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Itagaki>All (Proof inside)

S

Sathsquatch

Member
The 1up interview with Itagaki is probably the funniest video game interview I have ever read. Here are some select quotes:

1UP: Sounds tough. It'll be fun to give that one a shot. Is the other new difficulty setting Easy Mode?

TI: No, that's not quite right. The lowest difficulty will be called Ninja Dog. While it is a mode intended for casual gamers, it is not Easy Mode. Not being able to beat the game on Normal means that you are a failure as a Ninja, but not that you are a failure as a gamer, right? Ninja Dog is for those players.

1UP: How does that affect your ranking at the end of each stage? Can you get a Master Ninja ranking in Ninja Dog mode?

TI: [laughs] That's nonsense. Impossible. How could a dog become a Master Ninja?

1UP: You know, when we reviewed the game, we warned people "This is hard," but everyone on message boards scoffed. But when everyone finally got the game the reaction was "OMG." Did you guys think "Well maybe the average gamer isn't as good as we thought, so let's make it easy on them?"

TI: That's right. In other words, there are some people who want to beat the game, even if it means being reduced to the level of a dog; people who are not afraid to shame themselves to accomplish their goals. Sometimes in life, that type of style is necessary. Anyone who can think like that can still be a real man. The Ninja Dog difficulty setting is for men like that. So don't give up too easily!

------------

1UP: What do you think of the Dynasty Warriors series?

TI: As a real man, I find no feeling of achievement in beating up millions of defenseless enemies. As for my opinion as a gamer, my free time is too valuable to spend it hacking away at an endless stream of dumb-as-a-brick opponents.
-------

The entire interview is quotable after a certain point. I was going to post more, but I would have copied almost the entire article.
 
I like this bit myself:

1UP.com said:
1UP: Changing subjects, tell us how Team NINJA's games are able to so consistently extract such impressive results from the hardware?

IT: That's easy. It's because we have complete understanding of computers. DOA for the most part uses a large portion of the machine's power for graphics, but that is not the case in Ninja Gaiden. It assigns a big chunk of processing power to the enemy AI. When Microsoft was designing the Xbox 360, they researched what parts of various genres of games were spending most of their processor cycles on. One of the results of this research is that the next-generation Xbox will feature an architecture that allows for even more power to be assigned to processing enemy AI. In that sense, the Xbox 360 will be a platform that makes is easy to design a game where the enemies are smart.
Click to expand...

He's right about Ninja Gaiden's AI too. It can be devilishly hard sometimes. Unlike just about every hack'n slash action game I've ever played.
 
1UP: Ahem...Nina: Death by Degrees?

TI: Not even worth discussing.
Click to expand...

Damn you!!!

It might take Namco one (Frame City Killer), two, or three or more games (hopefully all on X360) to get the genre right, but WHEN they do, Death by Degrees 2 will be BIG!....and I will be waiting for that day...
 
1UP: I'm surprised you rate DMC3 as one of your choices.

TI: You know, just looking at it I mean. I haven't actually played it. By the way, I met the DMC3 director at E3 last year. While I was out drinking at some bar, this Japanese guy comes wading through the crowd up to me, and he says, "You're Itagaki-san, aren't you?" Pretty outgoing for a Japanese guy, wouldn't you say? Anyway, so I say, "Yes, I am. Who the hell are you?" Yeah, there were two of them there then. I remember. I have a great memory [laughs].

So, he says, "I am the director of Devil May Cry 3; pleased to meet you!" and I said, "Pleased about what, dumbass!" I was drunk at the time, after all. He was young, so I slapped him on the back and said, "You just work hard so that one day people will say 'Team NINJA in the East [Tokyo], Capcom in the West [Osaka]'." The product of his labor after that little pep talk was DMC3. It got decent reviews here in Japan, and I think he did pretty well for a young guy. If he's lucky, he might make something even better next time.
Click to expand...

:lol :lol Itagaki interviews are always funny
 
As for my opinion as a gamer, my free time is too valuable to spend it hacking away at an endless stream of dumb-as-a-brick opponents.
Click to expand...

:lol :lol :lol

Oh shit, GAF Itagakiowned.
 
1UP: I'm surprised you rate DMC3 as one of your choices.

TI: You know, just looking at it I mean. I haven't actually played it. By the way, I met the DMC3 director at E3 last year. While I was out drinking at some bar, this Japanese guy comes wading through the crowd up to me, and he says, "You're Itagaki-san, aren't you?" Pretty outgoing for a Japanese guy, wouldn't you say? Anyway, so I say, "Yes, I am. Who the hell are you?" Yeah, there were two of them there then. I remember. I have a great memory [laughs].

So, he says, "I am the director of Devil May Cry 3; pleased to meet you!" and I said, "Pleased about what, dumbass!" I was drunk at the time, after all. He was young, so I slapped him on the back and said, "You just work hard so that one day people will say 'Team NINJA in the East [Tokyo], Capcom in the West [Osaka]'." The product of his labor after that little pep talk was DMC3. It got decent reviews here in Japan, and I think he did pretty well for a young guy. If he's lucky, he might make something even better next time.
Click to expand...

1UP: Ahem...Nina: Death by Degrees?

TI: Not even worth discussing.

1UP: Pretty tolerant attitude coming from you.

Ti: You think so? Didn't I just say not to throw your life away?
Click to expand...

oh shit. This is too fucking funny. :lol Okay I was never a fan but now I think I might be. :lol
 
Itagaki is great. He talks the talk, but he backs it all up. Plus his quotes are just gold.

Tecmo's definition of "Ninja Gaiden" is the name given to the absolute best ninja action game that can be accomplished in that generation. In that sense, one could say that Ninja Gaiden Black is the "Ninja Gaiden" of 2005.
Click to expand...
 
lockii said:
:lol :lol :lol

Oh shit, GAF Itagakiowned.
Click to expand...
Drinky would have him banned in a heartbeat. No one should ever diss Dynasty Warriors.
(I bet it's because Itagaki is secretly a Samurai Warriors fan, right?)
 
The guy's an idiot. I'm sure he only says this shit to appeal to his fanboys and all the trolls out there
1UP: I'm surprised you rate DMC3 as one of your choices.

TI: You know, just looking at it I mean. I haven't actually played it. By the way, I met the DMC3 director at E3 last year. While I was out drinking at some bar, this Japanese guy comes wading through the crowd up to me, and he says, "You're Itagaki-san, aren't you?" Pretty outgoing for a Japanese guy, wouldn't you say? Anyway, so I say, "Yes, I am. Who the hell are you?" Yeah, there were two of them there then. I remember. I have a great memory [laughs].

So, he says, "I am the director of Devil May Cry 3; pleased to meet you!" and I said, "Pleased about what, dumbass!" I was drunk at the time, after all. He was young, so I slapped him on the back and said, "You just work hard so that one day people will say 'Team NINJA in the East [Tokyo], Capcom in the West [Osaka]'." The product of his labor after that little pep talk was DMC3. It got decent reviews here in Japan, and I think he did pretty well for a young guy. If he's lucky, he might make something even better next time.
Click to expand...

So it's a bit of a shame that DMC3 is the best action game ever made then, isn't it? Especially when Ninja Gaiden was a piece of shit with none of the skill, timing or reward of the DMC series. I'd say he's just jealous that Capcom made the superior game tbh

(and, yes, I have played Ninja Gaiden so I'm not trolling. I think it's the most over-hyped turd for the Xbox. Apart from DOA which is the worst fighting game ever made, IMO)
 
I want to see Itagaki on stage at all three press conferences this year.

At Nintendo:

Miyamoto: I'm not Link, but I know him!

Itagaki: Of course you're not Link. Being a real man I kicked that elf boy's ass and stabbed him with his own sword.

At Sony:

Kaz: The console war is OVER!

Itagaki: You got that right. DOA4 will make you its bitch while you drool over my daughters.

At Microsoft:

Allard: Thanks to the minds at Microsoft, the Xbox 360 is the...

Itagaki: FOOL! Only Team Ninja has the complete understanding of computers. You are nothing to me. Get out of here before I slap you.
 
123rl said:
The guy's an idiot. I'm sure he only says this shit to appeal to his fanboys and all the trolls out there


So it's a bit of a shame that DMC3 is the best action game ever made then, isn't it? Especially when Ninja Gaiden was a piece of shit with none of the skill, timing or reward of the DMC series. I'd say he's just jealous that Capcom made the superior game tbh

(and, yes, I have played Ninja Gaiden so I'm not trolling. I think it's the most over-hyped turd for the Xbox. Apart from DOA which is the worst fighting game ever made, IMO)
Click to expand...


How dare you disrespect Itagaki?! He is gaming's greatest gift - if it wasn't for him, DMC3 might never be good...plus he brought us DOA: XBV, which is THE GAME that all developers should aspire to and emulate. :D
 
CosmicGroinPull said:
How dare you disrespect Itagaki?! He is gaming's greatest gift - if it wasn't for him, DMC3 might never be good...plus he brought us DOA: XBV, which is THE GAME that all developers should aspire to and emulate. :D
Click to expand...


You're right...I don't know what I was thinking :D
 
123rl said:
The guy's an idiot. I'm sure he only says this shit to appeal to his fanboys and all the trolls out there


So it's a bit of a shame that DMC3 is the best action game ever made then, isn't it? Especially when Ninja Gaiden was a piece of shit with none of the skill, timing or reward of the DMC series. I'd say he's just jealous that Capcom made the superior game tbh

(and, yes, I have played Ninja Gaiden so I'm not trolling. I think it's the most over-hyped turd for the Xbox. Apart from DOA which is the worst fighting game ever made, IMO)
Click to expand...

Well too bad you're wrong. And that is why Itagaki > you. :lol
 
1UP: Many people are probably wondering if Rachel be playable in Ninja Gaiden Black.

TI: As I have said on many occasions since I was working on the original game, I have no intention of making the female characters playable in Ninja Gaiden. That goes for Black as well. Capcom often practices that style of game design, though, so I understand why people might expect it.
Click to expand...
:lol :lol :lol

oh man

that's all it took!

my faith is restored

DOA4 ius gonna own

those pics were just a mishap

ITAGAKI IS DA MAN HOW DID I EVER DOUBT YOU!?!?!?!?!?!
 
Itagaki says "in reality, no one stops to shoot."


And he's right! Usually when I'm shooting, I like to do a barrel-roll, dive, and masturbate all while doves fly over me and an orchestra plays some bombastic piece.
 
1UP: What do you think of the Dynasty Warriors series?

TI: As a real man, I find no feeling of achievement in beating up millions of defenseless enemies. As for my opinion as a gamer, my free time is too valuable to spend it hacking away at an endless stream of dumb-as-a-brick opponents.
Click to expand...

Nail hit on head.
 
1UP: Harder than the already hardest mode?

TI: Yeah, it'll be like a trip through Hell itself [laughs]. It is for hardcore fans that say they have gotten tired of Very Hard. There will probably be less than a thousand people in America who will be able to finish the game at this difficulty.

1UP: A thousand? How much of a percentage of the total number of Ninja Gaiden players is that?

TI: About one percent or so. Think about it; you will have to fight an enemy version of Ryu Hayabusa, wearing the red and black Dragon Muscle Suit. I know it's exciting to fight the enemy Hayabusa when he is wielding the Dabilahro, but we've already had an alarming number of instantaneous deaths! [laughs]
Click to expand...


:lol, no way in hell im buying this game, im just not man enough.
 
Porridge said:
Itagaki says "in reality, no one stops to shoot."


And he's right! Usually when I'm shooting, I like to do a barrel-roll, dive, and masturbate all while doves fly over me and an orchestra plays some bombastic piece.
Click to expand...

OMG! You too!>?!
 
Entertaining.

Makes a nice change from the usual Japanese bollocks.

"I can't talk about that"

"(laughs)"

"Sorry..."

"We can't discuss that"

Like their games contain the cure for cancer in the code or something.
 
Itagaki is the next Yamauchi... I thought all hopes of having a good laugh at some angry japanese guy interview in the gaming scene was gone when he retired, but I was forgeting about that punk!
 
"As a real man. . . obviously over-compensating for something. . ."

Itagaki trashes Dynasty Warriors?! >:|

EMBARGO ON!

JIHAD, GO!

Honestly - I've always wanted to take his face - off, but this seals the deal. Keep me away from E3.
 
He's so right about DW (well not about the real man bit, but the hordes of brain dead enemies bit)
 
Porridge said:
Itagaki says "in reality, no one stops to shoot."
Click to expand...

Maybe in videogame land, but I'm pretty sure professionals (police, swat, military) always stop to shoot. Otherwise they wouldn't hit anything.
 
Ghost said:
He's so right about DW (well not about the real man bit, but the hordes of brain dead enemies bit)
Click to expand...

The numbers in DW compensate for the A.I, and if you play the game on a hard difficulty setting; the battles are quite intense.

Dynasty Warriors is the epitomy of "masculine game". If you don't get the thrill of cutting down entire armies, you need a testosterone transfusion.

I suspect this is the requisite sour graping about yet another franchise that outsells his own offerings.
 
I'll let that Dynasty Warriors comment slide since his development team resurrected my favorite franchise and made it awesome! :D

I like this choice quote:

Now, the second reason for making Ninja Gaiden Black is that I wanted to show the power of Team NINJA's action game to the world one more time before we move completely to Xbox 360 development. Just as the Hurricane Packs were an investment towards Black, Black is an investment towards the future Ninja Gaiden 2. That is why the Ninja Gaiden 2 development staff is currently developing Ninja Gaiden Black.
Click to expand...

I wonder if we'll see some early videos of Ninja Gaiden 2 at E3? That is enough to cement Xbox 360 domination over the competition! :D

Thus, Black is not simply Ninja Gaiden with the Hurricane Packs slapped on. It is filled to the brim with our latest expertise, our latest technologies, and gameplay elements that are built off of our latest thoughts and ideas. It is more correct to say that Ninja Gaiden Black is a final, complete, ultimate version of Ninja Gaiden.
Click to expand...

I noticed that Ninja Gaiden Black has more than just the Hurricane stuff added. And it'll be sold at a discounted price! Plus it has an easy mode for Jim! :D
 
This sounds tough!

UP: Harder than the already hardest mode?

TI: Yeah, it'll be like a trip through Hell itself [laughs]. It is for hardcore fans that say they have gotten tired of Very Hard. There will probably be less than a thousand people in America who will be able to finish the game at this difficulty.

1UP: A thousand? How much of a percentage of the total number of Ninja Gaiden players is that?

TI: About one percent or so. Think about it; you will have to fight an enemy version of Ryu Hayabusa, wearing the red and black Dragon Muscle Suit. I know it's exciting to fight the enemy Hayabusa when he is wielding the Dabilahro, but we've already had an alarming number of instantaneous deaths! [laughs]
Click to expand...

Damn!

Please be BC Xbox 360!

1UP: You know, when we reviewed the game, we warned people "This is hard," but everyone on message boards scoffed. But when everyone finally got the game the reaction was "OMG." Did you guys think "Well maybe the average gamer isn't as good as we thought, so let's make it easy on them?"

TI: That's right. In other words, there are some people who want to beat the game, even if it means being reduced to the level of a dog; people who are not afraid to shame themselves to accomplish their goals. Sometimes in life, that type of style is necessary. Anyone who can think like that can still be a real man. The Ninja Dog difficulty setting is for men like that. So don't give up too easily!
Click to expand...

:lol :lol
 
He slipped off the pier when talking about guns and RE4, but otherwise he was entertainingly spot-on. Can't wait to dig in with the updated NG and whatever he has cooking for 360.
 
I like reading about him. He always makes me laugh, I can think of a rare number of other game designers capable of that.

This is why his personal advice column in XBN was the greatest thing ever.
 
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