Former Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive team head Tomonobu Itagaki is returning to game development, forming a new studio with several of the other Team Ninja members who joined him in leaving Tecmo.
In an interview with consumer site 1Up, Itagaki revealed he's been spending his time doing photography projects, but now he and several of his former teammates -- including Team Ninja art director Hiroaki Matsui -- are working on a new IP. They tentatively call themselves the "Tokyo Vikings," but concede there's no official name for the studio yet.
Itagaki and his teammates gave few details on the new project, but suggested it would not be a fighting game; former Team Ninja designer Katsunori Ehara commented that "we did all we can do for a fighting game," and Itagaki added "it'd be more fun if we made something new, right?"
The distinctively outspoken Itagaki resigned from Tecmo in June 2008 under contentious circumstances, claiming unpaid bonuses, and his latest move confirms speculation from that time period that some of his key staff walked out with him.
Although he's known for his blunt criticisms of other developers and games, Itagaki declined to speak negatively of Tecmo, calling it "the same as disrespecting myself." He was not quite so polite to recent Tecmo acquirer Koei, responding to president Kenji Matsubara's assertion that Itagaki would never work for Koei.
"Who is this Matsubara guy, anyway?" Itakagi said. "Were we talking about dynasties? Unfortunately, I have absolutely no interest in the Dynasty Warrior franchise. In fact, I prefer that old American TV show, Dynasty. I used to watch it when I was a student."
Not surprised he is opening his own studio. I wonder what kind of game we can expect when he is virtually unrestrained by his superiors. Obviously, a publisher and budget will have some reigns on him, but I think his next fighting game could be pretty wild. As annoying his I do still like his games. Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden are some of the best titles ever made and unfortunately he knows it. :)
Tokyo Vikings is an awesome name. I'm pretty excited, but given this guys track record, as head of the company his management style may not work. I'm not saying the guy can't make games, but I just hope someone else is in charge to let him focus on what he is good at.
Huh... This guy remembers me of Romero and Derek Smart, talanted (or at least seemly talented) guys that when they are on their own they sink the things rather easily... :/
But, let's hope that he will do fine ^^ Maybe he will make a great game.
Yeah, I'm not expecting anything out of this either. NG2 was almost unplayable because of the stupid camera issues that have dogged the series from the beginning, with the exception of Sigma, which he didn't work on. He makes games that have moments of genius, but are plagued by huge, underlying, pervasive flaws. He also is not reputed to be good to work with. So let's see if he can get a game with big water-balloon breasts made on his own, without the Tecmo management structure. And then let's see if it's playable.
Read the entire interview on 1UP. I found it pretty entertaining.
I'm thinking since around 22 of the guys on his team has worked with him previously at Tecmo--and since the rest of his team are apparently experienced as well--Itagaki should not have much trouble managing them. Especially seeing as how they seem to be hand picking people to work with, there shouldn't be much clashing in the work place.
But, let's hope that he will do fine ^^ Maybe he will make a great game.
Predict Epic Fail.
I'm thinking since around 22 of the guys on his team has worked with him previously at Tecmo--and since the rest of his team are apparently experienced as well--Itagaki should not have much trouble managing them. Especially seeing as how they seem to be hand picking people to work with, there shouldn't be much clashing in the work place.