Report: Team Ninja Exodus Follows Itagaki Departure, More Lawsuits on the Way
According to a report from 1UP, the departing team members will also serve Tecmo with a class action lawsuit over unpaid bonuses for previously completed games. In filing his own lawsuit last month, Itagaki claimed damages of more than $1.4M in unpaid bonuses.
Moreover, the report adds that Tecmo may have violated Japanese law by withholding information about Itagaki's suit from its shareholders. Corporate law in Japan states that any lawsuit filed against a publicly-traded company must be reported to its shareholders on the same day, but Itagaki's suit—filed on May 14—was not revealed until the developer himself issued a public statement on June 2.
In addition to unpaid bonuses, the developer also cited "significant emotional distress" caused by Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda as impetus for the legal action. Following Itagaki's departure from Team Ninja and subsequent litigation, Tecmo's stock tumbled more than 10%.
-
mittense
replyI know Itagaki said that he was done with the Ninja Gaiden games after this second iteration but I really, really, really want a Ninja Gaiden 3.
Ninja Gaiden 2 is, without a doubt, one of the greatest action games I've ever played.-
Does Tecmo own the rights to the series? Itagaki probably hadn't counted on Team Ninja following in his footsteps. And who knows, maybe with his old crew by his side, he might be willing / interested to make another game.
-
-
I think the opposite might be true. In these situations he is probably interested in moving to another developer or starting his own company. In order to avoid a lawsuit (competitive) of his own, he leaves the company, followed by an exodus of other employees he was likely in touch with.
-
-
Me too. I truely hope that maybe something can be worked out. Best 3rd action game series.
-
