Ninja Gaiden creator Itagaki quits Team Ninja; takes no prisoners

Written By Dragonfly 131 days ago
News Category: Industry News
Relevant Consoles: : Xbox 360

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In a recent statement, Itagaki announced: "I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year."

Itagaki's resignation was effective as of June 1.

The developer said that a completion bonus had been promised well before the start of work on Dead or Alive 4, and that he was never paid.

"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," Itagaki said.

"Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo."

Itagaki added a note to game fans at the bottom of the statement, admitting that he is sorry that he'll never be able to make Dead or Alive 5.

The news hit us today, only a short time before the release of Ninja Gaiden II, the next in a frachise of of which Itagaki has been the frontman of for years.

Read the full thing below.

"I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year.

In addition, I hereby announce that I have today submitted a letter of resignation to Tecmo Co., Ltd. stating that I will resign as of the 1st of July, 2008.

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.

The conduct of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company.

I have filed this lawsuit with a strong intent to question the social responsibility of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its President Yoshimi Yasuda, as well as condemning them for their unjust acts. Today, in addition to announcing the reasons for this lawsuit, I make clear my reasons for resigning.

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 honour promises even when he is able to do so.

I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future.

Tecmo Co., Ltd. Creative Officer
Leader, Team NINJA

Tomonobu Itagaki"

Blimey!

Tags : Dead or Alive : Dead or Alive 5 : microsoft : ninja gaiden : Ninja Gaiden 2 : Ninja Gaiden II : Resignation : Team Ninja : Tecmo : Tomonobu Itagaki : Xbox 360 : Yoshimi Yasuda

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Comments

By: Evren On: 10:28 Jun 3rd, 2008 Offline	Oh. Dear. Thats not good at all. And it's sad that we'll never see DOA5.
By: Dragonfly On: 10:39 Jun 3rd, 2008 Offline	Evren;50345 And it's sad that we'll never see DOA5. We likely will see Dead or Alive 5. It just won't be created at the hands of Itagaki.
By: boa On: 01:34 Jun 3rd, 2008 Offline	It is a shame to see, but we can hope that he moves on to bigger and better things.
By: Evren On: 05:08 Jun 3rd, 2008 Offline	Dragonfly;50353 We likely will see Dead or Alive 5. It just won't be created at the hands of Itagaki. Ack, then I dont think I will want to play it as much, Though...Boobs...
By: Dragonsoul On: 09:01 Jun 3rd, 2008 Offline	Blimey! roffles What an interesting occurance. Though he sounds rather melodramatic about the whole thing it would be a pain in the ass not to be paid as promised. My sister had that problem with her workplace (or something similiar). It seems rather unduly that Temco won't cough up the cash but I wonder if there's more to this story than first meets the eye. Whatever the case I'm sure it'll continue to be...entertaining. :P
By: Dragonfly On: 05:49 Jun 4th, 2008 Offline	Dragonsoul;50408 roffles Update on this story here: http://www.videogamechat.net/news/industry-news/Tecmo-responds-to-Itagaki-s-resignation-accusations-755

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