Itagaki Blasts Developer Hideki Kamiya And Bayonetta

Ex-Team Ninja head honcho Tomonobu Itagaki is often considered to be the rock star of the video game industry. You'll never find him without those shades, and last year's scandal involving a young woman (and Tecmo employee) who alleged sexual misconduct against Itagaki only heightened his "bad boy" status.

And now, he's taking on the competition and firing off a few potshots. During a recent 1Up interview, Itagaki put Bayonetta creator from Platinum Games, Hideki Kamiya, in the cross-hairs. If you're not familiar, Bayonetta is the promising hack 'n slash, high-octane action title featuring the leggy, curvaceous heroine, Bayonetta. Kamiya is responsible for many other great character designs in the past, including Dante from Capcom's popular Devil May Cry franchise, and that same DMC flash and panache can be seen in early footage for Bayonetta. But Itagaki, responsible for the similar action franchise Ninja Gaiden, isn't impressed.

"If I made a similar game as a game I made in the company I quit, people would say, ‘What an idiot, can’t he make anything else?’ Well, that is more or less the opinion I have for, uh, that Bayo-something game."

And as for that character design, which everyone seems to like so much, Itagaki retorted:

"Covered in hair, is she? I dunno, Mr. Kamiya must have a lot going through his head. Well, in any case, I would first recommend laser eye surgery. I’m sure he’s not that strapped for cash, right?"

Geez. Looks like something got under the skin of Itagaki, and we're wondering if he has a rocky history with Kamiya. Then again, it could just be the customary Itagaki response, as he never hesitates to be both abrupt and in-your-face. We're not even sure if his assessment is correct; would people call him an "idiot" if he made another fast and furious action title that just so happened to resemble Ninja Gaiden? Everyone, gamers and critics alike, tend to love those games, so...maybe not?

Related Game(s): Bayonetta

6/8/2009 Ben Dutka

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Comments (41 posts)

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Deleted User []
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:20:59 PM
Reply

Typical Itagaki. While I like his brutal honesty, he isn't as great as he thinks he is. I mean, he thinks his beach volleyball games were great works.

Last edited by n/a on 6/8/2009 3:21:44 PM

3 up, 3 down

Fatcat3788
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:22:43 PM
Reply

What a tool...

12 up, 2 down

Arvis
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:53:44 PM

Big thumbs up! :)

-Arvis

2 up, 2 down

Mr Bitey
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:57:52 PM

I'll second that!

2 up, 2 down

NightHawk17
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:42:41 PM
Reply

Says the man who got fired and is a microsoft tool

8 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 10:01:05 PM

He's a very useful tool for Microsoft.

1 up, 1 down

Kangasfwa
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:45:49 PM
Reply

Would anyone call Team Ico idiots if they made a game "similar" to to Ico or Shadow of the Colossus?

4 up, 1 down

HeXeN
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:59:23 PM

Aaron Greenberg would.

4 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:33:47 PM

Aaron Greenburg is a toad. i dislike the man very much. i wouldnt have and respect for Sony if they had a guy like that working for them.

8 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:48:24 PM

I guess a troll is on the loose, guys. Aaron Greenberg wishes he could promote something that isn't a lemon.

4 up, 1 down

Jalex
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 3:57:34 PM
Reply

This seems like pretty standard fare for Itagaki, so whatever -shrugs-....

Something I don't understand (well, one of many things) is why people in general say things like ''Bayo'-something game.' It just makes the person saying it seem ignorant.

2 up, 0 down

Orvisman
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 9:47:59 AM

He's being dismissive, like he can't be bothered with such an insignificant game.

0 up, 0 down

HeXeN
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:04:27 PM
Reply

He should try to be (or act)more professional unless he wants people to stop supporting his games.

2 up, 0 down

gungrave
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:06:51 PM
Reply

This guy's a joke. Puts out one good game and then he acts like his sh** don't stink. Anyway, I can't wait for Bayonetta, looks like an anime come to life with all the ridiculously insane powers. The character looks cool, I just hope they don't make her annoying like Dante in DMC3, that alone made me stop playing that game and make me lose interest in the series all together.

0 up, 3 down

Dustinwp
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:09:33 PM
Reply

Itagaki reminds me of the guy nobody wants at a party, because he can make even the best parties depressing.

3 up, 0 down

superjew
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:35:46 PM
Reply

More like the Japanese douche of gaming, I'm not comfortable calling him the ultimate douche, but he's got to be top 3.

4 up, 1 down

Karosso
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:29:34 PM

Hes Japan's own Gabe Newell :-)

4 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 4:54:12 PM
Reply

I don't like Bayonetta, just another flashy DMC. That's how I see it at the moment, but it doesn't mean it's a bad game.

With that said I can't even remember the last game I bought from this guy....

Think it was Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore for ps2....yeeeeeeeeah a long time ago.

3 up, 0 down

Karosso
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:33:09 PM

That was my last game from him as well... It was fun one of the few fighting games that kept me interested for long.
That said, don't think he did the whole game by himself, so... He is still a douche bag in my eyes.
Is he planning on releasing a game some time in the future or is he going to make a living out of insulting people??

1 up, 0 down

Blood_Haze
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:35:45 PM
Reply

this guy is a douche

he once said that DEAD OR ALIVE is better than TEKKEN 6 which is complete bullshit.

1 up, 0 down

MadPowerBomber
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:53:26 PM

Haha, his comments towards Tekken always made me laugh. There's a reason DOA isn't at any of the larger fighting game tournaments in the world, and it's not because it's the greatest fighter in the world.

0 up, 0 down

Totalz
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:38:46 PM
Reply

This should be Kamiya's response...

If I made one decent game then walked around with my head stuck so far up my own arse I could feel my own midlife locks tickling the back of my throat and sue the company I quit for no apparent reason, I'd be an idiot.

On Itagaki's amzing game-creating history of Dead or Alive and...

That Ninja-something with the dude in the gimp suit? That Itagaki had a lot going through his head making that one...

1 up, 0 down

Karosso
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 5:55:02 PM

isn't half of his games a remake of the original anyways? Dead or Alive for the Dreamcast, then Dead or Alive: Hardcore for the PS2.
Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden Black, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Gaiden Sigma... you get the idea...

1 up, 0 down

shadowpal2
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 6:21:12 PM
Reply

Hey guys keep on the look out for this guy...I swear he's going to make a comment about MGS: Rising really soon and criticize Hideo Kojima for some reason...EVEN IF Kojima-san isn't working on the game AT ALL (besides producing it).

1 up, 0 down

Reccaman18
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:26:09 PM

I dont think he's even producing the game. Unless of course it says Kojima productions on the game.

1 up, 0 down

SarahPalinMILF
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 6:27:57 PM
Reply

I'm sorry but asian people just can't be called badass...they can be like ninjas...but badass...please...besides not to offend anyone but the biggest asian guy I've ever heard of was like 5 feet tall...

3 up, 4 down

Scarecrow
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 6:58:38 PM

Yao Ming 7 feet, 6 inches tall......

Badass? Bruce Lee.....

Last edited by Scarecrow on 6/8/2009 7:00:01 PM

7 up, 3 down

Banky A
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 11:48:54 PM

Hey!

I'm one badass Asian person! lol
Size doesn't determine that? We're genetically shorter for some reason ^_^.

And yes Bruce Lee could kill anything ;)

Unless you're talking about the majority of Korean's wearing glasses and the Asian wannabes that want to be gangsters. Then yes they are n00bs.

3 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 6:43:02 AM

hahhahahahaha. banky. you say alll that...

THEN call someone a n00b.....

lol.

ruined the whole post.

0 up, 1 down

Banky A
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 11:34:48 PM

That's how we roll ^_^

1 up, 0 down

www
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:04:20 PM
Reply

He don't got sh*t on Sam Houser...lol

0 up, 1 down

karneli lll
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:05:50 PM
Reply

And here i was, thinking im the only person who thinks Bayonetta is a joke.

3 up, 0 down

Reccaman18
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:24:34 PM
Reply

This guy sounds like such a child. Maybe the reason the character design looks similar is, *gasp* thats his style! Or can this guy not get that?

1 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:27:11 PM
Reply

Now he contradicts himself, since Ninja Gaiden is silly. What kind of ninja is supposed to run up, hack and slash foes recklessly without using any stealth?! Doesn't that defy the whole point of being a ninja??

Though I agree; I don't think Bayonetta is much of a promising title. The trailer seemed kinda' sleazy, & if it doesn't surpass DMC, then it's basically percieved as a "phail that copied DMC".

3 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:34:21 PM
Reply

I must be one of the few people that found Itagaki fun..i read the rest of the interview and was hilarious I don't think he really is like that...but if he is and I hope not poor dude =S.

more important and taking advantage of the readers.

http://forums.sega.com/showthread.php?t=282761

is and interesting thread caused via PSBLOG on a Sony response .

I'd say lets try and post.

sorry Ben if you don't like this offtopic comment =p

1 up, 0 down

Wage SLAVES
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 8:48:17 PM
Reply

lol
I wasn't even considering Bayonetta until I saw in game footage. That chick is hot! I wanna give 'er a hair cut!

Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 6/8/2009 8:49:19 PM

5 up, 1 down

Oyashiro
Monday, June 08, 2009 @ 11:04:17 PM
Reply

Just when I started to forget why I didn't like Itagaki, he himself reminds me. Thanks Itagaki!

2 up, 0 down

NiteKrawler
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 12:02:15 AM
Reply

Well, I wasn't impressed with any of the Ninja Gaiden games either. DMC is superior in my opinion.

2 up, 0 down

sunspider13
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 2:57:12 AM
Reply

Wow Itagaki loves to hear himself talk doesn't he?

1 up, 0 down

jigokunohoono
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 3:45:10 PM
Reply

yea but itagaki is a bit of an A-Whole any way in most interviews and he really isn't as great as he seems to think he DMC is better than NG but i do like DOA alot though Tekken is better and i dont know if it was 1up or kotaku or a different site but theres a pic of him in normal glasses with a microsoft person so i did see him with out his sun glasses on

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 @ 9:34:20 PM
Reply

He's a lot like I am, he speaks what he thinks.

Well, except for the part where I usually think before I speak.

0 up, 0 down

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Itagaki Blasts Developer Hideki Kamiya And Bayonetta

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