NINJA GAIDEN Series Revived

[T0@st]

When you ask fans, "What's the quintessential action game?" the NINJA GAIDEN series is one of the legendary names that is guaranteed a mention. With roots as far back as the original 1988 arcade game NINJA GAIDEN (Ninja Ryukenden in Japan), the series has captivated fans in various forms over the years, from 2D to 3D, with its focus on swift traversal, eye-catching swordplay, and ninjutsu techniques, all jam-packed into exhilarating action gameplay.

In particular, the Xbox version of NINJA GAIDEN, released on Xbox consoles in 2004, stood out for its smooth controls and elegant action, earning its place as a revolutionary action game. The series' biggest allure lies in deeply satisfying and challenging battles featuring its iconic lead character, master ninja Ryu Hayabusa. The NINJA GAIDEN series has gained a reputation for being notoriously difficult, but with a near-unmatched sense of accomplishment upon clearing levels and defeating bosses that drives players to persevere. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Team NINJA, the studio behind the majority of these iconic titles, has declared 2025 to be "The Year of the Ninja."




In a surprise announcement during today's Developer_Direct, fans were thrilled to see the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4, a brand-new mainline entry that arrives in Fall this year after a 13-year hiatus (co-developed with legendary action studio PlatinumGames), alongside the surprise release of NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, a remaster of the classic 2008 game. We were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team NINJA and NINJA GAIDEN 4 producer at Koei Tecmo Games, as well as Yuji Nakao, NINJA GAIDEN 4's producer and director from PlatinumGames, to learn much more about this long-awaited new chapter for NINJA GAIDEN.

A New NINJA GAIDEN World Unveiled
While the series has been beloved for almost four decades, the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 marks the first new mainline entry in 13 years. When asked about the long gap—spanning two Xbox console generations—Yasuda expressed Team NINJA's long-standing desire to bring the series back. "Fans have long been asking us for a new NINJA GAIDEN game," he said. "Koei Tecmo's President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames' CEO, Atsushi Inaba, share a close relationship, which led us to explore a collaborative development effort. PlatinumGames had the expertise we felt was ideal for working on NINJA GAIDEN, and with support from Microsoft's Phil-san [Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming], the three companies were able to take the next step towards creating a brand-new NINJA GAIDEN."

Appearing for the first time in the Developer_Direct broadcast, and published by Xbox Game Studios, NINJA GAIDEN 4 is positioned as the direct sequel to NINJA GAIDEN 3. While maintaining the dark and gritty world that the series is known for, players will take on the role of a new protagonist, Yakumo. "A significant amount of time has passed since NINJA GAIDEN 3, and players will find themselves arriving in a gruesomely transformed Tokyo. One of the key themes of this story is the return of the Dark Dragon, which has plunged the city into chaos. Within these unsettling conditions, Yakumo will have to face off against his foes, as well as the formidable Master Ninja himself, Ryu Hayabusa," Nakao explained.

When asked why a new protagonist was introduced, Nakao clarified that "since it's been a while since the last game, we wanted a new hero to make the series more approachable for new players. Of course, we also wanted long-time fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a significant role in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo. Ryu will appear throughout the game and be playable, ensuring his prowess and presence is deeply felt in NINJA GAIDEN 4."



Overcoming Adversity in NINJA GAIDEN 4
In the Developer_Direct trailer, the new protagonist, Yakumo, shows off stylish new mechanics which include traversal using wires and rails, something new for a NINJA GAIDEN title. When asked about the addition of these elements, Nakao revealed one of the game's core themes: "Adversity is a key concept for this game. From the beginning to the end of each stage and even in the transitions between, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo." First and foremost, that adversity will come in the form of NINJA GAIDEN's signature combat, but Nakao explains that these new additions outside of the fights keeps that feeling high at all times: "To maintain the tension throughout, we've added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge."

The announcement footage also depicted a rain-soaked, cyberpunk-like Tokyo, leaving a strong impression to those who watched the trailer. "In NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted to blend old and new elements. Tokyo in this game has been drastically transformed by the influence of the underworld., which is why it appears this way," Nakao explained, elaborating on the Dark Dragon's miasma rain, as well as the disasters it has caused. "Rain is a major visual theme in this game. For example, we've put a lot of effort into how characters look when drenched, how raindrops hit the ground, and various other effects." These visual motifs stay true to the signature dark, hardcore atmosphere of the series while bringing new flavor to its visual direction.

Nakao also touched on the game's anticipated difficulty. "We've brought together the best aspects of the series and elevated them for the current generation. Personally, I believe [the difficulty level of] NINJA GAIDEN 2 had a lot of standout qualities, and I think fans will feel its influence strongly throughout NINJA GAIDEN 4."

After such a long break between games, it's paramount that the team balances what's great about the series, while adding new ideas. Despite the daunting challenges, the collaboration between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames promises an unparalleled NINJA GAIDEN experience.

"One of the key differences between modern action games and NINJA GAIDEN lies in the sense of fairness when confronting enemies," Nakao said, explaining the series' unique game balance philosophy. "Enemies are designed to be masters of defense and experts of unrelenting aggression, but players never feel they're at an unfair disadvantage. There's a sense of balance that's been passed down through the series, transcending current-day trends."

"The rapid shifts between offense and defense, the almost fighting game-like 1v1 combat—you'll see these elements evolve in NINJA GAIDEN 4. At the same time, we've ensured that returning players will immediately feel at home when they pick up the game," he concluded.



A True Successor
When asked about the challenges involved in achieving the fairness that defines the NINJA GAIDEN series, Nakao shared his thoughts with a laugh.

"If I were to go into detail about the feel of the action, we'd be here for quite a while (laughs). In all NINJA GAIDEN titles, a delicate balance is carefully crafted to maintain the satisfaction of attacking enemies without losing the speed and exhilaration that define the gameplay. I remember struggling with the fine adjustments required to achieve the right feel when we first started implementing and testing the systems. Additionally, when we brought Ryu Hayabusa into NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted long-time fans to experience the exact same enjoyable gameplay feel they've come to expect. We had numerous discussions with Team NINJA to fine-tune the mechanics and ensure everything felt just right."

Yasuda also added that "when it comes to gameplay feel, Team NINJA was deeply involved. Fairness in combat with enemies is only possible when ultimate playability is a given. To achieve that, we pushed for even deeper refinement of controls and other aspects. I know it probably seemed like we were being a bit too demanding at times…(laughs)." This collaboration across company lines was crucial to creating the next ultimate NINJA GAIDEN experience.

One of the standout features of NINJA GAIDEN 4, which embodies the series' experience while introducing fresh elements, is Yakumo's "Bloodraven Form." Nakao described this as "a technique that manipulates the blood of oneself and enemies, transforming it into a massive weapon capable of slicing through multiple foes at once." He elaborated further on how this addition expands upon the series' traditional gameplay.

"Yakumo fights using Bloodraven Form, and when certain conditions are met, he can unleash a move called 'Bloodbath Kill,' which instantly bisects enemies in one strike." Nakao explains that, while previous entries have tasked players with working out how to approach encounters with multiple enemies, and NINJA GAIDEN 4 is introducing another exhilarating way to fight against swarming crowds: "This time we've added large-scale, high-damage attacks with the Bloodraven Form, enabling players to instantly turn the tide of battle in their favor."



This system introduces moments of release from overwhelming situations, offering new depth to the gameplay that Nakao hopes both newcomers and returning fans will enjoy.

Both Team NINJA and PlatinumGames are known for their expertise in high-end action games. According to Nakao, the process of creating NINJA GAIDEN 4 revealed the unique strengths and characteristics of each studio.

"Looking at the titles created by PlatinumGames, we noticed clear differences in approach. While we emphasize flashy, impactful strikes and moment-to-moment experiences, the NINJA GAIDEN series focuses on delivering refined and satisfying gameplay feel, culminating in an exceptionally polished overall action experience. This collaboration was a truly unique learning opportunity for us at PlatinumGames."

When asked about the significance of bringing NINJA GAIDEN 4 to Xbox, Yasuda reflected on Team NINJA's long history with the platform.

"With titles like the Dead or Alive series and the NINJA GAIDEN series—especially the original NINJA GAIDEN, NINJA GAIDEN Black, and NINJA GAIDEN 2—we have a deep history with Xbox. It's been a long time, but we're thrilled to bring the latest installment back to Xbox players. Additionally, with the game being added to Game Pass, we're excited that more people will have the opportunity to experience it."

Nakao, who became a fan of the series during his days as a student, also shared his excitement. "Personally, I played NINJA GAIDEN 2 on Xbox 360, so being able to play the latest installment on Xbox again makes me very happy. Even now, I occasionally boot up NINJA GAIDEN 2 on my Xbox Series X. As a developer and a fan, I'm thrilled to see the NINJA GAIDEN series come together on Xbox, creating a moment in time where all these titles can be enjoyed in one place."



"The Year of the Ninja" Has Just Begun: Play NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Starting Today
During Developer_Direct, fans were not only treated to the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 but also received the exciting surprise that NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is available today on Game Pass. We asked Yasuda about the process behind this project and the updates made to the game.

"This simultaneous announcement and same-day release alongside NINJA GAIDEN 4 might have caught some people by surprise," he began. "The biggest reason for developing NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black was to address the concerns of core fans who might be wondering, 'What's going to happen to Ryu Hayabusa?' We also wanted to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4. We chose NINJA GAIDEN 2 because it stands as one of the most solid action games in the series. We added 'Black' to the title to signal to fans that this is the definitive version, much like NINJA GAIDEN Black was for the first game."

Yasuda also shared that the idea for NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black came from fan feedback received during the release of NINJA GAIDEN Master Collection in 2021. Many fans expressed a desire to experience something closer to the original NINJA GAIDEN 2. Speaking about the Unreal Engine-powered remaster, Yasuda reassured fans, "This version is crafted to satisfy both those who played the original and newcomers discovering it as a current-generation action game. We've meticulously incorporated some of the additions of NINJA GAIDEN Sigma 2 while staying true to the challenge and feel of the original 360 version, including its signature gore and violence. We've also adjusted the weapon upgrade system to more align with the original release."

Closing Remarks
In 2025, a year that marks Team NINJA's 30th anniversary, the aptly titled "Year of the Ninja" was kicked off in grand fashion with the announcements made during Developer_Direct. As stealthy and precise as the ninjas they've brought to life, Team NINJA's Yasuda and PlatinumGames' Nakao both shared their heartfelt thoughts as the interview drew to a close.

Yuji Nakao, PlatinumGames:

• "I'm incredibly grateful that we were able to announce NINJA GAIDEN 4. As a huge fan of the NINJA GAIDEN series myself, this is a truly exciting moment. The game is currently about 70-80% complete, and we've entered the polishing phase. We'll continue to work closely with Team NINJA, ensuring every detail meets the expectations of fans. There's more information coming that will help you understand just how fun and exciting this game is, so please stay tuned. As both a fan and a developer, I'll do my utmost to deliver an experience that satisfies everyone."

Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team NINJA, Koei Tecmo Games:

• "I want to thank fans who have patiently waited for the return of the series. Their passion was the driving force behind the development of NINJA GAIDEN 4 and our collaboration with PlatinumGames. I'm thrilled that we were finally able to make this announcement and hope it brings joy to our fans. We'll continue working hard to meet your expectations. NINJA GAIDEN 4 is an action game at heart, and we are looking into ways to give you opportunities to get hands-on experience, so please stay tuned."

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[Easy Rhino]

I played the original Ninja Gaiden for NES when I was 8. I rage quit after the first level.

 

[eidairaman1]

I wonder how many times Ninja Gaiden was used in the first post, I lost track.

Anyways I wonder if characters like Hayate, Kasumi and Ayane will be playable in a game like this since Tecmo abandoned the Dead Or Alive fans.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

I played the original Ninja Gaiden for NES when I was 8. I rage quit after the first level.

My man! I beat all three on the NES and the one on the Gameboy! The 3d ones suck. The OG ones were bonkers. Pro tip for the first. You want the spin slash. It is so broken you can sort of skate through the game (damn birds!). Most bosses are pretty much two hits... if that. It does not get hard (boss wise) till you have malth and the the end game and even then it's not all that. For Gaiden 2 NES you can bullshit trap most bosses with the clones and then just lock them. Three, that gets odd. Continues are limited and the four health bar heat starts real fast. But it still has a few outs. The first is the god sword upgrade which doubles range and you don't have to duck or target vertically. The next is that the firewhell (as in 2) is summonable and you also get "vacume blade" which is close to it. You're never not out of reach of one or the other. So the target method is to just upgrade to god blade right off the bat and then bounce wheel and vacume till you crash through it.

 

[Onasi]

Meh. Itagaki-led games are still the peak of the series. We’ll see, but beating Black and the OG release of 2 will be hard. Still, nothing can be as bad as the original 3 and Yaiba, right?

 

[FierceRed]

(Ninja Gaiden 2 Black's) Camera still bad though. Wish they'd fixed that as well as putting it into UE5.

 

[silapakorn]

I tried NG2 Black. My 4080super could not achieve 4K60 at max setting, despite the image quality is only slightly better than the original.

Also they cut some of the mini bosses from Sigma, which is a shame.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

I tried NG2 Black. My 4080super could not achieve 4K60 at max setting, despite the image quality is only slightly better than the original.

Also they cut some of the mini bosses from Sigma, which is a shame.

3d gaiden is noob gaiden

 

[Knight47]

Tecmo abandoned the Dead Or Alive fans.

They are milking their DOA fans dry with gacha game Dead or Alive Xtreme Venus Vacation and dating sim Venus Vacation PRISM - Dead or Alive Xtreme.

 

[enya64]

Just finished NG 2 Black 20 minutes ago. Most fun I've had with an action game in years. Black Myth Wukong was good, but this took me back to when action games were peak perfection. It was so good I had to start a new game on a higher difficulty with the unlocked costumes. Game Pass came through on PC. I'll purchase it on the 1st sale.

I hope NG 4 isn't censored in anyway because Microsoft is publishing the title. I know Platinum is developing it, but with all of Microsoft's goofy DEI sensitivity mandates in all of their current products I wouldn't put it past them to give the women the body of a 13 year old boy and the chin of a hardened army vet.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Just finished NG 2 Black 20 minutes ago. Most fun I've had with an action game in years. Black Myth Wukong was good, but this took me back to when action games were peak perfection. It was so good I had to start a new game on a higher difficulty with the unlocked costumes. Game Pass came through on PC. I'll purchase it on the 1st sale.

I hope NG 4 isn't censored in anyway because Microsoft is publishing the title. I know Platinum is developing it, but with all of Microsoft's goofy DEI sensitivity mandates in all of their current products I wouldn't put it past them to give the women the body of a 13 year old boy and the chin of a hardened army vet.

The last Ninja Gaiden was off the walls offensive.

DEI is not what incels keep claiming it is. DEI does not exist to censor things or to mandatory hire people. DEI exists so people can't be refused a job because of their race/sex/religion and because business found out it was vastly more profitable to sell to the most people. Case in point more than half the human population is women. You make more money with them as customers. Most of the world is also not white. So marketing to other races drives up sales. And from a sheer cynical viewpoint gay men tend to be vastly more educated, well off, and with far more income than straight men. So that was also a market to tap. None of this is woke. It's just bean counters smelling money.

It's also funny you are so hung up on a womans body in a video game. Video games sell escapism. That can come in two ways. Fantasy or the ability to see you in the game. The reason more women look like actual women and not some fictional cartoon version of a woman is marketing found out women also play games. Trotting out women with utterly not realistic bodies and kitting them out in BDSM porn videos costs sales. That's it. That's all there is to it. I was also in the military. Some women, especially those that fight wars, do look as rough as the men who also fight wars.

You can still sex up game characters if you want. See, well SNK recently released a game of nothing but porn star level women beating the snot out of each other and nobody complained about that. So much for DEI! What did change was that for grittier games people (and women are people) wanted a grittier version of them and the market responded.

Women aren't hentai porn stars. They never were and they never will be. Get over it.

 

[kapone32]

The last Ninja Gaiden was off the walls offensive.

DEI is not what incels keep claiming it is. DEI does not exist to censor things or to mandatory hire people. DEI exists so people can't be refused a job because of their race/sex/religion and because business found out it was vastly more profitable to sell to the most people. Case in point more than half the human population is women. You make more money with them as customers. Most of the world is also not white. So marketing to other races drives up sales. And from a sheer cynical viewpoint gay men tend to be vastly more educated, well off, and with far more income than straight men. So that was also a market to tap. None of this is woke. It's just bean counters smelling money.

It's also funny you are so hung up on a womans body in a video game. Video games sell escapism. That can come in two ways. Fantasy or the ability to see you in the game. The reason more women look like actual women and not some fictional cartoon version of a woman is marketing found out women also play games. Trotting out women with utterly not realistic bodies and kitting them out in BDSM porn videos costs sales. That's it. That's all there is to it. I was also in the military. Some women, especially those that fight wars, do look as rough as the men who also fight wars.

You can still sex up game characters if you want. See, well SNK recently released a game of nothing but porn star level women beating the snot out of each other and nobody complained about that. So much for DEI! What did change was that for grittier games people (and women are people) wanted a grittier version of them and the market responded.

Women aren't hentai porn stars. They never were and they never will be. Get over it.

Sailor Moon anyone? What is the difference between DEI (the words) and a Primary school in a Metropolitan area?

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

Meh. Itagaki-led games are still the peak of the series. We’ll see, but beating Black and the OG release of 2 will be hard. Still, nothing can be as bad as the original 3 and Yaiba, right?

What original 3? You mean the NES?

This was actually good. The 3d ones all suck. Aren't hard. As Tecmo was selling sex to incels post DOA.

Or you want to farther back. There is only one original Ninja Gaiden and it was in the arcade. And this is the gayest, most homoerotic, flaming thing many people saw at the time. The end boss has a giant portrait of only his ass, in a thong, painted on the wall!

Like do most of you like Ninja Gaiden? Or did you all show up after Dead Or Alive, a notoriously bad fighting game that took no skill, had boob physics to sell it? Because if you rewind to where this all started Irene Lew was not a sexed up fake woman in BDSM gear. She wasn't even good looking. She was a woman in a suit with a boys hair cut! Back in the 80s. So going back to the grittier Irene is if anything going back to the roots.

This is Irene

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Ninja Gaiden final pictures by Rienh on DeviantArt

www.deviantart.com

So at the start she doesn't look... that much different from Ryu!

So for all the complaining about DEI and not sexed up women.... did ya'll actually play the games? Because Irene is maybe a 5/10 at best tom boy CIA agent. Who not only has the body AND HAIR CUT of a male child she's also a grizzled veteran. She's not a sex object. Her opening act is picking a fight and shooting Ryu.

Even in her "cute" version she's not remotely sexualized.

So anyone complaining about DEI ruining the game, or masculine women, or just wanting a porn star... clearly did not grow up with the Ninja Gaiden I did. Well before DEI was even a thing people cried about.

 

[Hecate91]

The last Ninja Gaiden was off the walls offensive.

DEI is not what incels keep claiming it is. DEI does not exist to censor things or to mandatory hire people. DEI exists so people can't be refused a job because of their race/sex/religion and because business found out it was vastly more profitable to sell to the most people. Case in point more than half the human population is women. You make more money with them as customers. Most of the world is also not white. So marketing to other races drives up sales. And from a sheer cynical viewpoint gay men tend to be vastly more educated, well off, and with far more income than straight men. So that was also a market to tap. None of this is woke. It's just bean counters smelling money.

It's also funny you are so hung up on a womans body in a video game. Video games sell escapism. That can come in two ways. Fantasy or the ability to see you in the game. The reason more women look like actual women and not some fictional cartoon version of a woman is marketing found out women also play games. Trotting out women with utterly not realistic bodies and kitting them out in BDSM porn videos costs sales. That's it. That's all there is to it. I was also in the military. Some women, especially those that fight wars, do look as rough as the men who also fight wars.

You can still sex up game characters if you want. See, well SNK recently released a game of nothing but porn star level women beating the snot out of each other and nobody complained about that. So much for DEI! What did change was that for grittier games people (and women are people) wanted a grittier version of them and the market responded.

Women aren't hentai porn stars. They never were and they never will be. Get over it.

The word incel as a derogatory attack doesn't mean anything anymore since people have overused it.
And the gaming audience has spoken up and doesn't want forced agendas being shoved down their throats in video games, games are a way to escape reality, not bring in whatever political propaganda a multi-mullion dollar game publisher thinks will help sales, but it obviously hasn't.
Just look at all the free to play waifu games, they're making massive amounts of money and have a larger player base than most of the AAA slop being pushed out. It's a video game, the women aren't real, so scantily clad women shouldn't bother anyone, if you don't like it don't play it.

 

[SOAREVERSOR]

The word incel as a derogatory attack doesn't mean anything anymore since people have overused it.
And the gaming audience has spoken up and doesn't want forced agendas being shoved down their throats in video games, games are a way to escape reality, not bring in whatever political propaganda a multi-mullion dollar game publisher thinks will help sales, but it obviously hasn't.
Just look at all the free to play waifu games, they're making massive amounts of money and have a larger player base than most of the AAA slop being pushed out. It's a video game, the women aren't real, so scantily clad women shouldn't bother anyone, if you don't like don't play it.

You fucked up!

Because this series did start off with non sexualized women and then it was shoved down fans throats because incels wanted to whack off. If it goes back to it's roots that's not DEI it's a return to the norm.

So explain, please, how the fuck having a grittier tom boy Irene is screwing up the series?

I don't mind scantily clad women I have a wife. Fun part about that. I can totally have her dress up as a French maid and bend her over the bed and she's fine with that. It's fun! There's no issue with it. And yet, and here is the kicker, she's non plussed by seeing a woman in a game or a movie set up that way. She does buy movies and games. Her money matters. I don't need to see scantily clad fake women I have a real woman who will scantily clad at the drop of a hat. That's called being in a relationship. She wants to be sexy. She wants sex. But she's not interested in bullshit fake versions of what a woman looks like. Cause, you know, she's a real woman. She gets all the effort that puts into keeping up her body, she gets what being shot down for a job because she was a woman feels like, she has to deal with it not me.

So that someone would like to sell her a game that doesn't have character models I'd jerk it to is just fine. On the other hand I'd rather have a game we can play. And she's totally OK with playing Street Fighter which rolls out the sexy woman but not all games need to be that. And it's not DEI it's common sense.

I get the strong impression from this entire thread very few of you actually played Ninja Gaiden and even less of you have been around a woman. You should try both!

 

[enya64]

The last Ninja Gaiden was off the walls offensive.

DEI is not what incels keep claiming it is. DEI does not exist to censor things or to mandatory hire people. DEI exists so people can't be refused a job because of their race/sex/religion and because business found out it was vastly more profitable to sell to the most people. Case in point more than half the human population is women. You make more money with them as customers. Most of the world is also not white. So marketing to other races drives up sales. And from a sheer cynical viewpoint gay men tend to be vastly more educated, well off, and with far more income than straight men. So that was also a market to tap. None of this is woke. It's just bean counters smelling money.

It's also funny you are so hung up on a womans body in a video game. Video games sell escapism. That can come in two ways. Fantasy or the ability to see you in the game. The reason more women look like actual women and not some fictional cartoon version of a woman is marketing found out women also play games. Trotting out women with utterly not realistic bodies and kitting them out in BDSM porn videos costs sales. That's it. That's all there is to it. I was also in the military. Some women, especially those that fight wars, do look as rough as the men who also fight wars.

You can still sex up game characters if you want. See, well SNK recently released a game of nothing but porn star level women beating the snot out of each other and nobody complained about that. So much for DEI! What did change was that for grittier games people (and women are people) wanted a grittier version of them and the market responded.

Women aren't hentai porn stars. They never were and they never will be. Get over it.

Wow. You said a lot without saying anything at all. Who mentioned hentai porn stars, BDSM, and incels? It's a reflection of what's in your own mind instead of someone else's. Human beings (men and women) like attractive things to look at and purchase things that are attractive to us. This can't be news to you. Most black people, INCLUDING MYSELF, can't stand DEI. We like being hired based on our merit (when it is genuinely about merit), and can't stand the idea of a DEI hire.

Thanks for your explanation of what we should like in video games. I don't need to know how you link attractive women in video games to BDSM and porn. That's your business, and I'm not judging. I was also in the military, so I'm sure you are aware of how much sex goes on with fellow opposite sex officers that you serve with. Military women can also be sexy sir. Nearly all are incredibly fit and still have female curves. God, I feel like I'm explaining why the sky is blue.

Most people who are sure of themselves and don't have an overwhelming degree of insecurity don't have to see themselves in the entertainment they consume. I could watch Rocky, Jacky Chan, Kobe, Marcus Fenix, Arnold, Drew Brees, Brady, and others and identify with them because of their character, not their physical similarity to me. Because I grew up believing effort and character were more important traits than surface level crap people use to shield their mental illnesses.

Look up Nintendo's study of who plays their games. Or Capcom's study. Over 80% male. Farmville on your cellphone doesn't count sir. Need help finding the study? Here you go.
Capcom's "Super Election" Reveals Gamers Are Predominantly Male, With Strong Demand for Attractive Characters - Techopse.com - Trading Enthusiasm for Anger

I'm a guy who happens to be black and I love hot women. Keep your fetish thoughts to yourself and let people like what they like.

 

[FierceRed]

Hmm. So without deviating too much into politics, in the interest of gaming news, I'll just say the following.

The last Ninja Gaiden was off the walls offensive.

Extremely subjective opinion, but lets see where you go from here.

DEI is not what incels keep claiming it is. DEI does not exist to censor things or to mandatory hire people. DEI exists so people can't be refused a job because of their race/sex/religion and because business found out it was vastly more profitable to sell to the most people. Case in point more than half the human population is women. You make more money with them as customers. Most of the world is also not white. So marketing to other races drives up sales. And from a sheer cynical viewpoint gay men tend to be vastly more educated, well off, and with far more income than straight men. So that was also a market to tap. None of this is woke. It's just bean counters smelling money.

I agree that 1) nuanced understanding 2) from gamers 3) on the internet... is very rare, but that's no reason to call them names. Especially on these forums. We do better here.

I also agree that corpos are specialists at detecting and attempting to tap into market money. I strongly disagree that they've been effective this time.

Women can be 99% of the population and it wouldn't matter if they don't buy videogames at either the rates or prices that men do. Also, I highly suspect that what has happened is a trade-off; companies got ++money from untapped demos but got -----money from men sensitive to their beloved franchises changing "for the worse".

It's also funny you are so hung up on a womans body in a video game. Video games sell escapism. That can come in two ways. Fantasy or the ability to see you in the game. The reason more women look like actual women and not some fictional cartoon version of a woman is marketing found out women also play games. Trotting out women with utterly not realistic bodies and kitting them out in BDSM porn videos costs sales. That's it. That's all there is to it. I was also in the military. Some women, especially those that fight wars, do look as rough as the men who also fight wars.

Men being hung up on women's bodies is how we're having this conversation, so I wouldn't knock it. And thank god because women have no game.

Not realistic bodies in BDSM porn videos probably cost sales - lets say 20% - but not the 100% loss of sales that a flop does.
Were there realistic female bodies in Concord?
Are there realistic female bodies in Marvel Rivals?
Did you notice one of these games being spoken about in the past tense?

You can still sex up game characters if you want. See, well SNK recently released a game of nothing but porn star level women beating the snot out of each other and nobody complained about that. So much for DEI! What did change was that for grittier games people (and women are people) wanted a grittier version of them and the market responded.

Women aren't hentai porn stars. They never were and they never will be. Get over it.

Women are people? What the hell are you talking about?? /s

This is the second time - and third time, hentai porn stars - you've revealed what you think of your "opponent" in your speech. If you don't presume stupidity in your conversations, you'll have a better time with them and better exchanges.

I don't mind scantily clad women I have a wife. Fun part about that. I can totally have her dress up as a French maid and bend her over the bed and she's fine with that. It's fun! There's no issue with it. And yet, and here is the kicker, she's non plussed by seeing a woman in a game or a movie set up that way. She does buy movies and games. Her money matters. I don't need to see scantily clad fake women I have a real woman who will scantily clad at the drop of a hat. That's called being in a relationship. She wants to be sexy. She wants sex. But she's not interested in bullshit fake versions of what a woman looks like. Cause, you know, she's a real woman. She gets all the effort that puts into keeping up her body, she gets what being shot down for a job because she was a woman feels like, she has to deal with it not me.

So that someone would like to sell her a game that doesn't have character models I'd jerk it to is just fine. On the other hand I'd rather have a game we can play. And she's totally OK with playing Street Fighter which rolls out the sexy woman but not all games need to be that. And it's not DEI it's common sense.

I get the strong impression from this entire thread very few of you actually played Ninja Gaiden and even less of you have been around a woman. You should try both!

Sigh.

Most black people, INCLUDING MYSELF, can't stand DEI. We like being hired based on our merit (when it is genuinely about merit), and can't stand the idea of a DEI hire.

I'm a guy who happens to be black and I love hot women. Keep your fetish thoughts to yourself and let people like what they like.

Exactly.
No one likes being pandered to. Except maybe women? I've honestly never asked.
I wonder if there's data on that.

Thanks for your explanation of what we should like in video games..... .....God, I feel like I'm explaining why the sky is blue.

I know that feeling bro.