Tomonobu Itagaki: Interview Summer 06

Our regular meeting with Itagaki to talk about the finer points of drinking-inspired creativity, DOA Xtreme 2, and more. Fantastic HD version of the DOAX2 trailer included!

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Kikizo: I am guessing you're thinking seriously about PS3 stuff right now, what can we expect from you on the PS3 side of things?

Itagaki: Of course I am a developer and a programmer, and I am very curious about the PS3 architecture, so I am studying all about it. Last year I did not have enough information on it! But now I know enough about it, I think it's a pretty exciting time.

Kikizo: I am assuming you've had time with the latest devkit, what has your research about it been telling you?

Itagaki: Of course I am very interested to find out more about it, but I am trying to focus my time on DOAX2 right now. So of course, we talked about alcohol and playing and stuff, but to put the worries to rest, I can tell you that those members of staff who like to work on 'serious' games, are working on those projects, so there is nothing to worry about. And going back to DOAX2, while I am making this game as a hobby, I don't want you to think it is going to be done poorly; it's going to be a really good, well-made game. My question to you is, what your impression of the trailer?

Kikizo: I think it is going to prove popular. Not just for the obvious reasons, but I guess, for the same reasons the first game was popular. Although, I was curious why there wasn't a new soundtrack on it?

Itagaki: We're in the midst of selecting about twenty new songs, to be placed in the game. We just chose this main song because people recognise it.

Kikizo: Can I ask if it's the same guys doing it as who worked on the DOA4 music - because even though the nature of the music will be quite different - I found some of the DOA4 music was just awesome.

Itagaki: Thank you. Well actually we are licensing most of the songs for DOAX2, so there is not much of an original soundtrack as there is in DOA4; there might be one original theme using drums or something.

Kikizo: Are you working with Aerosmith again, or new guys maybe?

Itagaki: No comment - I don't want to rob the fun of speculating!

Ninja Gaiden 2 is currently still in planning stages

Kikizo: Are you interested in Wii, is it something you are interested in making games for?

Itagaki: Yes, of course I want to make games for Wii, it's just that if I change my way of doing things, it's going to be physically difficult because I tend to focus on one project at a time, but personally I like to play the type of games that are being made for Wii. Of course we have another producer, Kikuchi, who is working on a golfing game for Wii, so I give advice and try to work with him as much as possible.

Kikizo: Thanks for your time, it's good to see you.

Thanks again to Itagaki, and the staff at Tecmo. We will have much more on all upcoming Team Ninja productions soon. In the meantime, enjoy this stunning HD DOAX2 trailer.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com

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