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Tecmo: Itagaki Lawsuit Based On 'Distortions'
by Brandon Boyer
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June 4, 2008
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According to a new report on the recent resignation and allegations of unpaid bonuses by Ninja Gaiden producer Tomonobu Itagaki, parent company Tecmo has said the producer's lawsuit against its president are full of "distortions."
Following his resignation, Itagaki filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo for the unpaid completion bonuses and against Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda for “such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen” ($1.42m).
The full statement (pdf), released by Tecmo and summarized by consumer website IGN, notes that its current completion bonus system has been regularly paid to Itagaki, but that the bonus in the complaint came from former management.
IGN also says the statement makes complaints about the producer taking the matter public, and "accuses Itagaki of referring to Team Ninja's productions in his statement as if they were developed exclusively by himself."
Representatives from Tecmo have told Gamasutra in a separate English statement that the company had no choice to accept Itagaki's resignation due to the accompanying lawsuit, and reiterates that the bonus in question is "in regards to a claim to an incentive bonus linked to a past project."
"The parties could not reach an amicable resolution to this matter and Itagaki chose to seek a legal remedy. Tecmo, LTD. will let the court decide the outcome of this case and will seek a true, fair, and quick resolution," it reads.
As with IGN's earlier summary, Tecmo's official English statement also notes that Itagaki's departure does not mean that Team Ninja has dissolved, and notes that the division has "several new projects already underway."
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I love the fact that they bring up old dirt in the form of the sexual harassment suit against Itagaki and that they "urged" him to focus on his duties and follow corporate policies after its successful dismissal.
I'm sure Tecmo HQ is most displeased that its enfant terrible would dare to slap them with a lawsuit, despite his alleged misconduct bringing shame and unwanted press attention to the company. Now this lawsuit is dragging the company through mud again, and HQ is fighting back.
At the same time Tecmo HQ seems to be weaseling out of its obligations by saying that the bonuses were allegedly promised by its previous administration. If true, that sounds like a raw deal to me.
At the same time, Itagaki didn't make any of his games by himself. Any seasoned professional in games knows it's ridiculous to think that way in this day and age. Even if Itagaki was the chief visionary for the games he helmed, he should know his place. I'm also sure there's more than one Team Ninja member who is glad they got rid of him.
I would have had more respect for him if he quit out of principle to get all the Team Ninja members bonuses and share the proceeds from his lawsuit, should he prevail.
But alas, this lawsuit appears to expose Itagaki as a greedy, egotistical crybaby.
But alas, this lawsuit appears to expose Itagaki as a greedy, egotistical crybaby."
I DISAGREE WITH YOU, on a statement like that, you dont know if he asked if people wanted in or not. Look at the EA lawsuits the dudes wife spoke up first not himself, so u think people there are gonna speak out on this, hell no they are all prolly happy they still have jobs.
Respect the man for his accomplishments not because he isnt putting his ass on the line so someone else can get paid.
Others there prolly dont want that type of attention but he doesnt care because he feels he was wronged...
And he will still continue to thrive in this industry.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T