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Tecmo sees 'opportunity' in expanding audience, pursuing women
Speaking to Edge, Tecmo's Quantum Theory development team had a few things to say about the Japanese game market, expanding its audience and, of course, Quantum Theory. According to producer Yasuo Egawa, the Japanese game market is shrinking, though the global gaming audience is expanding. "We've been trying to target customers who haven't bought Tecmo games before," says Egawa, "specifically women." Given Tecmo's offerings over the last few years, it's hard not to find that just a little hilarious.
Regarding Quantum Theory itself, the company sees the game as its "third pillar" alongside Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. Character designer Hiroyuki Yazaki notes that Quantum Theory is a departure from other shooters thanks to its AI-controlled female sidekick, Filena. Yazaki states that most shooters are "full of men; big, sweaty men," which lead Tecmo to design a "softer character" for the game. Yazaki adds, "We're Tecmo – we're good at female characters!" Again, just a little hilarious.
Regarding Quantum Theory itself, the company sees the game as its "third pillar" alongside Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. Character designer Hiroyuki Yazaki notes that Quantum Theory is a departure from other shooters thanks to its AI-controlled female sidekick, Filena. Yazaki states that most shooters are "full of men; big, sweaty men," which lead Tecmo to design a "softer character" for the game. Yazaki adds, "We're Tecmo – we're good at female characters!" Again, just a little hilarious.
More Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce media than you can shake a Dragon Sword at
New galleries give you a look at Fu Xi and the extra-beefy crossover ninja. And a new trailer (above) does what it can to get you pumped about Strikeforce, the Dynasty Warriors game with not only characters from other franchises, but giant tigers in it!
Gallery: Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Fu Xi)
Gallery: Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce (Ryu)
VC in Brief: Super Smash Bros. (N64) and Ninja Gaiden (Arcade)
- Super Smash Bros. (N64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points)
- Ninja Gaiden (Arcade, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points)
NintendoWare Weekly: Super Smash Bros., Ninja Gaiden, Dragon's Lair

European Nintendo downloads: My Zoo, Ninja Gaiden, Rock N' Roll Climber

The big draw for us is the arcade brawler version of Ninja Gaiden, which seems fresh to us after 20 years of dodging eagles in the NES game.
- My Zoo (WiiWare, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)
- Rock N' Roll Climber (WiiWare, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
- Ninja Gaiden (Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)
- A Little Bit Of .... Nintendo Touch Golf (DSiWare, 800 DSi Points)
Ninja Gaiden crosses over into ZEN Pinball
We're not sure how the ZEN Pinball team does it, but they've managed to create another crossover DLC table for the popular PSN pinball game. The follow-up to the Street Fighter table pays tribute to Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden series. The official details will be revealed on the PlayStation.Blog soon, but we're pretty sure it'll be similar to the last DLC offering.[Thanks, HeavyToka!]
Ninja Gaiden characters to appear in Dynasty Warriors, vice versa
Merged game companies rarely fuse their franchises together, but when the two partnered entities' action-genre focus overlaps as much as Koei and Tecmo's do, inter-brand cameos come naturally. That's why we weren't shocked to hear that Ninja Gaiden's Ryu Hayabusa and Warriors Orochi's Nu Wa would make appearances in the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, respectively, of Dynasty Warriors Multi Raid. In addition, Multi Raiid's Sun Shang Xiang and Zhao Yun will appear as costumes in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.
At this rate, we expect the many, many ninjas from Koei and Tecmo's respective properties will soon be thrown into a "ninja pool," which players of any their titles will be able to choose from. For the record, we're strong advocates for this ninja unionization. Fairer wages for our shiruken-slinging brethren!
At this rate, we expect the many, many ninjas from Koei and Tecmo's respective properties will soon be thrown into a "ninja pool," which players of any their titles will be able to choose from. For the record, we're strong advocates for this ninja unionization. Fairer wages for our shiruken-slinging brethren!
Video: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 interview (plus: screenshot comparisons)
Given an extra year of development, it's no wonder why the Sigma version of Ninja Gaiden 2 is so far improved over the original. The upcoming PS3 exclusive adds a ton of new features, ranging from awesome to downright ridiculous. GamesWire took screenshots of the original Xbox 360 Ninja Gaiden 2 and compared them with the new Sigma edition, noting, "The lighting and textures are just so much better this time around and there's much more detail to be seen now too."
Additionally, the PlayStation.blog took some time (10 minutes, actually) to show off the various features of Sigma. You'll get to see the Ultimate Ninpo in action, as well as an extended look at the new co-op mode -- and yes, you'll even see the franchise's notorious Game Over screen. Check that out after the break.
[Thanks, Jeremy B.!]
Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 Comparison
Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Interview and Walkthrough with Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi
Additionally, the PlayStation.blog took some time (10 minutes, actually) to show off the various features of Sigma. You'll get to see the Ultimate Ninpo in action, as well as an extended look at the new co-op mode -- and yes, you'll even see the franchise's notorious Game Over screen. Check that out after the break.
[Thanks, Jeremy B.!]
Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 - PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 Comparison
Source - Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Interview and Walkthrough with Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 demo hitting US PSN on Sept. 24

You'll shake your head at this Ninja Gaiden ad

[Thanks, Sean!]
Tecmo: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 demo in Japan September 17, news on other regions coming 'very soon'
Japanese news site Andriasang reported today that those anxious to wet their sword (or gigantic scythe) with demon blood in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 would get a chance through a demo on September 17. We wanted to find out when other regions would get the demo, as well as what would actually be in the demo (we're crossing our fingers for some booby bouncing co-op gameplay), so we hit up Tecmo.
A Tecmo representative said that, while the company plans to release a demo "very soon in the US, Europe and Japan," there's no guarantee the demo will hit regions outside Japan on September 17. Tecmo did say that we "should have news very, very soon." So, mark very, very soon on your calendars, kids. As for content, Tecmo remained tight-lipped.
While you wait on that demo, you can pass the time ogling the new screens in our gallery below:
A Tecmo representative said that, while the company plans to release a demo "very soon in the US, Europe and Japan," there's no guarantee the demo will hit regions outside Japan on September 17. Tecmo did say that we "should have news very, very soon." So, mark very, very soon on your calendars, kids. As for content, Tecmo remained tight-lipped.
While you wait on that demo, you can pass the time ogling the new screens in our gallery below:
Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (9/11/09)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 ad takes a stab at liberty
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 has the breast use of SIXAXIS ever
Ever since the fall of Lair, Sony has been reluctant to tout the SIXAXIS functionality of the PS3 wireless controller. It's no longer a marketing bullet point, and even if developers offer support for motion control, it's usually turn off as a default. (Most recently, Batman: Arkham Asylum let players use SIXAXIS to control Batman's glide.)
While other developers ignore the SIXAXIS, Team Ninja isn't afraid to highlight its unique implementation of motion controls. In the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma game, players were able to cast magic by shaking the controller violently. This time around, the shaking has an entirely different (but equally important!) effect. You probably should have figured it out from the headline and IGN's cleverly constructed image. If not, there's a video after the break.
[Thanks, Sean!]
While other developers ignore the SIXAXIS, Team Ninja isn't afraid to highlight its unique implementation of motion controls. In the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma game, players were able to cast magic by shaking the controller violently. This time around, the shaking has an entirely different (but equally important!) effect. You probably should have figured it out from the headline and IGN's cleverly constructed image. If not, there's a video after the break.
[Thanks, Sean!]
ESRB reveals Ninja Gaiden, Rygar, Solomon's Key on Virtual Console Arcade

Tecmo isn't stopping with Gaiden, either: further ESRB listings have appeared for arcade versions of both Rygar and Solomon's Key (which will be released in Japan next week). Oddly, the company's other upcoming Japanese VC release, Bomb Jack, is absent from the ESRB list.
At the very least, we can all be happy that these are video games that someone wants to release on the Virtual Console.
[Via Siliconera]
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 limited edition is HMV exclusive in Europe

Europe's version includes one thing the American release doesn't: a complete soundtrack. Other than that, it's identical -- right down to the exclusivity to a single retailer. The Sigma 2 limited edition will only be sold at HMV, for £39.99, though Tecmo's announcement says the RRP is £49.99.













