Team Ninja Hints at 30th Anniversary Celebrations

Summary

• Team Ninja teases big plans for its 30th anniversary.
• Beyond Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, the studio has developed other successful soulslike RPGs, including the Nioh series and collaborations with Square Enix.
• Fans speculate what releases could be coming in 2025 from Team Ninja.

Koei Tecmo's Team Ninja studio is gearing up for a significant milestone as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. As a subsidiary of Koei Tecmo, Team Ninja has carved a niche in the gaming world with its renowned hack-and-slash action games, most notably the Ninja Gaiden series. Another flagship title from the studio, the Dead or Alive fighting game series, has not seen a new mainline entry since 2019, leaving fans eager for more.

In recent years, Team Ninja has expanded its portfolio to include action-packed soulslike RPGs. The Nioh series, set during Japan's Edo period, has been a standout success. The studio's collaboration with Square Enix on Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, and the release of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, inspired by Chinese mythology, have further showcased their prowess in the genre. Additionally, 2024 marked the launch of the critically acclaimed PlayStation 5 exclusive, Rise of the Ronin. As we approach 2025, Team Ninja has hinted at exciting plans for its anniversary year.

In an interview with 4Gamer.net, as reported by Gematsu, Team Ninja's Fumihiko Yasuda shared insights into the studio's ambitions for 2025. Yasuda emphasized the team's desire to release titles that honor the studio's 30th anniversary, although he remained cryptic about specific projects. Speculation is rife that Team Ninja might unveil new entries or significant updates to their iconic franchises, such as Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden. "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 Potential Plans in 2025

The excitement around Ninja Gaiden has been reignited with the announcement of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound at The Game Awards 2024. This new side-scrolling entry, developed in collaboration with Dot Emu, promises to merge the classic 8-bit gameplay and challenging difficulty of the series with modern enhancements reminiscent of its 3D counterparts. The last mainline Ninja Gaiden game, Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, released in 2014, was a divisive title that took the series in a zombie-themed direction.

Meanwhile, the Dead or Alive series, which last saw a mainline entry with Dead or Alive 6 in 2019, has been kept alive through spin-offs like Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 Scarlet and Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme. Fans are hopeful that Team Ninja will revisit this beloved fighting game franchise for its 30th anniversary. Additionally, there is a strong desire among fans for new developments in the Nioh series.

As Team Ninja prepares to mark its 30th year, the gaming community eagerly anticipates what the studio has in store. Whether it's new installments in their established franchises or innovative projects, Team Ninja's plans for 2025 are sure to be a fitting tribute to their legacy.