Itagaki Leaves Team Ninja, Sues Tecmo

Andy Chalk

One Flag, One Fleet, One Cat
Nov 12, 2002
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Itagaki Leaves Team Ninja, Sues Tecmo


Tomonobu Itagaki, head of Tecmo [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/ninjagaiden/]for unpaid bonuses and "unreasonable and disingenuous statements" made by company President Yoshimi Yasuda.

An announcement reported by Dead or Alive 4 [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3168056]. Itagaki said that when the game was completed, Yasuda not only refused to pay the bonus but "also turned defiant, telling me, 'If you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.'"

Itagaki first Ninja Gaiden 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/83841].

"The conduct of Tecmo Co. Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company," Itagaki said in his statement. "I have filed this lawsuit with a strong intent to question the social responsibility of Tecmo Co. Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda, as well as condemning them for their unjust acts. Today, in addition to announcing the reasons for this lawsuit, I make clear my reasons for resigning."

Itagaki also apologized to his fans for being unable to create future Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive games. "I regret the circumstances that have forced me to leave Tecmo, where I had worked for so many years, and I regret the disappointment this will cause my fans," he said. "However, I can no longer continue to work with President Yoshimi Yasuda, a man who chooses not to honor promises even when he is able to do so. I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future."


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L.B. Jeffries

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Nov 29, 2007
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That was stunningly restrained coming from Itagaki. I was hoping for something a bit more intense, like challenging the President of TECMO to a Dead or Alive duel or something.
 

tendo82

Uncanny Valley Cave Dweller
Nov 30, 2007
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Between Itagaki's suit and the sexual harassment claims, who knows why he left/was possibly going to be fired.
 

bkd69

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Nov 23, 2007
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I dearly love the corp/pr speak in here:

"The conduct of Tecmo Co. Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company," Itagaki said in his statement.

Hell of a qualifier there. I mean, it would be acceptable conduct for a little mom 'n' pop store? Either something was lost in translation, or that was filtered through a zillion layers of corporate mouthpieces.
 

ProjectileVomit

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Jan 18, 2008
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Itagaki leaving Tecmo is like a professional athelite severing his own limbs. Now the mastermind behind Ninja Gaiden and DOA is lost, thanks to all the IP and corporate mumbo jumbo.