Joystiq interview: DOA creator Tomonobu Itagaki, "Tekken sucks"

by Kevin Kelly { Aug 1st 2007 at 11:00PM }

We caught up with Tomonobu Itagaki at the recent Championship Gaming Series North American World Series Final (try printing that on a hat) in Manhattan Beach recently, and we asked him a few questions. Although he'd had a few beers, we didn't get him to pin down a date or a console for Ninja Gaiden 2, curse you weak American beer!

Yes, he was wearing his patent black leather jacket and sunglasses, and no he didn't take them off. Even when it got dark. They might be permanently welded to his face at this point. While he's known for being outspoken and critical to the extreme (especially if your game has the word Tekken in the title), when we asked him about Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, he actually handed over his DS to us and let us play through an early build of the game, more on that soon.

We wanted to ask you about Code Chronus, you've been working on it a long time. What's the status on that?

Well, to clear things up, Code Chronus is similar to how we have beach volleyball as a sort of side game to the DOA main series. It's sort of based on more of a hobby. Xtreme Beach Volleyball was based on my hobbies. So, as opposed to those being my sort of hobby-ish, style-ish games, this year we're more solely focused on the pillar "core" titles.

So, Code Chronus will have the DOA characters in it?

Yes.

We've heard about Project Progressive. What is that?

That actually is more of a code name, as we all know when we develop games you use code names. You'll be hearing from us in the very near future about that.

So, Ninja Gaiden 2, we're sure you get this question a lot. Where is it, and what is it for?

It's much easier to talk about this than Dead or Alive 5, I thought you'd ask that first! We want to make sure we're going to satisfy everyone's needs, and what everyone is thinking about what Ninja Gaiden 2 could be. That's pretty much everything I can say at this point.

Is Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword wholly original? Or is it a remake of an earlier title for the DS?

It's wholly original for the DS.

A few months ago you said you chose to develop games for the DS instead of the PSP, because of the appeal of the system, but you also said you wanted to develop games for the most technologically advanced systems. How does that fit in with developing a game for the DS?

The way I see it, the PSP to me ... it's a console, not a handheld system. I can call it a console system.

So are you developing anything for the PSP?

No.

There was a lot of negative reaction to DOA Xtreme Beach Volleyball 2, how did that affect you?

It's alright ... you know what, that's probably me anyways. That fits me and my personality. I'm not too worried about it.

Well, along those lines, are you looking forward to Tekken 6?

Tekken sucks. I don't know what you're talking about.

Now that all the next-generation systems are out, is there any system you prefer because of its strengths?

The Xbox 360, and it's been my favorite for awhile. Also the Nintendo DS. It may not represent every Team Ninja's opinion, but me personally? 360 and the DS.

Almost every developer has said they have something in the works for the Wii. Do you have something as well?

We're doing a lot of research, that's about all I can say right now. Although, to add on that note, my kids have been saying they want a game for the Wii. To tell you the truth, Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword, that's because my kids were asking for one of my titles to be on the DS.

Well, we should tell your kids to bother their dad more often, then we'd see more Team Ninja games on other systems.

That's a good idea.

Tags: Dead or Alive, DeadOrAlive, DOA, Itagaki, Ninja Gaiden, NinjaGaiden, Tomonubo Itagaki, TomonuboItagaki

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Ska Oreo @ Aug 1st 2007 11:06PM

AWWW SNAP SON!!!! Them fighting words.

aaah that crazy Itagaki. What will he do next?

3cubedminus3squared @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:50AM

I'm guessing his name is Japanese for cottage cheese face.

Steve Wells @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:42AM

Of course he thinks it sucks, it doesn't have enough barely-legal girls with immense breasts and very short skirts for him. DOA is obviously fantastic by his standards.

bak8807 @ Aug 2nd 2007 11:24AM

Itagaki thinks he's such a rockstar. I fucking love him, too. Bought Xbox and Xbox 360 just for his fantastic games, and I know many others like me.

Tehu Tehu @ Oct 15th 2007 10:04AM

DOA pisses all over Tekken.

I wish that every dummy who bought a cheap PS3 last time around had the brains to realkize by now that the Xbox platform was years ahead AND that the Tekken they know and love is ******* crap by comparison to DOA.

It;s irritating to have to read their dumb uneducated comments about boobs etc. Just a buy a proper games console and play DOA. You'll SFTU and forget about Tekken in under 10 seconds.

RoboChamp @ Aug 1st 2007 11:07PM

No.

Andy @ Aug 1st 2007 11:08PM

I agree Tekken does suck... im glad someone said it

GearsMaster @ Aug 1st 2007 11:11PM

ITA. Tekken probably has the stupidest storyline I've seen in regards to a fighting game. It seems like most the characters are non important save the Asian guy and his dad and son.

DVersion @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:07AM

because we all know a fighting game really is only played for the story and not for...the fighting.
have you even played a game before?

Veko @ Aug 1st 2007 11:08PM

Game makers who lack respect for their competition are most often egotistical idiots.

Besides, if it weren't for the boobs, DOA would get ratings near the 5 or 6 range, where it should be.

GearsMaster @ Aug 1st 2007 11:09PM

OH SHIT!

ITS ABOUT TO BE A WHAT!?!?!?

GIRL FIGHT!

Damn sony...you just got PLAYED! HILARIOUS interview!

And on that note I'm looking forward to DOA5. Especially since DOA4 is THA SHIT!

will @ Aug 1st 2007 11:11PM

uh... lol?

GearsMaster @ Aug 1st 2007 11:12PM

HATER!

Nothing's wrong with appreciating the beauty of the female figure.

And you act like all the girls were dressed like Christine and her lil sex slave costume.

Thats hardly the case.

Brad Lee @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:46AM

That isn't a "sex slave" costume dingus, it's a dominatrix outfit, like Ivy from Soul Caliber. I'm surprised it doesn't come with a whip too, actually.

Hikaru @ Aug 1st 2007 11:15PM

"Joystiq interview: DOA creator Tomonobu Itagaki, "Tekken sucks""

LMAO!!!!
THE BEST HEADLINE EVARRR!!!11!

ExMcloud @ Aug 1st 2007 11:16PM

IF he loves the 360 so much then wheres my SIGMA!!!!! GAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Wasted on the PS3. Now I love me some PS3 but aint none of my friends try NGS they to stuck on DMC.....Whoo let me calm my blood pressure down. NG 2 on 360 for sure though

Marasai @ Aug 1st 2007 11:38PM

"" he loves the 360 so much then wheres my SIGMA!!!!!

It's at your local EB for 9 dollars. It's been there for about 3 years.

AoE @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:06AM

Don't worry ExMcloud, 360 will be getting NG2 I'm sure. In the mean time, if you want to play Sigma, why not just Play Ninja Gaiden, or Ninja Gaiden Black again? They're virtually the same ;)

horngreen @ Aug 1st 2007 11:22PM

He had his DS on him while drinking beers? Get laid much buddy?

AoE @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:07AM

Dude's married... so obviously not.

XDDDD @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:35PM

I know you're stupid, and have never experienced sexual intercourse, but when it happens you can sometimes fertalize an egg, I won't go into the details, he has 2 children though. Surely you can comprehend? I know your insecure but no need to project it onto Itagaki.

ITAGAKI THE PIMP !

samfish @ Aug 1st 2007 11:34PM

Wow! He has terrible skin!

matt @ Aug 1st 2007 11:40PM

Agreed, his dermatologist needs to be fired. Twice. And then one more time for laughs.

Patrick @ Aug 1st 2007 11:49PM

too many cheetos

Jerk Face @ Aug 1st 2007 11:52PM

You got that right.

It looks like his face caught on fire, and someone tried to put it out with an axe. An axe whose haft is The Ugly Stick.

Seriously.

One ugly fucker.

Lord Chako @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:19AM

I don't know about you jerk face, but I find all men unattractive.

ellianth @ Aug 2nd 2007 1:38AM

I agree, hes hideous.

@Jerkface - you have a way with words. I nearly died laughing after reading your comment.

BPM @ Aug 1st 2007 11:35PM

The credits for Super Swing Golf (Swing Golf PangYa) for Wii list him as an advisor.

I'm betting the only advice he gave them was how bouncy to make Arin's breasts.

(For reference, here's a picture of Arin:)
http://www.albatross18.com/season2/about/about.asp?sid=33

faceless coward @ Aug 1st 2007 11:47PM

Nah, they're bouncy in the original game, too.

BPM @ Aug 1st 2007 11:55PM

Yeah, I know (big PangYa fan, I am!). But, still, Itagaki's the master of VG bouncing breasts. :P

xavier @ Aug 1st 2007 11:36PM

why the hell didnt they ask about doa 5???!!!! tekken is too slow for me, i like doa better...

Byakuya769 @ Aug 1st 2007 11:57PM

so tekken's story is stupid... does Dead or Alive even have a story? I borrowed the game at 360 just to laugh at how ridiculous the endings were, not to play it. DOA is the definition of weak, yet this clown hates on tekken. Heh, on top of all this he's a step short of a 360wii fanboy. Lame guy all around.

BPM @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:11AM

ITAGAKI: Wii60 ftw!

desistyle3 @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:47AM

I used to think Itagaki was great, but the last two DOA's are horrible (horrible gameplay) and those beach volleyball games are a frickin joke.

Tekken is clearly more popular than any DOA game and the gameplay is much more balanced...

Diskoboy @ Aug 1st 2007 11:46PM

Tekken does suck.

Now let's talk Ninja Gaiden 2 on the 360.....

Air Guitar @ Aug 2nd 2007 2:09AM

LOL

Itagaki: torn between his lust for power and his family. which will triumph?

Guy- @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:11AM

Itagaki's face looks like lunch meat.

blk_ballard @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:18AM

Proactiv anyone?

bean @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:22AM

HIS EFFING FACE SUCKS!!!!

Raikage @ Aug 2nd 2007 1:48AM

I swear I was just gonna say that, not that I like Tekken, but I just like to point out how his face was hit (multiple times) with a meat tenderizer...

ill trooper @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:27AM

That guy is awesome, and he looks like the archetypical Japanese rocker, like Guitar Wolf or Thee Michelle Gun Elephant...

lawrence @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:36AM

he is an ass tekken is sooooo much better than doa. or vf5 any tekken is good he just want competition from the stronger comp[aniesdoa sells nothing in japan compared to tekken look at the doa movie budget compared to tekkens tekens budget will be like 130mil. doa 15 million dollars not real characters no girls had good boobs in the movies look at doa compared to tekken he has weird dreams

Raikage @ Aug 2nd 2007 1:53AM

HAHA, His face is as bad as your grammar!

konajinx @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:39AM

For me, Tekken 2 remains the best of the series (sort of like how Mortal Kombat 2 is my fave of that series). I have all of 'em, nevertheless, and really I think the series is on a par with DOA as far as "fun" goes. They're both OK for a few rounds, but they leave you wanting for something more. I guess I'd have to go with Virtua Fighter these days as my aa-around fave when it comes to 3D fighters. I'm certainly looking forward to the latest one arriving on the 360.

Bennyishere @ Aug 2nd 2007 12:46AM

I'm a fan of Itagaki. He's weird and loves breast! Most importantly though, he's got his name on the top of the credits for great games like DOA and NG.

Hell yeah Tekken sucks. OK, so it doesn't suck, but it's not DOA... In Tekken there are no counters and body parts that explodes on impact. Me no like.