Tecmo sent Wired.com a email saying that Team Ninja is intact after Itagaki's departure and already have several new projects going on. But it looks like Itagaki leaving is already hurting Tecmo. It'll be interesting to see what Tecmo does in the future.

Team Ninja, the Tecmo internal game development group that created the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series, will soldier on after the resignation of Tomonobu Itagaki, representatives of the company said today.

"Team Ninja... is intact and, as a matter of fact, have several new projects already underway. Team Ninja is, more than ever, committed to producing compelling and cutting edge games in order to maintain its reputation as a high quality developer and to continue to receive the support of its loyal fans," said the company in a statement emailed to Wired.com.

Of course, we don't know exactly who will stay on at Team Ninja and who will follow Itagaki to whatever he ends up doing next. So while the name will remain the same, the personnel could be quite different in short order. Time will tell. For now, the full statement is below.

quote Team Ninja

Most importantly, Tecmo, LTD. would like to assure its loyal fans that Team NINJA, known for its top selling and critically acclaimed "Ninja Gaiden" and "Dead or Alive" franchises, is intact and, as a matter of fact, have several new projects already underway. Team NINJA is, more than ever, committed to producing compelling and cutting edge games in order to maintain its reputation as a high quality developer and to continue to receive the support of its loyal fans.

tyranitar24 via blog.wired.com »