The entire article http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/609/609715p1.html
Quotes from the article...
Quotes from the article...
"The flow towards the next generation is happening faster than I was expecting," continues Itagaki, adding with a laugh, "Don't misunderstand -- I'm not saying that Team Ninja is going to be late for the next generation system. What I want to say is that it seems that without our knowing it, the current generation has finished." The laughter quickly gives way to tears (although we're not sure if he actually cried) as Itagaki reflects, "It makes me feel a little sad."
Apparently, there's some life left in the current generation Xbox. "Of course, because Microsoft is making it, I believe that the next generation system will be excellent hardware," offers Itagaki. "But you know what? That doesn't mean that the current Xbox has already died. We wouldn't be making games for it if that were the case."
Pointing to the success of Xbox outside of Japan, Itagaki expresses, "In Japan, if someone would make real software [for the Xbox], there would be many retailers who'd make shelf space for it and many customers who would buy it. In that sense, in a way I'm confused that talk abruptly started about the next generation system."
Itagaki's last comment on the matter brought about tears with the Xbox faithful here at IGN (although Itagaki said it with a laugh): "Why must I bid farewell to this machine that I love from the bottom of my heart?"
Regarding the Xbox 360 in general, Itagaki seems to have confidence in Microsoft this time around. "In a word, Microsoft is serious," proclaims Itagaki. "Make no mistake, they will make an excellent machine. I think I said the same thing four years ago about the Xbox, but at that time there weren't too many people who believed me."
Asked if the next generation Xbox is easy to work with, Itagaki offers up this perspective: "I've worked with various systems over the years, but I've not once felt difficulty. Even speaking generally, there are plenty of templates and libraries, so perhaps [the systems] are easy to work with. This is, of course, Microsoft's strength. Microsoft is a software developer, so it understands how we feel. I believe that, in the end, hardware is just a box, and to make it move, you need software."
Apparently, there's some life left in the current generation Xbox. "Of course, because Microsoft is making it, I believe that the next generation system will be excellent hardware," offers Itagaki. "But you know what? That doesn't mean that the current Xbox has already died. We wouldn't be making games for it if that were the case."
Pointing to the success of Xbox outside of Japan, Itagaki expresses, "In Japan, if someone would make real software [for the Xbox], there would be many retailers who'd make shelf space for it and many customers who would buy it. In that sense, in a way I'm confused that talk abruptly started about the next generation system."
Itagaki's last comment on the matter brought about tears with the Xbox faithful here at IGN (although Itagaki said it with a laugh): "Why must I bid farewell to this machine that I love from the bottom of my heart?"
Regarding the Xbox 360 in general, Itagaki seems to have confidence in Microsoft this time around. "In a word, Microsoft is serious," proclaims Itagaki. "Make no mistake, they will make an excellent machine. I think I said the same thing four years ago about the Xbox, but at that time there weren't too many people who believed me."
Asked if the next generation Xbox is easy to work with, Itagaki offers up this perspective: "I've worked with various systems over the years, but I've not once felt difficulty. Even speaking generally, there are plenty of templates and libraries, so perhaps [the systems] are easy to work with. This is, of course, Microsoft's strength. Microsoft is a software developer, so it understands how we feel. I believe that, in the end, hardware is just a box, and to make it move, you need software."