Nioh

Ni-Oh (仁王), originally titled Oni (鬼), is an upcoming action game announced since 2004. It is a title for the PS3 and will be produced by Kou Shibusawa. It is being made at the same time as the future film of the same name, which is based on one of Akira Kurosawa's unfinished works. The movie will be directed by his son, Hisao. So far, release dates for both mediums have been constantly pushed back since its initial announcement.

At TGS 2010, Shibusawa presented the title again with the producer of Tecmo's Team Ninja, Yousuke Hayashi. Shibusawa revealed that they had a prototype version of the game four years ago but felt it was too rigid to be presented as a revitalizing game.

To remedy the problem, he decided to hand it to Team Ninja to bring new life into it. While he knows that Koei is famous for historical simulations, Shibusawa responded that he doesn't want the same experience with Ni-Oh as he is striving purely for historical entertainment with this title. He feels the newer results from Team Ninja has made a complete revival for the better and is pleased with what has been presented to him. Hayashi responded that it was a pleasure collaborating with Shibusawa on a product, stating he hopes players experience the definition of a samurai within the current age. Both were mum about a future release date, but Shibusawa remains confident that it will be seen on shelves in the future.

The newest Famitsu magazine report of the project has briefly announced yet another dynamic change for the game's production. Hayashi remarks that Ni-Oh's creative focus seems to be finalized.

The game's mechanics are unclear. Initially, it was described to involve directing generals in battle; the newer product is said to be a "samurai action game". What is known is that the story's setting is feudal Japan, the Warring States Period. The protagonist is a man born from parents of different ethnicity. His father is a stern Japanese general while his mother is a blond haired European. Wanting to put an end to the chaos, he travels the land. He has a reputation for being the man with "raging blond hair and deepest blue eyes".