Overview
- Team Ninja announces exciting developments as it approaches its 30th anniversary.
- The studio has expanded its portfolio beyond Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, achieving success with soulslike RPGs such as Nioh and collaborations with Square Enix.
- Fans are eager to speculate about potential game releases in 2025 from Team Ninja.
Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja is poised to celebrate a significant milestone with its upcoming 30th anniversary. Renowned for its legendary hack-and-slash titles, Team Ninja has left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, primarily through franchises like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. Although the latter has not seen a mainline installment since 2019, Team Ninja’s creative ventures extend beyond these flagship series.
In recent years, the studio has embraced the action RPG genre, producing compelling soulslike games during the 2020s. Notably, the Nioh series showcases Team Ninja’s unique approach with its settings inspired by the Edo period. Collaborations with Square Enix have also yielded successful projects, including Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and the historically-themed Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. 2024 welcomed the release of the critically acclaimed Rise of the Ronin, a PlayStation 5 exclusive that further solidifies Team Ninja’s reputation. As we edge closer to 2025, the developer has hinted at exciting initiatives for the year ahead.
In a recent discussion captured by 4Gamer.net (as noted by Gematsu), Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja teased plans for the studio’s anniversary. While details remain scarce, Yasuda emphasized the intention to unveil projects “fitting for the occasion,”hinting at possible new entries in the beloved Dare or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises. “In 2025, Team Ninja will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion,”Yasuda stated.
Team Ninja’s 30th Anniversary Celebration
Recent announcements indicate that the Ninja Gaiden franchise is gearing up for a revitalization in 2025, marking its return during The Game Awards 2024 held in December. Teaming with Dot Emu, Team Ninja introduces Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new side-scrolling adventure that promises to merge the nostalgic challenge of classic 8-bit gameplay with modern dynamics reminiscent of its 3D predecessors. The franchise hasn’t seen a main entry since the divisive Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, released in 2014.
Meanwhile, the Dead or Alive series remains quiet, with its last main entry, Dead or Alive 6, released in 2019. In the absence of a new title, fans have experienced spin-offs like Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Scarlet and Venus Vacation Prism. Many enthusiasts are hopeful that this 30th anniversary will reignite interest in the Dead or Alive franchise, alongside calls for a resurgence of the Nioh series in some form.
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