XBOX-HQ.COM - The Future of Team Ninja

Dead or Alive Ultimate shipped in late October, proving itself to truly be among the ultimate fighting games on Xbox. Featuring an innovative online Virtual Arcade, DOAU helped begin a new era of online 3D fighters. This year Team Ninja has helped redefine both Xbox and Xbox Live. DOA Ultimate is one of the hottest Xbox Live titles around and Ninja Gaiden offered some astounding downloadable content.

As the most important third-party developer for Microsoft, Team Ninja's role in developing games for Xbox 2 (likely coming next year) may well determine Microsoft's overall success with its next platform.

We spoke with the head of Team Ninja, Tomonobu Itagaki about the recent success of DOA Ultimate and what the future holds for Team Ninja. As always, Itagaki offered only hints at what to expect from Dead or Alive 4, but it's the first information available on Team Ninja's next project. Itagaki further revealed that DOAX 2, a sequel to Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball would be forthcoming in the future, though it may not deal with the sport of volleyball this time out.

Though Itagaki can't yet reveal many details on future projects, there's a lot that can be read into his words. He even puts to rest a long-standing rumor that Team Ninja was working on reviving Tecmo Bowl.

This may be the last tid-bits we get on these titles until Xbox 2 is officially unveiled by Microsoft. Enjoy.

IGN Xbox: We know about a number of Team Ninja projects in the works (Code Cronus, DOA 4, Ninja Gaiden 2). What order can we expect them in? Which is next?

Itagaki: DOA 4 is the main project for now. Without DOA4, there will be no Ninja Gaiden2, DOAX2 or Cronus.

IGN Xbox: What aspects of the Dead or Alive series do you want to change? In other words, what can we expect from DOA 4?

Itagaki: Increased soothing sensation. Sensation for the intellect and visual sense.

IGN Xbox: Some people love the reversal system, others aren't big fans. Will reversals be changed at all in DOA 4?

Itagaki: DOA is made for people who love DOA. This is my answer.

IGN Xbox: You've introduced new characters in both DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball and Ninja Gaiden. Any chance that these characters will appear in DOA 4?

Itagaki: Anything is possible. I just came out of a planning meeting where we talked about this exact issue.

IGN Xbox: DOA 2 had in-game cut-scenes for endings and DOA 3 had some awesome CG movie endings. Which will we get for DOA 4?

Itagaki: I'm going to make a pre-rendered ending movie. It's going to be really good. I'll be in China next month to photograph some locations for Lei Fang's ending CG.

IGN Xbox: How will the arenas differ in DOA 4? Will they be larger? More interactive? Will they affect a fight even more than they do now?

Itagaki: Of course, more interactive environments. This is our main theme. Not only [will] the reaction be different, but the action itself will be different.

IGN Xbox: Ever since DOA 2, we've been begging for four-player action, with four characters in one arena at the same time. Will DOA 4 answer our prayers?

Itagaki: I would love to do that!

IGN Xbox: One of the great aspects of DOA 2 and DOA Ultimate were all of the unlockable costumes. DOA 3 didn't really have any unlockables. Will DOA 4 feature a lot of unlockables? Will they just be costumes or other things? And can you maybe give us an estimate on how many costumes and arenas to expect this time out?

Itagaki: As you're expecting...

IGN Xbox: When will we get our first look at DOA 4?

Itagaki: When it's most effective for many reasons.

IGN Xbox: Now that Dead or Alive Ultimate is out, how do you feel about the final product?

Itagaki: I think it turned out really nice. Weren't you surprised by the online feature?

IGN Xbox: Definitely. I was also surprised you chose to bring back Hitomi but not Brad Wong or Christie. Why is that?

Itagaki: Because I like Hitomi the best.

IGN Xbox: Do you have any fighting tips for fans of DOAU who are getting their butts kicked online?

Itagaki: Why don't you ask the good players via voice chat?

IGN Xbox: Is DOA Ultimate the last Team Ninja game for the Xbox before Xbox 2 launches?

Itagaki: Most likely, yes. Arrival of the next generation machine is closer than you think. TeamNINJA's focus is already on the new machine.

IGN Xbox: You've said that the reason for creating DOA Ultimate is that you wanted all three versions of DOA available on one system for the first time. With DOA 4 coming for Xbox 2, do you have any thoughts about doing another Ultimate version of DOA 1-3 for Xbox 2?

Itagaki: I don't plan to do anything like it for a while. That's why I did it this time.

IGN Xbox: There's a lot of backstory for each character in DOAU, but the only character to get his own game on Xbox was Ryu Hayabusa. Any chance of seeing Kasumi, Ayane, or another DOA character star in their own game?

Itagaki: Hayabusa is all we need for [an] action game.

IGN Xbox: Every game you have put out for Xbox has made great use of the hardware. What is Team Ninja's secret for maximizing what Xbox has to offer? What is it you are doing that no other developer seems to have figured out?

Itagaki: It's hard to say in English... Be quick to make decisions, but slow to give up. Do you understand what I'm talking about?

IGN Xbox: Makes sense. It seems that Team Ninja is juggling a lot of projects at one time (DOA 4, Code Cronus, Ninja Gaiden 2, Ninja Gaiden DS), can you give us some insight into how your development process works? How are you able to work on so many projects at once and stay focused on each?

Itagaki: 90% common sense and 10% craziness.

IGN Xbox: You've been very secretive about Code Cronus. All we know is that it's not DOA 4 and that it's not a straight-up fighting game. Can you give us a hint as to what kind of game it is?

Itagaki: All I can say is that since DOA 4 schedule was expedited, it's going to be later.

IGN Xbox: When will we learn Code Cronus' true name?

Itagaki: It's already decided. We'll announce the name together with the game.

IGN Xbox: A long time ago, you said that you were interested in reviving Tecmo Bowl, but only if Ninja Gaiden was successful. Now that NG is a big success, what are the chances of seeing a new Tecmo Bowl in the future?

Itagaki: Wow, I'm impressed that you remember what I said. I'm happy. I say that Hayabusa's adventure shouldn't end yet. Of course this is my personal feeling so it may differ from what the fans desire. You should survey your readers by asking if TeamNINJA should be working on Ninja Gaiden 2 or revive Tecmo Bowl.

IGN Xbox: You've been a big supporter of Xbox and, from what we hear, will be heavily behind Xbox 2 as well. Do you have any plans to make games for PS3 or Nintendo Revolution?

Itagaki: I should be able to talk about that soon. I promise. IGN Xbox: Now let's talk about the games Team Ninja has made. If you could only make one of those games (DOA 2, DOAX, Ninja Gaiden, etc.), which would you choose to make?

Itagaki: You're talking about the past game right? If so, DOA2. I knew I could make it better now and of course that's what DOA Ultimate is. DOA2 is unforgettable in many ways.

IGN Xbox: With DOAU and Ninja Gaiden released in 2004, do you feel this is Team Ninja's best year so far?

Itagaki: Frankly, it was [our best] year since 2001. First time in three years I can relax for Christmas.Source: IGN