Itagaki Interview

[Nerve-Damage]

1UP: Team Ninja's Itagaki Interviewed (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154580)

1UP: Let's talk about real-time versus prerendered for a moment. Regarding the CG cinemas in DOAX2, since the game looks so sharp now, why even bother with CG at this point?

Tomonobu Itagaki: Our first priority as far as creating the prerendered cinemas is to split up the work volume in a sense. Obviously there are some issues with being able to do more things with prerendered movies. If I had to do all of the development work including the cinemas then it would increase my workload a lot. I have a friend who directs TV commercials and is a big fan of DOA and he's done the prerendered cinemas in most of our games. I've asked him to work on this for me and that allows me to concentrate on the things I need to do within the game to get it done.

The second reason is that the real-time assets and cinemas are just that -- they are made for use within the game. They have to look good from any angle. No matter how you move them around in a 3D space, they have to look the part. For prerendered sequences the cameras angles are fixed in preproduction so you're able to go in there and add a level of detail that wouldn't otherwise be possible. So that's why prerendered scenes are very good for storytelling purposes and accentuating certain points.

I've heard there have been a number of people who cried at the movie in the ending movie of DOA4 and doing something that detailed, frame to frame... creating at that level in real-time would be impossible. It all comes down to a number of logical reasons of why I choose to use prerendered movies -- that's why I do it. We know that the trend in the industry is to move towards doing everything in real-time. We were one of the people that kind of started that. We're not going to start compromising the quality of our real-time stuff, and will always look at what best fits that situation.

1UP: Do you think that the hardware is now at the point that, if you had the hardware and resources, you could make the cut-scenes represent the game as well as pre-rendered ones do?

TI: No, that's impossible. You can tell just by looking at or comparing the two. Anyone who thinks that you'd be able to do that in real-time doesn't know much about film-making or video. To put in a frame of reference that is easier to understand: the quality of the CG that we use for prerendered is the same as a Hollywood movie production. For you to say, "hey can you put that on a PS3 or 360?" would be like saying "would you be able to render Hollywood computer graphics effects on a PS3 or 360?"

So to further clarify things a bit, when you say cut-scenes I would agree that those should all be completed in real-time. I wasn't really thrilled with how we did some of the original Ninja Gaiden (for the Xbox) cut-scenes in prerendered CG; that was just necessary in splitting up the work load at that time. I think that everything that tells the story or moves it along while the game is taking place should use the same models and everything in engine. For opening and ending movies, where you are establishing or ending something, I think prerendered cinemas are a very viable option.


1UP: ...about you developing for the PS3?

TI: Well, yes. This line of questioning feels like it is going in a negative fashion

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[xbdestroya]

I changed your title to something that doesn't scream 'fanboy-fest' Nerve Damage. ;)

[woundingchaney]

Its really hard to figure out how to take the guy. He just comes off as arrogant and off the wall. Although, he is talented and I do enjoy his games.

He honestly reminds me of a Japanese David Jaffe (or vice versa).

[OmniCloud]

Tks for the interview Nerve Damage-but the whole feeling i got from reading all of that was "whatever"...BUt I like the part about Him and Kojima bonding...Two great devs that's for sure. Itagaki is just a bit cocky...he has reason to be but still.

[Nerve-Damage]

I changed your title to something that doesn't scream 'fanboy-fest' Nerve Damage. ;)

:angel:

[Hrama]

TI: I am the core of Team Ninja. I am the chief software designer of Team Ninja and I will be making new games for the Xbox 360. As I have proven here today, look at DOAX2. That's all the proof that you need. If you feel negative in any way yourself about...

Heh, as funny as this guy is at times... errr... why is this here in the Sony section? Shouldn't it be in the General Gaming section since it does mostly deal with the Xbox 360 even though Sigma is coming out on the PS3.

[Raijin]

I dislike the man...

[Pumpkin Head]

I dislike the man...I agree they should put his punk ass on def comedy jam he's such a funny guy..:uhh:

[Kiosko]

It's good to now that he's going to support the PS3.

[OG_Monkey]

is that the whole interview?

[OmniCloud]

^No go to 1up for the entire one..

[Nerve-Damage]

is that the whole interview?

Click the link above the quote...it's about 3-4 pages long.

[OG_Monkey]

I know but that website never works for me. AOL and that dont seem to get along lol.

[Fazares]

hes quite funny when justifing his need for cg cutscene,he said cg quality gfx are impossible...so he could be a lazy guy,offering doa4 type gfx+lazyness,becuz we know that doing everything in real time takes more effort than a simple cg scene....i suggest him to play hs and ms...or other games that shows film type gfx...and stop pretending doa4 is one of the best looking next gen games,peace:-)

[LiquidEagle]

meh, I skimmed the interview until it got to the Kojima-related stuff :laugh:

I really don't care for this guy, or his games. I was never too heartbroken when he threw his support behind XBox, and I don't think I'll shed a tear when he stays behind 360... I think there are tons of designers out there more humble and with better visions of what games can be. Especially after watching all these interviews with Ted Price lately, most every other designer looks like a jerk :-p

Either way, I wouldn't mind seeing Raiden in Ninja Gaiden. NINJA RAIDEN! :laugh:

[Domination]

1UP: Team Ninja's Itagaki Interviewed (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3154580)





:lol: :lol: :lol:


He's a true fanboy, and quite arrogant, too. That's what it all comes down too, I'm pretty sure of it. I mean really, even if I wanted to, it would be totally impossible to see the logic in his reasoning. Just read page one and two.

EDIT: for those who can't access the site properly:

1UP: Considering how much time you are putting into DOAX2 so it gets out on time, it seems like Ninja Gaiden Sigma isn't something that you are dealing with directly. How did the Ninja Gaiden Sigma project come about?

TI: The simple fact is that there was no way we were going to be able to port Ninja Gaiden to the PlayStation 2. Team Ninja will never lower its standards and it wouldn't play on that platform. There were a lot of people who wanted to play the game and couldn't play it, but now that we are coming up on this next generation of hardware coming out, Hayashi, a young gentleman on my team, came to me and said "I would really like to take Ninja Gaiden and spread the franchise out to bring in more people." I said as long as that doesn't affect our main focus of developing new titles for the Xbox 360, then why not let this young man and his team take a little bit of resources to do this Ninja Gaiden Sigma. It's actually helping me because it lets me focus on developing new titles for the 360.

1UP: Are you concerned at all about what Xbox fans might think by seeing Ninja Gaiden on the PS3? There is a small percentage of people -- Xbox-loyal fans who won't buy PS3 -- who might feel that they got robbed a little because they are not receiving the best version of the game. There's also the subtext to this that suggests that you don't feel obligated to give the PS3 audience anything, like when you brought DOA Ultimate to the Xbox to put the entire series on the system. I don't get the same sensation with Sigma. It seems like more of a business decision.

TI: I wouldn't say that it is a business related decision. Obviously, our goal and Tecmo's corporate goal is to further expand the Team Ninja brand to as many people as possible.

1UP: Which sounds like a business decision.

TI: If you want to expand the Team Ninja brand and you want to include more people, then you're probably right. What I want to make clear is that I am sort of the instigator of vertical expansion at Team Ninja -- creating brand new things and a new path that we can follow. I have been doing that for over 10 years and I am not planning on stopping that anytime soon. If a young guy comes up to me and says "Hey, I want to expand horizontally to expose our brand and community to more people," then I am not going to stop him. If it is not going to slow me down or prevent me from blazing new trails, then there's no reason for me to stop him.

1UP: Let's say after Ninja Gaiden Sigma comes out, if you're so open to the logic of expanding Team Ninja franchises then, would you let that same person or let an equally qualified person take DOA4 to the PS3 or make DOA4 Sigma or something slightly different? Would you allow that or is there a cut-off point in regards to Team Ninja franchises?

TI: Once again I would like to reiterate that this is not affecting the quality, speed or amount of the work I am doing on the Xbox. I've been working on the Xbox platform for five years now and I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon. My commitment is as strong as ever. In fact, this will allow me to concentrate even further on doing that. I would tell the people that might have objections, as you say, to play my games when they come out on Xbox 360. What everyone wants to play is DOA5, right? I'm going to be the one making DOA5 and when I do make it then it will be on the Xbox. That is what I am concentrating on. If people want to play my games, I am still going to be releasing games at the same pace I have been.

I can't do everything! Okay, so in the logic that you are coming up with, it would be like we have an action game in progress for the DS. Do I have to listen to the people who say they want that game ported to the 360 too? Do I have to bring every game to every platform in order to make everyone happy? You can't do everything but I want people to understand that this does not negatively effect or slow down my work for the 360. The 360 is the core of Team Ninja. Period.

1UP: Anything else that comes out under the Team Ninja umbrella for another platform is peripheral then? 360 is your focus?

TI: What I am saying is that I want to make new games and I want to make them on the 360. At the same time we also recognize that we have the Team Ninja brand and we want to bring that to different people and in different ways. This is why we have these other things that we are doing at the same time.

1UP: So did you create separate teams in order to facilitate simultaneous development of other things such as Sigma in addition to what the core staff of Team Ninja is working on?

TI: I am the core of Team Ninja. I am the chief software designer of Team Ninja and I will be making new games for the Xbox 360. As I have proven here today, look at DOAX2. That's all the proof that you need. If you feel negative in any way yourself about...

1UP: ...about you developing for the PS3?

TI: Well, yes. This line of questioning feels like it is going in a negative fashion.

1UP: I am just trying to ask and reinforce what it is that you are really doing.

TI: I guess what I want to make clear is that I am the chief designer of all the games that Team Ninja makes. Of course we make them as a team but I am the one who determines what every game is going to be. From initial planning, tuning to making sure the work gets done... People say that my games raise the bar. Well, I am the one raising the bar. I am sitting here in front of you and telling you that I am going to continue making new games for the Xbox 360. People who have enjoyed my games and loved what I have done in the past have absolutely nothing to worry about. If a young guy on my team wants to spread things out a bit and give other people a chance to enjoy what I have done, then I say "why not." He has his own originality and he may add some things and improve on what I have done. The important thing is that I am 100% focused on developing for the 360 platform.

1UP: Obviously the PS3 is a machine capable of some impressive graphics. It's a not a question of whether it is better than the 360 or vice versa but more of its ability to create some good stuff. Is there any chance Ninja Gaiden Sigma could look so good that it would look better than Ninja Gaiden 2?

TI: You'd better think about my skills a little bit more before you ask that question. [laughter] Hayashi is a rookie but I think he did really well this time around for a rookie. I hope that veterans at other companies who are making action games on the PS3 won't lose out to our rookie. [laughter]

1UP: Are you replying in a fashion that suggests that while the rookie has done a good job with NGS, that it's only a hint of what people can expect out of Ninja Gaiden 2 because it is done by the veterans of Team Ninja?

TI: It's pointless for me to comment at this point since we can't show you anything.

1UP: I think what I am looking for here is a statement of intent, a declaration -- not in a way that will diminish what Hayashi is working on -- but I think 360 fans are looking for a rallying cry against the wave of all the PS3 hype that is hitting this season.

TI: First of all the chief designer, myself, is focused on Ninja Gaiden 2 and I am not thinking about any other work at this point. As soon as this DOAX2 development is over then I will have something to tell you.

1UP: Having worked on two Xbox 360 games now and seeing the graphics shift, such as self-shadowing, etc...

TI: I think for our next title we're definitely going to change our visual style quite a bit.

1UP: Interesting. But having worked on two 360 titles now, do you see your understanding of the hardware continuing to grow?

TI: DOAX2 has some elements of what I am talking about, but I definitely see that not only in the 360 itself, but in the perception of the 360 [changing] in the rest of the world, especially in North America -- that the way people react to new products is changing. For my next title, while I will still be paying attention to all the hardcore fans, I want to try and reach out and grasp the industry in general.

1UP: You think attracting new gamers is best attempted visually?

TI: No, I think it is more the experience of the game than the graphics. Within that experience you have graphics, sound and those will all join together. [laughs] This will make me sound like an old man but I have been saying the same thing for the past 10 years.

[The Game 2006]

I dislike the man...

And his games suck. DOA is only a graphics for the eyes. :farley:

[Nameless]

Either way, I wouldn't mind seeing Raiden in Ninja Gaiden.

QFT

Itagaki is a supporter of the Xbox platform, what's the big deal...
Kojima has been a strong support of the Playstation platform, it's all good IMO.

I would like to see how NGS and NG2 stack up against one another visually... Peace

[Domination]

Its really hard to figure out how to take the guy. He just comes off as arrogant and off the wall. Although, he is talented and I do enjoy his games.

He honestly reminds me of a Japanese David Jaffe (or vice versa).

I never recalled Jaffe being this arrogant, not even on his worst days. But of course you might know something that I don't. :)

hes quite funny when justifing his need for cg cutscene,he said cg quality gfx are impossible...so he could be a lazy guy,offering doa4 type gfx+lazyness,becuz we know that doing everything in real time takes more effort than a simple cg scene....i suggest him to play hs and ms...or other games that shows film type gfx...and stop pretending doa4 is one of the best looking next gen games,peace:-)

It's not so much that he's lazy, at least not in this very instance. It mainly comes down to the fact that DVD9 is just not enough for what he wants to do. But to avoid mentioning this, he makes an excuse as to why he doesn't like CG. There is an interview at a site (akira or something like that) where he mentions that he wish Microosft had gone with HD-DVD because the DOA4 trailer at '05's E3 was impossible to put ingame because the trailer itself damn near exceeded the capacity level.

[mario25]

Oh my...I hope NG2 bombs so he shut his mouth up....

[Pistolero]

I don't know what to think about this guy...He made ONE good game and has ecome the symbol of a whole generation of gamers. What the Fffff ? No, seriously, I would prefer more down to earth (and talented) guys a la Kojima, Miyamoto...He's trying to build a legend of coolness with his arrogance, look and screwed interviews. Well, good for him ! I don't give a sh** !

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Man itagaki is such a douche bag! If it wasn't for the ninja gaiden game he wouldn't be worth a squirrel fart!

[VG Aficionado]

I had read this interview before, and despite his admiration for Kojima, I didn't consider this worth posting since the interviewer seems to be really against PS3 for some reason and there's nothing PS3 relevant besides that. Even Itagaki feels he's going too far, or even that he's pissed by the fact that Itagaki is just saying: "360 is cool, and so is PS3".

I still can't say I care about Itagaki, but 1UP officially sucks.

[Fazares]

It's not so much that he's lazy, at least not in this very instance. It mainly comes down to the fact that DVD9 is just not enough for what he wants to do. But to avoid mentioning this, he makes an excuse as to why he doesn't like CG. There is an interview at a site (akira or something like that) where he mentions that he wish Microosft had gone with HD-DVD because the DOA4 trailer at '05's E3 was impossible to put ingame because the trailer itself damn near exceeded the capacity level.

if u re-read my post u ll notice im not saying he dislikes cg...quite the opposite...i m saying hes saying he has to use cg in some points, because next gen consoles can only reproduce slightly better than current gen gfx in real-time(doa4)....his statement falls when u see the amazing film-like gfx of motorstorm.heavenly sword,mgs4 or even tecmos ninja gaiden sigma...:-/

[Domination]

I had read this interview before, and despite his admiration for Kojima, I didn't consider this worth posting since the interviewer seems to be really against PS3 for some reason and there's nothing PS3 relevant besides that. Even Itagaki feels he's going too far, or even that he's pissed by the fact that Itagaki is just saying: "360 is cool, and so is PS3".

I still can't say I care about Itagaki, but 1UP officially sucks.

I believe you mean interviewee. The interviewer is trying to find reason as to why Itagaki is so clung to the 360 while having absolutely nothing to do with the PS3 despite of it being a more powerful platform. He thinks Itagaki's reasons for developing for the console (PS3) has more to do with business decisions (as with all PlayStation platforms) rather than preference or um....what's another way of saying that.....him just wanting realize his vision more completely, as he likes to put it. I, too, have been questioning that same thing over and over.

If he likes the Xbox for his own personal reasons, fine. But don't go making ridiculous excuses about you developing for the platform only because it's more powerful. I mean, we're not entirely idiots here.

[woundingchaney]

I believe you mean interviewee. The interviewer is trying to find reason as to why Itagaki is so clung to the 360 while having absolutely nothing to do with the PS3 despite of it being a more powerful platform. He thinks Itagaki's reasons for developing for the console (PS3) has more to do with business decisions (as with all PlayStation platforms) rather than preference or um....what's another way of saying that.....him just wanting realize his vision more completely, as he likes to put it. I, too, have been questioning that same thing over and over.

If he likes the Xbox for his own personal reasons, fine. But don't go making ridiculous excuses about you developing for the platform only because it's more powerful. I mean, we're not entirely idiots here.


His recent comments on the 2 platforms doesnt indicate this stance. He basically said that the PS3 is marginally more powerful but the 360 is easier to harness and that each has its own faults and advantages (this is assuming that you werent refering to last gen). I believe that for some reason he is loyal to MS be it preferrence or some monetary compensation Im unsure.

He has made a few statements regarding his interest in the PS3 so far this gen.

[Domination]

if u re-read my post u ll notice im not saying he dislikes cg...quite the opposite...i m saying hes saying he has to use cg in some points, because next gen consoles can only reproduce slightly better than current gen gfx in real-time(doa4)....his statement falls when u see the amazing film-like gfx of motorstorm.heavenly sword,mgs4 or even tecmos ninja gaiden sigma...:-/

My mistake. It was a bit late. I was also in the middle of a search - no luck however.

[woundingchaney]

I never recalled Jaffe being this arrogant, not even on his worst days. But of course you might know something that I don't. :)


.
I think that is perhaps that we are comparing the 2 with different viewpoints Dom. :hugegrin:

[Domination]

His recent comments on the 2 platforms doesnt indicate this stance. He basically said that the PS3 is marginally more powerful but the 360 is easier to harness and that each has its own faults and advantages (this is assuming that you werent refering to last gen). I believe that for some reason he is loyal to MS be it preferrence or some monetary compensation Im unsure.

If he considers his rookie assistant to be the only reason for his work being ported to the console, it is without question that he wants nothing to do with it. ;)

[woundingchaney]

if u re-read my post u ll notice im not saying he dislikes cg...quite the opposite...i m saying hes saying he has to use cg in some points, because next gen consoles can only reproduce slightly better than current gen gfx in real-time(doa4)....his statement falls when u see the amazing film-like gfx of motorstorm.heavenly sword,mgs4 or even tecmos ninja gaiden sigma...:-/

Where does he say that next gen consoles are only able to produce slightly better visuals than last gen consoles???

[woundingchaney]

If he considers his rookie assistant to be the only reason for his work being ported to the console, it is without question that he wants nothing to do with it. ;)

LOL

Good point. I think hes more interested in his current work but I believe that he will develope multi-platform as the gen. progresses.

[Fazares]

Where does he say that next gen consoles are only able to produce slightly better visuals than last gen consoles???

doa4...he said its a great loking next gen game....give me vf5 if u want to give me a real next gen looking game:-)

[Domination]

LOL

Good point. I think hes more interested in his current work but I believe that he will develope multi-platform as the gen. progresses.

Maybe, but I'm not counting on it - never was, actually. :pleased:

[Fazares]

looking at ninja gaiden sigm gfx...i m starting to believe itagaki is the rookie and the cg scenes are done in real time...now...:lol.

[woundingchaney]

doa4...he said its a great loking next gen game....give me vf5 if u want to give me a real next gen looking game:-)

Well DOA4 was made using the old xbox engine but none the less it is a beautiful game.
I would agree though that VF5 is the better looking game.

[mario25]

I still can't say I care about Itagaki, but 1UP officially sucks.

I agree with the 1UP comment, and this laso applies to many internet videogame news sites (**cough...IGN....cough**).....the just need to let go of the hate a little bit.

[VG Aficionado]

I believe you mean interviewee.I do mean interviewer. My impression was that he seemed to be pro-360 somehow, and that he seemed to be puzzled or pissed at Itagaki saying good things about PS3.

[cpiasminc]

i'm saying hes saying he has to use cg in some points, because next gen consoles can only reproduce slightly better than current gen gfx in real-time(doa4)....his statement falls when u see the amazing film-like gfx of motorstorm.heavenly sword,mgs4 or even tecmos ninja gaiden sigma...:-/
For the types of graphics he tends to apply, that's probably true. Namely, he demands a lot of triangle throughput with a lot of attributes per vertex and a lot of pixel fillrate and not so much texel fillrate and very simplistic illumination models. Which is pretty what Xbox360 and PS3 both aren't particularly good at, especially if you compare it to last gen. Granted "not particularly good" on this scale is still higher overall throughput than last-gen, but nowhere near a really significant step up or a really good use of the hardware at hand.

Net vertex throughput limits on next-gen is certainly better than before, but it's actually a very small step up compared to last-gen (particularly Xbox). And it's not for lack of processing power -- it's just data throughput limits on the GPUs that make it suck. Granted, compared to the Xbox and PS2, the power to process vertices even in software is far greater than the number of vertices 360 or PS3 can move (which wasn't completely true on their predecessors), so it looks like a bigger differen than it really is.

Pixel fillrate, I can safely say, is a step down from previous gen. That is to say, that the fillrate with respect to resolution is worse than last-gen (particularly PS2)... and that's at 720p, btw.

[Metal Sphere]

Well DOA4 was made using the old xbox engine but none the less it is a beautiful game.
I would agree though that VF5 is the better looking game.

Oh, DOA4 isn't ugly by any stretch, it simply suffers in three big areas:

- Engine
Please make a new one for the console you're supposed to be behind 100% I hate seeing laziness like this from any developer, and Polyphony is doing some crap like this with GT.

- Art Direction
Anime inspired looks only go so far, and because you're basing yourself on a style that lives in the 2D realm and uses techniques that work well there, but don't translate into 3D easily, it gimps the final product. Note that this applies to the women in DOA more than anyone else.

- Animation
Good GOD. The combination of porcelain doll women, with the old engine and the horrible animation (clipping, unrealistic poses) do not help. It's a big reason why DOA4 falls flat on its face when put up against VF5, and why casuals would likely pick the latter over the former in terms of looks ("Ooh, that looks so real!").

[VG Aficionado]

- Engine
Please make a new one for the console you're supposed to be behind 100% I hate seeing laziness like this from any developer, and Polyphony is doing some crap like this with GT.GTHD's case is not comparable to that. A renewal of the series and a transition from GT4 to GT5 is going to be something so huge that Polyphony are simply offering a sneak preview of what GT5 is going to be just so that we have some new GT love to enjoy before we get the new one with the full package of additions, both in content and in terms of gameplay (car damage, weather effects, proper physics, etc.). GT5 won't arrive before 2008, so we either get this or we get nothing at all. At least they're not going to market it as an all-new game.

There's no way you can possibly call Polyphony lazy just by seeing what they've done in the past and keep on doing.

[Old_Timer!]

Polyphony one of the hardest working devs in the industry lazyyyyyyyy? I don't think so.

[Domination]

It took his team 6 months to make one car on the PS3 in comparison to 1 month on the PS2. :stunned: that's a lot of detail.

PolyPhony (http://forums.e-mpire.com/showthread.php?t=63295&page=11)