Itagaki sigue vivo... en Valhalla Game Studios

A few weeks ago, ex-Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki formally unveiled his new development team via an official site: Valhalla Game Studios. Previously known as Tokyo Vikings, the team consists of many former Tecmo employees who worked together on games like Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden. Thus far, they haven't said much of anything about what they're developing.

To dig up a few hints, I emailed Itagaki to see what he's able to say at this point. That includes a few straightforward answers, a few new details about the company, and bit of his trademark playing-to-the-crowd.

1UP: Do you see Valhalla making one game at a time, or will you be a multiple team studio?

Tomonobu Itagaki: We're currently focusing our resources on making one game. Valhalla will compete in the field of mainstream, packaged games so it wouldn't be effective to thin our ranks by dividing our 50-man staff into different projects. I do plan on hiring even more skilled people, and although we've had job applications from many countries, we're still thinking about the composition of the team. However, we'll probably start a new game near the end of the current project. In the long term, it doesn't make sense for a company to only make one game, and so we're also looking at preparations for the next few years.

1UP: Should we read anything into your company's name/logo if we're looking for clues about the new game, along the lines of how Team Ninja made games starring a ninja?

TI: I would say you shouldn't read into the logo that way. The logo reflects our philosophy, but has little to no influence on our current game. It's more a pillar of thinking supporting our philosophies.

1UP: How will your approach with the new team differ from your approach with Team Ninja?

TI: All I can say is that Valhalla's current project is one of a scale on which I have never worked on before.

1UP: Have you considered making another touch screen game along the lines of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword? Maybe for iPhone?

TI: I have a lot of pity for that game. Like I've said before, the idea came to mind as soon as the DS was announced, but the release was delayed due to many things. I heard all my daughter's classmates played it enthusiastically and everyone but my daughter cleared it.


1UP: How long has the new game been in development?

TI: I don't mind giving you a hint. During this period I've consumed at least 1,000 shochu sake bottles. I've also shot a million photos with my D-SLRs (Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras). I've put over 2,000 train cars on my railway model layouts. I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

1UP: When can we expect to hear something more concrete about the game?

TI: We'll be announcing that soon.

1UP: Your website seems to be getting regular updates. Will you guys be putting a lot of effort in there, setting up community features, etc?

TI: Rather than a general Valhalla community site, I think a Valhalla "Current Project" community site will become necessary in the future.

1UP: How important are current design trends to you in designing your games, i.e. downloadable content, online multiplayer, social networking, etc?

TI: There will probably be a new wave in two years. But whatever happens, gamers, creators, and those who distribute must come away happy.

1UP: Do you think the days of the traditional fighting game are over?

TI: It seems a bit unfair for me to talk about the subject because I'm not making fighting games now. You'd better ask [Tekken series director Katsuhiro] Harada-san. I don't like Tekken very much, but I respect him. There are many fighting game franchises, but for the same person to have directed the virgin product all the way to its current incarnation, Harada-san is the only person who comes to mind. His passion and talent, and more than anything, his strong will has led him thus far. As their former competitor, I would like to give him the largest amount of praise.

1UP: Some Japanese publishers don't believe female main characters can sell games. Having produced a series of games that involved many female main characters, do you think that's true, or do you think a game with a female main character -- example: substitute Ryu Hayabusa with a female lead -- can be successful?

TI: Half of mankind is female.

1UP: Which is more important to your daily well being? Cigarettes, coffee, drinking, or gambling?

TI: It's already clear. I can't make a game without all of them.