Team Ninja full support for 360

[Jupiter_x]

In a recent interview with GameInformer, Tomonobu Itagaki was asked about his decision to develop for the Xbox 360 instead of other next-generation consoles. Here is what he had to say about the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3:

GI: You’ve said before you want to develop for the most powerful console out there. You must be pretty confident in the Xbox 360.

Itagaki: Yes. I hope so. I think Xbox 360 is the best game console on the earth. It’s better than PlayStation 3.

GI: Can I ask you why?

Itagaki: PS3 has too complicated of architecture.

Tecmo’s head of Team Ninja and creator of the Dead or Alive series also praised the recently unveiled Revolution controller:

I think it’s good if it can be used as a sword or something like that – it would be really different. It would be very tiring. If you use that with my games, and it’s speed you’ll end up with a bigger right arm (laughs). Frankly I think Nintendo’s hardware presentation is just great. I just saw the trailer, and saw it multiple times and I was laughing my ass off. To be top notch you need to be able to make people laugh.

http://teamninja.1up.com/ (http://teamninja.1up.com/)

[Superjoint Ritual]

LOL! I don't really care much for his games, but the guy gives the best interviews in the industry.

[slade]

GI: Can I ask you why?

Itagaki: PS3 has too complicated of architecture.

The man criticizes people as Ninja Dogs when they can't get through Ninja Gaiden and yet doesn't want to program for an architecture he considers difficult.

WHO'S THE NINJA DOG NOW, ITAGAKI?

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE.

[Superjoint Ritual]

The man criticizes people as Ninja Dogs when they can't get through Ninja Gaiden and yet doesn't want to program for an architecture he considers difficult.

WHO'S THE NINJA DOG NOW, ITAGAKI?

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE.He doesn't want his average games competing with all the superior stuff Capcom and Namco release.

[Mochan]

Well, after watching the DOA4 hi-res trailer all I can say is the character animations are still as stiff and artificial looking as they were since DOA2 (well at least DOA2 fixed the boob movement a bit since DOA). Do the even motion capture those movements? They still look fake even after all these iterations. At least Virtua Fighter doesn't look that fake. Only Namco can pull off the fighting moves convincingly.

[joquito]

Itagaki is like everyone else, he follows the dollar signs.

[folken001]

Itagaki is like everyone else, he follows the dollar signs.

But $$ isn't with M$....

[joquito]

But $$ isn't with M$....

First off MS has deeper pockets than in-the-red Sony. Konami doesn't make MGS4 a Sony exclusive if their wasn't some kickbacks involved. Those kickbacks have to be greater or equal to the profits made by going multiplatform. Otherwise going eclusive to one platfrm leaves money on the table.

[Mochan]

I don't think there's any idealist in the gaming industry who goes exclusive because they believe a platform is morally or spiritually ascendant or anything like that. It's all about the benefits/drawbacks of doing it.

[Darwin]

The man criticizes people as Ninja Dogs when they can't get through Ninja Gaiden and yet doesn't want to program for an architecture he considers difficult.

WHO'S THE NINJA DOG NOW, ITAGAKI?

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE.

Ouch. Touché !! :-)

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

The man criticizes people as Ninja Dogs when they can't get through Ninja Gaiden and yet doesn't want to program for an architecture he considers difficult.

WHO'S THE NINJA DOG NOW, ITAGAKI?

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE.


It's different when that harder development will cost more money and more than likely you won't get better results.

And for the DOA haters the animation is off the charts the best in any fighting series as much as I love VF that game has stiff animation. If anything the animation in DOA is almost to fluid they characters seem almost super human. Tekken? I'm not even wasting my time on the crap. Soul Caliber you can add create a fighter but won't go online. And you people critize DOA for not evolving?

Ninja Gaiden wipes the floor with any action game this gen. So it's not about not wanting to compete. I do agree that MS gave him some kickback though.

[Fivespot]

If DOA has stiff animations, I can't wait to see what the smooth ones look like! Which fighting games look smoother on any of the consoles?

DOA has awesome graphics IMO and is smooth as butter. The only knock I have on any XBOX DOA title is that its newbie friendly and not overly complicated to jump in and rule at quickly although that makes for better multiplayer fun w/friends. Plus, I love the HUGE environments with all the interactive items.

[Mochan]

DOA animation isn't "stiff" in the sense that it is not smooth, but "stiff" in that when the characters do certain kinds of kicks and punches they don't look like people moving, but rather they look like puppets on marionette strings.

I don't know, though, I seem to be one of the very few people who think this.

One thing I have to give DOA though is the huge environments, I loved how you could bash somone over a bridge and end up fighting on the waterfall basin below, etc.

[Gadfly2317]

It's a dissapointment; I'd have liked to see the next Ninja Gaiden on Ps3; Team Ninja really is one of Xbox's key draws/status symbols, so I can't blame them for stuffing money in Itagaki's g-string.

[Gadfly2317]

If DOA has stiff animations, I can't wait to see what the smooth ones look like! Which fighting games look smoother on any of the consoles?

DOA has awesome graphics IMO and is smooth as butter. The only knock I have on any XBOX DOA title is that its newbie friendly and not overly complicated to jump in and rule at quickly although that makes for better multiplayer fun w/friends. Plus, I love the HUGE environments with all the interactive items.

DOA is just flat out fun and gorgeous. Keeping Team Ninja exclusive to the Xbox is definitely a bragging rights point for the 360 fans.

No matter how choke-on-my-coffee funny Slade's Ninja Dog rip was.

[Mochan]

I too would have wanted to see Ninja Gaiden on PS3, since I am not certain to get a 360 and am more likely to get a PS3.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

I heard Team Ninja is going to be making the new Rygar so does this mean that this time Rygar will be on the 360? I hope so. Because I really don't see myself getting a PS3 before it's $150 maybe $200.

[slade]

Ninja Gaiden wipes the floor with any action game this gen. So it's not about not wanting to compete. I do agree that MS gave him some kickback though.

Don't agree with this particular viewpoint. Ninja Gaiden was dial a combo and the most advanced AI in the world can't save you from that. DMC3, on the other hand......

[Mochan]

DTM needs to change his Homer avatar to Ryuu Hayabusa.

[Fivespot]

Regardless of what you think of Itagaki, MS, or Team Ninja - keeping them 360 exclusive will only help MS sell more hardware and may even contribute to more success in Japan. So I would agree that MS certainly may have given him/them some ching to stay exclusive (if they were smart).

I'm not sure I buy the argument that Itagaki is scared of fiercer competition so stays w/MS where he doesn't have to go up against Devil May Cry, God of War, etc... Ninja Gaiden is better than both of those games IMO but I'm sure some disagree with that statement.

I was kind of surprised that NG didn't help sell more XBOX's in Japan - I thought for sure sales would increase dramatically after that game came out. Anyone know why???

[slade]

I'm not sure I buy the argument that Itagaki is scared of fiercer competition so stays w/MS where he doesn't have to go up against Devil May Cry, God of War, etc... Ninja Gaiden is better than both of those games IMO but I'm sure some disagree with that statement.

You've got to look at prior history. How big was Tomonabu Itagaki before he decided to become an X-box only developer. His DOA2 game was overshadowed by both Soul Calibur on DC and TTT on PS2. It was only on X-box where he had no competition and was able to sell his games to an audience that wasn't likely to see a good alternative for a long long time, that he really made a name for himself. Prior to that, he was just another Japanese developer, nowhere near the level of Miyamoto, Kojima or hell even Mikami.

[thelastword]

He definitely has one of the best action games this gen but his fighters simply cannot be compared to what's available on the ps2. So in terms of fighters, I think he would'nt dare bring DOA to the challenge. DOA may be a very pretty boobilicious game, but it lacks any type of facial animation or realistic movements, collision detection is superb, but I think the games fluidity lays in it's speed/framerate, not from the fighter's animation patterns. You want great animation, play Tekken 5, at a solid 60fps no doubt.

[Jupiter_x]

LOL! I don't really care much for his games, but the guy gives the best interviews in the industry.

Well, I agree and disagree. IMO, Ninja Gaiden is one of the best action games I have ever played. The DOA games are good too but not that good for single player. DOA Beach Volley Ball? Whatever :rolleyes:
NGBlack, seems like a money grabber but could be decent.

Does this news entice me to convert to 360?.....nope!
Rev and PS3 are in my future.

[Mochan]

You've got to look at prior history. How big was Tomonabu Itagaki before he decided to become an X-box only developer.

This is the point exactly. Before XBox, Dead or Alive was a joke. Dead or Alive? We all laughed at that horrid fighting game with the gravity-defying breasts. It was horrible. Ironically, the breast physics were probably what put the game on the map, anyway. DOA2 was slightly better but still was no comparison to Soul Calibur, Tekken Tag or even VF4. It was only on XBox that DOA ever had a real presence. Ninja Gaiden is another matter, but then this was a solid game franchise even before XBox. Not having played the game yet, I will not comment on whether it is better than DMC or what not.

[thelastword]

Itagaki had the most powerful hardware to work with before, Now I would like to see how his NG2 would compare (If it remains exclusive) to a DMC4, GOW 2 and ZOE3. Don't forget David Jaffe (Creator of God Of War) did say that there were some technical limitations he had to overcome when creating his game, and he recently declared in one of his blogs how one would have to be smoking crack if they believed that the difference between Xbox 360 and PS3 is minimal. Anyway, Itagaki though he did make a great game in NG will have even fiercer competition next gen against the likes of Mikami, Kojima and Jaffe and let's be honest here, every single one of these devs had high selling highly reviewed games even last generation, So yes they've had a history of greatness. Itagaki's best work so far is NG, and the reason he is admired so much by xbox fanatics is because he was partially responsible for making the XBOX float..

[Jupiter_x]

Ninja Gaiden is better than both of those games IMO (DMC & God of War) but I'm sure some disagree with that statement
I agree with you here. I might not be Pro M$ or Xbox but NG runs circles around GOW. I have yet to play DMC 3, but I wasn't keen on the first one. The 360 NG should be even more impressive.

I was kind of surprised that NG didn't help sell more XBOX's in Japan - I thought for sure sales would increase dramatically after that game came out. Anyone know why???

As good as NG was, I guess it wasn't enough to warrent the purchase of that "North American" game device!

[Jupiter_x]

Itagaki had the most powerful hardware to work with before, Now I would like to see how his NG2 would compare (If it remains exclusive) to a DMC4, GOW 2 and ZOE3. Don't forget David Jaffe (Creator of God Of War) did say that there were some technical limitations he had to overcome when creating his game, and he recently declared in one of his blogs how one would have to be smoking crack if they believed that the difference between Xbox 360 and PS3 is minimal. Anyway, Itagaki though he did make a great game in NG will have even fiercer competition next gen against the likes of Mikami, Kojima and Jaffe and let's be honest here, every single one of these devs had high selling highly reviewed games even last generation, So yes they've had a history of greatness. Itagaki's best work so far is NG, and the reason he is admired so much by xbox fanatics is because he was partially responsible for making the XBOX float..


This Gen, NG certainly was better than DMC series and GOW. But those two games were very close in terms of quality and effort. Considering they were created utilizing inferior hardwar (PS2) I have no doubts that if the same amount of quality and effort was put into the sequels to those 2 games on the PS3, then I have no doubts they will put NG to shame.

As far as Itagaki is concerned, I laugh now, considering he used to state that he does not dedicate to the console/company itself but to which console supplies the most power!

[thelastword]

This Gen, NG certainly was better than DMC series and GOW. But those two games were very close in terms of quality and effort. Considering they were created utilizing inferior hardwar (PS2) I have no doubts that if the same amount of quality and effort was put into the sequels to those 2 games on the PS3, then I have no doubts they will put NG to shame.

As far as Itagaki is concerned, I laugh now, considering he used to state that he does not dedicate to the console/company itself but to which console supplies the most power!
Well I'll laugh along with you then, because if his games are overshadowed in both gameplay and graphics next gen, HE'S ROYALLY SCREWED.

[Jupiter_x]

Well I'll laugh along with you then, because if his games are overshadowed in both gameplay and graphics next gen, HE'S ROYALLY SCREWED.

Indeed!

PS3, although we still don't know all that much, I think will be the "Xbox" of the next gen. The MGS 4 trailer was running off PS3 hardware in realtime. I am very impressed so far. PS3 feels like the next gen to me. I am not saying 360 is crap! 360 has the buzz now. Some games like Oblivion and GoW look really nice. Even Carmack prefers 360. Though I don't plan on buying one. I am not a fan of M$. 360 does feel rushed to me. PS3 excites me as did PS2 and PS1. I am willing to wait for it, pay the big $$$ for it, just to see those sick visuals on my TV. I have no doubts. When those pre-orders become available, I will be on it like a fat kid on a twinkie!

[Mochan]

Thing with 360 is the games coming out on it look like current gen PC games (or a little bit above that). Call of Duty 2 still had character models that looked decidedly as 'fake' as the COD1 models in mesh and animation. And lo and behold! These games are coming out on the PC!

What we've seen from the PS3 on the other hand look a big step or more above what we see on the PC right now. An MGS4 quality game looks a bit beyond what a current gen PC can offer at the moment.

[Jupiter_x]

Thing with 360 is the games coming out on it look like current gen PC games (or a little bit above that). Call of Duty 2 still had character models that looked decidedly as 'fake' as the COD1 models in mesh and animation. And lo and behold! These games are coming out on the PC!

What we've seen from the PS3 on the other hand look a big step or more above what we see on the PC right now. An MGS4 quality game looks a bit beyond what a current gen PC can offer at the moment.

Maybe MGS 4 looks better than what your PC is capable of, but not mine, Ha! MGS 4 looks like a$$ compared to my PC games...you should see Solitare and Mine sweeper running in full 16X AA and 16X Anisotropic, Shaders on, Specular, Bump Mapping that only My killer vid card can handle....Forget MGS 4 sir! You really need to upgrade, Mochan!

[Mochan]

Doh! Just wait until I upgrade my PC this Christmas, I'll show you!

[Jupiter_x]

Doh! Just wait until I upgrade my PC this Christmas, I'll show you!

Actually I think your Vid card tops mine, don't you have the Radeon 9800 pro?

Before I upgrade I think I will wait for either the Geforce 6800 or 7800 to drop to reasonable price points.

Dang...I'll need that new PCI express mobo though!

[mandark]

Actually I think your Vid card tops mine, don't you have the Radeon 9800 pro?

Before I upgrade I think I will wait for either the Geforce 6800 or 7800 to drop to reasonable price points.

Dang...I'll need that new PCI express mobo though!
Or you could wait for the ATI X800 AGP to drop in price. Last time I checked in pricewatch it was $229 for the PRO. I wonder how the X800 stack against the 6800 or the 7800 though. Mochan?

[Jupiter_x]

Or you could wait for the ATI X800 AGP to drop in price. Last time I checked in pricewatch it was $229 for the PRO. I wonder how the X800 stack against the 6800 or the 7800 though. Mochan?

Although the Radeon X800 is really nice, I think I am going with nVidia if I upgrade. I seem to have less issues with their cards.

I saw the GF6600 for $250 CDN and it is AGP......hmmmmmm?

[mandark]

Although the Radeon X800 is really nice, I think I am going with nVidia if I upgrade. I seem to have less issues with their cards.

I saw the GF6600 for $250 CDN and it is AGP......hmmmmmm?
Based on everything I've read there really is not much difference between the PCI-express and AGP based on performance. If there is any its pretty marginal. So unless you are building a new PC with a PCI express board you will be better off sticking with your AGP mobo.
I saw a 6800/256mb AGP again at pricewatch for $208 US. Its a refurbish though.

[Mochan]

Right now, games and GPUs don't make use of the extra bandwidth 16xPCI-X offers. The main reason I would get a PCI-Ex board, is for future-proofing. But then, by that time maybe I should just buy a new board altogether.

My GPU is indeed a Radeon 9800 Pro. What was yours again? I forget.

The X800 basically is a better choice than a 6800 if you can get a better price for it... and I've seen x800XLs go for $230, dirt cheap. That's probably the best deal you can get.

X800 vs. 6800, I'd get x800.

X800XL vs. 6800GT, I dunno, I gotta think that over a bit.

Against a 7800, obviously the 7800 wins hands down but the problem is price. 7800GTX goes for about twice the price, GT is less than that but still, too expensive to really recommend unless you have a wad to blow and simply must have the best of the best.

And like Jupes, I am also going NVidia next time I upgrade. I have less issues with NVidia cards compared to ATIs. Don't get a GF6600! Get a 6600GT, big difference.

The 6800 you saw for $208, is that a GT or a plain 6800?

[mandark]

The 6800 you saw for $208, is that a GT or a plain 6800?
Its a plain 6800 refurbished. Thats why its only $208. The regular ones are $290 and up.

[Jupiter_x]

My GPU is indeed a Radeon 9800 Pro. What was yours again? I forget

I have the 9700 pro.

Don't get a GF6600! Get a 6600GT, big difference.

I think I saw a 6600 GT (AGP) for $269.00.

I am afraid to wait to long to get a new card aswell, Most newer models are going the way of PCI-X. :mad:

[Fivespot]

Excuse me, I speak jive.

Take the ocean and drag it through the garden.

He'll have the fish.

---Airplane


Sorry - its all chinese to me (these PC specs).