Tomonobu Itagaki leaving Tecmo

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 3rd June 2008
Comments (9) Stumble
Tomonobu Itagaki leaving Tecmo

Tomonobu Itagaki, creator of the Dead or Alive series, has resigned from the Tecmo board of directors.

Tomonobu Itagaki, creator and leader of Tecmo's Team Ninja, has revealed in a rather shocking announcement that he is resigning from long-time employer Tecmo - and that he plans to sue the company as well.

Itagaki, who was the famed creator of the Dead or Alive beat-em-up series and lead designer on the recent Ninja Gaiden games, issued a statement to the press just as the Xbox 360 exclusive version of Ninja Gaiden 2 launches in the US.

Itagaki had previously admitted that he was less that pleased with some of his past work with Tecmo, including the PS3 exclusive Ninja Gaiden Sigma, which Itagaki described as being 'no good'.

As well as resigning from the company - where he started as a graphics programmer in 1993 - Itagaki has announced his intention to sue the game developer where he had until this morning sat on the board of directors. Itagaki is reportedly seeking 148 million yen (1.5m USD) in damages from a court case against Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda.

It is alleged that Yasuda refused to pay Itagaki bonuses he had been promised previously and "made demeaning remarks" about him to other Tecmo employees, which resulted in "significant emotional distress" and "worsening [of his] personal relationships and work environment."

In his statement, Itagaki confirmed that he will not be involved with any future Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive titles, as the rights to both franchises are retained by Tecmo.

What do you reckon to the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series'? Let us know in the forums.
Quote Paradigm Shifter 3rd June 2008, 09:45
148 million yen
Quote mclean007 3rd June 2008, 11:26
Any excuse for a picture of the DoA girls!?
Quote Mentai 3rd June 2008, 11:48
I wonder what he's going to work on next, and whether the quality of sequels to his Techmo games will suddenly take a dive without him. Random and surprising news really.
Quote HourBeforeDawn 3rd June 2008, 16:31
wow thats a real shame.
Quote themax 3rd June 2008, 17:49
Publicity stunt. Coming on the heels of the Ninja Gaiden II release, it's all too coincidental for me to buy it. Chances are in the new few weeks Itagaki and Tecmo kiss and makeup once the sale records of NG2 are shown to be very good.
Quote LordPyrinc 3rd June 2008, 23:54
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mentai
I wonder what he's going to work on next, and whether the quality of sequels to his Techmo games will suddenly take a dive without him. Random and surprising news really.

Judging by the picture in the article... he most likely will find a career producing animated pron. :D
Quote HourBeforeDawn 3rd June 2008, 23:55
^^^ Im trying to figure out if thats a bad thing or not =p
Quote Major 4th June 2008, 00:47
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paradigm Shifter
148 million yen

Although it's only around £700,000, over there it could be to them about £10,000,000 etc.

Watched a program the other week and a farmer in China only earns £500 per YEAR!
Quote Horizon 5th June 2008, 07:52
pfft..ninja gaiden sigma ps3 exclusive? that xbox port? bah. good riddens
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