Dead or Alive creator bails out, sues company

It’s a sad day for Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden fans. Tomonobu Itagaki, the creator of the two franchises has left Tecmo, and is suing them for unpaid bonuses over beat-em-up Dead or Alive 4.

Itagaki, seen as a legend to fans of Dead or Alive, was unhappy at not being paid completion bonuses.

According to reports, Tecmo president Yoshimi Yasuda issued the gaming icon an ultimatum: “If you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.”

You know what they say, be careful what you wish for. The Dead or Alive creator has apologised to disappointed fans, with a statement reading:

“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″.

Sure, Tecmo can still make Dead or Alive games without Itagaki, but how would Mario Bros. fans feel about playing a Mario game without Shigeru Miyamoto at the helm?

TBC | £TBC
Tecmo (via Kotaku)