Itagaki Leaving and Suing Tecmo

Itagaki

In a shocking turn of events, Tomonobu Itagaki has left Tecmo and is suing the company. The head of Team Ninja and creator of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive has some monetary disputes with the company. In part of the letter sent to the press, Itagaki writes:

Before the start of development on Dead or Alive 4, Tecmo Co., Ltd. had agreed to pay a completion bonus to me for this Xbox 360 title, which I produced. However, when the time came for the actual payment, Tecmo Co., Ltd. went against its previous agreement and refused payment. President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, but also turned defiant, telling me ‘if you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.’ In addition, he made demeaning remarks about me to my subordinates and colleagues, causing me significant emotional distress and worsening my personal relationships and work environment. Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo Co., Ltd.

Ouch. Sounds like Tecmo bent him over a table on that one. He goes on to say that he’ll never be able to make another Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive game since Tecmo owns the franchises. Sad news for fans of both series.

No word yet on what Itagaki’s next move will be, but I’m sure it’ll involve sunglasses and beer. We’ll keep you posted on his whereabouts.

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Ninja Gaiden 2 Hides Xbox Prototype

One of the craziest prototypes for the original Xbox was a giant shiny silver X with a green button in the middle. Yeah, who’s going to put that in their TV stand? Thing needs a table of it’s own. Anyway, it looks Team Ninja is paying homage to the humble beginnings of Microsoft’s foray into the console world. Pretty cool, although this video shows how annoying the camera can be.

North America to Get Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo Next Week

Ninja Gaiden 2 Screen 1

According to Major Nelson, Japan isn’t the only place that’ll get to play the Ninja Gaiden 2 demo. In a Twitter update, Major dropped this tid-bit:

Looking for the NG 2 Demo? I am told that it will be available by the end of next week

So don’t fret US gamers, you’re chance is coming soon. Based on some early reviews, I’m hoping to get some hands on time with the demo before I decide to pick it up. I hear the camera can be pretty bad at times.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo Released in Japan

Ninja Gaiden 2 Screen 2

All of us have been jonesing to play some Ninja Gaiden ever since we have been bombarded with gameplay trailers for the past 3 weeks. Apparently, Japan gets the demo and the rest of us are free to sit here with our thumbs squarely in our asses until we get a demo or have to buy the game. NG2 has received about an 85% on Metacritic which is very good, but not great. Many of us are waiting to see how bad the camera is before we spend the cash. I could see if this was a Sony or Nintendo thing, but I’m sorry, I thought we were in America.

Ninja Gaiden 2 – Subway Boss Fight Gameplay

You get to fight a giant flying boss in a subway in Ninja Gaiden 2. It looks like it’ll whoop that ass. Hope you’re prepared to throw a controller or two, because it’s certain to happen with this game.

New Ninja Gaiden II Screens

Ninja Gaiden 2 Screen 1

Microsoft and Team Ninja released a new bunch of screenshots for Ninja Gaiden II, as well as some cool new concept art for Sonia. She’s a new playable character in the game, in case you didn’t know.

Check out all the pretty new ninja goodness after the jump.

Thanks to Tha Doc for the tip!

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Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo Coming in May

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Want to play the demo for Ninja Gaiden 2, but feel betrayed by that cluster-f that happened at GDC? Your chance is coming soon as Team Ninja has announced a playable demo in May on the Xbox Live Marketplace.

There is also supposedly some exclusive content coming April 15th. No doubt this will be some gamer pictures, themes, and possibly videos. Why is it exclusive? Well, because the game is only coming to Xbox 360.

With a June 3rd release date, May is a perfect time for a demo. It’s not like people aren’t going to buy the game anyway.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Demo Coming Soon

Ninja Gaiden 2 Screen 2

According to the GDC banner on the Xbox 360 Dashboard, we can expect a Ninja Gaiden 2 demo soon. Apparantly, trailers and gamer pictures aren’t all that was planned for Microsoft’s Bringing It Home for GDC.

The link in the Dashboard for the demo is pseudo grayed out right now, but we expect it to go live before the end of the week.

I, for one, can’t wait to use those claws to slash up some enemies.

Ninja Gaiden 2 Rips Up Retail in June

Ninja Gaiden 2 Screen 1

Ryu Hayabusa will make his triumphant return this June in Ninja Gaiden 2. The sequel to the ever popular Xbox title looks to bring a ton more weapons and gore.

I’m excited because the game will have multiple difficulty levels. I’m a big Ninja Gaiden fan, but I don’t want to have to look up FAQs every level to get through the game.

I’m sure I’ll be playing it either way :)

Ninja Gaiden 2 Claws Gameplay

I think the wolverine claws are my favorite weapon in Ninja Gaiden 2. Hell, they’d be my favorite weapon in any game. Here’s a new video showing off some cool gameplay footage with the new devastating killing machines.