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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 3, 2015 15:32:18 GMT -5
Actually, I'm not starting this thread to talk about Devil's Third (although I'll use it for that when more info comes out), but rather I wanted talk about Tomonobu Itagaki. Admittedly, I've never actually played any of his games (unless you count demos of Dead or Alive 2 on the Dreamcast and Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword on DS). They come across as rather exploitative, and Itagaki has nurtured an image of being a "rock star" game developer with his long hair, leather jacket and sunglasses. (You can barely recognize him in this early interview.) But, I've been following him on Facebook the past few months to see if he would say anything about Devil's Third, and frankly, I'm impressed how friendly and interactive he is with his fans. He always answers questions and accepts friend requests from pretty much anyone. In fact, he actually sent me a friend request, and I'm not really sure why. I've never actually posted anything on his Facebook wall. I've only followed him and clicked Like on a few things. I'm sure I was only one of a hundred people he friended at that time, but why I was among them, I don't know. (I don't actually use Facebook much, so I don't know how it all works.) But still, contrast that with Hideki Kamiya on Twitter, where he often comes across as curt and blocks anyone at the drop of a hat. (Although, as I understand it, he's actually extremely friendly in person.) Furthermore, Itagaki's fans also seem very devoted, even if it comes across as a little creepy sometimes. (Some of them fawn over Itagaki as if he were a cult leader.) But as I've mentioned before, his fans were far more accepting of Devil's Third being Wii U exclusive than Bayonetta fans were. Granted, Devil's Third is not a sequel to anything (let alone a cult classic), but it was originally announced for Xbox 360 and PS3. There was a rumor in early 2014 that it would be going to Wii U, so maybe that prepared them a little more for the actual announcement, but I saw very little actual anger or even mild disappointment. Most fans were just happy the game was coming out at all. I guess this isn't really much of a conversation topic, but I'm weirdly fascinated by it. You guys have any thoughts on Itagaki or Devil's Third? |
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Post by Leon on Jan 3, 2015 18:25:47 GMT -5
I was also pleasantly surprised by how polite he is on Facebook. He has that tough guy persona, but is quite nice in reality.
I think his fans are open to the game being on Wii U because he hasn't released a game since 2008. I imagine for some of them, even an iOS game would be fine as long as Itagaki was in charge.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jan 22, 2015 23:24:17 GMT -5
Couple of interesting tidbits Itagaki posted on Facebook: He said it was difficult working on the Ninja Gaiden reboot because the team that made the original games had left Tecmo before he joined the company. Apparently, there were four other teams that tried to make a new Ninja Gaiden before him, but they all got rejected by Tecmo's president because they were "not Ninja Gaiden." ( Source) Apparently, Itagaki has written the story for a trilogy of Devil's Third games. ( Source) Also, last summer, he posted that part of the soundtrack for Devil's Third was being composed by Mike Reagan, who also worked on the God of War series. ( Source) I get the feeling that when Itagaki was working with THQ, they wanted the game to be more Western, but then Nintendo encouraged him to make it more Japanese. It's hard to mix those styles well, so I wonder how this will turn out. |
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Post by Leon on Jan 23, 2015 0:29:57 GMT -5
Itagaki has talked about wanting to make a new fighting game to compete with Dead or Alive after he finishes this game. So I imagine that his trilogy will have to wait (if it even happens).
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Post by Nester the Lark on Feb 3, 2015 17:31:54 GMT -5
Itagaki seems to think Fatal Frame V has a good shot at being released outside Japan: Hey guys, I strongly believe that Kikuchi Keisuke will release the Fatal Frame V in America, in many countries. He and me have same philosophy from Tecmo days. That's what I can say for now. I want you guys to read between the lines.
Anyway I will play this game  ( Source) |
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Post by Leon on Feb 4, 2015 0:38:49 GMT -5
Itagaki is a real bro.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Feb 16, 2015 13:43:47 GMT -5
When asked what Nintendo IP he would like to revive, Itagaki said he loved Star Fox. ( Source) I guess Hideki Kamiya wasn't the only one interested in making his own Star Fox game. Star Fox Wii U being jointly directed by Itagaki and Kamiya CONFIRMED!  |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Mar 3, 2015 13:47:18 GMT -5
Itagaki was asked if he would ever make a horror game or another fighting game, and he said this: I don't have to make horror games, the reason is very simple. 'Cuz my good friend 菊地 啓介 [Keisuke Kikuchi] are betting his life onto the Fatal Frame games.
Fighting game?
There aren't any father who wanna kill his daughters. Im father of DOA. Plz understand that. And in response to the inevitable comment about releasing Fatal Frame outside Japan, he added: I know that he will do what he has to do ( Source) And in response to a different comment, he said this about Devil's Third: Simply speakin', Nintendo gave us the chance to create BRAND NEW ACTION SHOOTER.
I don't wanna speak too much. Devil's Third is totally different from other typical shooters. But DT is upper compatible with those major shooter. So you gamers can smoothly join/play/fee the DT world, plus, after that you'll see the breakthrough of the both genre, shooter genre, action genre.
That's Devil's Third. ( Source) And finally, when asked if he ever saw the Dead or Alive movie, he replied: I haven't watched yet. I never watch this one until the day of the end of our Galaxy ( Source) |
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Post by Leon on Mar 3, 2015 15:44:59 GMT -5
That last quote is amazing.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Mar 30, 2015 17:32:23 GMT -5
I guess I'm using this thread as an Itagaki-Facebook archive. Itagaki on rumors that he'll return to the Dead or Alive series: ( Source) < Important; Nobody can hide the FACT >
Gamers,
My fan told me, "There's a rumor going around that once you've completed Devil's 3rd, you're returning to DOA." Thank you for such info. But, I don't know where the rumor is coming from.
Certainly, I wrote the prescriptions to save the DOA. That message wasn't meant for me, but for the decent developers in current Team Ninja.
I'm just grieving for decrease in the sales of DOA5. I can't stand anymore to see DOA fans parting each other.
I don't know whether you know that. 2,000,000+ people played respectively for DOA3 and DOA4. Compared to them, how many people on earth are playing DOA5? That's why I wrote such prescriptions for the future of DOA.
So, please don't misunderstand what I was/am saying.
Please aware of the fact, and just support the Decent Developers still remaining at Team Ninja. Of course I will do everything what I can do for DOA.
Plus, my primary mission is to construct the solid Devil's Third franchise. My will never change until the day when I complete this mission.
Best, And a little philosophy from Itagaki: ( Source) Ones without philosophy use too much swear words unnecessarily. |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Apr 22, 2015 16:19:17 GMT -5
When asked if he would help Team Ninja with Ninja Gaiden in the future: We at Valhalla will create brand new Super Ninja game in the future.
That's my answer (Source) In the past, he has referred to Ivan in Devil's Third as a new type of ninja, so I wonder if this is what he's referring to, or if he means something completely new. In other news, USGamer listed Devil's Third in its video "5 Wii U Games to Play in 2015." |
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Post by Nester the Lark on May 7, 2015 12:04:59 GMT -5
Apparently, Itagaki hopes to see a new Wave Race at E3. Inside info? ...Nah! |
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Post by Leon on May 7, 2015 16:43:55 GMT -5
No no. Itagaki is going to use his DOA: Beach Volleyball experience to make a new Waverace after DT is released.
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jun 2, 2015 14:14:55 GMT -5
Itagaki has responded to recent news that claimed Valhalla Games Studios would focus only on mobile after the release of Devil's Third: Wow, what's happen!!
Everyone, all of you guys were misled by the article's title. Plus, this article is totally incorrect.
Why do I have to move to develop mobile games? I will make new games on every computerized platforms, as I told you in a long while. I haven't changed at all.
So no worries, I dunno why the editor misunderstood my thought, but misunderstandings may happen, so assume the person is trying to do good (Source) |
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Post by Nester the Lark on Jun 9, 2015 21:42:25 GMT -5
Devil's Third is due out August 4 in Japan. New promo video (in Japanese) hosted by Itagaki:
Doesn't really look that much different, although the graphics were never a sticking point for me. The slide move seems to speed up the gameplay a bit (perhaps not unlike in Vanquish).
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