Devil's Third- Itagaki's new game

[evil_ash_xero]

This isn't coming out until "early 2013", but I'm surprised I hadn't heard ANYTHING about the guy who produced Ninja Gaiden and Dead Or Alive. The trailer looks awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzLaWbLZl24

I hope this doesn't suffer the same sales fate as Bayonetta or Vanquish.

I consider him one of the casualties of Japan's "let's fire or lose our best guys" syndrome. Capcom and Tecmo...I'm looking at you.

[Acid King]

I'm pretty excited for this. Last I heard it was like 30% complete and they were looking to get the multiplayer count up to 32 players.

[Udderdude]

Looks cool, but I pretty much laughed at 0:48-0:50. Those guys were dumbasses :O

[kid aphex]

I really think this game (incomplete as it is) looks terrible, and I sort of hope it fails ... only because I really, really dislike itagaki
Hopefully Bayonetta 2 is (first announced, then) released sometime near Devil's Third, because I'd love to compare the two (irrespective of their genre)

[evil_ash_xero]

He may be a bit of an ass, but he makes great action games. Why would you want him to fail? The Japanese gaming industry is having hard enough time as it is.

As much as I enjoyed Bayonetta, I could have done without it's...look, music, and quirks.

[kid aphex]

He may be a bit of an ass, but he makes great action games. Why would you want him to fail? The Japanese gaming industry is having hard enough time as it is.

As much as I enjoyed Bayonetta, I could have done without it's...look, music, and quirks.

Because I think he's a cynical, image-obsessed, asshole. I really doubt his abilities as a designer, and hope the failure helps expose his lack of talent
Just because I love traditional Japanese game design doesn't mean horrible attitudes and childish personalities get a free pass

[DragonInstall]

Because I think he's a cynical, image-obsessed, asshole. I really doubt his abilities as a designer, and hope the failure helps expose his lack of talent. Just because I love traditional Japanese game design doesn't mean horrible attitudes and childish personalities get a free pass

Isn't it a bit childish to think like this?

"I don't like his attitude, so I hope he fails."

All the games he made became quite famous and turned out pretty well. I don't know why you would think he has no talent.

[Acid King]

Just because I love traditional Japanese game design doesn't mean horrible attitudes and childish personalities get a free pass

Who fucking cares about his personality so long as his games are good? Better throw out half of your music collection because chances are alot of those musicians are assholes.

[Strider77]

I'm keeping a close eye on this one. I'm a fan of his games... his two ninja garden games are some of the best 3D action/melee games ever made is my book.

They punish poor play and are challenging but can totally be mastered. Once you do it's rewarding... you can own the game, it gives you a tool for every situation. Then let's you use all of it with a rock solid 60FPS and instant response for every button press.

You can really keep moving in those games and it's so fast and razor sharp reponce wise. I love them.

[kid aphex]

Because I think he's a cynical, image-obsessed, asshole. I really doubt his abilities as a designer, and hope the failure helps expose his lack of talent. Just because I love traditional Japanese game design doesn't mean horrible attitudes and childish personalities get a free pass

Isn't it a bit childish to think like this?

"I don't like his attitude, so I hope he fails."

All the games he made became quite famous and turned out pretty well. I don't know why you would think he has no talent.

It's never been made clear exactly how responsible he was for any aspect of any of his games.
Now that he's left his team, well, I guess we'll have a better understanding of just what he offered the development process.
Anyways, I don't really think any of his games have been that good ... I find them pretty soul-less
And even if they all were amazing (which they weren't), it wouldn't justify his ego
Or the way he insults every other developer/producer/creative person in the industry
If you want to see childishness, read some of his interviews

[Strider77]

The gameplay of the ninja garden games certainly isn't soulless. Sound like you want to hate them and him regardless of what the case may be.

I respect that regardless if you like what he says or not.. his interviews are always more interesting to read than the usual captain obvious/PR drivel.

It's not like the guy responsible didn't talk a bit of smack and throw down the gaulent while Bayanetta was made. I enjoy it when developers call out names when it comes to likes dislikes even when I don't always agree. For the record I love Bayanetta and Platinum Games and are right along the NG games for me.

[DragonInstall]

It's never been made clear exactly how responsible he was for any aspect of any of his games.
Now that he's left his team, well, I guess we'll have a better understanding of just what he offered the development process.
Anyways, I don't really think any of his games have been that good ... I find them pretty soul-less
And even if they all were amazing (which they weren't), it wouldn't justify his ego
Or the way he insults every other developer/producer/creative person in the industry
If you want to see childishness, read some of his interviews

I always found his interview as someone who speaks his mind and doesn't hold back, which I find almost everyone on this forums does.

You're one of the few people I know that thought Ninja Gaiden series as a bad game, which is fine since it's your opinion. But I thought they were incredible, especially NG1.

[Strider77]

Ditto

[kid aphex]

Just because I love traditional Japanese game design doesn't mean horrible attitudes and childish personalities get a free pass

Who fucking cares about his personality so long as his games are good? Better throw out half of your music collection because chances are alot of those musicians are assholes.

I don't have a problem separating the art from the artist, so there's no reason for me to throw out anything
Believe it or not, my opinion of Itagaki doesn't affect my ability to understand, judge, or appreciate his games
I was bored with Ninja Gaiden long before I ever knew Itagaki was a jerk

It's Itagaki who is fostering an interdependent relationship between his personality and his games
So, I'm really only respecting the man's wishes

[kid aphex]

I always found his interview as someone who speaks his mind and doesn't hold back, which I find almost everyone on this forums does.

In that case, I find you arguing with me about my disagreements with him paradoxical

[Udderdude]

Anyways, I don't really think any of his games have been that good ... I find them pretty soul-less

Ok, so you don't like the guy, that much is obvious. But you'd better come up with some better "critisism" than this. :P

[kid aphex]

Anyways, I don't really think any of his games have been that good ... I find them pretty soul-less

Ok, so you don't like the guy, that much is obvious. But you'd better come up with some better "critisism" than this.

lol, I hear you
I think the gameplay in the games is great ... but almost every other aspect of the games, from a design standpoint, is lacking
Terrible cameras, bad character design (especially the enemies), sterile environments, plastic character models, bad UI, clumsy menu design, etc.
Basically, it's a load of shit atop some beautifully crafted mechanics

[Teufel_in_Blau]

He made one game only for his fans because they demandet it (DOAX) and one another for his daughter because she was only playing DS and she wanted to play one of his games on her fav console (Ninja Gaiden DS). So in the end he is listening to his fans and his inner circle and tries to fulfill their wishes. That does not sound like an arrogant asshole to me.

His behaviour regarding other development studios is kinda questionable but you could take it as a form of marketing. Also he never attacks them personally, only their work. If he thinks the Tekken serie is shit, than this is his opinion and as a professional designer it's at least interesting to hear why he thinks they are bad (he explained it quite a few times). Also, he never made a secret out of his love to the Gamecube and that Pikmin is his fav game. So he HAS nice words for other devs work. It's not like he is hating all day long.

@Topic

I am a fan of his work and checking out his website for news once in a while. I hope that the game will turn out well and sell good. But I am afraid that 2013 could be a little too late, since a new Xbox may be get released around 2013. Let's hope I'm wrong, I certainly want to see more from this dude.

[DragonInstall]

His behaviour regarding other development studios is kinda questionable but you could take it as a form of marketing. Also he never attacks them personally, only their work. If he thinks the Tekken serie is shit, than this is his opinion and as a professional designer it's at least interesting to hear why he thinks they are bad (he explained it quite a few times).

I remember him saying the whole rivalry thing started when Tekken had an radio ad insulting DOA1. I don't think it was a serious hate thing, but more fun jabs.

I remember one interview asked him, "What do you like about Tekken?" And he just said, "The name is short." I found that pretty funny.

Anyway, when Harada was interviewed about the whole thing and how Itagaki left team ninja he basically said he felt sad that he left because he liked the rival aspect. Saying that having a rival company helps push both developers to make better games.

[kid aphex]

His behaviour regarding other development studios is kinda questionable but you could take it as a form of marketing.

I agree with you 100%. I loathe marketing. Maybe I recognize his behavior as such, and that's why I have such a problem with it. Good insight, thanks

[Teufel_in_Blau]

I remember one interview asked him, "What do you like about Tekken?" And he just said, "The name is short." I found that pretty funny.

lol, yeah, I think at some point he was a little tired of the whole Tekken Story. When you want to promote your own game and journalist are asking you about OTHER games it may get you such answers. I love his humor and I always enjoy reading his interviews.

[kid aphex]

Anyways, that's a lot of OT
I still really want to play this game (for a lot of reasons...)

[Wenchang]

lol, I hear you
I think the gameplay in the games is great ... but almost every other aspect of the games, from a design standpoint, is lacking
Terrible cameras, bad character design (especially the enemies), sterile environments, plastic character models, bad UI, clumsy menu design, etc.
Basically, it's a load of shit atop some beautifully crafted mechanics

That is your definition of soul-less? Substance without style(at least in the game's art because the combat animation itself is pretty stylish)?

[BrianC]

I'm keeping a close eye on this one. I'm a fan of his games... his two ninja garden games are some of the best 3D action/melee games ever made is my book.

Are those the games were Ryu grows crops and throws vegatables at the cast of DoA?

[kid aphex]

lol, I hear you
I think the gameplay in the games is great ... but almost every other aspect of the games, from a design standpoint, is lacking
Terrible cameras, bad character design (especially the enemies), sterile environments, plastic character models, bad UI, clumsy menu design, etc.
Basically, it's a load of shit atop some beautifully crafted mechanics

That is your definition of soul-less? Substance without style(at least in the game's art because the combat animation itself is pretty stylish)?

"substance" is subjective. Can't I appreciate aspects of game design beyond mechanics? There's potential for depth in any of the aspects I mentioned

[Wenchang]

"substance" is subjective. Can't I appreciate aspects of game design beyond mechanics? There's potential for depth in any of the aspects I mentioned

I call it the substance of the game because that's what the game is clearly designed around, the mechanics. It seems almost to miss the point to knock character designs for example. I'm not telling you what to appreciate or trying to mock you for appreciating other elements of game design. I just don't see the game as soul-less. Narrowly-focused maybe, but there is a level of care and attention to detail in the mechanics that would not describe a soul-less product if you ask me. And frankly I like that Ninja Gaiden is a simple game about cutting the heads off of enemy ninjas and mastering the mechanics. If it aimed for more I think game would be a lot worse. Although obviously cameral control is a real problem, no doubt.

Love your podcast btw.

[Elixir]

The gameplay of the ninja garden games certainly isn't soulless.

Ninja Garden.

Anyway, not interested, but why announce a game that isn't coming until 2013? Incredibly premature. They can't all be Fumito Ueda.

[Strider77]

My bad... typo. That's what I get for posing via my phone. Damn auto correct. Good for a few chuckles though.

[evil_ash_xero]

I like Ninja Garden. Could be a sub-game in Ninja Golf.

[Estebang]

I consider him one of the casualties of Japan's "let's fire or lose our best guys" syndrome. Capcom and Tecmo...I'm looking at you.

Itagaki wasn't fired, he walked out of Tecmo after finishing NGII. The sexual harrassment suit might have had something to do with it, but knowing the man, it was probably a publicity stunt.

Ninja Gaiden Black and II are some of the best 3D action-adventure games out there and it's no mistake that NGIII has been shown to be utterly abysmal. Rampant QTEs, kindergarten-level difficulty, camera that always points you in the right direction, enemies that flee in terror from you...none of this would have happened on his watch. Did you know he's a graduate of law school!