Tomonobu Itagaki: The "Bad Question" Interview
Xenon360
Tomonobu Itagaki has long been considered one of the industry's true
visionaries. Renowned for his work and direction on the Dead or Alive and
Ninja Gaiden series, his career at Tecmo spans more than seven years.
Itagaki-san knows how to push hardware to its limits as demonstrated in 2001
with the Xbox launch title Dead or Alive 3, which is still one of the best
fighting games to date on any console.
Being on the verge of yet another console release, Itagaki-san and Team
Ninja are jumped in with both feet and plan to stun gamers yet again with
the Xbox 360 exclusive Dead or Alive 4. Easily the best trailer at this year's
E3, seeing DOA4 in action was a treat. If you haven't checked out the
hi-definition trailer yet, be sure to have a look right here.
During last week's show, we had a chance to sit down with Itagaki-san in
order to get his thoughts on the new Xbox 360 hardware, Sony's upcoming PS3,
and his vision for the future of the DOA series. We even managed to get a
little bit of a scolding from Itagaki-san, due to some of our questions.
Hey, you try to come up with good questions for one of the most talented
individuals in the industry on 3 hours sleep! Needless to say, after the
show closed on Friday, we took Itagaki-san's advice and got some sleep.
What's your initial reaction to the Xbox 360 and the experiences you've had
to this point developing for it?
Itagaki-san: It's still very early in the stages of development, so for both
hardware and software we are working with the alpha kits. I'm looking
forward to getting the next version of the hardware to move ahead. What you've
seen at this point from the trailer of DOA4 is running on the alpha
development tools. I've already been abusing the alpha kits so much that I
have destroyed five of them because it overheats being that I push it too
far.
Having seen the E3 trailer for DOA4, what aspects of the trailer are you
still critical about?
Itagaki-san: Everything! There are many things I see that can be improved.
Again, the trailer is still made off of the alpha version of the development
tools so there are many features that are not yet available, such as more
accurate fabric material simulation, which wasn't all there yet.
Now that Sony has released initial specs of their upcoming PS3, how do you
think it compares to the Xbox 360 and do you have any plans on developing
games for the next PlayStation?
Itagaki-san: PS3 is still in its infant stage so to expect something from a
baby is a bit cruel. I think the comparisons between platforms should be
made once the PS3 has reached a more mature stage. It doesn't really make
sense to analyze a machine that is in such an early stage. Of course, the
Xbox 360 is much older than the PS3 so I don't mind demanding results out of
its hardware at this point, but I have already broken five development kits
as I have mentioned earlier.
Also, I think everyone should learn how to really read the spec sheets. For
instance, if you compare horsepower, it doesn't always mean that the car
with the most horsepower will win the race.
A major component of Xbox 360 is the built in Xbox Live connectivity. What
are some of the ways you plan on expanding upon the community you've already
started with tournaments surrounding Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive
Ultimate?
Itagaki-san: My policy is that I need to fully utilize the special
characteristics of each console, and online multiplayer features are such a
big part of the Xbox 360 that I feel I must do what I can to push the
experience of Xbox Live. I love the Xbox Live features on Xbox 360 and they
are something to be proud of because there is nothing else like it in the
world.
Shortly before E3, Microsoft finally unveiled the design of the Xbox 360,
and we all got a closer look at it during the show. What do you think of the
product they have put together from a design standpoint?
Itagaki-san: More than you might know, I really don't care about the look of
the box because I completely focus on the hardware inside the box. My job is
making the game software for the Xbox 360 so I care more about the hardware
power and design than the Xbox 360's appearance.
What will set apart DOA4 from previous titles in the series?
Itagaki-san: Any real gamers should be able to figure out what new
directions I'm taking the game by looking at the trailer. I have basically
included everything I can discuss in the E3 trailer. However, I don't
believe I should tell you what my game will be because that's not my style.
I'd rather you watch the trailer and figure out what the game is going to
offer. The types of games I hate the most are the ones that need to be
verbally explained first in order to understand and enjoy them.
Looking ahead into the next generation of the industry, what aspects of
gaming excite you the most?
Itagaki-san: Well of course the Xbox 360 is what I'm most excited about
right now and am most interested in. That's why I'm working on it! That was
a very bad question to ask because the answer should have been very obvious.
I only work on things that I am most excited about otherwise they don't
capture my attention.
In fact, I think you should call this the "Bad Question Interview" or else I
won't let you run it on your website!
Fair enough.if Itagaki-san wants it to be called the "Bad Question
Interview" so be it. It's always refreshing to know that a man of
Itagaki-san's determination and motivation is one of the driving forces
behind the Xbox 360 and the next-generation of video gaming entertainment.
We'd like to thank Tecmo and Itagaki-san for taking the time out of his busy
schedule during the E3 Expo to speak with us, and we'd also like to thank
his pair of massive body guards from letting us through the door without
injury.
Leon Dexter
>
http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1170/Tomonobu-Itagaki-The-Bad-Question-Interview/p1/
>
> Tomonobu Itagaki has long been considered one of the industry's true
> visionaries. Renowned for his work and direction on the Dead or Alive and
> Ninja Gaiden series, his career at Tecmo spans more than seven years.
> Itagaki-san knows how to push hardware to its limits as demonstrated in
2001
> with the Xbox launch title Dead or Alive 3, which is still one of the best
> fighting games to date on any console.
Wow, could they possibly put their heads any further up his ass? "one of
the industry's true visionaries"? Itagaki's a me-too designer with a
talented team behind him, that's all. He's also a royal prick with a
seriously over-inflated ego.
Boody Bandit
"Leon Dexter" <leondext...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:I%one.782$W77...@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
That designs the weakest and most boring R-P-S fighting engine in the
industry.
**Dead or Alive 3, which is still one of the best fighting games to date on
any console.**
PFOF-ROFLMMFAO!!!!!
Too funny!
Perfect
"Leon Dexter" <leondext...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:I%one.782$W77...@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
Looks like someone needs a nap.
Leon Dexter
news:ZOKdnQXQifW...@giganews.com...
> > Wow, could they possibly put their heads any further up his ass? "one
of
> > the industry's true visionaries"? Itagaki's a me-too designer with a
> > talented team behind him, that's all. He's also a royal prick with a
> > seriously over-inflated ego.
>
>
> Looks like someone needs a nap.
Go look for older Itagaki interviews, and hear him insult and belittle the
works of the true industry leaders that he copies (like Yu Suzuki, creator
of Virtua Fighter, to whom all 3D fighters owe their existance), and get a
taste of his ridiculous ego compared to the humble Japanese geniuses at
other companies. And then you might need a nap, too.
Andrew Ryan Chang
>> Looks like someone needs a nap.
>
>Go look for older Itagaki interviews, and hear him insult and belittle the
>works of the true industry leaders that he copies (like Yu Suzuki, creator
>of Virtua Fighter, to whom all 3D fighters owe their existance), and get a
>taste of his ridiculous ego compared to the humble Japanese geniuses at
>other companies. And then you might need a nap, too.
Really? Itagaki's famously down on Tekken, but IIRC he's
generally quite positive about the VF series.
And yeah, maybe he's not exactly the most gracious guy in the
world, but better him getting press than a videogame walk of fame /that's
centered on the characters rather than creators./
--
The things you own end up owning you.
-- Tyler Durden, FIGHT CLUB (1999)
Perfect
> "Perfect" <longhorn@projectblackcomb> wrote in message
> news:ZOKdnQXQifW...@giganews.com...
>
>> > Wow, could they possibly put their heads any further up his ass? "one
> of
>> > the industry's true visionaries"? Itagaki's a me-too designer with a
>> > talented team behind him, that's all. He's also a royal prick with a
>> > seriously over-inflated ego.
>>
>>
>> Looks like someone needs a nap.
>
>
> Go look for older Itagaki interviews, and hear him insult and belittle the
> works of the true industry leaders that he copies (like Yu Suzuki, creator
> of Virtua Fighter, to whom all 3D fighters owe their existance),
First off, Itagaki has never belittled Suzuki in any interview that I'm
aware of. He certainly didn't belittle him in this "Bad Question"
interview. You seem to be the only one aware of such interviews where
Itagaki belittles Suzuki, perhaps you could point them out/cite a link?
Itagaki has always given credit to Suzuki and the VF franchise as being the
originator of the whole 3D fighting genre. He belittles the Tekken
team...and rightfully so in my opinion.
>and get a
> taste of his ridiculous ego compared to the humble Japanese geniuses at
> other companies. And then you might need a nap, too.
What you consider ego others consider brute honesty. In recent articles the
only thing Itagaki has really bragged about is how beautiful Team Ninja's
games look in comparison to anything else out there and what a huge success
DOA Ultimate & Ninja Gaiden have been. Arguably Team Ninja's games are the
best looking games out there and DOA Ultimate & Ninja Gaiden are fantastic
games. So whatever ego Itagaki has certainly is justified. I only wish the
"humble Japanese geniuses" would embrace online as Itagaki has with DOA
Ultimate. Hell, if the "humble Japanese geniuses" (whoever that may be)
would consistently make games as entertaining and satisfying as Ninja Gaiden
I'd be thrilled.
Leon Dexter
> > Go look for older Itagaki interviews, and hear him insult and belittle
the
> > works of the true industry leaders that he copies (like Yu Suzuki,
creator
> > of Virtua Fighter, to whom all 3D fighters owe their existance),
>
> First off, Itagaki has never belittled Suzuki in any interview that I'm
> aware of. He certainly didn't belittle him in this "Bad Question"
> interview. You seem to be the only one aware of such interviews where
> Itagaki belittles Suzuki, perhaps you could point them out/cite a link?
> Itagaki has always given credit to Suzuki and the VF franchise as being
the
> originator of the whole 3D fighting genre. He belittles the Tekken
> team...and rightfully so in my opinion.
Probably before your time--well before the Xbox. It was exactly in this
context--he was asked about having copied Virtua Fighter and Tekken, and
yes, he ripped on Tekken plenty, but he also claimed not to have copied
Virtua Fighter, and claimed that Yu Suzuki copied him, and that credit for
the genre was his. You can search for it if you like. It's hard to find
PS1-era stuff among all the interviews he's gotten since becoming a
high-profile exclusive.
> What you consider ego others consider brute honesty. In recent articles
the
> only thing Itagaki has really bragged about is how beautiful Team Ninja's
> games look in comparison to anything else out there and what a huge
success
> DOA Ultimate & Ninja Gaiden have been.
Yeah, he brags a lot--and not just about how great the games look, about how
perfect he is, how perfect his team is, how they're the only team in the
world who can do good graphics or internet code. Look around. He's an ass.
And he rips on the work of his peers all the time. That's unprofessional,
and just plain rude. Like I said, he's an ass.
Arguably Team Ninja's games are the
> best looking games out there and DOA Ultimate & Ninja Gaiden are fantastic
> games. So whatever ego Itagaki has certainly is justified. I only wish
the
> "humble Japanese geniuses" would embrace online as Itagaki has with DOA
> Ultimate. Hell, if the "humble Japanese geniuses" (whoever that may be)
> would consistently make games as entertaining and satisfying as Ninja
Gaiden
> I'd be thrilled.
Get out your thrill meter, 'cause the "humble Japanese geniuses" (the great
teams at Sega, Capcom, Nintendo, Konami, Treasure...and so on) consistently
make games far better than Ninja Gaiden.
Andrew Ryan Chang
>"Perfect" <longhorn@projectblackcomb> wrote in message
>> would consistently make games as entertaining and satisfying as Ninja
>Gaiden
>> I'd be thrilled.
>
>Get out your thrill meter, 'cause the "humble Japanese geniuses" (the great
>teams at Sega, Capcom, Nintendo, Konami, Treasure...and so on) consistently
>make games far better than Ninja Gaiden.
I must disagree. Treasure's 3D work has been hit and miss,
Capcom's DMC doesn't live up to NG, Sega's Shinobi doesn't, From's Otogi
doesn't, and off the top of my head I can't even think of a Nintendo
or Konami game that's in a close enough vein to compare.
OK, I could make an argument that Sega's Gunvalkyrie, at its best,
provide the same exhilaration as NG. But that's just about it. NG is an
exceptional experience, as anyone who's ever completed it and gone back to
face the first level can attest.
(followups to agvx)
--
[Gov. Bush] vetoed the patient's bill of rights when it first came up, in
1995, and then in 1997, faced with a likely veto-proof majority, he let it
pass without his signature. -- "They're Both Liars!"
http://salon.com/politics/feature/2000/10/05/lies/index.html?pn=2