Despite former Team Ninja boss Tomonobu Itagaki having previously stated that Ninja Gaiden II would be the final entry in the series, in an interview published today on Kikizo, the new leader of Tecmo’s elite Team Ninja development studio, Yosuke Hayashi, revealed that they do have plans to add another title.

“What the gamers are looking for is going to be the next chapter – the future of an outstanding series. We feel that we’re in a position of being able to make that call… That calling is already there – we feel it,” Hayashi stated.

In addition, he revealed that they are thinking of shipping the sequel, or whatever, for as a dual-platform, meaning for both the 360 and PlayStation 3.

Hayashi stated that after Sigma 2, rather than do a 360 version of it, “we’re going to have to push ourselves to the next level, and we are better off giving both audiences an entirely new game. ”

Despite trying to keep the bag closed, the cat been roaming around for a while now, and even if it was revealed in a recent issue of Famitsu. The game hasn’t been officially announced yet by Tecmo, that was until GDC.

When standing in front of a area filled with game journalists, director Yosuke Hayashi officially announced that Tecmo is busy working on the PS3 version of Ninja Gaiden II, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

Sigma 2 will feature online co-op play, with Ryu being able to team up with either of his female companions - Ayane from Dead or Alive, and Momiji from Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword. However, Hayashi explained that online play would not feature player-versus-player combat.

He also revealed that all the extra content in Sigma wouldn’t be made available for the 360, but he admitted that Team Ninja was also considereng downloadable content for the game on the PS3.

[Tecmo announces Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3 (officially) via ArsTechnica]

Update: When taking a closer look at the scan, we found that there was also was the mention of the PlayStation Network. So it maybe coming to the PlayStation Network also – to download.

Original: I guest you should stop wondering what Tecmo’s special announcement is going to be, in the latest issue of  ‘a Japanese gaming magazine’, which means its Famitsu, it revealed the development of Ninja Gaiden Σ II.

According to Famitsu, the game is coming exclusively to the PlayStation 3 and it will not be a port – just like its predecessor. The game will be directed and produced by Yosuke Hayashi, director of the first Ninja Gaiden Σ, and supported by Team Ninja. However, Ninja Gaiden II was designed by Tomonobu Itagaki, who has since left Team Ninja – I think I’ll skip on the details.

Ninja Gaiden Σ II offers lots of new features and new content, which include new weapons, new bosses, and a exclusive playable character ~ Rachel. They also revealed that the game will be revealed in next weeks issue of Famitsu. Also the game will be out autumn of this year.

Well, no one saw this one coming. According to Kotaku, at 1pm Japan Time today, Square Enix will be outlining its plans for a friendly takeover Tecmo, which is having some trouble at this time. The Square Enix takeover should help the company gain a stronger foothold in the U.S. market with popular Tecmo titles like the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive. This can also help Square Enix with their heavily dependent on RPGs.

This isn’t the first time Square Enix has moved in on a beleaguered company. In August 2005, Square Enix acquired Taito and wholly owned the company as a subsidiary by September 2005.

Two great new Ninja Gaiden II trailers, Ninja Gaiden II is an upcoming sequel to Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox 360, due for release in June 2008. It is being developed by Team Ninja and published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox 360. This is the first time that a Team Ninja developed game will not be published by Tecmo.

[Text Source via Wiki]