Dead or Alive creator Itagaki resigns, suing Tecmo

Ryu Hayabusa isn't the only one drawing blood today--Ninja Gaiden designer Tomonobu Itagaki announces his resignation from Tecmo pursuant to a lawsuit claiming unpaid bonuses.

Gainfully unemployed.

Gainfully unemployed.

Creator of the Dead or Alive series Tomonobu Itagaki tendered his resignation from Tecmo citing unpaid bonuses reports Kotaku. The stunning announcement made Tuesday afternoon in Tokyo, comes on the same day Itagaki's newest game--Ninja Gaiden II--is set to release.

A statement from Itagaki outlines his reasons for departing Tecmo, which stem from completion bonuses purportedly promised at the onset of developing Dead or Alive 4. When the Xbox 360-exclusive game was complete, he claims those bonuses were never paid. Even worse, Itagaki accuses Tecmo President Yoshimi Yasuda of "causing [him] significant emotional distress and worsening [his] personal relationships and work environment."

Itagaki's resignation takes affect July 1, upon which he'll exit from the teams responsible for both the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive games. Leaving effectively means the creator won't be involved in the development of future installments of either franchise. That, however, is unlikely to hinder Tecmo from continuing with additional iterations of these blockbuster series. Don't worry boys and girls, there's probably another round of beach volleyball bouncing around.

Speaking directly to gamers, Itagaki expressed frustration and sadness over his decision. "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."

The situation casts a dark cloud over the release of Ninja Gaiden II today. Itagaki at least leaves the series on a high note: the Xbox 360-exclusive action game currently is averaging in the 82 percentile on Metacritic.

UPDATE: You can read Itagaki's translated statement in its entirely 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 honor promises even when he is able to do so. I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future.

Comments [45]

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Bloodychess

"What do you think about the carter 3??" Don't know, and don't care. (Anyways, getting back on topic) This hurts, the NG and DOA series may continue, but it won't be the same without Itagaki.

SerbianPoppa

[p]carter 3 isnt bad. I like phone home, phat song. Im more into classic rock but some rap isnt bad. It's dying though, we need more good artists and less bitches like t-pain.[/p] Staying on topic, Im assuming he is resigning because an 82 on metacritic isnt good enough for him. He is a big perfectionist and expected a high 90 from this game. Check some of his comments if you dont believe me. It seems unpolished graphics, bad camera angles and shotty framerate brought the game down.[p] I still think it looks great and ill rent it but hey, some people expect highly of themselves.[/p][p] I doubt NG will continue but DOA doesnt really need Itagaki, there will prolly be 10 of those lol. Possibly multiplatform now tho. so even ps3 and maybe wii players can experience the glory of virtual T and A lol.[/p]

ZanonX

He can make another series easy and blow dead or alive away even ninja gaiden, How about a ninja scroll game take it to sony and base it off the movie not the shit ones.

TheTeacher

Sucks that he didn't get what he was promised. But I don't know about Itagaki... maybe it's those sunglasses, but he just looks like a shady guy...

AceFondu

Itagaki is a shady guy. He's a womanizer, and a egotist. His shit smells better than everyone else's. He criticizes any game that isn't his, and claims they've copied him. For instance DMC to his Ninja Gaiden, and Tekken to his DoA games. He's a loser, period.

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