DOA4 delay defended

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:40 pm PT

Tecmo's Tomonobu Itagaki says postponement was necessary to maintain balance in online gameplay; more details on game released.

Though Tecmo has confirmed the delay to Dead or Alive 4, the company has chosen not to give too many details as to the reasons behind the later release date, which has yet to be set.

The latest issues of Famitsu Xbox 360 and Dorimaga, however, give some insight into possible causes. The two magazines feature interviews with the game's producer, Tomonobu Itagaki, conducted before news of the delay was confirmed.

Itagaki told Dorimaga that at the time, DOA4 was already 95 percent complete, but there were still some system tune-ups and game balance issues that needed work. Since DOA4 is being created with a focus on online play, Itagaki indicated he wanted the game fully balanced before it left his hands.

He told the magazine the "last five percent is the most crucial point in development," and that the team was working around the clock to make sure the game was released in perfect condition.

In Famitsu Xbox 360, Itagaki commented that while many developers choose to release their games in an unfinished form and distribute patches afterwards, it's a methodology he despises. However, that doesn't mean that the team won't release its own patches after the game's release if needed.

Itagaki also confirmed for Famitsu Xbox 360 that DOA4 will feature a total of 22 characters, including Elena, Genfu, Ein, Leon, Tengu, and Spartan 458, a guest character from Bungie Studios' Halo.

When asked about how the collaboration with Bungie came about, Itagaki revealed that he kicked off the relationship around the time when Halo 2 and Ninja Gaiden were being developed. Itagaki said he often gets collaboration offers from other studios, but this was the first time he reached out and requested such an arrangement.

His said his developers are working on Spartan 458 with "the same care" they put into the game's original characters. Itagaki debunked rumors that Spartan 458 plays identically to Bayman, commenting that she will be a speedy character that's easier to control.

In terms of other characters, Itagaki said that Elena isn't selectable from the start. Players will need to clear the game with 16 other characters in order to unlock Elena. Beating the game with her will lead to a "grand finale," which Itagaki calls the "true ending" to DOA4.

For gamers still in need of closure, Itagaki also revealed that Ayane was the winner of DOA3 in terms of the series' storyline.

34 Comments

  • ewjim

    Posted Dec 5, 2005 5:40 am PT

    I think anybody can wait... untill it's too long!

  • muertebringer

    Posted Dec 5, 2005 1:01 am PT

    itagaki is a smart dude he knows what he is doing i trust him. i just need a 360 games right now where i can punch or kick someone

  • hbkforever

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 9:54 pm PT

    hey, i thought zack won the doa3 tournament!!!

  • ranger_waha

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 6:08 pm PT

    Can't wait to play the game, ultimate's graphics rocked!

  • ac2565

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 1:20 pm PT

    MMRHC if u hate the game dont post about it read about and stop complainging

  • MWRHC

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 12:39 pm PT

    Doa4 is stupid. I'ts just a bunch of bikini-clad stick figures woopin giant macho men. It is just wrong.

  • Sabre_05

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 10:41 am PT

    i'll wait tecmo. I'll wait because after playing these "shells" of nba live and madden i am in need of a "finished" game.

    GO DOA4!

  • thekey

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 8:01 am PT

    snarple_basic
    Probaly (it will stay exsclusive) since the Ninja Gaiden series was never popular in Japan and the fact that Microsoft has them(Team Ninja)in there pockets.

    It shouldn't come out for PS3 in retaliation for Virtua Fighter 4(giving the XBOX 1 the stiff arm treatment)/different company same senerio.

  • Zerocool_THWC

    Posted Dec 4, 2005 3:52 am PT

    then what are you doin here bro?

  • darth_rage

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 10:58 pm PT

    i dont care. i don own a xbox

  • jjenkins78

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 7:45 am PT

    Take all the time you need Team Ninja Man!

  • GunslingerMan

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 3:36 am PT

    Just give the reason we all know what it is ... it's not going to be out for 2005 .

  • jtvance

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 1:49 am PT

    DOA4 was NEVER promised for the 360 launch. Everyone just ASSUMED it was. We were all told "launch window" which microsoft made VERY clear was the 90 days following launch.

    Anyways, back to the game...I hope Ein is in this one...he was the **** in the other games. I say take your time, a formal release date was NEVER announced to I assumed from the get go that this game would be delayed based on itagaki and team ninja's reputation that would be at stake if the game were buggy or incomplete. I'm just waiting for ninja gaiden 2 to be honest. Probably won't see it until the end of 2007 or sometime on 2008, but it will be worth every bit of the wait.

  • Kempatsu_basic

    Posted Dec 3, 2005 12:13 am PT

    god you know - its like...i understand the delay. but i dont at the sametime. a lot of promises were broken on this lineup for the 360 launch.

  • Atomic_Mutant

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 7:38 pm PT

    Who cares? Did anyone ask you to clarify the reason? I couldn't care less.

  • Enigma2K99

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 6:46 pm PT

    If Bayman still makes no return, to hell with Itagaki... he brings back everyone else, makes a clone of Kasumi, and swaps Bayman for the lame Leon....

  • devilscry

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 5:02 pm PT

    As far as i'm concerned, this is the one Must have game for me and my 360, so take your time and make that beauty shine. i can wait...i am anyway for my 360 hehe

  • RyanSaotome

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 5:01 pm PT

    I remember the Game Informer preview called Helena "Elena" as well... and another preview on a different website called her "Elena". It sounds like they must have changed her name or something.

  • mutenpika

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 4:20 pm PT

    Tengu is here again! I never actually got to play as him (Started with the series at DOA 3), I'm glad they're bringing back characters.

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 4:14 pm PT

    Nah, he's from Virtua Fighter.

  • GrayfoxMGS123

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 3:32 pm PT

    Is Ayane from ninja gaiden?

  • wiafs02

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 3:12 pm PT

    another game for me

  • mezonesxbox

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 3:05 pm PT

    No, Problem! Sounds good as long as we get a great game, make it greater YeaHH!! Oh! and Itagaki DONt HOLD BACK!! on doaX of course....

  • Foggen

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 2:45 pm PT

    As a note: that's Helena with the "true ending", not Elena.

  • 4esth

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:49 pm PT

    I would hate them to release this with bugs in the multiplayer functionality. I don't mind them pushing it back. I've got PDZ and COD 2 to play

  • Double_Zeta

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:42 pm PT

    Itagaki is a perfectionist, and I admire that from a developer. Take all the time you need good sir, I don't mind waiting. The Spartan character, while I am excited that there is another Spartan, when by Bungie's logic there aren't any other Spartans, when the books, claimed to be "official" by Bungie say there are others. Oh well, enough ranting, good to see another Spartan. Cairo Station? Not particularly excited considering what a disappointment Halo 2 was.

  • bdub20791

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:34 pm PT

    i cant wait to play at cairo station...

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:32 pm PT

    Yea this will be cool when it comes out, i wondering if there going to stay exclusive to Xbox 360 once the ps3 comes out.

  • Pickles16

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:07 pm PT

    i can understand waiting for it to be better, but i need my HALO fix

  • RoC1981

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:04 pm PT

    Dont hurry take your time, we dont want a cheap not finish DOA....

  • gbartl00

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 1:03 pm PT

    Would prefer to wait for a complete and polished product than something half-finished with balance issues. I don't believe the delay is going to be that long anyway.

  • supermario-2000

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:58 pm PT

    Take all the time you need Tecmo! Just don't let it fall into Duke Nukem status!

  • Eribuster_basic

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:55 pm PT

    Elena? Don't you mean Helena?

  • Hannibal222

    Posted Dec 2, 2005 12:51 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

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