Kohei Shibata
Reporting and statements that mention Kohei Shibata.
Latest coverage
Nioh 3’s Hell Rising DLC is Out Now
The first major DLC for Nioh 3, titled Hell Rising, is now available on PC and PlayStation 5. Developed by Team Ninja and published by Koei Tecmo, the expansion introduces new missions, enemies, weapon types, and a new difficulty mode set in Edo. A second DLC, Bloody Insurrection, is also confirmed to be in development.
Nioh 3 Free Update Adds Battle Scrolls Side Missions and Rewards
Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo are releasing a free update for Nioh 3 on April 27, 2026, which adds new high-difficulty Battle Scrolls side missions with associated rewards, including new skills. The update also includes rebalancing for Graces and increases difficulty for Stone of Penance to improve accessory rarities. This follows a previous free cosmetic update celebrating sales milestones.
Free PS5 Content Update Hands Nioh 3 a New Lease of Life
Team Ninja is releasing a free content update for Nioh 3 on April 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5. The update will introduce new high-difficulty Battle Scrolls, a Stone of Penance currency for accessory enhancement, and balance adjustments. Two paid DLC expansions, Hell Rising and Hell Insurrection, are also in development.
Nioh 3 update launches April 27, adds multiple high-difficulty Battle Scrolls
Koei Tecmo and Team NINJA announced a free update for Nioh 3 launching on April 27, which will introduce high-difficulty Battle Scrolls, new skills, and the Stone of Penance feature. The update aims to enhance the gameplay experience for players on PlayStation 5 and PC, with further downloadable content planned for later in the year.
Nioh 3 is Getting “High-Difficulty” Battle Scrolls, New Skills, and More on April 27th
Nioh 3 will receive a free update on April 27th, introducing high-difficulty Battle Scrolls that award new skills, and the Stone of Penance for increasing accessory values at the cost of higher difficulty. The update also includes balance adjustments. Two paid DLCs, Hell Rising and Bloody Insurrection, are planned for September and February 2027, respectively, adding new stories, enemies, and bosses.
Should Japanese game devs focus on a Japanese style? Nioh 3 leads say it's "one of our strengths," but blindly "sticking with that Japanese style isn't good" on its own
Nioh 3's lead creators, Kohei Shibata and Fumihiko Yasuda of Team Ninja, discussed the balance between uniquely Japanese game design and global appeal. They stated that while incorporating Japanese cultural strengths is important, blindly adhering to a single style is not beneficial, and incorporating enjoyable elements from Western games is also crucial for success.
"If we focus too much on casual players, that would take away the bite": Nioh 3 may be an easier Soulslike, but Team Ninja considers "really good" players when testing
Team Ninja producers Kohei Shibata and Fumihiko Yasuda discuss the difficulty of Nioh 3, explaining that while they aim for a challenging experience, they also consider players who are not experts in action games. They reference Elden Ring as an example of a Soulslike that achieved broad appeal without compromising its core design, emphasizing that focusing too much on casual players could diminish the signature bite of Team Ninja's action titles.
Upgraded PSSR rolling out to Silent Hill f, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Crimson Desert, and more
Sony is rolling out a PlayStation 5 system software update that enhances PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) for improved image stability, clarity, and performance. This upgraded PSSR technology will be integrated into numerous upcoming and existing titles, including Silent Hill f, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Crimson Desert, with developers like Konami, BioWare, Remedy Entertainment, Ninja Theory, Square Enix, Koei Tecmo, and Capcom sharing positive impressions. The advancements in PSSR are a result of Sony's Project Amethyst partnership with AMD.
Nioh 3 Studio Head Acknowledges It’s a “Great Game, But it’s Not Perfect”
Team Ninja studio head Fumihiko Yasuda and producer Kohei Shibata discussed areas for improvement in Nioh 3, acknowledging it's a great game but not perfect. Yasuda highlighted potential enhancements in narrative and environmental storytelling, particularly regarding yokai lore, while Shibata addressed criticisms about enemy variety. Both expressed a desire to incorporate these learnings into future titles.