Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 is happening, Team Ninja says, but there's a catch

The developer behind Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden is working a third game in the Dead or Alive Xtreme series, Team Ninja lead Yosuke Hayashi said at the Dead or Alive Festival in Tokyo this weekend. But there may be bad news for Dead or Alive fans who prefer their volleyball and beach-themed minigames of an extreme nature: Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 may never be released in North America or Europe.

According to a post on the Dead or Alive Facebook page, Hayashi confirmed that DOAX3, the game's working title, is in development, but will be exclusive to Japan and Asia.

Translated versions of Hayashi's comments indicate that the third Dead or Alive Xtreme game is in early development and will send the women of Dead or Alive on another tropical island vacation. According to Hayashi, a new Dead or Alive Xtreme game is the number one request from fans.

The most recent entry in the franchise, Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, was release for Xbox 360 in 2006. The original game, 2003's Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball, was a spinoff of the 3D fighting game series that focused on beach volleyball, side activities and relationship simulation. The sequel added a handful of minigames, including tug of war and hopping on pool floats.

Team Ninja's latest effort is Dead or Alive 5 Last Round, the supposed final release of the developer's most recent fighting game.