Phil Spencer Revives Ninja Gaiden Franchise

Team Ninja producer Fumihiko Yasuda has revealed that the studio has been eager to develop a new installment in the Ninja Gaiden series for quite some time. However, they struggled to finalize a concept that felt right. The project gained momentum when Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma and PlatinumGames head Atsushi Inaba began discussing it. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, then stepped in and suggested a collaboration between the three companies to bring the vision to life.

Spencer disclosed that conversations about a potential sequel had been ongoing since 2017, following his initial discussions with Team Ninja. After years of deliberation, they identified PlatinumGames as the ideal partner, given their expertise in crafting fast-paced action titles like Bayonetta and NieR: Automata.

Last week, the gaming community was thrilled with the announcement of Ninja Gaiden 4. Alongside this, a remastered version of the acclaimed Xbox 360 game, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, was unexpectedly released for Xbox, PS5, and PC.

The debut trailer for Ninja Gaiden 4 showcases Ryu Hayabusa, the iconic ninja protagonist, leading the charge in this action-packed adventure. The gameplay trailer hints at innovative mechanics unique to this installment, such as swift movement through areas using wires and rails, adding a fresh dynamic to the series.

While DOOM: The Dark Ages stole the spotlight at Developer_Direct, Ninja Gaiden 4 was another major highlight, captivating fans of Koei Tecmo's beloved franchise. The game is slated for release in the fall of 2025, promising an exciting addition to the action gaming landscape.