Well, I didn't actually expect anything new from Team Ninja at this SoP at all, lol. Maybe a new NG4 video or something. Nioh 3 was a surprise out of nowhere, and it seems most people reacted that way... especially since they made it seem like Nioh was on a break for a while, which opened up the possibility for DOA and NG, and since NG is partly being worked on by PG...
Nioh 3 was a weird one since they mentioned themselves that the Nioh
story was done and that they would use the Nioh system for any future games (which they did,
Strangers of Paradise). I like Nioh but even I agree that it was.......weird they brought that back. Thought it was over personally.
If anything I somewhat always knew they would use the Nioh system for the future for any games they have planned, but to be another Nioh entirely was a little strange yeah. It's just that taking a break from Nioh or even after NG4 doesn't automatically mean that DOA is being worked on. Stuff like that has to be greenlit regardless of anniversaries. DOA lost Shimbori who was the only guy realistically pushing for the series, and yet somehow some people still think "When's DOA news?" like it just doesn't make sense in my opinion lol.
And I wouldn't expect a new DOA so soon if it wasn't for multiple factors (which have already been said multiple times but I'll say them again) - they call this year The Year of the Ninja and it's also the 30th anniversary of Team Ninja with DOA's 30th anniversary being next year and TN has said they want to do something to commemorate the 30th year since the creation of Team Ninja. Hell, maybe that could mean a collection or remasters or something, but with all that set up, if nothing comes of it I'm not gonna help but feel disappointed. TN did say there were multiple major projects this year, right? So far that's panning out pretty well...
Personally I took the ninja part as literal meaning Ninja Gaiden itself. While DOA has ninjas within the game, I didn't put the two together in the same category (but maybe it should I guess.) If TN made a "The Year of the Fighting Games" in like two years then that's probably more believable for DOA to be within that category and makes it more reasonable for anybody to keep DOA expectations there.
Tokyo Game Show seems like the perfect opportunity. Of course there are no guarantees, just increased expectations. You can't tell me it'd be ok for them to blast through both the 30th anniversary of TN and DOA without doing anything for their first major game series that saved them from bankruptcy.
Out of all the gaming events Tokyo Gameshow has always been the best one to showcase DOA related media. Artwork stands, pictures, booths. It was always in the best assumption that if it's not TGS, then DOA is very likely not there and that any other events or sneak previews was typically out of sheer luck or miracle (EVO, etc.)
It's more that I haven't seen any big clues for high expectation when it comes to DOA. I'm passionate for DOA as well with how much DOA supported me at events for years, but it just makes sense to keep expectations to a medium/low with how things going on right now with 3D fighters and how many action games TN is producing or outsourcing.
Ex: Someone on twitter asked "
Marvel is there, and it's a fighting game. Why is DOA not there?" Like, why would it be there? Marvel is a global giant. It just doesn't make sense to fill the gap there is what I mean, on top that it's State of Play of all news.
