You just have to love the way he defies his arrogant boss. I also rather take a new IP from him than the fifth installment in a game series that is limited by its own heritage. On the other hand, we might now see Ninja Gaiden 2 for PS3.

Asbestos_Underwear

@flashadams: I can see the sitcom now:

"Executive Developments." I'll take my check now please.

Touy

When video game developers breed with rock stars, Itagaki is born.

Revenge_of_Nekojin

@riffleraffle:

EA is publishing Mass Effect for the PC. Going from 360 to PC is entirely different than going from the 360 to PS3 anyway, as in the former case, Microsoft still sees that as a benefit since you know, it runs on Microsoft Windows, their platform.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@liqideos:
I think Tecmo would do just fine without him. Maybe because names like Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden weigh more than Itagaki.

Demonbird

I have only the sincerest hopes that Itagaki finds somewhere where he can be happy. He is one of the greatest gaming figures out there and he has my utmost respect. Itagaki-san, Fight!

Phazonmasher

@Tons Of Fun: Care to back that up?

mike566

This is FREAKING CRAZY! This could mean DOA5 actually coming out... but on the PS3... or Ninja Gaiden...

BUT at the same time it isn't all that bad. I mean the people in Team NINJA know what he wants and can continue his work.

Sailorcancer

@KeroseneClimax:

Maybe the Sigma team (which he bashed) will continue working on the NG games...and perhaps the DOA games as well!

y2kenjination

@LittleBigPlaneteer:
I was making a joke... Not questioning or asking if he could do it or not.

Microsoft would be a good fit for him.

I'd much rather see him jobless for a while. Maybe give us an opportunity to call him a Ninja Dog.

Demonbird

@Demonbird: Ditto.

Apparently this was his last stop on his 'Burning Bridges Tour.'

TC

@liqideos:

I wouldn't take it, but I wouldn't throw a hissy fit and write a resignation letter bitching about it and saying I'm never making a ninja gaiden game again wahhhh! Seriously, take them to fucking court and get the money. There are lots of people here who hate their bosses I'm sure, but we deal with it.

This resignation seems totally impulsive to me, which is right in line with Itagaki's behavior.

LittleBigPlaneteer

I suppose it's kinda crap that he didn't get his due amount.

But other than that... big deal. Everyone makes him out to be some kind of genius without even having met him and on top of that, they randomly create a mythos around the guy. Meh.

Chupakun

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

But Microsoft doesn't own the NGII franchise, so it shouldn't matter, right? I dunno! I'm just an ill-informed gamer. >_>

y2kenjination

Man, not a smart idea. If what Itagaki says is true, Yasuda and Tecmo have just screwed themselves royally. If Team Ninja goes with him, what is Tecmo going to rely on? Fatal Frame? Monster Rancher? Unlike Konami if they lost Kojima, Tecmo doesn't have as many guaranteed hits outside of DOA and Ninja Gaiden. Their lost will certainly be somebody elses gain.

Don't worry Itagaki, I hear Platinum Games is hiring. Hardy, Har, har, har...

KeroseneClimax

He's still going to work there another month?

Curazy!

elpierce

Good riddance to this jackass and his shitty generic third person action games and his "fighting" games.

Tons Of Fun

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Don't forget that Microsoft also published Mass Effect...

riffleraffle

HE WILL BE CREATING OTHER FIGHTING GAMES, MAY NOT BE DOA, BUT HE WILL FIND AWAY TO FIND US A GREAT REPLACEMENT FOR THOSE GAMES...WE NEED MORE FIGHTING GAMES, AND HE IS THE MAN FOR THOSE TO HAPPEN.

FatalOmega

Well, good luck. No, really: he's talented and all, but I'm sure that lots of people hate him back at the old crazy game industry.

I love writing with an accent.

Ruglia

@LittleBigPlaneteer: When your employer stops paying you what they agreed to pay you, would you just lay down and take it?

I can't believe anyone would step to Itagaki like that, especially when he is the only name that still brings your company relevance.

liqideos

Wow, if this is true, fuck Tecmo.

I see him starting his own game company and continuing to make Xbox360 exclusive games.

PissedPS3Fan

It's sad, but the reason Tecmo never paid was because his games never "performed as expected". Most likely he'll get his own studio at MicroSoft and maybe even more to America, but only maybe, you never know.

Laughin_Caulk

@Demonbird:

I doubt he has the money to have his own studio. Honestly, he isn't filthy rich, just filthy. Microsoft will no doubt hire him in Japan.

LittleBigPlaneteer

Getting paid what you're due is one thing...but 148 million yen? He's either due a pretty fat bonus check or his skin isn't as thick as I thought it was.

Sqrfrk

Hmm, that explains why in the recent interviews why he was mum on his next project. But he also mentioned he would have things to say around July, so perhaps a new studio announcement?

Tyrannical

Wow...he actually did it.

JokesJokes

He has no choice but to start his own studio because I don't think anyone will be willing to tolerate his massive ego.

Demonbird

Microsoft needs him. NOW.

DOA and Ninja Gaiden have been staples, anything in this man's style will be perfectly at home on a Microsoft console.

He may already have something in the works, saying how awesome the 360 is, etc.

He's a no bullshit kinda guy, fuck the Tecmo Pres.

Delano_J

Maybe he can get on the Guitar Hero IP, he's about the only person I can see who can beef up the 'awesome' factor.

AntiZERØ

He should pull a Phil Harrison and join Atari. They'd be the Odd Couple of the games industry!

flashadams

I hope he starts his own studio.

alecpyron

@juancriollo: Just what I was thinking. They can set him up with a nice studio. His games are too good for us to be without them for long.

Iocarios

@indiemike: nope never got into them

Rockwallaby

Well, I don't like the man, and probably never will, nor am I a fan of his games or his philosophy...but even I can say that this sucks. Hopefully he gets what he deserves from this lawsuit.

Archaotic

@y2kenjination:

Microsoft is still publishing Gaiden II, I don't see it jumping platforms.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic: Drunk in a stripper's lap?

indiemike

@Rockwallaby: Not any of the Ninja Gaiden games? Seriously?

I'm excited to see what happens with Tecmo in those series. I'm sure they're going to be pumping out some shitty games.

I'd hate on the company, but I have high hopes for Tecmo Bowl Kickoff.

indiemike

Wow.. his petulant bitterness is starting to make sense now.

TC

I think we all know where Itagaki is going to wind up...

Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic

KONAMI, YOUR CALL!

slomo788

Unfortunate, but I imagine Itagaki is the biggest drama queen ever and has blown this to proportions that only he is capable of. Is the promised payment in writing btw? There's no mention of the bonus being in a contractual agreement. If it isn't then, he will lose the case.

Why am I certain that this will all be resolved once Itagaki receives the money? He knows he needs Tecmo as much as they need him.....

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Antihippy:
yes really...

mythus

clearly he won't be without job too long...microsoft anyone?

juancriollo

I don't like any of his games

Rockwallaby

don't mind me mispelling Tecmo over and over again. It's late.

Netnavi

@mythus: Really?

He's a pretty good developer, and he's probably the only person who's keeping Tecmo afloat.

So, really?

Antihippy

While sad news, perhaps this will push him to stretch out away from Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive and bring us some really interesting new IPs.

Bookburner

GOOD. Hopefully this will mean:

1. Ninja Gaiden 2 not being a 360 exclusive
2. More Tecmo games on the PS3 (DOA and Ninja Gaiden, I'm looking at you)
3. The DOA games will actually be GOOD for once
4. Less ignorance for Tecmo as a company

y2kenjination

So where will Itagaki work now? Will he make his own company or will Techmo bow and give him that bonus he should have gotten in the first place. Pretty dicky move by the pres of Techmo.

I wonder how Techmo will fare without him.

Netnavi

that fool dont take shit!

xpoomasterx

Now that's how you sue a company.

darthmole12

This was unexpected... Maybe there was more to his bashing of Sigma and his own team, then.
If things happened like he says, he has every right to be pissed, and he should sue (and hopefully win). I may not like him in particular, but developers getting screwed over is something that gamers can only feel concerned with.
And if Tecmo ends up having to pay him, they can use the profits from the inevitable Ninja Gaiden II Omega for the PS3...

Antiterra

@.endejas.: And Microsoft owns Rare, who owns Killer Instint...Just saying.

liqideos

I support Itagaki...

... but he's still a dirty old man :)

wild_world_girl

Nooo! I just realized that Tecmo probably owns the right to DOA and Ninja Gaiden. NG2 and DOA4 are the last in the series from him.

:'(

.endejas.

@bobtheduck: I in turn, await more excellent interviews in which Itagaki completely rails his understudy that converted NG for the PS3.

I also fully expect him to deliver a Hogan leg drop to the first copy of Tekken 6 sold in Japan.

liqideos

GOD FUCKING DAMNIT, I want my DOA 5 :(

Quick Microsoft, hire him and give him his own studio.

Paustinj

He should try starting his own studio.

Guild_Navigator

Hey, well, maybe I will not have to worry about having a 360 around for DOA after all.

Yuki

no! no more bouncy boob physics! :'(

SupaPhly

@VerasGunn:
nah, lets try to keep this guy away from any company i like/respect.

mythus

*gasp*

I had more to say, but I feel really stupid.

Cola82

Someone get this guy his own studio!

.endejas.

Whoa, didn't see this coming.

ReuleHL

no way!!!!! Dirty money...

juancriollo

@jovus: hehe, too true... I await NG2 on PS3.

bobtheduck

Damn. Couldn't he make DOA5 first?

MadMinstrel

Yeah, he is the one hinted that Ninja Gaiden 2 wont come to PS3(atleast, if he has something to do with it...) now, he doesn't have to do with it any more...

jovus

holy bawls....

laxdjames

Itagaki is a mother fucking rockstar.

And if someone in Redmond isn't frantically trying to pull together an offer for the head of a new in house studio...well...yeah.

liqideos

Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Can I admire this man any MORE?

I wish he was my father.

JuanMontoya

Noooooooo....where will I get my digital jiggling boobs....sigh...I know they will make more with out him but he always made them jiggle the right amount.

hk458

Ahh he hates Tecmo, now I know why he was blasting the people who did the PS3 port of Ninja Gaiden.

Pornosaur

Well, that was sudden. Where's the digg link?

muppetsausages

Hmm, maybe he'll join up with Platinum Games now that he's out of a job.

VerasGunn

I'm rootin' for Itagaki.....if only for my love of internet drama.

Renay

Damn, what a sudden turn of events...

Dr.Chocobo

Well that came out of nowhere.

Lyrai

*gamers

akashhhhh

I was hoping for a new DOA, this just blows.

Chaoticevl

Man, I really hope that Itagaki takes a shot at some new IPs now. This could be great...for everyone. Well, 360 games at least.

akashhhhh

At least he did it in a civilized manner, the president DID ask for it. Go Itagaki!

Fadakar

Time to sell your Tecmo stock?

jobble

He's gone too far... =/

*waits for Game Industry Drama to ensue*

what the Ph15h?

Oh snap! I don't really care either way, though.

gcZanmato

Holy Dead or Alives Batman.

Raziel Dune

Man, you guys are missing the beauty of the moment. This is karma. This is poetic justice. Man shits on his subordinate, is himself subordinant to someone else, gets shat on in turn. There's an M. Night Shaymalan movie somewhere in that.

jsf49

@TheIrishNinja: im saying to the people who go to every board and announce that its coming to ps3.

Soopy

@liqideos: Killer Instinct & Itagaki would be INSANITY.

Nexus6

If this is a valid part of the contract, Itagaki is entitled to whatever he is entitled to.. -.-..

Katorok

Given the length of time between "making a new DoA game" to "suing the company" posts, I'd say the next few announcements will go as follows:

1 day later: Itagaki joins Top Game Co.

3 days later: Itagaki reveals plans for new AAA IP.

8 days later: New IP delayed.

9 days later: Itagaki loses lawsuit.

10 days later: New IP goes gold.

13 days later: New IP gets panned by critics.

18 days later: Itagaki totals sports car after night of drinking, lands in hospital with broken legs, cracked ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and a head wound.

20 days later: Itagaki retires from industry.

justhesh

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Couldn't there also been a contractual agreement somewhere that bound him from being able to take such action until the completion date (i.e, pre release) of the game? The project did start about three years ago, and I'm sure going into these things certain clauses are included about leaving the company or filing legal actions against said company.

Just saying.

liqideos

@Xiedo: ...really?

@Soopy: I'm confused. if i think the guy's a bit of a douche and his games slightly overrated, does that automatically make me a fanboy? cause im definitely one for kojima, but i dont rightly care what platform he works on.

TheIrishNinja

@jsf49: lmao why cant he be a role model for some people and not for others? thats fair right?

Soopy

this makes me fucking disappointed. I love the doa series, I mean hell, those cinematic finales were awesome. please do a doa 5 itagaki-san. shiiiiit, it still gleams of promise.

dreamfall

He's the king...

At least he thinks that...

Mokka

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Back up a minute here. Itagaki has a full-time personal translator working for him?

Jesse in Japan

Say what you will about Itagaki but, like him or not, he creates some of the best and most difficult games on current gen systems.

Bouncing breast aside, Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive 4 kind of remind me of how difficult a lot of the old NES games were, and I say that in a good way. You know, you make it all way through the level only to get killed by a bad ass boss.

You try again... same result. You might throw the controller or quietly turn the power off and work your frustrations out elsewhere, but when all is said and done, you go back and try again, only to get murdered by that boss. Eventually you beat the boss and you get a major sense of accomplishment. This, by the way, pretty much describes my first fifty fights with the Kasumi clone boss in DOA4.

You rarely see that kind of challenge in a lot of games these days.

Dmartin001

@Soopy: Role model? For whom? Fanboys?

jsf49

@Xiedo: when ever other comment is how ng2 needs to come to ps3.

Soopy

Well this really sucks, at least NG2 won't suffer from it but we will never get any of his games again : (

kagebutsu

@Xiedo: What is it to be starred?

liqideos

@LittleBigPlaneteer:

Following this post, I have no doubt in my mind that this is a publicity stunt now. This issue is 3 years old, he decided to sent this to all news outlets so that they could say something like:

"Itagaki is resigning, and his last Ninja Gaiden game ever hits stores today, don't miss out!"

I guarantee the controversy surrounding that will get a few more sales. That resignation letter might as well have been a PR release for the game...

LittleBigPlaneteer

@Soopy: Why fanboys, period? It's even worse that the worst fanboys are usually the starred guys (but not all starred guys are fanboys, mind you).

Xiedo

Weak - he isn't even calling the defendant a ninja dog.

El-Suave

Whatever, he just seems like a douchebag to me. I honestly don't see why people care that he's leaving. DOA isn't exactly revolutionary, and Ninja Gaiden basically just added blood. I'm pretty sure anyone at Tecmo could do what he did and be less of an ass about it.

Cenobia

I hope Microsoft Game Studios is all over this and snatching him up. That would be a pretty big gain.

javajoe96

Also does anyone not think the timing of this is strange? I mean wasn't Dead or Alive 4 released in 2005? Are you telling me that on the very day that Ninja Gaiden II comes out, he decides to resign, despite the game being "completed" for over three years now? Give me a f*#@ing break. If this isn't a publicity stunt, i don't know what is.

Unless he somehow waited years after he completed DOA4 and expected the payment? Seriously guys, why hasn't anyone else questioned this?!

LittleBigPlaneteer

@LittleBigPlaneteer: That's what you or most people would do. Itagaki is like the Japanese Chuck Norris. Sure his body of work can be called mediocre, but be damned if he's around you when you say it.

It's just an epic scenario which couldn't have been scripted any better. Quitting over you boss dicking you over on the day the companies most anticipate western release hits stores, AND filing for legal action. The only thing that could be more badass would be an actual ninja serving the court papers to Tecmo's office.

liqideos

Wow, that was unexpected. He's still a major asshole.

vamponymouse

Good for Itagaki. It's screwed up how he didn't get his bonus, and I'm pretty sure that was stated in his contract. I too have had offers of bonuses only to be let down and said bonus never given. I never sued, but maybe I should have since it was stated in my contracts.

The only sting I can see coming out of this is the future support for Ninja Gaiden II. Will Itagaki and team be working like crazy to get rid of all the bugs by July the first? What happens if they don't get them all. I do hope that Ninja Gaiden is rock solid tho, and I guess I will find out tomorrow when I get my copy.

Here's to hoping that he lands a new job with someone that can actually keep their promises.

Shame on you Yoshimi Yasuda.

dead_red_eyes

This sucks. this guy is a role model.

P.S. why are there so many playstation fanboys on kotaku?

Soopy

@Xiedo:
dont you mean, subordinates

mythus

.@LittleBigPlaneteer:
Publishing a game doesn't mean that you own the IP.

Back on topic. This explains a lot of his bitterness.
I hope he finds a new "home" and starts a new IP.

Garo

@liqideos:

To me, the immediate quitting rather than resolving it first through litigation makes it seem like that "completion bonus" was a verbal agreement rather than something on paper. I mean really, would Tecmo truly just refuse to pay him a specific payment that was agreed upon in a written contractual agreement? Unless they're idiots who like going to court, then I doubt it.

LittleBigPlaneteer

Wow... unexpected. My first thought is hoping (some of?) Team NINJA will follow. That would be awesome if Itagaki could continue working with his old team, but it's probably unlikely.

Xiedo

Whoah! Best wishes to him!

mexfreak86

What an arrogant bastard Itagaki is. He essentially is turning his back on all the fans of his series of games, and for what? Money! The green eyed devil.

Personally I've never liked him, he's always been a shitty version of Cliffy B. (now know as Lord Cliff Blemenski the III, Ph.D.), but only Japanese with a haircut from the 90's. He is cocky about everything, yet a decent amount of it sucks.

I mean, he has every right to get payment for what was agreed, but I'm guessing Tecmo covered their ass in small print. Bonuses are just that, bonuses. It doesn't sound like just finishing a game would give someone a bonus. I mean, isn't that the main point of being a game designer? Maybe selling so many copies on top of it, but not just finishing it.

If it were just finishing it, I'd rush out a rehashed version of 3....oh wait, it essentially was.

DimmuJed2

@FatalOmega: YES BUT THANKFULLY OTHER PEOPLE MAKE THE FIGHTING GAMES TOO.

@KeroseneClimax: true, but fatal frame might do well, and uh, techmo bowl? alright, you might have a point.

TheIrishNinja

WHO CARES ABOUT DOA 5

i wonder what studio hes going to join now??

and on a side note, i think theres more to this than just a bonus check, i think Tecmo president just got tired of his shit.

tenkaix

585p.

jsf49

My world has just been turned upside down.

Gunhaver

like 5 minutes ago i heard about DOA5 coming, i'm like oh that sounds like fun...then i read this headline

pisseddog

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Well if you aren't getting paid to the agreement at a company where you are responsible for the companies two most successful franchises, you basically get to quit however you want to.

Let's just hope he doesn't get caught in game stores across Tokyo defacing Ninja Gaiden 2 standees, and writing: "Fucking sucks!" on all the copies of Tekken 5.

liqideos

@elpierce: Just enough time for prez Yasuda-san to give up the gomennasai and fix this fiasco. I foresee some major yenjamins in Itagaki's future.

Kuro

Holy crap.

This guy just gets better and better :D

As long as some studio picks him up, I'm happy.

Wait . . . PLATINUM GAMES. THEY NEED TO HIRE ITAGAKI, ASAP.
If Madworld wasn't bloody enough . . .

Darkjad

man this sucks i just downloaded the NG2 demo to lol. I sure microsoft will scoop this guy up in no time he will have a new job by E3.

thermovie6440

itagaki + new development team + microsoft game studios.

wizll

@Thorax: Tecmo owned the Ninja Gaiden franchise before Itagaki. Tecmo owns the Ninja Gaiden franchise after Itagaki. There'll be more Ninja Gaiden games. They'll probably just come out more frequently instead of milking literally the same game over and over in slightly different versions.

jsf49

Damn, that really sucks. I'm surprised I feel so shocked, but I guess over the years I've really come to like Itagaki. He was a dick, but he was one of the few game developers who spoke their mind, no matter how many people he pissed off. You really got to like that in a guy, especially when he comes from such a painfully polite world like Japan.

This also really sucks because no more entries of the finest 3d action game series, Ninja Gaiden, will be helmed by the venerable master. This is also probably won't be like God of War when Jaffe left, were someone with actual respect for the franchise took over. I bet a pack of cigarettes that Tecmo is going to run NG into the ground, just to spite Itagaki and make a quick buck. Oh, and a PS3 port for NG2, just to rub salt into the wounds.

Here's hoping you win that lawsuit and set up a new kick ass game studio, Mr. Team Ninja. The fact that you actually decided to take action and get what's coming to you, as well as prepare a statement and send it to news organizations like Kotaku, gives you infinite cool points in my book. Hell, he even apologized to gamers for his situation. Now that is some real class.

Thorax

@goomba478: I would love to see if he can pull off running his own company. That's a people skill, and this guy doesn't have any people skills. I think starting his own studio changed Jaffe. Let's see what happens to this egomaniacal jackass.

jsf49

Damn. Big news. Hope he wins, and I wonder where he'll go next.

ShirtGuyDom

[kotaku.com]

If he had been constantly been bitching about it don't you think we would of heard this story a hundred times since this is from a game in 2005. Which means he has not been bitching about it openly for 2 and a half years but instead waiting for Temco to make right. And then the Temco tells him tuff shite and to quit or sue. That is an insult. Things work differently in Japan than here. He is publicly shaming his company for betraying him. I think it is clear you just don't like the guy, no matter what. I think he is right in what he is doing. He does not have to worry about a job he will be quickly picked up.

javajoe96

@Libo: Hopefully we will still see some awesome DLC for ninja gaiden 2 even if Itagaki left. Ninja Master Tournament FTW.

@Libo: why so mean?

Soopy

I love Itagaki .Please sir get your ass to America teach us how to make good games!

dozogovi

What a maverick!!

Kounji

I'm not the bigget fan of the dude. but I can relate to the situation, sometimes you have to just go. Not sure how messy this is gonna get, but it will be interesting to see what he starts working with no DoA or NG. Whatever it is, it will involve a lot of boobs.

drifter13

I doubt if any American developer would think of hiring him:
- American Sexual Harrassment laws are very very strict
- He doesn't speak English...at all
- His healthcare package would cost more than his salary with all that boozing and STD's

sander_dutch

@Soopy: No, just stop talking.

Libo

@Touy: L-O-L

jsf49

As much as it may suck for fans of DOA or Ninja Gaiden (myself included) I have to say that for once I actually agree with Itagaki...I mean if you worked for a company that screwed you over and gave you that sort of attitude, what else are you left to do? I agree with many of you that recent comments about Sigma must have been hinting that he was having internal issues with Tecmo. I for one would love for him to start his own company though, especially if he can create some new IPs. This is going to be potentially huge!

goomba478

@FullyShadow: i never said there was anything wrong with it, just have been wondering for awhile now.

@TheIrishNinja: never do ^^

Soopy

So where will he be working at Microsoft Game Studios? Rare or Turn 10?

hagridore

@Touy: FLAWLESS VICTORY

liqideos

So THAT's why he said he was done with Ninja Gaiden. Oh well, at least he'll still get to say insane things to the press.

supercrap

@Soopy: oh. well, yeah, you should never listen to those kind of people, though.

TheIrishNinja

@Soopy: and whats wrong with that?

FullyShadow

Now he just needs to start his own company up and just call that Team Ninja.

Whyspir

@Knoxximus (360/PSN):

Definitely a publicity stunt.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@jsf49: No, you forgot a twist.

All along... he was only shitting on himself.

Touy

To quote the actual saying:
"Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me."

Itagaki didn't take shit likely after being fooled a second time. Rightfully so, he should have been honored the bonus. He's a badass through and through. I hope he wins the lawsuit and moves on to greater things.

Trowble (XBL/PSN)

@jsf49:

I saw that too actually. Total Karma moment

LittleBigPlaneteer

Stunt to sell moar Gaiden 2? Perhaps...

Knoxximus (360/PSN)

He can't just quit, no sir. He has to tell the whole world. What an attention whore.

NighTrekr

Wow... Tecmo's president has just condemned his own company... seriously, leaving Itagaki go is an HUGE loss for Tecmo.

Rockman-X

Hoooo, shit. This is some epic news right here.

I think it was a bit crappy of him to ditch out before DOA5 was completed and with the main reason being money. However, I know that I'd leave my job pretty quickly if my boss was treating me like that, so it's not entirely unreasonable.

The timing may make it seem like he's being a bit selfish, not completing a game he was supposed to direct, but his reasons are ones that make sense, supposing everything he says is true. It'll also come as a hit to Tecmo as the news spreads that DoA5, if they continue to release it, won't be headed up by the usual director.

Blah8

Does it really matter. He insults his subordinates like they are trash and talks about his games like they are a godsend. Far from it i say. I hope his ego stays with Tecmo and is capable of seeing that not everything he makes is great and boobs do not equal a AAA game.

Shindokie

I guess that means Ninja Gaiden 3 will have an easy mode then... Still, I've never been a big fan of Tecmo as a company after they sued ninjahackers.net for creating various character mods for DOA and Ninja Gaiden on Xbox1.

photoboy

I have a feeling that NG2 is going to be a shitstorm of lawsuits from Itagaki.

kPod

Nooo, DoA5!!!!!! Is this the world's sick way of balancing out the influx of new fighting games all the sudden?

branny

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Perhaps he wanted to make sure he got his cut of NGII before quitting? He's not so stupid as to cut himself out of the profits for a new title because he didn't get his bonus for a previous one. Now he's in a position to make money off NGII and still collect on unpaid debts.

Captain Impulse

Holy shit.

This is depressing...

What the fuck man...

bshidoheat

Sorry to see that guy go. Loved Ninja Gaiden. If they make more, won't be the same without him.

Amazon_Chris

This is pretty exciting news. I wonder if maybe he'll get a job with a western developer since he obviously loves developing for the 360 so much.

Wubbytoes

@Rockman-X:
No, it's not. Believe it or not a lot of people despise Itagaki. He isn't a golden goose and other people can do just as good if not better than him. In fact, most people who buy ninja gaiden or doa don't know who itagaki is.

Demonbird

@Paustinj:

"Quick Sony, hire him and give him his own studio so he can keep creating fighting games that have only 2 attack buttons and broken mechanics."

FIXED!

Bando

Wait, people like this guy?

Astrofox

This just in:
Itagaki has already been working on Soul Calibur IV.

IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW

Providence

.. and "Ninja Guidance 3"

cybereality

I can't wait for "Neither Alive Nor Dead 5".

cybereality

Wow, that's a DUMB move by the president of Tecmo. Personally, I think Itadaki's games are the only reason why Tecmo's still afloat. If I was a stockholder I'd lynch the guy...

Again, DUMB.

So Microsoft, hire him and give him his own studio!

zzt

I will pray for Itagaki to get back to work, somewhere and make more kickass games.

UNDERSTAR

His grievances with management are reasonable but that doesn't change the fact that he is suing his boss and trying to publicly humiliate the company.

Companies are not eager to hire loose cannons like Itagaki. A badass rockstar attitude may garner a loyal fanbase but it is a big negative in the business world. Itagaki has already shown that he doesn't work well with others unless he is calling all the shots. His brush with a sexual harassment charge would raise the eyebrows of any prospective employer. Itagaki also has a tendency to stubbornly hold onto grudges (Tekken hate) which could potentially create a hostile work environment.

Some theorize that Itagaki may start up his own studio but his level of business acumen is a completely unknown variable. Not being able to resolve his issues with Tecmo quietly isn't a good sign of this. Some members of Team Ninja may follow him but he burned a lot of bridges insulting the Ninja Gaiden Sigma team.

Velops

Wow, I knew he had American sensibilities, but this was unexpected. You never hear about suits like this coming from Japan.

hoorayforcorn

I hate to say it, but I get the sneaking suspicion this is just a publicity stunt. Why? Well, DoA 4 came out, what, 2 years ago? And he's just now filing a complaint about this? He's also being awfully public about all this, unusual for a dispute within a company.

Granted, I'd like to believe him; he certainly SOUNDS sincere. But this is effing Itagaki we're talking about, the self-styled rock star of the gaming industry. I wouldn't put it past him to pull weird stuff like this and then conveniently forget about it a few months later, or when it suits him.

Of course, the bottom line of this is that, for you DoA and Ninja Gaiden fans out there, you can bet there will be a DoA 5 and NG 3 (eventually). Either Itagaki will somehow get the rights from Tecmo, start his own games company and make them himself, or Tecmo will go ahead and make them without Itagaki. Or, as I have a sneaking suspicion will happen, the two will kiss and make up and forget this whole thing ever went down.

GhostWhoWalks

Ding dong the dick is dead.

Jnas

I'm afraid that with Itagaki's ego issues there may be more to this than what he is letting on. Don't misunderstand me I'm all for subversive behaviour, but frankly a guy who gets slapped with sexual assault charges and DOESN'T get fired? He's used all of his room to bitch. I would say that perhaps Microsoft could buy him, but I doubt he'd do well there, he'll be better off doing his own thing...still I really wanted DOA5, I never cared for Tekken, Virtua Fighter, or SSM.

Meh...fuck it.

GO ITAGAKI!

Tietsu

This is just "The Itagaki Way" of doing to Tecmo what Shinji Mikami did to Capcom -- what Hironobu Sakaguchi did to Square-Enix, what Yoshiki Okamoto did to Konami (when he founded Capcom) and then Capcom (when he founded Game Republic); what Kozy Okada (Shin Megami Tensei, Persona) did to Atlus, et cetera, et cetera.

Creators within companies have always had certain degrees of autonomy; these companies have always been fragmented, to paraphrase a friend of mine I'm chatting with right now. It's just that recently, these things are becoming apparent.

This legal matter was Itagaki's "get out of jail free card"; he stored it up, and used it on the eve of the completion of his last project.

Now he's getting out, the same way guys like Shinji Mikami did. And you know what? It's not a bad idea. At all. As a person with "experience" in the "Japanese games industry", I can say with utter confidence that the big companies like Namco are generally owned and operated by hell-fearing liver-spotted coal-tar-shitting wooden-teethed soulless octogenarians who can and will drive franchises into the ground, shelve good ideas for years because they're not ready to entertain their audience that much yet, because doing so would only raise their expectations, which would increase workload, et cetera.

I am not at this time, willing to declare that Itagaki is a visionary or a genius, though I recognize that he's an intelligent individual and he's probably making the right decision -- both in leaving Tecmo, and in making a big deal out of it.

Now that the serious part of my comment is over, I will say this:

Bashcraft, give Itagaki my phone number. Tell him I have an opening in my band, and that all he needs to do is stand on stage in his leather jacket with his hands on his hips, staring at me with a disgusted look on his face as I shred the guitar.

I will pay him in Ozeki "One Cup" sake and maid cafe gift certificates.

108

@Demonbird: Not a golden goose, huh... so you're saying it wasn't Itagaki who fathered Tecmo's current two (or three? and only?) popular games in this gen and the last?

The hate is strong around here.

Xiedo

Please please MS hire him to work with Rare on Killer Instinct 3.....

I know it won't happen but I can dream

NecronomiconUK

No DOA 5? I am going to cry.

keiblerfan69

Good christ! If Microsoft doesn't immediately hire this man and give him a studio with employees of his choosing, they are FOOLS. I know he's a pompous rockstar-wannabe, but his games sell, and that's what makes the wheels turn.

Does Not Equal

@LittleBigPlaneteer: Well daaah! Can't it just be that he just wanted to make atleast one sequal to his best acclaimed game before leaving? I for myself as a NG fan are greatful that he did NGII before leaving Tecmo.

DragoManiac

if what he says is true then I think I just developed a bit of respect for the man.

elronathon

I'll wager he joins Microsoft and they back his legal activities.

Replica23

@108: If I do that will you just give me the sake?

ONEGAI!

Tietsu

Damn. It's my birthday today, too... =(
Good luck, Mr. Itagaki.

shrewd

Wow. Even though I really dislike Itagaki, that's a real dick move on Tecmo's part, even if it WAS just a verbal agreement.

If a man produces your company's bread and butter console games, you better damn well pay him when you say you will.

I feel like I should be less sympathetic, since Itagaki is a master of being a douche, but I don't really find that affecting my opinion, for once.

Kainy

Best Wishes to him. Capcom should try to get him on board. Imagine the sweet, sweet games those two could make together.

Burguois

sweet zombie jesus! worlds coolest video game designer has left the building

spaz33

Interesting, let's see what he does next.

munkah

lol, YAY! NEW GOOD TEKKEN GAME!! hahaha! Or could it be back to Sega where he originally intended?

Ah well. This means no Itagaki signed NG2 downloadables T_T

Ultrasinc

@JuanMontoya: Be careful: he might be.

Ugh - that sucks, both because I like Itagaki's games, but I also really like Tecmo as a game house in the first place with its spread of good IPs (including Tecmo's Deception, Monster Rancher, Fatal Frame), and this makes it look like things aren't as happy fun time there as I'd thought.

Chef

Itagaki-san, join Platinum Games!

Shiryu

I respect Itagaki's decision and, for once, truly believe that he deserves to wear those rock star shades. He's earned them.

mcderek3000

@Garo:

You don't need to own an IP to a videogame in order to maintain exclusitivity, just as long a you're the primary publisher of the title. M$ doesn't own the IP to the Gears franchise, but it's doubtful you'll be seeing Gears 1 or 2 on PS3.

ME1 was ported to PC since M$ gave EA the okay. Though, EA now owns the franchise, M$ still owns the rights the title on 360. It's just like publishership with a book. So no, you won't be seeing NG2 on PS3 or an other platform for that matter (in any shape or form) unless M$ gives the okay.

Besides, what would be the point in M$ obtaining publishership of the game, if not to keep it an exclusive?

beem

Guys, Microsoft published Ninja Gaiden II. There is a very slim chance it will actually be allowed to come out for the PS3 (with or without Itagaki).

ananag

woah, i wonder what's going to happen to code cronos (or whatever it was called) and his untitled new project.... anywhos best of luck to him on his new journey, whever it may take him

karmakid

@108: Well said. Nominated for Multi-Tap.

Captain Impulse

@ananag:

Publishing sometimes has that effect as the publisher often asks for control/ownership of the IP as part of the agreement. However it really depends on the developer and the property. A lot of factors come into play. Is the developer hurting for money so bad they are willing to part with the IP just to get a publishing deal? Is the IP so hot that the publisher will forgo ownership of the IP just to get the publishing deal? Did the publisher pay for exclusive rights and what are the nature of those rights?

Epic is just one company that controls it's own IPs. And in that mix you also see Gears of War which MS shelled out money to publish. MS doesn't own Gears of War but they do own the publishing rights. They may even own the distribution rights which are not necessarily the same as publishing rights though a publisher is smart to secure those as well in situations where they can't buy the IP.

I would guess that unless MS shelled out quite a bit of money then they do not own the publishing rights to NG2. NG doesn't move consoles. I would say wait 6 months or so and see what hapopens.

Hatchetforce

This doesn't do any good to Tecmo's image, really. Specially with Itagaki's fans.

LaughingCrow

I hope he ends up at a great company. I love the games he's helped create and I can't wait to play his next game and hear about where he ends up.

Razlo

This drastically increases the chances NG2 will come to the PS3. In fact it seems the thing Tecmo would do now if only for demonstrative purposes.

Hatchetforce

It's all about the money, eh?

Mara

I'm fairly sure Tecmo could put out another Dead or Alive game without him, he already brought breast physics as far as they can realistically go.

Then when stupid ridiculous beyond that point, laughed, and went further than anyone thought possible. And kept going!

Ecks

changing all the *locks*

needs a timed edit button....gimme a minute at least

Billkwando

@Phazonmasher: You can bet that at the Tecmo office right now they're changing all the locked and arrow-proofing the glass. They probably have karate students practicing in their lobby too.

That won't stop Itagaki. He'll get you on your morning commute.

+ Watch video

Billkwando

Woah...I guess there was a reason for him bad mouthing Ninja Gaiden Sigma. With him spewing so much hate for the ps3...his next job might be at MS. Well...the guy is a character...I'm sure he will find a new job quickly. Life will go on though with or without him.

karateka

@beem:

Remember Fatal Frame/Project Zero?
Published by MS on XBox for the EU, but by Tecmo on PS2.

Or current gen:
Vampire Rain (yes I know it's a crappy game)
Published by MS on X360 for the EU, but will be published by someone on PS3.

A publisher doesn't automatically gain exclusive rights. It can be part of the deal but it's not mandatory. Also it can be bound to sales. For example if it didn't sell as much as expected the devs are allowed to go to another publisher. It all depends on who pays the development of the project/game and who get's the biggest part of the cake.

We will never know for sure because we have no insight in their agreements.

Garo

holy......

dude this is big news. I've been a hardcore Dead or Alive fan since 1997. Now no more Dead or Alive?!?!?!

Wow, a part of me just died.

Goodluck to him on finding a new 'home' to create his games, he truly was a master at what he did.

macr0planet

He's the creator of Ninja Gaiden and DOA right? Wouldn't he own the rights to it then? Maybe not since Tecmo seemed to be the studio that created it. I really don't know but I am quite sad. I can only hope he will somehow create Dead Or Alive 5 and maybe Xtreme 3 and of course another Ninja Gaiden some day. It would be nice and I can totally understand him being pissed. That president sounds like an asshole. If justice is true then he should probably win the case..

(come on DOA5... your one of the few reasons why I play Xbox 360 is for DOA alone..)

PrincessAyu

it'd be great if no other company picked him up since hes been quite a douche in the past and criticized everyone.

pandafresh

This guy pioneered boob physics and blood flowing out of chopped limbs like no one else. Where will the M rating go without him as a reference, allways pushing the limit of what is accepted in console gaming. Let's hope he gets to work for a better publisher that is willing to take risks.

FredQC

Is it just me or is this guy an ass?????? I'm not saying this because he left the company and is sueing them he has ever right especially if he didn't get the money he was owed but he just seems like an ass!!!!!!!!!!!

freespeech

Damn, this sucks ass to be blunt.

Hopefully Microsoft will try to snatch him up for a new first party studio or he'll take up Kojima's old offer to work on a new Zone of the Enders.

Mech_Master