Itagaki Successor Yosuke Hayashi 'Didn't Want To Be Part Of Team Ninja'

In a new Gamasutra feature interview, the man in charge of Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive developer Team Ninja tells Gamasutra that he only joined the team due to pressure from former boss Tomonobu Itagaki. "When I first joined Tecmo, I didn't want to be a part of Team Ninja," Yosuke Hayashi told Gamasutra with a laugh. "But Itagaki-san talked to me, and kind of forced me into being part of Team Ninja, and that's the beginning of my journey within Team Ninja." "I realize now that not everything that happens in your life is your decision -- it's very much a creation of those around you as well. So that experience has been very valuable for growing." Hayashi, who led development of Metroid: Other M on the Team Ninja side, is currently in charge of Ninja Gaiden 3, due next March for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. He has made significant changes to the game as compared to its predecessor, Ninja Gaiden II. As for why he joined the industry in the first place, he said, "It's this love of games in general -- and Ninja Gaiden specifically -- that has led me to be here." The full feature, which contains more details about the work ethic of Team Ninja and Hayashi's plans for Ninja Gaiden 3, is live now on Gamasutra.