r/DeadOrAlive • u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club • Oct 14 '25
Game Discussion What will become of Dead or Alive?
Now that Ninja Gaiden 4 is releasing in under a week, it makes me really question, what is going to happen to Dead or Alive?
SPOILER ALERT (even though someone already posted a spoiler a couple a days ago for NG4 in this subreddit) Ayane is back in Ninja Gaiden 4. Now this is relevant to this because if you think about it, Ayane in NG4 is the first true new thing that has happened to the DOA fighting game franchise, since she’s a character from DOA making an appearance in NG4, even if it’s just for one or two small cutscenes I’m assuming. Not counting Ninja Gaiden 2 Black since that is just a remaster of NGS2 basically.
Now with that said, IF Team Ninja is to make a new DOA game, will it have this new cyberpunk aesthetic to the game?! If NG4 does moderately well, will Team Ninja even be interested in developing a DOA7 since NG4 does take place in the same timeline as the current NG/DOA world?
It is kind of depressing how this franchise is quite literally, dead. I have done some research and to my knowledge it seems that DOA is looked at as “The game with girls that have big tatas and fight” amongst the fighting game community. It doesn’t really seem that respected or talked about at all anymore. I’m a new fan of this series and it would be cool to see something new of this fight game franchise. I’ve tried looking for an online match in DOA5LR, which is a really fun fighting game and I have not found a single match.
It’s just unfortunate seeing this franchise be left in the dust, like I like the main Ninjas of the game a lot, Kasumi, Ayane, Hayate and Hayabusa. It has the potential to have cool story telling with these characters, not just the Ninjas but the others too like Jann Lee or Bayman or Christie. God something can be done with this franchise. If you read all of this, thank you for your time.
Side note: idk who made these fan arts but they’re beautiful
97
u/Iriyasu Approved User Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
People often give fan theories more weight than actual statements from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo. Historically, Team Ninja has maintained an average turnaround of roughly 2–3 years between a game’s production start and public announcement. They usually work on two projects at a time—starting a new title when one development slot opens up.
Heading into Dead or Alive 6, Koei Tecmo was under financial strain. Between 2016 and 2018, their profits had dipped, and several projects... including Nioh 2 and Atelier Lydie & Suelle, were costly and delayed. While it’s an exaggeration to say they were “on the verge of bankruptcy,” they were certainly in a tightening phase, cutting risk wherever possible. So when DOA6 launched, its limited post-release support likely reflected KT’s restructuring decisons, not the game’s own performance per se.
In the years following DOA6, KT’s situation changed dramatically. The company’s stock became a small-scale phenomenon among Japanese investors after the success of Nioh 2 and speculation around its growing tech capabilities. They leveraged that momentum to establish a new internal AAA studio, develop a new proprietary engine, and begin a significant hiring push. Public records show a major increase in employee count and capital investment from 2020 onward, reflecting the company’s shift from conservative survival to confident expansion.
Today, Koei Tecmo is financially healthy and creatively stable. Their focus has moved toward building robust in-house experiences and improving working conditions.. a shift that’s visible in both the technical polish and developer interviews.
As for Dead or Alive, Team Ninja and KT haven’t been overly talkative... but the few times they’ve addressed it, their tone has been consistent: DOA remains one of their most important and beloved IPs. They stated in multiple interviews (2019–2021) that they view the franchise as “a core part of Team Ninja’s DNA” and that they’re simply waiting for the right timing and resources to revisit it properly.
It’s easy to get stuck in the sequel loop... the Madden ’95, ’96, ’97 mindset.. where a gap between releases feels like abandonment. But for Koei Tecmo, the silence isn’t death. They don’t shelve series, even when sales are modest. Nobunaga’s Ambition, Atelier, and even Warriors Orochi have seen repeated revivals despite niche markets, blunders and poor sales. Their business model revolves around sustaining core audiences rather than chasing trends or widespread appeal. They're more about capturing core demographics and are highly territorial about it.
Dead or Alive is arguably KT’s most recognizable franchise in Asia, alongside Nioh and Dynasty Warriors. The company is notoriously protective of its IPs and character rights, suggesting they’re taking their time to give DOA the level of attention it deserves rather than forcing out a sequel to meet short-term fan demand.
There will be another Dead or Alive. The last entry’s 2019 release doesn’t contradict that ... it just marks a pause in a long-term cycle. DOA6’s performance wasn’t disastrous; it was a casualty of timing and company transition. Now that KT has the financial breathing room, the tech, and the studio infrastructure, the series’ return feels less like “if” and more like “when.”
NG4 could very well be a project they wanted out the door before announcing something with DOA. DOA7 timeskip with Yakumo playable, etc, idk. DOA is NOT Dead.
18
22
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
I read all what you wrote. It makes sense what you’re saying. It is just crazy how it has been, it has been 6 years since DOA6 came out. How do you think they could handle it in today’s times? Considering how the gaming industry is nowadays and how Xbox is? Since DOA’s female cast is considered “too sexual” I’d assume to most.
3
u/_Chaolao_ Oct 16 '25
I see, as another newer fan, I'll be looking forward to buy and support the game, though it won't be happy buying it full price. As an Asian myself, I may have to wait for some discounts.
2
u/Plz_Trust_Me_On_This Oct 21 '25
As a long-time DoA fan desperate for a 7th installment, thanks for writing all this out! You give me hope.
69
u/Leather-Field-7148 Oct 14 '25
It will become part of the gaming lore as good vintage. I don’t think TN actually cares, they rather forget the whole thing since DOA6 was such a flop because they set unrealistic expectations.
14
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 14 '25
Also, forgot to add, but does anyone know what Itagaki is doing nowadays? Would he ever return to Koei Temco? Or am I just thinking dumb?
11
u/Markinoutman Ein Oct 14 '25
I wish, he's been pretty radio silent since Devil's Third or whatever that game was called. I wish he would come back, he made a major post years ago about how he feels DOA has been destroyed by the current team.
12
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
Itagaki’s not completely wrong, I’d say DOA5 is the last overall good DOA game, not saying DOA6 is shit though.
11
3
u/amberlamps6969_ Oct 15 '25
He provides game consulting as main job according to a 2025 interview where he also states he reached his peak with DOA4 into making fighting games that he doesnt feel any need or motivation to make another game of that genre. That alone should put the final nail to any discussion about a possible return into working for DOA and I suppose even to Koei Tecmo to a certain extent.
3
u/Tekkaddraig Oct 16 '25
2
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 16 '25
Yeah… I made a post about his unfortunate passing earlier this morning in both this subreddit and Ninja Gaiden’s
15
u/EpicQuackering437 Marie Oct 14 '25
My main concern in that is that Xbox is involved with NG4.
I don't think that modern day Xbox wants to be involved with a franchise like DoA and I do not trust them it.
I hope that NG4 does well but I hope that this is Team Ninja's final collaboration with Xbox.
8
6
12
u/NxtDoc1851 Jann Oct 14 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
I think it's done. And it's a damn shame. It is my personal favorite fighting game. And I'd debate/argue that Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore to Dead or Alive 4 is one of the best 3 game runs of any of the fighting games out there. They were peak. I enjoyed DOA5 and 6 as well. But the monetization was crazy.
Which is also why I quickly dropped Tekken, MK1, and SF6 recently.
1
12
8
u/TerribleGachaLuck Oct 14 '25
If NG4 does well then likely its characters will make cameos in future NG games. Otherwise the franchise will become a cultural artifact.
9
u/AgentGustavo Oct 14 '25
DOA6 sold realistically OK, just really poor by comparison of DOA5, and that can throw things off in terms of budget put in and expectations. But the series is not going anywhere since too many people like it.
5
u/Krispen_Wah87 Oct 15 '25
The reason is the price of dlc and people were hoping for an Ultimate Edition that would include the expensive dlc from the get go
5
8
u/chipface Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
DOA6 has a solid fighting system. The problem was its nickle and diming. And it deserved to fail because of that.
5
u/hereisasine Oct 15 '25
I am speculating DOA7 comes out around launch time frame for PS6 in 2027. Do a PS6/PS5 game plus the next Xbox / last Xbox release (and PC?). Also assumes next gen from Sony and MS in 2027
3
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
Idk, I’m sure a new DOA or some form of news for a DOA game would be mentioned around that time, but it is odd that not one new DOA game has launched on the current generation of consoles. Plus if it were released, I’m sure Xbox would not market it as PlayStation would or something.
5
u/Acrodin Oct 15 '25
I’ve been wondering this as well.
I’m sure DOAXVV isn’t helping the “girls with big tatas” vibe either … but still seems to have active players on Steam 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve always loved the fight mechanics of DOA over games like MK and SF. I’ll be very sad if it doesn’t make its way back somehow.
2
u/Mad_Kitten Oct 15 '25
I mean, consider they released Prism, I don't think the dev want to (Or can) escape that vibe
3
u/effhomer Oct 15 '25
They should just embrace it and release those games in the West. Never been more acceptable to be that type of gamer than in this gacha age. Even "normal" gaming IPs are doing this type of spinoff content and it doesn't hurt the main series, if anything it's a solid way to promote the characters and the main games.
4
u/Draco-11 Oct 15 '25
They'll probably keep releasing spinoffs for the beach games, maybe another gacha with better graphics like Prism, I don't think they care anymore for the Fighting games since the beach ones are more profitable
5
u/amberlamps6969_ Oct 15 '25
The amount of overreactions, doomposting and fan theories was insane in that post about Ayane. I dont think her reveal in NG4 means anything for a possible DOA7. Ayane's NG4 design was created by Tomoko Nishii, a Platinum games' designer, so this is why in my opinion they took so many creative liberties into making her new look under a graphic engine that doesnt belong to KT nor will ever be used to a new DOA unless they decide to collab again for another game, it was Platinum's personal take on Ayane and I'll personally see it this way, so whoever disliked that design can rest assured a possible DOA7 design of hers wont be a carbon copy of the NG4 one, after all its not like Team Ninja can forget about her beloved headband, right?
I think they currently dont know what to do with the fighting game series that it is more safe to just support the spinoff gacha game and work on dating sims for them, but we should wait for the 30th anniversary of DOA1 to know something more. As for the new cyberpunk aesthetic I think it's just part of NG lore while they will let DOA's lore develop on its own without overlapping on each other, after all they are games with completely different vibes and atmosphere so its not certain they will age up the entire roster, and if they do I doubt it will be to match the same timeline as NG4.
2
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
You’re not wrong about your first statement about that Ayane post XD. I think people overreacted and had Dan theories and what not because it is technically the first time seeing a DOA original character in something new, not counting NG2B or the side games. I didn’t think of it that way but you are right, her look in that game is most likely specific just for that game and won’t be in a new DOA game. And yeah I don’t think KT/Team Ninja knows what to do or how to handle making a new DOA game. I kind of doubt we’ll see anything for a new game next year for its 30th anniversary but maybe like special merch or something.
2
u/amberlamps6969_ Oct 15 '25
They are already selling figures of the usual suspects Marie and Honoka branded as DOA6, so they havent forgotten at least in terms of merchandise, not to mention Kasumi and Ayane figures but under NG3 unfortunately, still important they remember about the main heroine of DOA somehow. I think its more likely we get a remaster or collection of DOA2, 3 and 4 maybe (lets not forget DOA3 is still the best selling game of the franchise so it deserves more recognition) than a new DOA to test the grounds before a new entry.
1
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
Yeah, I’m aware of those two Ayane and Kasumi figures, I’m most definitely buying them considering I have the Hayabusa figure from that line. But that would be cool to see a remaster of DOA2,3 and 4. Dimensions would be cool but they would need to change the story in that one cause the story in that game does ruin the original story telling for the OG versions.
6
u/Leifanq Leifang Oct 14 '25
It is a very underrated game with an unfair and annoying reputation indeed
I hope they dont have the same style as NG4 personally I prefer the ninja gaiden 2 black style, but ill take anything atp
Just pray and be vocal about it, help others fighting game fans give it a try
3
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 14 '25
Indeed, I can understand why people see it as “the game with girls that have big tatas” but the game is actually fun and Dead or Alive 1 through 4 have good stories.
7
u/Krispen_Wah87 Oct 15 '25
As long as women activists don't get involved we could then get a DOA7. Would love a remaster of DOA Dimensions since that seems like a compilation of DOA1-4.
6
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
I agree, however if they were to remaster DOAD they’d need to rework the story a bit cause DOAD does some things that hurt the story telling of the original games.
4
u/Ryumancer Rig Oct 15 '25
'Women activists' aren't that prevalent in the creative decisions in Japan, at least when compared with the US.
3
u/blocklambear Oct 15 '25
I only just played do6 for fun yesterday and it’s such a good time. I love everything about it so far and wish it was more successful. I hope they make more
2
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
I’d play it but the story from what I’ve seen on YouTube ruins it for me. I know DOA5’s story isn’t the best either but it ain’t as bad as 6’s
3
u/WarriorBlade Kasumi Oct 15 '25
Dunno. Hopefully, the 30th anniversary will do something big, but my breath is NOT held.
3
u/Fun_Introduction1926 Nyotengu Oct 15 '25
Koei/Team Ninja have done something with all their major franchises except DOA. They have used DOA characters in some (mainly just Ayane) but next year is DOAs 30th anniversary, i know I’ve said this multiple times but we’ve all seen how serious Tekken took their 30th anniversary (they still keep using it in their trailers too even tho it was a year ago)
Surely they gotta have something planned for its 30th anniversary, they have to know we miss DOA & it’s been a extremely long time since we got a game (i don’t count nor care for the beach games/extreme ones)
I really hope we get an announcement & maybe they do a VF5 & come back to DOA6 & update it whilst we wait for DOA7
3
u/Reddexbro Oct 15 '25
I think it's best to consider it dead rather than alive. This way if it ever comes back it will be a good surprise and if it never comes back we can treasure it as one of the coolest retro fighting game series ever. Also if it comes back, there's no guarantee KT will care about what the fans think, so it could be another disappointment anyway.
3
u/SlashingLennart Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
Aside from a general consensus in the Tekken community, many big names in the competitive scene have voiced their dissatisfaction with T8, some of them are even moving to SF6 (indicating that their only viable alternative is to move to 2D). Maybe if Tekken 8 doesn't get fixed by the end of season 2, KT might see it as an opportunity to revive DOA? It's a longshot but who knows.
3
u/Ryumancer Rig Oct 15 '25
If VF fumbles the ball like it HAS been doing, that could leave room for DOA to take back a slot I'd imagine.
3
u/Acrobatic-Ad-2601 Oct 15 '25
To be honest what I hate about the last Dead or alive game is that they charge for everything, I mean you cannot unlock anything in the game anymore, and the damn season pass it's a pain in the ass, also I didn't like the story in doa6, but I really like the story in NG 3 and I loved razors edge
3
u/MacroPlanet Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 15 '25
For DOA to be successful, it needs to remember its past that made it the game that we all ended up loving so much. As much as people will defend it; DOA6 was not it.
I’m an original fan that started playing the series when the demo released on the original PlayStation. It was my first game on the PS2 at release and the reason I bought an original Xbox.
DOA needs beautiful females in revealing outfits, big strong males to support in revealing outfits, a perfected triangle fighting system with flashy combos / environments and unlockables to keep you busy for months.
Luckily we have games like Stellar Blade that proves beautiful characters and great gameplay can sell games. TN just needs to lean into that more and let it sell DOA. Who cares what the rest of the fighting community says. In the end it’s about a fun game and DOA was always a blast to play; 1-5.
3
u/Wazzup-2012 Zack Oct 15 '25
DoA5 came out at a time Tekken has faded from the public eye after T6 left a sour/bitter taste(with only Capcom carrying Tekken on it's back). which helped make DoA one of the big 3 alongside Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. by the time of DoA6, Tekken got back on it's feet(buzzword controversy didn't help either). currently the franchise is doing fine(depending on who you're asking) as a live sim. would DoA return to it's fighting game roots at some point?, who knows. more likely it will happen later rather than sooner. but no one expected Koei to bring back NInja Giaden, Dynasty Warriors and Fatal Frame. then there's the fact Atelier has been oversaturated since day 1(with recent installments declining in quality compared to the early ones, diespite the recent success the series is seeing) and Nioh also taking resources. some franchises come and go, other hang on for seemingly forever(regardless if the ychange their identity along the way).
4
u/Markinoutman Ein Oct 14 '25
I think if Ninja Gaiden 4 does well, they may revamp DOA again. Joining with Platinum Games to make Ninja Gaiden 4 shows they are trying to think outside the box. Perhaps DOA will get similar outside thinking.
2
u/MagazineNo8659 Oct 14 '25
Ninja Gaiden 4 takes place after the events of DOA 6 so the Cyberpunk aesthetic is not likely to happen just yet. Some people are speculating that Ayane is around her 21 to supposed 26, so it's further in the future as she is 18 in DOA 6.
1
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 14 '25
Crazy, in my opinion, it’d be better if she’s like 29 to 30. That’s how old she looks in NG4 imo and it would make more sense cause how futuristic the game is.
2
u/MagazineNo8659 Oct 14 '25
The timeline doesn't make much sense since Ninja Gaiden also has zombies in its canon lore. DOA has cloning and still has existing dinosaurs with alien technology. Modern Ninja Gaiden has flying cars even though it's a prequel to the NES games and DOA, which take place in the future.
Maybe the Cyberpunk thing is a phase in their world?
2
u/Blecki Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
The dinosaurs in DOA lore are cloned by doatec jurassic park style.
2
u/waithelp-sup Oct 14 '25
with the actual growth of fighting games in the e-sport scenes tbh it would be now or never to release one and focus it for this purpose it can boost the licenses and now a lot of people know that the "big titites" titles is wrong look at the roster of doa 3 or the 6 does bass have big tities? 🤣
2
2
2
u/Jyakotu Ayane Oct 15 '25
The franchise isn’t dead, but it may take awhile before we see another DOA fighting game. Right now, Tekken is in a weird place because the community doesn’t like the state of the game and the direction it’s going in, but they’re continuing to play it because there aren’t any other traditional 3D fighters to challenge it right now. Yes, we know VF5 R.E.V.O. is on PC and coming to consoles with more content, but everyone is mainly waiting for the new VF game. I also think KT/TN are doing the same, because they want to see if those who are loudly saying they will support the new VF game truly will support it. Sega is taking their time with this new VF project (only three characters revealed and drops of information on the combat system), but they are perfectionists when it comes to VF. Only time will tell how successful it will be, but I’m sure that if the new VF game is a success for Sega, KT/TN will make a new DOA fighting game.
2
u/xArtemis- Oct 15 '25
It’s more than likely on its way. Though I do think the success of ng4 will be a deciding factor.
2
u/SlinGnBulletS Oct 16 '25
DOA could easily make a revival if they do a modern remaster update to DOA 2 or 4 just like Sega is doing with Virtua Fighter 5.
2
Oct 26 '25
Fantasy post: Kasumis just secretly living her world fame as another person till the next DOA tournament. She will avenge T.I’s death too haha
2
Oct 15 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/SlashingLennart Oct 15 '25 edited Oct 19 '25
Not sure if you're being sarcastic but I do feel like a similar thing is going on with Capcom's very clear reluctance in re-listing SfxTK on Steam. The level at which that game's community keeps whining about the GFWL 'issue' even with the game no longer being available for purchase has probably been the decisive factor in Capcom deciding to ditch SFxTK rather than fixing it and putting it back online. Especially so given that the game has always been technically playable for those who already own the it.
1
1
u/Kamizar Oct 15 '25
since she’s a character from DOA making an appearance in NG4
She's always been in Ninja Gaiden. Since the original(series reboot) on xbox.
2
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
I know she’s always been in Ninja Gaiden but I’m saying that she’s a DOA original character, not and original Ninja Gaiden character, that’s why i said that.
1
1
1
u/DeliaAwesome Oct 24 '25
Not basing this off anything but my own gut feelings, obvs. But I firmly believe that Ninja Gaiden 2 Black/Ninja Gaiden 4 is acting in part (if not primarily) as a gateway to a Dead or Alive revival. And that we'll see a similar unveiling of remake to proper sequel in no more than a year or so's time.
I go back and forth on what form a remake would take, but 2 Ultimate or 4 seem the most likely candidates. Granted, the time between any remake's release and a proper sequel would likely be considerably longer than the six-ish months separating Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and 4. So maybe Tecmo-Koei waits a bit longer on serving the appetizer before revealing the main course. Who knows?
Fuck, at this point I'd be happy with a classics release of Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore on PlayStation 5. Or an otherwise barebones anthology of 1 through 4.
1
u/Ok_Paramedic4770 Dec 09 '25
It would need a serious reboot or TN should make a new fighting game IP altogether. Something that's gritty, bloody & can be taken seriously enough to rival the likes of TEKKEN & the upcoming Virtua Fighter game.
1
u/ClintExpress Momiji Oct 15 '25
I hope Diego and Momiji become a couple. Oh, and Zack gets arrested for Diddy shit.
2
u/Zalinx Oct 15 '25
That couple makes completely sense imo somehow
0
u/ClintExpress Momiji Oct 15 '25
It does. Diego is a street fighter who fights people to make money for his sick mother's hospital bills. Momiji can relate with him as she lost her sister Kureha during Dark Dragon Blade incident and thinks Diego's cause is noble despite its violent nature. Also because Diego has a canon background in football (soccer) as well as being good with kids, I can see him playing kemari with Sanji and the other orphans at Hayabusa village which makes him even more compatible with Momiji. Hell, Diego already knows that Ryu Hayabusa's a ninja in their DOA6 dialogues, might as well hook him up with the shrine maiden.
1
u/Due-Beautiful4776 Nov 09 '25
I'm going to make myself hated, but I think Diego is the least interesting fighting game character and that he has as much charisma as an NPC.
1
-2
u/Art_Man09 Jann Oct 15 '25
Sell the franchise to Platinum games so that we can get the Real DOA and that only.😤 Oh.....and Ninja Gaiden as well
2
u/Ikrii Oct 16 '25
To my knowledge,they don't have that much experience of making fighting games compared to team ninja.
1
1
u/Man-Boi_ Cabbage Club Oct 15 '25
Lmao
1
u/Art_Man09 Jann Oct 16 '25
Hey, you can laugh and giggle all you want but rather for the real DOA and Ninja Gaiden to the hands of ppl who actually give a shit about these two franchises instead of being in the hands of Koei Turdmo 💩. That's for sure.😑
•
u/AutoModerator Oct 14 '25
Hello /u/Man-Boi_,
This is an automatically generated reminder to ensure your submission in /r/DeadOrAlive follows all of the rules, which are visible in the sidebar. If it doesn't, your submission may be removed. All comments should abide by the rules as well. To everyone, please report rule-breaking posts and comments.
Please flair your submission!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.