Team Ninja's 30th Anniversary: Big Plans on the Horizon

Team Ninja, the Koei Tecmo subsidiary famed for its action-packed franchises like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, has hinted at significant projects to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2025. Beyond these iconic series, the studio has also garnered success with soulslike RPGs such as the Nioh series and collaborations with Square Enix (Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty). The recent release of Rise of the Ronin further solidified their position in the action RPG market.

In a recent interview, Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja alluded to upcoming releases designed to befitting of this milestone anniversary. While details remain scarce, speculation centers on potential new entries in the Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden series. Yasuda simply stated, "In 2025, Team Ninja will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion."

Team Ninja's 2025 Possibilities:

The anticipation is palpable, especially given the recent announcement at The Game Awards 2024. A new side-scrolling Ninja Gaiden title, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, is in development, merging classic 8-bit gameplay with modern enhancements. This marks a significant return for the franchise after the divisive Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z in 2014.

Meanwhile, fans eagerly await news regarding the Dead or Alive franchise, which hasn't seen a mainline release since 2019's Dead or Alive 6. The possibility of a new entry, or perhaps further development of the Nioh series, adds to the excitement surrounding Team Ninja's 30th-anniversary celebrations. The coming year promises exciting reveals from this influential game developer.