In an unexpected hail of events Tomonobu Itagaki, now formerly of Team Ninja, has resigned from the company and filed papers against the Tecmo President.
In his claims submitted to the Tokyo District Court are ”unpaid completion bonuses” and ”unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements” toward him.
He plans to sue the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for 148 million yen which is just over $1.4 million USD. Itagaki has also been vocal about the president’s pursuit of profit disregard for quality in the process; this is no doubt linked to title ports.
Tomonobu Itagaki’s aide released a statement on his behalf:
”I, Tomonobu Itagaki, hereby announce that on the 14th of May 2008 I filed a complaint in the Tokyo District Court against Tecmo Co., Ltd. for unpaid completion bonuses, and against the President of Tecmo, Yoshimi Yasuda, for such unlawful acts as unreasonable and disingenuous statements made towards me, claiming damages in total of 148 million yen. I also announce that this complaint was delivered to the defendants on May 22nd of the same year. In addition, I hereby announce that I have today submitted a letter of resignation to Tecmo Co., Ltd. stating that I will resign as of the 1st of July, 2008.
Before the start of development on Dead or Alive 4, Tecmo Co., Ltd. had agreed to pay a completion bonus to me for this Xbox 360 title, which I produced. However, when the time came for the actual payment, Tecmo Co., Ltd. went against its previous agreement and refused payment. President Yoshimi Yasuda chose not only to violate this agreement, but also turned defiant, telling me ‘if you are dissatisfied with the decision not to pay the bonuses, either quit the company or sue it.’ In addition, he made demeaning remarks about me to my subordinates and colleagues, causing me significant emotional distress and worsening my personal relationships and work environment. Thus, I have no choice but to resign from Tecmo Co., Ltd.
The conduct of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its president Yoshimi Yasuda towards me has been unbefitting of a publicly-listed company. I have filed this lawsuit with a strong intent to question the social responsibility of Tecmo Co., Ltd. and its President Yoshimi Yasuda, as well as condemning them for their unjust acts. Today, in addition to announcing the reasons for this lawsuit, I make clear my reasons for resigning.”
To address any concerns of the fans of his time while at Team Ninja he added this paragraph in his letter:
”To All Game Fans
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. I regret the circumstances that have forced me to leave Tecmo, where I had worked for so many years, and I regret the disappointment this will cause my fans. However, I can no longer continue to work with President Yoshimi Yasuda, a man who chooses not to honor promises even when he is able to do so. I truly hope that nothing like this happens again in the future.”
Tomonobu Itagaki had already been talking about a new action game he’d like to focus on and get away from the Ninja Gaiden franchise, which he indicated was now at rest once the upcoming Xbox360 exclusive Ninja Gaiden II is released.
I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear on this, stay tuned for Courtroom drama - Japan style!
Source: 1UP