Team Ninja's 30th Anniversary: Big Plans on the Horizon
Team Ninja, the Koei Tecmo subsidiary famed for Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, is hinting at significant releases to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2025. Beyond its flagship franchises, the studio's recent successes include the Nioh series and collaborations with Square Enix (Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty), showcasing its versatility in action RPGs. The 2024 release of Rise of the Ronin further solidified its position in the action RPG market.
According to Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja, speaking in a 4Gamer.net interview (as reported by Gematsu), the studio aims to launch titles befitting this milestone anniversary. While details remain scarce, speculation naturally centers on potential new entries in the Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden series. Yasuda's statement, "In 2025, Team Ninja will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion," fuels anticipation amongst fans.
Team Ninja's 2025 Possibilities:
The announcement of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound at The Game Awards 2024 already confirms one significant release. This side-scrolling title promises a nostalgic return to the series' 8-bit roots, while incorporating modern gameplay elements. This follows the divisive 2014 entry, Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.
The future of the Dead or Alive franchise remains less certain. The last mainline entry, Dead or Alive 6, launched in 2019, with subsequent releases limited to spin-offs. Many fans are hopeful for a new mainline entry to coincide with the anniversary. Similarly, the possibility of a new Nioh installment is also a topic of much fan discussion.
The upcoming year promises exciting developments from Team Ninja, with the potential for long-awaited sequels or new IP to mark this important anniversary.
