One Of These "Special Incentive" DoA 4 Contracts Is Fake

Yesterday, Itagaki vs. Tecmo commenced with Itagaki's lawyer submitting into evidence the contract he had supporting his completion bonus for Xbox 360 title Dead or ALive 4. Tecmo's lawyers submitted a somewhat identical-looking contract, differing in that it did not support Itagaki's claims that he was entitled to a completion bonus. Hrm. Someone it seems is lying, and other evidence seems to indicate that Tecmo isn't exactly being truthful about overtime — which is a totally separate case altogether.

Something else to keep in mind: Earlier we reported that Tecmo slapped Itagaki with a gag-order, meaning that one had been filed — as of course there are no Japanese laws to prevent Tecmo from filing for that! However, a judge has yet to sign off on this gag-order for it to actually be in effect. Since this hasn't yet happened, the gag-order is, well, not in effect. What's more, that gag-order motion may very well be tossed out of court.

Itagaki vs Tecmo [IT Media]

Like "enormous beasts of steel?" Atlus announced Zoids Assault, which it says contains many such beasts, headed exclusively for Xbox 360 on August 26th.

Described as a demonstration of "commitment" to that system, Atlus' "gritty militaristic strategy RPG" revolves around tactics and customization for giant biomechs in a war between the Guylos Empire and the Republic of Helic.

Hey, lots of you have said you're sick of World War II, right?

Full release after the jump.

Mike Tyson Returns In Fight Night Round 4

Fight Night is back! And so is Mike Tyson! The ear-chewing ex-convict who hasn't made a video game appearance since Codemasters largely reviled Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing will be featured in Fight Night Round 4, now in development at EA Canada. Said to sport a "re-written gameplay engine" and "all-new physics-based animation system that recreates the full spectrum of true-to-life punch impacts, giving boxers a devastating arsenal of punches, blocks and ring movement" Fight Night Round 4 is planned for a 2009 release on the Xbox 360 and PS3.

This is exciting stuff. I used to kick Iron Mike's ass pretty regularly—as Lil' Mac, of course—but was terrified when I ran into him last year at a party. I shall take my revenge on him next year for giving me such a fright. I may even go so far as to say that his heart/children will be eaten, should the game allow it. You hear that, Tyson?!

Microsoft Snaps Up EA Chicago GM To Head Gears Of War Project

When Electronic Arts shuttered its Chicago-based development studio, the one responsible for titles like Fight Night and Def Jam Icon, EA prez Frank Gibeau chalked it up to an inability to meet standards for "responsibility for product quality, ship dates and profitability." Tough words, especially when some of that blame was most likely shouldered by former general manager of the studio, Kudo Tsunoda. Fortunately for Tsunoda, he has a new home, with GameTap reporting today that he's landed at Microsoft.

Tsunoda, best known for his fighting games, including a licensed Marvel Comics brawler that may have been scrapped, has been supposedly put to work on a popular franchise. A new Gears of War title is said to be his first project. An interesting fit. And by interesting, I mean, you better not screw this up, Kudo, or you're in big trouble. Oh, and congratulations.

Kudo Tsunoda Jumps EA Ship, Lands at Microsoft [GameTap]

Yakuza 3 Demo Hits Japan's PSN

If you're lazy like me, you probably didn't realize that the Japanese Playstation store received the demo for Yakuza 3 sometime last night. GameVideos hopped right over and played through it, a bunch, and then made up some game play videos like this one showing off a sword fight and the one below showing off "Geisha" gameplay. So far not very impressed.

Capcom's memorable tramps Roxy and Poison from Final Fight may be the victim of some urban legend gender confusion but there's little question about what's in the denim short shorts of this immovable figure from Reflect of Poison herself. The 11" PVC recreation of Hugo's sidekick from Street Fighter III will leave little to the imagination when it ships this November. At 7,140 yen, it should definitely be considered a holiday stocking stuffer for any loved one who's really really into nearly naked video game gangster babes. I'm getting two for the McWhertor Cave!

Poison [HobbyStock]

Bungie Level Designer Diagnosed with Cancer

Peter Marks has been a part of the Bungie community, both inside and out, for more than ten years. Myth players knew him as BNA Mordia. Halo PC players knew him as Lud. Bungie fans of Halo know Peter's work, Hang Em High and other popular levels. Unfortunately, Peter has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He is doing what he can to fight it, with doctors pulling every trick in the book to defeat it. With his physical being in the care of professionals, close friends and family have been giving him much love and support to give him a much needed lift in spirits.

Activision's Will Kassoy has plenty to say about their franchise versus the upcoming Rock Band:

I think some of the early signs we've seen might make [Rock Band] a little more complex than some of the things that make Guitar Hero so great, which is its accessibility and ease of play for everyone...[and] If you go beyond the game industry to just really mass market consumers, people haven't heard about Rock Band yet and the fact that it's only on next-generation platforms is going to be a little bit limiting.

Halo Mountain Dew In Stores, Ready To Take Fight To Teeth

EA to 2k, It's On Like Donkey Kong

When you've got a competitor like Take-Two on the sports side, and they launch a football title using some of the industry legends, you want to make sure that ends up being a blip and is not repeatable, because we like to defend our franchises aggressively.

We're between egging their house and signing an exclusive NFL contract that lasts forever. Go to EA.com to vote for what you want to see.

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