivity talk can be taken with a grain of sand however, I mean...how many times has his dev team switched teams and gone to the competition? Nintendo to MS to Sony to MS? LoL, either pick a side and stick with it, or just develope on all consoles. Yeeesh.
Yeah, I'd have to agree, NG was great....like 20 years ago. The new one was alright, I guess, but just didn't have the same allure as the original NG's. I own Sigma, the collector's edition, and it was pound for pound just as good if not better than the 360 vers (I only say better because of the additional content...). His exclusivity talk can be taken with a grain of sand however, I mean...how many times has his dev team switched teams and gone to the competition? Nintendo to MS to Sony to MS? LoL, either pick a side and stick with it, or just develope on all consoles. Yeeesh.
Btw, MGS4 looks better
Morne
First there was never a 360 vers of sigma that was a rushed attempt at upgrading the origianl xbox version. Which is still better than all but the first metal gear imo. Also I am glad he isn't hideo Kojima, because there would be a fecking cutscene after every enemy killed .
Loss of face? you mean MS may want their lump sum back for their xbox exclusives. But to be honest NG was crap hack and slash button bashing isn't my thing no reason to think NG2 will be any different so keep it. It looks nice and sounds fun but it will be same game play with no evolution its just producer trash talking.
Ninja Gaiden had some of the best action...back in the 8bit NES days. now? meh. Black wasn't bad by any means, but for me God of War just set the standard for 3D action. people applaud Itagaki for his frankness, but that still doesn't mean he isn't a jerk. he follows the philosophy that criticism is a challenge to overcome and not something to mope over, yet he hates Tekken (while admitting that three of the Tekken titles were good) simply because Namco criticized Dead or Alive. he says here that NGII coming to the PS3 would be a slap in the face to everyone who worked on it. how? last i checked being a third-party developer and having your game on more than one platform meant increasing your revenue and chances of increased profits. when was more money a slap in the face to anyone? if anything it would be a slap in the face of XBox 360 fanboys, and who really cares about fanboys anyway? dude's an undeniable Microsoft puppet. not even Ted Price or David Jaffe has ever come off as seeming so in-the-pocket-of-Sony as Itagaki has with Microsoft.
Yeah, I'd have to agree, NG was great....like 20 years ago. The new one was alright, I guess, but just didn't have the same allure as the original NG's. I own Sigma, the collector's edition, and it was pound for pound just as good if not better than the 360 vers (I only say better because of the additional content...). His exclusivity talk can be taken with a grain of sand however, I mean...how many times has his dev team switched teams and gone to the competition? Nintendo to MS to Sony to MS? LoL, either pick a side and stick with it, or just develope on all consoles. Yeeesh.
Btw, MGS4 looks better
Morne
Hi! Where did you get your Ninja gaiden special edition from my friend?
Loss of face? you mean MS may want their lump sum back for their xbox exclusives. But to be honest NG was crap hack and slash button bashing isn't my thing no reason to think NG2 will be any different so keep it. It looks nice and sounds fun but it will be same game play with no evolution its just producer trash talking.
Shows how much you know about Gaiden on xbox,button bash indeed
As for the GOW comment, smart enough action adventure that delivers edge of seat presentation but actual fighting mechanics are clunky compared
First of all why compare apples to oranges? Itagaki makes action games in the fighting genre while Kojima does the stealth shooters. Second of all going by what both critics AND fans action fans have said it is well known that the Ninja Gaiden franchise is well loved and arguably the best in the action genre. Button masher? No way anyone who has played the game would know better than to claim it as that. And give it a rest about that whole "exclusive" business everyone does that. If your third party you have the right to. Lastly, I would like to say that I'm glad he's man enough to admit that he's now continuing those individual games due to lack of innovation. Goes to show that he's got the integrity of an artist that's for shur.
First of all why compare apples to oranges? Itagaki makes action games in the fighting genre while Kojima does the stealth shooters. Second of all going by what both critics AND fans action fans have said it is well known that the Ninja Gaiden franchise is well loved and arguably the best in the action genre. Button masher? No way anyone who has played the game would know better than to claim it as that. And give it a rest about that whole "exclusive" business everyone does that. If your third party you have the right to. Lastly, I would like to say that I'm glad he's man enough to admit that he's now continuing those individual games due to lack of innovation. Goes to show that he's got the integrity of an artist that's for shur.
Very true, and I'll say it again. Thank god Itagaki is no kojima... I can't stand the MGS series. I don't see what the appeal in it could possibly be, but that is me. I can't wait to see what new franchise Itagaki will come up with in the future and I am really looking forward to NGII.
Ninja Gaiden on Xbox was the s**t. Those of you saying that NG is not a good action game are talking through your bottoms. And with button mashing you wont get past the first boss! I think the game is just too hardcore and hard for you people. I just played the Demo of Ninja Gaiden Sigma on PS3 and it looks fantastic.
Oh, and for me Itagaki has accomplished far more in gaming than mr. Kojima.
I honestly am p**sing myself laughing here...button bashing?? Hmmm, anyone get up to the xbox before the bar with button bashing? Beat any of the bosses button bashing? How far did you actually get button bashing then or did you give up because it was too hard? It beggars belief how stupid someone would have to be to say that. Nothing wrong with having an opinion but opinions can be wrong.
oh, Ninja Gaiden Black was hardly a button masher. in fact, while i say God of War is my all time favorite action game, i actually feel its combat was a close second to Ninja Gaiden's. however, to me Ninja Gaiden just had a very uninteresting story and bland characters. in that field God of War is VASTLY superior. NGB was basically like a good fighter with emphasis on exploration. still, none of this changes the fact that Itagaki is a a-hole. not even Gabe, who shares Itagaki's disinterest in the PS3, ever hung his crew and subordinates out to dry like Itagaki just did. with Gabe, you get the sense that he just hates the PS3's architect. Itagaki just seems like a Microsoft puppet. but who knows? maybe Kutaragi ran over his dog or something.
MICROSOFT MUST F**K THIS SLIMMY FACE JAPANESE AND PAYED HIM A LOT TO SAID THESE CRAP BECAUSE ANYONE KNOWS THAT HE IS THE BIGEST """GAY""" EVER IN GAME INDUSTRY. SO GO F**K A VIRTUAL DOLL YOU'VE MADE IN DOA ISLAND BECAUSE IN REAL LIFE YOU ARE A LITTLE GAY BASTARD FFRREEAAKKK.
BY THE WAY "YOU" CREATED NINJA GAIDEN SO IF YOU DONT LIKE YOUR OWN GAME (EVEN IN THIS REMAKE VERSION FOR PS3)THEN YOU ARE A TOTAL JERK... TIME FOR PAY MICROSOFT......WELL DONE MISSION COMPLETE
MICROSOFT MUST F**K THIS SLIMMY FACE JAPANESE AND PAYED HIM A LOT TO SAID THESE CRAP BECAUSE ANYONE KNOWS THAT HE IS THE BIGEST """GAY""" EVER IN GAME INDUSTRY. SO GO F**K A VIRTUAL DOLL YOU'VE MADE IN DOA ISLAND BECAUSE IN REAL LIFE YOU ARE A LITTLE GAY BASTARD FFRREEAAKKK.
BY THE WAY "YOU" CREATED NINJA GAIDEN SO IF YOU DONT LIKE YOUR OWN GAME (EVEN IN THIS REMAKE VERSION FOR PS3)THEN YOU ARE A TOTAL JERK... TIME FOR PAY MICROSOFT......WELL DONE MISSION COMPLETE
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