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June 3rd, 2008 @ 07:31
Update: Kotaku’s got a statement out of Tecmo on this: “We’re aware of the statement sent out to the press by Itagaki but do not have anything more to add at this time.”
Boom. According to this 1UP post, enigmatic Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki has resigned from the developer and is suing parent company Tecmo for “unpaid completion bonuses”.
In a statement, Itagaki said: “”I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year.”
Itagaki’s resignation was effective as of June 1.
The developer said that a completion bonus had been promised before start of work on Dead or Alive 4, and was never paid.
“President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, 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.’ In addition, he made demeaning remarks about me to my subordinates and colleagues, causing me significant emotional distress and worsening my personal relationships and work environment,” Itagaki said.
“Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo.”
Itagaki added a note to game fans at the bottom of the statement, saying he was sorry that he’ll never be able to make Dead or Alive 5.
The news comes as what will clearly be Itagaki’s last Tecmo game, Ninja Gaiden 2, readies for launch this week.
Read the full thing after the link.
“I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year.
In addition, I hereby announce that I have today submitted a letter of resignation to Tecmo Co., Ltd. stating that I will resign as of the 1st of July, 2008.
Before the start of development on DEAD OR ALIVE 4, Tecmo Co., Ltd. had agreed to pay a completion bonus to me for this Xbox 360 title, which I produced. However, when the time came for the actual payment, Tecmo Co., Ltd. went against its previous agreement and refused payment. President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, 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.? In addition, he made demeaning remarks about me to my subordinates and colleagues, causing me significant emotional distress and worsening my personal relationships and work environment. Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo Co., Ltd.
The conduct of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company.
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.
To All Game Fans,
I truly feel sorry to all the fans of the games I have made. NINJA GAIDEN 2, which will launch on the 3rd of June will be the last NINJA GAIDEN I will create. I will also never be able to make DEAD OR ALIVE 5. 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.
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.
Tecmo Co., Ltd. Creative Officer
Leader, Team NINJA
Tomonobu Itagaki”
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June 3rd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Blimey!
I wonder if Microsoft will hire him?
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:15 am
It’s an actual megaton. I hope he takes his money and goes to sit in a hermit’s hut on a mountain to best assess his way forward through the mysteries of life.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
“…AND ON THAT BOMBSHELL!”
Bloody hell. That’s huge. Wonder where he’s going to end up/what he’s going to do next?
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Quite amusing to see a full “rip the shit out of Tecmo” statement. Usually they just disappear quietly citing “musical differences” or something.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:28 am
Itagaki takes no prisoners. Top man.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
I do love the statement. It’s brilliant. No beating about the bush there. You no pay me. I sure your ass.
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Talking of Itagaki, how come you’re not running this story?
http://tinyurl.com/67pu2u
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Skipped it, tbh. My eyes rolled a little too much
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
“You no pay me. I sue your ass.”
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
What is it with high-profile MS exclusives and their makers suddenly jumping ship? First Bungie, now this clown.
Nice timing of the statement too. Just when the game is launched. I’m sure that’s a total coincidence.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:22 am
Jesus. Just get the man a few boobs and all will be well.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:31 am
Do you know that Team Ninja has a “tit man”? His job’s to model breasts. This is true. I interviewed Itagaki at Tecmo’s offices in Tokyo and he told me. He thought it was hilarious.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am
I didn’t.
I do need a career change though … hmmmm… from tit to tit-man shouldn’t be too much of a stretch
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Was that DOA chronos thing a new game? Any word on it?
Now we know why he always wears shades too - hiding little red-ringed eyes due to emotional distress
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
“Do you know that Team Ninja has a “tit man”? His job’s to model breasts. This is true. I interviewed Itagaki at Tecmo’s offices in Tokyo and he told me. He thought it was hilarious.”
I remember reading about that went DOA1 came out on the PS1. So it’s the same guy, all these years later?
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Imagine that, that is dedication.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 am
I’m surprised he can still see. It must be really hard to use a mouse with really hairy palms, too.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Microsoft Japan for Itagaki?