Kotaku: Tomonobu Itagaki

WTPT: Chiptunes and Cartoons Make for a Happy Wednesday

Tina Amini — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST

This morning's Watch This, Play This features a little of everything. In fact, you could probably break multi-tasking records and watch the videos simultaneously even while playing our new Gaming App of the Day. But probably not. More »

Japan's Wildest Gaming Designer Wanted To Be in America's Wildest Game

Brian Ashcraft — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:00:00 EDT

If Tomonobu Itagaki, the hard drinking cigarette smoking game designer behind Devil's Third, were a video game, he'd be Saints Row: The Third. No wonder he wanted to lend his voice to the game. More »

Japan's Deadliest Developer Tells The Next Generation To Grow A Pair

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:20:00 EDT

I got the chance to sit down with Dead or Alive creator and former Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki yesterday, ostensibly to talk about his studio's upcoming action game Devil's Third. More »

Here's One Theory Why Japanese Games Aren't as Big as They Used to be

Luke Plunkett — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 02:30:00 EDT

Ever since this console generation kicked off in 2005/06, Japanese developers have become increasingly irrelevant to the purchasing habits of many Western gamers. There are plenty of theories as to why this is. And Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki has one. More »

Devil's Third Will Shoot Up 2013

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:30:00 EDT

Expected for a 2012 release, shooter Devil's Third won't be out until 2013, said the game's designer and board game lover Tomonobu Itagaki. [Game Impress Watch] More »

The Man Behind Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive and Devil's Third Reveals His Favorite Retro Games

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EDT

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The creative force previously behind Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series, now on the upcoming Devil's Third, Tomonobu Itagaki, says he has wanted to make games since he was a teenager. He just didn't want to make video games. More »

Three Things Devil's Third Might Have: Dildo Melee, Hard Gay and Wii U Support

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:30:34 EDT

Devil's Third Might Have: Dildo Melee, Hard Gay and Wii U Support" alt="Click here to read Three Things Devil's Third Might Have: Dildo Melee, Hard Gay and Wii U Support" src="http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2011/06/small_devils_third_e3.jpg"/>

Tomonobu Itagaki, the man formerly behind Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive games, did not bring his latest creation, Devil's Third, to E3 2011. He promises it will be at Tokyo Game Show, however, and wants to bring death by dildo to yet another THQ-published game. More »

Being Hard Gay for Laughs and Cash

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:00:00 EDT

In 2005, comedian Masaki Sumitani became the most popular funny man in Japan. He dressed in a PVC hotpants, thrusting his pelvis as he exclaimed, "Fooohhh!" Little kids imitated the catchphrase, and Sumitani conquered the country. More »

What's It Like To Lose Your Lead Ninja?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:00:00 EDT

Until 2008, the head ninja of Team Ninja (not pictured) was Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki. Then he left and filed a lawsuit over unpaid wages. More Tecmo developers left, too. What's that like for the other ninjas? More »

This Game Could Appear On "Unknown Hardware"

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EDT

The future is a mysterious thing. Best to be prepared. So make your video games scalable. More »

Here Are Some Dead Or Alive Nintendo 3DS Screens

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 08:30:00 EDT

Tecmo Koei is bringing its Dead or Alive fighting series to the Nintendo 3DS. Hello, three dimensional jiggly fighting! More »

The Wait For Ninja Gaiden Creator's Next, Devil's Third, Is A Long One

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:20:00 EDT

We got a look at Tomonobu Itagaki and Valhalla Game Studios' next title, Devil's Third, earlier this year, but we won't actually play it for a long, long time. More »

Is Dead Or Alive's Creator Interested In Entering Politics? Yes.

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EDT

Tomonobu Itagaki, creator of jiggly fighting franchise Dead or Alive and the upcoming Devil's Third, is keen on getting into Japanese politics. Oh, he also thinks the country's game industry is dying and that Japan failed to import Western capitalism. More »

Guy Who Makes Hard Games Would Like To Apologize

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:30:00 EDT

Tomonobu Itagaki, the cigarette smokin' and hard drinkin' game designer behind Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden, has something to say. He would like to say he's sorry. More »

Dead Or Alive Creator Meets Lakers Fans

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 06:00:00 EDT

Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki was in LA last week for E3. Was he also there for game seven of the NBA Finals? More »

Ninja Gaiden Creators Reveal Devil's Third, The Bloody New Shooter From Valhalla

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:30:30 EDT

Famed video game designer Tomonobu Itagaki and his select group of creative warriors at Valhalla Game Studios are making a new game, Devil's Third, a hyper-violent shooter for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. More »

First Look At Devil's Third, The Debut Shooter From Valhalla

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 23:30:00 EDT

The team responsible for the bloody action of Ninja Gaiden and the blistering head-to-head combat of the Dead or Alive fighting game series is taking its shot at shooters with Devil's Third, coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. More »

In Praise Of Sticky Friction

Tim Rogers — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EDT

Dead Or Alive Creator Reveals New Game At E3

Mike Fahey — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:40:00 EDT

Tomonobu Itagaki, former head of Tecmo's Team Ninja and creator of the Dead or Alive and 3D Ninja Gaiden series is gearing up to reveal his next big project at E3 2010 next week. Will breast physics be involved? More »

Are These The Ten Hardest Games?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 17 May 2010 06:30:00 EDT

"Hard" in gaming is relative. What I might think is easy, you might think is not. What you might consider a piece of cake, I may find impossible. More »

Best Wishes Bridge Tecmo-Itagaki Rift

Owen Good — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:30:00 EDT

In February, Tecmo Koei and renowned designer Tomonobu Itagaki settled a lawsuit arising from their nasty split in 2008. The two are back on social terms, with Tecmo's boss sending congratulations to Itagaki's new studio, and the studio posting it. More »

Valhalla Games Focusing On One Title, Itagaki Focusing On Sake Intake

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EDT

Former Team Ninja lead Tomonobu Itagaki has set up shop at Valhalla Game Studios, aligning himself with numerous ex-developers of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden games, all working together to focus on just one game... for now. More »

What About Mexico? China? Brazil?

Brian Ashcraft — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:30:00 EST

For several years now, Japanese developers have realized that there are bigger markets outside Japan — namely, the U.S. and Europe. Isn't that limiting? More »

Ex-Team Ninja Boss Has A New Studio With A New Name

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Dead or Alive developer Tomonobu Itagaki left Tecmo over unpaid wages and started up a new studio. It was originally thought to be called "Tokyo Vikings". It's not. More »

Former Dead Or Alive Designer Talks Fighting Games

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 EST

Before the brouhaha at Tecmo, game designer Tomonobu Itagaki made a name for himself making fighting games. He's currently working on another title, which he hinted at last year. More »

Itagaki And Tecmo Settle Legal Brouhaha

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:30:00 EST

Game designer Tomonobu Itagaki and Tecmo have reconciled the lawsuit the former Team Ninja head filed in summer 2008. In an issued issued statement, Itagaki stated that the agreement was "mutual" and the settlement was "harmonious". More »

Bayonetta Designer Concedes He Is Bald, But Not Gay (Squabbles With Itagaki?!)

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EDT

M'kay... We're not sure why it matters how much hair covers his head and where he dips his candlestick, but Bayonetta designer Hideki Kamiya brought his hairless noggin and heterosexuality into a recent interview — among other things. More »

Itagaki Talks Missiles, Tecmo And Sixaxis Bounce

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Tokyo Game Show is days away and just before it kicked off, we had a chance to catch up with former Team Ninja lead ninja Tomonobu Itagaki — designer of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. More »

Itagaki Bayonetta Creator Hate May Provide Game Clues

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT

Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki has left Tecmo's Team Ninja. He's been away, but has returned with a new start-up, unofficially dubbed the Tokyo Vikings. More »

Ex-Team Ninja Lead Itagaki Speaks About What's Next

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:00:00 EDT

Former Team Ninja lead Tomonobu Itagaki is in the catbird's seat, having moved on from Tecmo and on to things not Ninja Gaiden or Dead Or Alive related. It's even better for us. More »

Can We Expect More Ninja Gaiden Games? Can We?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 15 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT

When game designer Tomonobu Itagaki headed up Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden franchise, he stated that Ninja Gaiden II was the last title in the series. But the franchise isn't his anymore. More »

Yosuke Hayashi Mans Up, Moves Out Of Itagaki's Shadow

AJ Glasser — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EDT

Tecmo's redundant announcement of Ninja Gaiden Σ 2 was more than just a chance to talk about online co-op; it was Producer Yosuke Hayashi's chance to come out of his ex-boss's shadow. More »

DMC, Okami Creator So Not Interested in Ninja Gaiden

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:30:00 EDT

Ex-Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki drinks. And never sees sunlight. Which explains the vitriol, because when he's not taking swings at Tekken, he's taking swings at Devil May Cry and Okami creator Hideki Kamiya. The Tekken things, that's just a spirited expression of personal taste, but the Kamiya thing...dude may have a point, because he was only responding to these comments by the ex-Capcom man: More »

Itagaki Bets You A Beer The PS3 Is Easier To Program For Than The Famicom

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:30:00 EDT

Giving his first interview since his, uh, departure from Tecmo, former Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki has told 1UP's James Mielke a bunch of stuff. Some of it interesting, some of it confusing, some of it batshit insane. You should really go read the whole piece, but if you're after a highlights package, this quote probably takes the cake: More »

Troubled Tecmo President Resigns!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:30:00 EDT

Today, Tecmo Co. Ltd. announced that Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda will resign. The Board of Directors accepted Yasuda's resignation — which was for "personal reasons". Starting September 1st, Chairman of the Board Yasuharu Kakihara will assume the position of Tecmo's president. More »

Tomonobu Itagaki Mehs Okami, Respects Kutaragi

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:00:00 EDT

Earlier, Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya didn't exactly have kind words for Ninja Gaiden. They weren't mean per se, they just weren't kind. Kamiya said he's "not interested" in NG so perhaps you could say he is indifferent. In the same issue of EGM, former Team Ninja lead ninja Tomonobu Itagaki has this to say about Kamiya and his game Okami: More »

Here's The Documented Evidence Itagaki Submitted Against Tecmo

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:40:00 EDT

Click to viewAs we broke earlier today, the second round of oral arguments in the Itagaki vs. Tecmo suit commenced. Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki is suing for unpaid DoA 4 wages. These "special incentive" wages were agreed to by the former Tecmo president and the board of directors claims Itagaki, but the current president is claiming these "special incentive" wages were made single-handedly by the former president and not approved by the Tecmo board. Early last month, Itagaki left Tecmo and filed suit for unpaid bonuses. As Itagaki stated then, "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.'" More »

Secret Tecmo Tapes Reveal Number of the Beast, Insulting Tecmo President

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:20:00 EDT

In the second round of oral arguments for the Itagaki vs. Tecmo suit, Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki submitted evidence that included an affidavit from Ninja Gaiden II producer Yoshifuru Okamoto, a contract from 2005 that seems to clearly state terms of the Dead or Alive 4 bonus and a voice recording of Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda. Itagaki is suing Tecmo over unpaid DoA4 wages. More »

Itagaki Didn't Leave Tecmo, He Was Fired

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:20:00 EDT

This morning about 10:00 a.m. Tokyo Time, the second round of oral arguments for the Itagaki vs. Tecmo case commenced. As we broke early last month, Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki left Tecmo and filed suit for unpaid bonuses. As Itagaki stated then, "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.'" More »

Tecmo Withdrew Itagaki Gag-Order Weeks Ago

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT

Remember that four point gag-order Tecmo tried to slap Itagaki with? The company had simply filed for a gag-order, and it wasn't yet granted and didn't actually go into effect. Today as the second round of oral arguments for the Itagaki vs. Tecmo case commenced in which Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki is suing over supposed unpaid wages, it was revealed that Tecmo had already rescinded the gag-order on July 7th. But, did Tecmo publicly announce that it was withdrawing the gag-order filing? More »