Tecmo responds to Resignation of Itagaki

As everyone knows, or should know by now, Tomonobu Itagaki resigned from his position at Tecmo. So what happens to the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises he created? They keep on going I guess, just without him. Here’s the response from Tecmo:

“On June 3, 2008, Tomonobu Itagaki, Executive Producer of Tecmo, LTD.(Tokyo, Japan) owned development studio Team Ninja, submitted his resignation. Due to the fact that he had recently filed a legal complaint against Tecmo, LTD., there was no choice but to accept his resignation. His resignation is effective July 1, 2008.

“The legal complaint is in regards to a claim to an incentive bonus linked to a past project. The parties could not reach an amicable resolution to this matter and Itagaki chose to seek a legal remedy. Tecmo, LTD. will let the court decide the outcome of this case and will seek a true, fair, and quick resolution.

“Most importantly, Tecmo, LTD. would like to assure its loyal fans that Team NINJA, known for its top selling and critically acclaimed Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive franchises, is intact and, as a matter of fact, have several new projects already underway. Team NINJA is, more than ever, committed to producing compelling and cutting edge games in order to maintain its reputation as a high quality developer and to continue to receive the support of its loyal fans.”

Itagaki is Leaving Tecmo!?!

If you’re a big fan of the Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive franchise, you’ve likely heard of Tobonobu Itagaki, and you have some sad news ahead of you. Itagaki is the lead over at Team Ninja and it seems that there are some irreconcilable circumstances between him and the president of Tecmo. Below is an excerpt of what was posted by Itagaki himself.

To All Game Fans,

“I truly feel sorry to all the fans of the games I have made. Ninja Gaiden 2, which will launch on the 3rd of June will be the last Ninja Gaiden I will create. I will also never be able to make Dead or Alive 5. I regret the circumstances that have forced me to leave Tecmo, where I had worked for so many years, and I regret the disappointment this will cause my fans. However, I can no longer continue to work with President Yoshimi Yasuda, a man who chooses not to honor promises even when he is able to do so. I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future.

It seems this stems from Yoshima Yasuda failing to pay Itagaki a promised sum of money upon completion of Dead or Alive 4. If you want the full story, check out 1up’s James Mielke’s blog.