Staff walkout at Team Ninja

The Buzz: Itagaki's departure only the start of an exodus from the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive studio.

1UP reports that Tecmo's Team Ninja could be on the verge of collapse with as many as three dozen key members ready to walk out.

The resignation of Team Ninja head Tomonobu Itagaki was a blow to Tecmo, the developer quickly assuring fans that the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive franchises would continue. However, the rumoured mass walkout would pose a much greater problem.

1UP also reports that the departing Team Ninja members will be serving Tecmo with a class-action lawsuit regarding unpaid bonuses for completed games.

Tecmo maintains the ownership of the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive IPs, but without the creative talent that made them what they are the future of each franchise looks uncertain.

Would you buy a new game in the Ninja Gaiden or Dead or Alive series knowing that much of the creative force that created the IPs were not involved? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.