Tecmo says no thanks to Square Enix

By Robert Purchese Published 4 September, 2008

Would rather merge with Koei, actually.

Ninja Gaiden developer Tecmo has rejected the takeover bid made by Square Enix, deciding instead to concentrate efforts on a possible merger with Koei.

"Through a merger, we expect we can grow further by respecting both companies' identities and having an environment in which employees can fully exhibit their skills," said Tecmo and Koei in a statement, as reported by Reuters.

Square Enix planned to buy 50 per cent of Tecmo shares for around USD 100 million, and said this "friendly" bid was unlikely to be followed-up by a hostile approach.

Tecmo, also responsible for the Dead or Alive fighting series, hit stormy waters recently after the departure of head designer Tomonobu Itagaki and president Yoshimi Yasuda.

Itagaki, tracked down in a pub in Japan, managed to hit headlines again by snapping back at Devil May Cry and Bayonetta designer Hideki Kamiya, who trashed Ninja Gaiden as uninteresting and nowhere near the standard of the original DMC.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (9) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Lexx87 #1 3 years ago

    You guys just read the forum for all the new game related news don't ya :p

  • Kenshin001 #2 3 years ago

    I read Tecmo are showing 3 games at TGS from the new Team Ninja. Interesting to see what they've come up with. I hope if they do merge we will see some new direction instead of the same tired franchises. Jp gaming is seriously lagging behind IMO.

  • LazyDan #3 3 years ago

    All a bit dragon's den isn't it?

    Square-Enix Macintyre, I appreciate your offer but I would rather accept Koei Poffitus'.

    Capcom Jones: And for that reason, I'm out.

    Dunno where I'm going with this.

  • DFawkes #4 3 years ago

    Dynasty Warriors: Dead or Alive, now with 100% more tits! Obviously I realise a merger doesn't mean licence mixing like that, but would anybosy really be surpirsed if they merged and made DW:Ninja Gaiden?

  • Ninja_Tino #5 3 years ago

    I too don't know where you're going LazyDan but I still chuckled. Aission Mccomplished.

  • Aysir #6 3 years ago

    DW:Ninja Gaiden? How about a Ninja Gaiden game set in a historically accurate period, fighting proper enemies - that might actually be really good :) You could play Hanzo or Kotoro Fuma :)

  • vapour #7 3 years ago

    LazyDan - we can guarantee you 500% extra boobage over the next 3 years for your investment

  • ThePissartist #8 3 years ago

    Tecmo tend to create games for the 360, so I feel it's a good thing they choose not to merge with Square - it'd really damage Xbox's already very minimal impact in Japan.

  • penhalion #9 3 years ago

    Hahahah the equivalent of the "It's not you...it's me" blow out.