THQ returns 'Devil's Third' IP rights back to 'Ninja Gaiden' producer

Rights returned to the creator of Devil's Third after THQ confirms it will no longer be publishing the game.

THQ confirms it returned the rights of third-person shooter Devil's Third to its creator, Ninja Gaiden producer Tomonobu Itagaki, and his development team at Valhalla Game Studios.

"THQ confirms that the company will not be publishing Devil's Third," the publisher told Eurogamer. "All of the game's IP rights have been returned to Itagaki-san and the Valhalla team."

Itagaki announced his returned ownership of the IP in a statement to Famitsu Xbox 360 prior to THQ's confirmation.

"Devil's Third development is in its final stage now, and is most expensive in this term. In the West, we need to spend a great deal for advertisements — as much as development cost — to sell a lot. But it wasn't fit for [THQ's] mid-term plan," he said to the publication.

"They didn't want to part with this IP, but we all have to see into the future and at last they did, for us.

"We were anguished and they were really kind to us. Mr. Danny Bilson was searching for a way to work together until the very end. I do appreciate him and THQ managers that signed the transfer contract."

Devil's Third has been in development since 2009. THQ later dropped the game, stating it was unlikely to make a profit. In addition, the game ran into development woes when the company supplying its game engine went out of business.

Devil's Third currently has no release date.