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

Team Ninja, the Koei Tecmo subsidiary renowned for franchises like Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, has hinted at significant projects to commemorate its 30th anniversary in 2025. While famous for its action-packed titles, the studio has also expanded into the soulslike RPG genre with the successful 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 showcases their diverse portfolio.

According to Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja (via 4Gamer.net and Gematsu), the studio aims to launch titles befitting this milestone anniversary. Although specifics remain undisclosed, speculation centers on potential revivals or new entries within the Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden franchises. 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 among fans.

Team Ninja's 2025 Possibilities:

The recent announcement of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound at The Game Awards 2024 offers a glimpse into their plans. This side-scrolling title will blend classic 8-bit gameplay with modern enhancements, bridging the gap between the series' origins and its 3D iterations. The last mainline Ninja Gaiden entry was 2014's Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.

The Dead or Alive franchise, last updated with Dead or Alive 6 in 2019, is another strong contender for a significant anniversary release. While recent years have seen spin-offs, fans eagerly await a new mainline entry. Similarly, the Nioh series remains a popular candidate for a potential sequel or expansion.

The coming year promises exciting developments from Team Ninja as they celebrate three decades of game development. The studio's commitment to delivering "titles fitting for the occasion" suggests significant releases are in store for fans in 2025.