Developer Team Ninja and its parent company Tecmo plan to release an original, big-budget console title in 2009, according to Temco president Yoshimi Yasuda.
Yasuda said the company's renewed development motto can be summed up in eight words, "new title, new genre, new location, new leader." Location in particular is of great significance, as this new title will cater towards the Western market. In further clarifying the new genre bit, Yasua said that the title will not follow any of Tecmo's previous offerings, which crossed the genres of fighting, action, survival horror, and adventure.
With Itagaki now officially gone, Ninja Gaiden Sigma director and Zin Hasegawa of Fatal Frame fame are reportedly heading up the project. Specific details, such as platforms, have yet to be announced.
Team NINJA [Bloomberg]