Speaking at Tecmo’s Autumn Conference, new president Yasuharu Kakihara has revealed that Team Ninja are not only still together following Itagaki’s departure, but that they’re very busy indeed.

Three new titles are being worked on, but there’s no word on what they are. It’s a bit too soon for Ninja Gaiden 3, but it’s about time for Dead or Alive 5, isn’t it? He did however bring up Team Tachyon’s Rygar: The Battle of Argus– more details about it will be revealed at TGS 2008.

President Kakihara also engaged in a formal bit of corporate back-slapping, affirming that Tecmo is a world class developer and would be aiming to expand in the future. Though I’m not sure dreams of expansion are going to sit with Square Enix.

Source: Inside Games (translated by Google)

Square Enix has confirmed it has approached Tecmo’s board to make a friendly takeover – and it’s doing it for the good of Japan, by the sound of the official spiel.

The JPY 22.3 billion (USD 205 million) offer comes off the back of Itagaki’s departure and president Yoshimi Yashuda’s resignation, which Square Enix believes have left the company rather vulnerable. Apart from all the usual guff about how brilliant and beneficial the move would be, their statement included the following: Read more…

Tokyo, Japan – As the second day of proceedings in Itagaki v. Tecmo commence, it has been revealed that Tomonobu Itagaki was fired June 18.

The firing of Itagaki comes after the embattled developer released a statement to Kotaku.com stating that he would be leaving Tecmo due to a financial disagreement with corporate president Yoshima Yasuda. Itagaki had announced that he would be leaving Tecmo on July 1 and suing the industry mainstay for $1,380,000 for unpaid bonuses.

Itagaki presented an affidavit from Yoshifura Okamoto who produced Ninja Gaiden II in which Yasuda is claimed to have been taped in secret.

Source: Kotaku

I’m not even going to attempt to make a joke about this one. I’ll leave it up to your imagination – and the comments section. Read more…

The drama surrounding Tecmo and their once highly touted director Tomonobu Itagaki continues to grow as the split between the two sides seems to now only mark the beginning.

According to Famitsu (translation provided by Engadget Japan on behalf of Joystiq) a gag order request was filed on Jun 10th against Itagaki by none other than his former employer. As of this time, it is also being reported that a verdict has yet to be reached.

The information below has been translated from the original Famitsu post and outlines the details of the filing. Read more…

Ninja Gaiden 2 is the game many 360 action fans have been waiting for. Promising in-depth combat as well as groundbreaking graphical quality, it has been very difficult not to get excited about this particular release. With the announcement that this will be the series’ final farewell, does the gaming world’s second most famous Ryu live up to the expectations?

Well, no. But then again, what games ever live up the kind of hype this game has had? MGS4, maybe? But while NG2 is far from perfect it still has a great deal to offer. Read more…

When Tecmo President Yoshimi Yasuda, decided to rescind his offer to Tomonobu Itagaki for work done on some of the companies most popular and best selling titles, the company not only lost the famed director, but also suffered a 10% drop in their stock value. Might have been better to just honor that deal, Mr. Y squared.

Source: shacknews.com

I’m sure this is not what you were hoping for.

According to the February issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, it’s a definite “maybe”. Of course that could just be a typo. Read more…

Ryu is badass, there’s no doubt about that. And Tecmo are set to place him in his most hardcore quest yet in Ninja Gaiden II, the upcoming Xbox360 exclusive. Ninja Gaiden Sigma was glorious, but its sequel looks to be an even tougher and gorier sword wielding adventure. We have what appears to be the official boxart for the game, with Ryu looking as glorious as ever. Take a look after the jump. Read more…

One of the finest experiences in gaming just got better. Team Ninja has hit it out of the park with their latest installment of blade swinging action. Our beloved Ryu Hayabusa is back, in black, and better than ever. Playstation 3 owners, you now have a response to the insults regarding your system’s line up of games. Yes, Metal Gear Solid 4 is still a ways away, but Ninja Gaiden Sigma is here now, and you can only find it on the PS3! Read more…

What the heck are you looking at?!?

PlayStation 3 owners rejoice, for you and you alone have Team Ninja!

Eager fans of the Ninja Gaiden series have likely already hit the PlayStation Store, downloaded the Ninja Gaiden Sigma demo, and played it non stop until their hands started bleeding, but now there is a reason to go back and play it some more!

Team Ninja and Tecmo have once again sprung from the shadows to smack us upside the head, this time in the form of an update! Read more…