Team Ninja's new lead wants to explore new IPs
by Xav de Matos 
{ Mar 25th 2009 at 5:30AM } 
Hayashi realizes Team Ninja is "most well-known" for the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive franchises and knows fans have certain "expectations" but the team would like to move onto new properties. The new Team Ninja lead says it's one of Team Ninja's "goals and missions" in a post-Itagaki regime -- which begins with the release of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, a move we know Itagaki would not approve of. According to the article, Team Ninja is already in the process of developing a new IP.
During a quick word exchange with Joystiq at GDC, Hayashi delicately sidestepped questions regarding the former Team Ninja boss. Yeah! He totally was gracious and respectful toward someone who talked mess about his previous work. This guy is nothing like Tomonobu!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Premature ejaculation man @ Mar 25th 2009 5:44AM
Are you guys taking it in turns to sleep?
Jay @ Mar 25th 2009 6:15AM
Why is there a huge penis in the picture? What dos that have to do with the story? maybe Joystiq needs some FCC intervention?
LJ @ Mar 25th 2009 6:30AM
LOL! Did not notice it!
You have serious problems my friend!
mgsrocks1 @ Mar 25th 2009 2:41PM
I don't it's Joystiq that is need of help...
kentuckyfried @ Mar 25th 2009 11:50PM
LOL
Cj @ Mar 25th 2009 6:48AM
He seems alot nicer. Itagaki was overly "bad ass" But Itagaki didnt look the same when he first started. Hopefully this guy will not favor one console more than the other when Sigma 2 is done.
Akamaru @ Mar 25th 2009 9:48AM
I don't care if he favors one console as long as it's my console of choice!
But seriously, I definitely like his attitude as opposed to the old guy they used to have running the place.
koehler83 @ Mar 25th 2009 6:53AM
I'm so glad Shitigaki's gone.
stargateheaven @ Mar 25th 2009 8:21AM
I assume he wants to do a new IP because if he did dead or alive or ninja gaiden he might mess them up with dumb descisions.
AkaMagi @ Mar 25th 2009 9:58AM
That's probably very true.
So far all he has done is port Itagaki's games to other platforms, which so far seems to have accomplished nothing but reducing the sales of both the game he ported and it's sequel.
I'll be interested to see what he can do on his own, but I have the sneaking suspicion that "Team Ninja" will become a distant memory of a once great development house. Itagaki was an ass and very arrogant, but the man did have a unique vision and excellent execution of his ideas.
I haven't seen anything from Hayashi other than him being able to port an Xbox1 game to the PS3.
Xav de Matos @ Mar 25th 2009 12:25PM
Hayashi also produced Ninja Gaiden DS, which was rad.
R @ Mar 25th 2009 1:17PM
@ xav de matos
Really? Because I recall TI saying that he was the one that designed it. In fact, the NG DS wikipedia page says that as well. Do you have a vetted source that says that it wasnt TI that made it?
Im sure we'd love to see it.
Joe @ Mar 26th 2009 12:39AM
@ R
Way to be a douche; xav de matos didn't say he designed it, he said he produced it, which is true.
And if you want a source on that try googling "ninja gaiden ds producer" and read any of the results... or read this article,
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=15608
which names Hayashi as the director/producer of the game.
Don't try to be clever and sarcastic unless you're right, or you just look like and ass. Who is stupid.
P.S. I absolutely love the professional and vetted source that you cited... what was that again? Oh yeah, wikipedia, that site that never lies.
Josh @ Mar 25th 2009 2:03PM
The new Team Ninja sounds good.
gkwie @ Mar 25th 2009 6:46PM
Quantum Theory!!!
Stranger @ Mar 26th 2009 1:45AM
As a long time Team Ninja fan all I can say is: Thank God!
Let's hope they bring a little innovation to the art direction in their games while they're at it.
Jiggling jubblies are great for the pre-teen set. Same with the glistening... erm... everything in DOA and Ninja Gaiden, but it's not 2002 anymore. It's long been time for a change.
t_m @ Mar 26th 2009 7:47AM
Yeah, once you get over the age of 15 those alma scenes get a little embarassing... especially if anyone is watching.
But this is japan... its not weird for 40 year old guys to be reading comics with big jubblies in on their commute here... so don't hold your breath.
t_m @ Mar 26th 2009 7:49AM
Needs more hats and sunglasses...
Grishrak @ May 19th 2009 5:12AM
Well duh Itagaki would shoot it down cause it would only be on PS3. He was behind Black on xbox, he was behind NG 2 on xbox 360. I say more consoles the better after Sigma 2 of course.