Dead Or Alive 2 Was Released Unfinished Says Tomonobu Itagaki

Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki revealed today, speaking at the annual DICE summit, that Tecmo (now Tecmo Koei) released Dead or Alive 2 in an incomplete state on the PS2 without his knowledge. An updated version, Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore, was released later which was more in keeping the experience Itagaki imagined.

During the development of DOA2 Itagaki was asked by Tecmo’s general manager of sales if he could “borrow a copy of this so [he could] play it a little?” This disc wasn’t intended for a little play, it was intended for the pressing plant – the in development disc became the released game.

Following this Itagaki turned to drinking, adding “I thought I would quit making games.” Eventually Itagaki recovered and released the revamped version of the game.

Thanks to Siliconera for the info.