As spotted by Eurogamer, Sega has just launched the "Sega Account," which links together all of Sega's games and services and add?s some extra goodies for your convenience.

You can have this account even if you don't own anything by Sega yet, and it's free to use. "SEGA Account is a profile that lets you maximize SEGA's online services and offers a ton of benefits. Anyone can sig??n up, and it's free to use!" It also applies to Atlus titles, and it "gives you access to a host of benefits when playing Sega and Atlus titles and using their online services."

The service will also provide use??rs with bo??nuses and news about Sega-related games, promotions, and events.

What is the Sega Super Game?

The most interesting part of the Sega Account, however, is that fans are positing it to be related to a bigger move by the company. Back in 2022, Sega's financial reports mentioned a mysterious "Super Game" project, which this could be related ??to. From Bloomberg's report from back in 2022, we learned that this super game was targeting a release date by March 2026, so the Sega Account could serve as a launching pad for this Super Game.

A?n alternative to this theory is that the "Super Game" is an ??access point to revived and improved versions of some of Sega's most beloved games from the company's golden past.

Wh??ate?ver the Super Game might be, it's clear Sega is making moves to somehow remind players of the place it once had in their hearts.

You can sign up for your Sega account right here. The first bonus will be a special Kazuma Kiriyu skin for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Linking accounts will grant you bonuses on Phantom Star Online New Genesis.

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Do you own none of the (mainline) Yakuza games. Have you considered owning all of the (mainline) Yakuza games? Limited Run Games is re-releasing all the (mainline) Yakuza game??s from 0-6 in some fancy special editions. There is no such th??ing as too much Kiryu.

I’m aware that the series didn’t end with Yakuza 6, but at that point, it began transitioning to the Like a Dragon nomenclature. It’s also weird to attach “classic�?to Yakuza Kiwami, since it’s a remake of an older game. We could get technical here, but let’s focus on this sweet line-up of classic re-releases focused on the person who doesn’t own any part of the Yakuza series. If such a person exists.

Right now, only Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami are up for pre-order. The “Classic�?editions of each come with character cards, an acrylic standee, the soundtrack on CD, and appropriate swag (pin for 0, more cards for Kiwami). It comes in a book-style hardcover box that matches the other games. Also, buying the Yakuza 0 Classic Edition will also net you a slipcase. It gapes open, ready to fit all seven classic editions. Don’t miss ?one or both your slipcase �?and, by extension, your life �?will forever?? remain with an empty hole in it.

This isn’t for me; I already own all those Yakuza games. Some of them are in Steelbook cases, and 3-5 are in that big honking c?ompilation. Shelf space is already at a premium for me; do you understand how thicc a Genesis/?Mega Drive case is? By the time you own 20 of them, you need a dedicated bookcase.

Want to get into the Yakuza series? This doesn’t seem like a bad way to do it. You can definitely get most of these games for cheaper at this point, but at $75 for the special editions it’s maybe not that bad. I can almost guarantee that it will be one of your new favs, and you’ll want to immortalize that love. Just trust me. They’re like 100 hours long, and half of that is just screwing around town and in arcades. Another big portion is ridiculously long cutscenes. It’s amazing. Just trust me.

Yakuza 0 Classic Edition and Yakuza Kiwami Classic Edition are ??available for pre-order now and expected to ship in March. The other titles are forthcoming. 

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I don’t know what’s real anymore. Sega and Ryu ga Gotoku Studio have announced that the next game in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series will be Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. The twist is that this one looks like some sort of fever dream where Majima beco?mes a pirate.

To be fair, this isn’t the first time that the series has gone deep into left field. Yakuza Dead Souls had the cast fighting zombies, after all. And in order to keep development time and costs down, the company frequently reuses old settings in new ways. Perhaps they were mulling over what else they could do with their massive Haw??aii map and somehow decided ?on this.

The story shows Majima waking up on the beach of Rich Island with no memor??y of what happened. One thing leads to another, and he just kind of beats up the right people and winds up with a pirate ship. He and his crew decide that they’re going to search for a legendary treasure, which I’m sure is what most people would do if they found themselves in possession of an antique warship. There is also a pirate city called “Madlantis,�?so how awesome is that? The trailer is a whopping 7 minutes long and covers all the important parts.

There are parts of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii that seem familiar. For example, the bike courier mission from Infinite Wealth shows up in the trailer. The combat seems to be the classic real-time beat-’em-up style rather than the turn-based of the more recent core ??titles, and you can switch between “Mad Dog�?and “Sea Dog�?fighting styles.

I was wonde?ring what i?fe at sea is like, and apparently, there are “exhilarating real-time cannon battles.�?It sounds like you battle the enemy ship until it’s ready to board. The marketing information does mention that you ��explore the open sea,�?but whether that’s a map system or actual ship steering isn’t entirely clear.

Yeah, didn’t see that coming, but I’m on board. Get it? Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will release for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 27, 2025. As Sega commonly does, there is a rather sizeable Deluxe Edition with included DLC available.

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Yakuza Kiwami, the remake of the very first game in the Yakuza series, is coming to Nintendo Switch. Announced during the Nintendo August 2024 Showcase, the game invites players to check out the story that kic??ked the epic franchise off and follow protagonist Kazuma Kiryu on a path of redemption.

Kazuma Kiryu is a yakuza accused of murdering his clan's patriarch. After a lengthy prison ??sentence, Kazuma heads out in search of his friends, who have now gone missing. Along the way, he'll meet a young girl, the key to a fortune, and as their fates intertwine, it leads Kazuma on a bloody path that will see him battling it out with p?retty much everyone in Kamurocho, Tokyo.

One more battle

Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the original Yakuza title that really put the series on the map. However, many additional elements have been added to the story in this version of the game, making it a bigger and, in some ways, more complete entry that ?feels as though it fits better with the rest o??f the games.

For example, an expanded sto??ryline about Akira Nishikiyama's corruption during Kazuma's prison sentence, and constant struggles between the protagonist and his biggest rival, Goro Majima. B?ut it's more than story additions that have been made.

The gameplay in Yakuza Kiwami has been tweaked to match that of Yakuza 0, which was the most recent release at the time of the remake's launch. New systems such as Majima Everywhere were introduced, and combat was aligned with Yakuza 0's to make it feel like a more coherent entry in the series since i?t was? released after that title.

The gameplay in Yakuza Kiwami is pretty simple. There are major story b??eats, but for the most part, you're exploring a sandbox open world filled with activities, way more than you'd expect, and dozens of enemies to fight. In combat, you'll swap between fighting styles to best your opponents, as well as using parts of the environment to beat them to a pulp?.

The Yakuza series has an incredible sense of humor that might feel like it doesn't fit at first, but ?by the time you're a few hours into any of the games, you're completely invested in? this mad world. The stakes are often high and very serious, but the comedy between those story beats and the way they flesh out the world make it one that you never want to leave until you've completed everything there is to do in it.

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I can’t say I normally pay close attention to the Computer Entertainment Developers Conference (CEDEC), but this year (as spotted by Twitter user gosokkyu), it is presenting the Engineering Division Award for Excellence to Hitoshi Iizawa for their very important work in?? arcade emulation. Not just any arc??ade emulation, but emulation of the early 3D-era Sega Model 2 and Model 3 platforms.

In terms of game preservation, arcade games are a difficult area. Each game could be on its own hardware or hardware variation. While console emulation focuses on recreating the hardware in a way that can run its library of games, a lot of arcade games have to be approached individually. Add to that the fact that 3D game hardware is much harder to emulate, and it can be a struggle.

The emulation was done specifically to fill out the arcades in the games by Ryu ga Gotoku studios. Games in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon/Judgment series had full recreations of Sega’s old arcade titles, such as Fighting Vipers, Virtua Fighter 2, and Sega Bass Fishing. Not only are the games present, but t?he cabinets themselves (such as the Sega Blast City) are presented in painsta?king detail.

The award states that it’s in recognition of Iizawa’s technical expertise, as well as for presenting the buried games for today’s players. His work in porting old arcade games goes back to the �?0s where he worked on Sega Ages 2500: Virtua Fighter 2 and later helped port Daytona USA to PS3 and Xbox 360.

There has been some progress in emulating Model 2 and Model 3 games by fan communities. However, having an official means to play these games is always a plus. I would like to see some titles from these? platforms make their way to storefronts, rather than being contained as games within a game. Hopefully, this work will eventually lead to that.

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Last month, Amazon revealed plans for a live-action Like a Dragon: Yakuza series on Prime Video.?? It's set to stream acros??????????????????????????s six episodes starting on October 24, and we officially have our first look thanks to a new teaser trailer.

In addition to showing off some footage, the latest update on the series reveals the casting for Kiryu's sworn brother, Akira Nishikiyama. Kento Kaku—who previously played Shinji Sakamoto in the live-action Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku and Haru in House of Ninjas—has been cast in the role. 

The trailer is just over a minute long, and most of it is spent lingering on yakuza body art, but there are some promi??sing shots. The blink-and-you'll-miss-it glimpse of Kamurocho gate looks particularly spot-on, at least from what we can see.

As previously reported, Masaharu Take directs the live-action take on Like a Dragon. The series will be streamed worldwide and split into two parts. The firs??t three episodes launch on October 24, and the ??second three will follow a week later on November 1. Amazon will offer dubbed/subbed options in 30 languages, so a lot of folks out there are going to get to enjoy Kiryu's dramatic journey.

The story of the Like a Dragon show spans two time periods, set in 1995 and 2005. It follows the life of original series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu, from his childhood friends to the repercussions of the decisions he makes as a member of the criminal underworld. Ryoma Takeuchi (Shinnosuke Tomari in Kamen Rider Drive) is in the ?lead as Kiryu. If they? can at least squeeze in a few minigames in the process, we'll have a hit on our hands.  

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Today, Yakuza �?or rather, Like a Dragon �?is pretty well known far and wide as a series of exciting, corny, and hammed-up RPGs by Sega. But history could have been much different. Back when the series was originally pitched,? Sega "flat-out rejected" it.

In an interview (via Automaton) with Like a Dragon series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, the former series he??ad recalled the time Sega smacked the idea off the table like a curmudgeonly cat. According to Nagoshi, Sega was desperately seeking new video game ideas with worldwide appeal.

"This led to a mindset of making games that would appeal to the masses, games that could sell anywhere and to anyone. Many producers, including myself??, thought this way," Nagoshi said.

For anyone who has played a Like a Dragon g?ame, or even looked at a set of screenshots, can tell you that the saga of Kiryu Kazuma and friends ain't that. (Even if it should be.)

Like a Dragon came to be during a tumultuous time for Sega

Sega initially said no, and it's no surprise why. Like a Dragon, directly translated from its Japanese name of Ryu Ga Gotoku, wasn't strictly designed for Western audiences. The?? game took place in a small part of Tokyo, rich with attractions and references that only those fluent in Japanese culture may understand or recognize. It starred a former member of a Japanese crime syndicate who chewed corny tough-guy lines while balancing his time with a conspiracy story, taking care of a puppy, playing pachinko, and getting toilet paper for a man stuck in a park bathroom.

The series was, and still is, an eclectic blend of sillines??s and drama, but Sega didn't see the potential right away.

“Of course, it was flat-out rej?ected," Nagoshi explained. "After all, it was completely contrary to what I mentioned earlier about attracting the masses. Children wouldn’t be able to play it, and it wasn’t catered to women nor overseas audiences. In this sense, there was no way for it to be approved without resistance."

Nagoshi was persistent and, eventually, Sega relented. He said he was "quite forceful" in looking for approval. With Nagoshi always dressing like he crawled out of a Like a Dragon game himself, I guess I'm not shocked that Sega ultimately saw thin??gs hi?s way.

It's not like Sega was wrong from a business perspective, mind. Back in the early '00s when LAD was being pitched, Sega had already likely given up the Dreamcast and was reeling over Shenmue's disappointing sales figures. The latter was known as the most expensive game ever made �?a title it held for many years. The absurd Like a Dragon must have been viewed as an exceptionally tough sell for outside Jap??an.

But Sega definitely tried. The publisher went so far as to fully dub the original game in English, while bringing in Mark Hamill to voice Goro Majima, a role he may not even remember taking.

Yakuza, as it was called when it finally came to the West, also didn't reach mainstream appeal for many years. The fourth mainline game in the series was nearly the last to cross the seas, as the Yakuza 5 localization almost didn't happen. Regardless, with Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the series is now firmly nestled into the zeitgeist on both the East and West. Nagoshi, however, has moved on and is making games for his new studio.

Fast-forward a couple decades and the latest game in the franchise is a smash hit for Sega. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth soared to 1 million sold within a week of its launch, outpacing the sales of its predecessors (and we loved it). The series, along with Persona and Sonic the Hedgehog, contributed to a 20% sales increase, Sega announced this mo??nth. Let's be collectively glad the comp?any eventually said yes.

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Leave it to Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios to bring Like a Dragon to life... simulation. Announced at the Xbox Partner Showcase, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is adding an Animal Crossing-like mode to its gameplay.

In the new trailer, Ichiban arrives via dolphin (what else did you expect?) at DonDoko Island and gets free reign over the isle. We trade in the turn-based brawling and dramatic stories for quiet spearfishing and bug catching. Instead of running and battling around Kamurocho and Honolulu City, you get to swim in clear blue water and give wholesome presents to people. There are even fun mascots to cheer you on, just like Animal Crossing. Though I'm not sure these would make the ??cut at Nintendo.

Onto New Horizons

Using the materials you collect on the island, you can craft a variety of items to put in guest houses. Yes, much like Animal Crossing, people will come to your island to live there and it's your responsibility to make it inhabitable. You'll even get tourists who'll want to see whatever island you create. You are ?in charge of decorating the island with buildings, houses, and even fire-breathing statue??s. The trailer also shows Ichiban giving off K.K Slider vibes as he serenades everyone with a guitar at a big bonfire.

Of course, it isn't Yakuza/Like a Dragon without some fighting. Enemies of all kinds will show up on your island and try to cause trouble. As the mayor, you'll need to smack them around with a bat and take care of business. I mean, if Villager and Isabelle get to battle people on their island in Super Smash Bros., Ichiban can, too.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is going big with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The last two trailers showcase the game's massive story and turn-based gameplay, which brings everyone from the previous entries back to the fray. It looks to remain true to the absurd nature of the series while hitting those emotional high notes. Hopefully, t??his one wil??l be a memorable and wild ride.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches on Pl??ayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on January 26, 2024??.

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Borderlands 3 is getting the boot too

PlayStation Plus giveth, and taketh away. Like any other running "subscription" service, every game cannot stay up indefinitely. While Sega won't be taking tax-writeoffs and erasing Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 from existence; that trio is leaving PlayStation Plus on August 15.

The news comes straight out of the PS5's UI, which notes that a selection of games (listed below, in the order they appear on the storefront) are in their "last chance to play" phase. That gives you less than a month to either play through them or eventually pony up and buy them outrigh??t.

The full list of games leaving PlayStation Plus on August 15

• Borderlands 3
• Nidhogg 
• DCL (Drone Champions League): The Game
• Yakuza 0
• Yakuza Kiwami
• Yakuza Kiwami 2 
• Grip
• Crew 2
• 8-Bit Armies
• Carmageddon: Max Damage

Beyond the Yakuza games and Borderlands 3, this looks like a pretty standard list of games to remove from the service.  Losing three Yakuza games feels like a punch in the face, but something like DCL - Drone Champions League is fated to cyc???le around different services at will.

As for recommendations, Borderlands 3 is a great game to run through for free, especially if you're the type of person who likes to just see things through until the end of the story and stop there. Nidhogg is still a great party game/weekend bit of fun, and of course, nearly every Yakuza release is worth playing in some capacity.

Plan accordingly!

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Charting a history of dramatic shirt-off moments

There are few moments as blood-pumpingly dramatic in a Yakuza/Like a Dragon game as when someone rips their shirt off and unveils their tattoos. It is the peak of a fight, often reserved f??or special showdowns or the height of the story's arc.

Sega—for a reason I can't really discern at this moment—recently posted a compilation celebrating just that: the epic back tattoo reveal moments of Ryu Ga Gotoku's Like a Dragon series. From the original Yakuza games up through Like a Dragon, there are many. And they're all spectacular.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joowq-IM6PA

Of cour??se, we see many of the usual suspects here: Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima, Taiga Saejima, and newcomer Ichiban Kasuga. Plenty of villains too, including Akira Nishikiyama and one of my favorites, Daisaku Kuze. All of them baring their incredibly detailed and gorgeou??s back tattoos.

Art in motion

Part of my motivation for writing about this was just the strangeness of Sega posting this on a seemingly random Friday, as if someone was bored and chopping together footage that someone, somewhere, gave it a green light. Maybe it's sowing some groundswell. Like a Dragon: Ishin! just came out, but there are still a few modern Like a Dragon games in the works, too??. That's just my red-strings-on-co??rkboard theory, though it could just as easily be a fun video to fire off on a Friday.

But even more than that, I just love highlighting what I think is an excellent character development tool for Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The tattoos these characters bear often reflect who they are as a person: their values, their drives, and their ambitions. Nishikiyama's koi tattoo is a beautiful foil to Kiryu's dragon. And when Kiryu shows his tattoo in Yakuza 0, it's stenciled and uncolored; he is still becoming the Dragon we see him as in later games. Kotaku ran a feature around the release of Yakuza 0, delving into this and mo??re around the imagery used for these tattoos.

So yes, it's not just a blood-pumping moment of hype, but these art pieces also add fantastic touches of character work to the memorable cast Yakuza and Like a Dragon has had over the y??ears. So yes, we will take some time to celebrat??e that today.

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Wakarimashita

The fan group Team K4L have announced that their translation of Kurohyou: Ryu Ga Gotoku Shinshou will be released this August. Initially, they had hoped to rel??ease it last year,?? but unfortunately had to delay it.

Sega has come a long way when it comes to localizing their Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, so we’ve been eating well. Like a Dragon: Ishin! was once argued by Sega as being a poor choice for localization, but despite that, we just recently finally got it over here. However, in a recent interview with The Gamer chief producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto said of Kurohyou, “I think if we wanted to develop something, we're not really looking at the past, we're looking to the future, and we t??hink that we want to put our efforts and our priorities at making new titles for Like a Dragon.�?That’s not a “no, definitely not,�?but it’s not looking good, so it’s always great to see fans step in to bring a title to a wider audience.

[embed]//youtu.be/dkkGKxAhNr0[/embed]

Kurohyou: Ryu Ga Gotoku Shinsho is a 2010 spin-off of the series for PSP. Rather than an attempt to simply transplant the Like a Dragon/Yakuza formula to the portable, Sega enlisted AKI Corporation (now known as syn Sophia) to put their own spin on it. AKI should be a familiar name to anyone who played N64 wrestling games, as they’re the developers behind WCW/NWO Revenge and WWF No Mercy. These titles, as well as the others they put out on the console, are still regard??ed as some of the best pro wrestling games ever released.

The gameplay focuses more on one-on-one combat, but the narrative features the familiar neighborhood of Kamurocho and is packed with mini-games and side quests. Combat is modeled closer to Def Jam Fight for NY, rather than the more beat-’em-up brawling of your typical Yakuza/Like a Dragon game.

K4L will be releasing the translation patch this August under the name Kurohyou (Like a Dragon: Black Panther).

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Celebrity 'Trooper Cards' revealed

While stoic ronin Sakamoto Ryoma has had to wait many, many years for his journey to the west, it seems that he will not be coming alone, as Ryu ga Gotoku Studio has revealed that several celebrities will be making guest appearances in the long-awaited western release of Like a Dragon: Ishin!

The developer announced that the Edo-era epic will feature a selection of new "Trooper Cards" �?affording our hero new abilities to utilize in battle. The first two of these cards feature video game-loving pro-wrestler Kenny Omega, and charismatic actor Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass, iZombie). Omega's "Essence of One-Winged Angel" will afford Sakamoto?? the ability to cut down a crowd with a mighty sword swing, while Kohli's "Essence of Firestorm" will see the lone warrior torch his enemy with an extended blast of flames. B?oth cards will be available as free DLC on launch day.

//www.youtube.co??m/watch?v=w9YiUTyqpGU&ab_channel=SEGA

“I’ve been a fan of the Like a Dragon series for years, and to be forever immortalized in Like a Dragon: Ishin!, the newest entry in one of the most iconic game franchise of all time, is surreal," said Omega in a press release. “I’m so excited about my Trooper Card, and I think players are going to love the artwork and attack animatio?n �?and the damage I can deal to enemies!"

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=?auEmOD??2ObEQ&ab_channel=SEGA

"As a huge fan of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s games, I was honored to be asked to be a guest for the Like a Dragon: Ishin! Trooper Cards," added Kohli. "As someone who is emotionally invested in the Like a Dragon story, I’m nervously excited to take on this mantle of being a small part of Ryoma’s journey, The close relationship that SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have with their fan community, has been really exciting to see manifest in these cards. I’m ?very honored to not only be a part of the community, but to also be a part of the series."

There are still four more "special guest" cards to?? be reve?aled. Who could they be? C'monnn Meiko Kaji...

Like a Dragon: Ishin! will finally arrive on PlayStat?ion, PC, and Xbox platforms Februar?y 21.

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What's in a name?

Last week was a biggie for Yakuza fans, as Sega and RGG Studio bombarded the community with exciting news pertaining to not only new titles in the dramatic RPG series, but also revealed some long-awaited news on the lost-in-translation side series, Yakuza: Ishin!.. erm... Like a Dragon: Ishin!

You see, as part of this cavalcade of series news, Sega also announced that it is officially adopting the "Like a Dragon" branding (a closer approximation of their original Japanese title: Ryu ga Gotoku), for all Like a Dragon/Yakuza releases going forward. No more titles set within the Yakuza universe will be afforded the "Yakuza" name in any of their English localizations.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJhqN7R_oAg

The first game to sport the Like a Dragon title in the west was 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which chose the new name in order to help distinguish it from the adventures of Kazuma Kiryu that had come before. However, with Sega's official appropriation of the original title, this release will now be the final game to bear the "Yakuza" name. Appropriately, the name change also comes at a time when RGG Studio itself i??s entering a ne??w era, following the departure of series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi.

For those who missed last week's headlines, Sega and RGG Studio announced a long-awaited western remake of 2014 period adventure Like a Dragon: Ishin! which is looking pretty fabulous. In addition, the developers dropped a teaser trailer for Like a Dragon 8, which will see Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga team up as dual protagonists. A side-story Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, w??ill depict the events that for??ced Kiryu to return to the streets of Kamurocho.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_z9hyFY1I

It took the Like a Dragon franchise a very long time to establish itself in the mainstream, and now it seems that there is no going back. So knuckle up, folks, there are s??till plenty more bicycles to smash.

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Guest appearances from some series veterans

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released the first gameplay trailer for their upcoming remake Like a Dragon: Ishin! �?the slick video shows off some of the characters, locales, and intense combat action of the period piece spin-off from the much-loved Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk_z9hyFY1I&t

Originally released in Japan back in 2014 as Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin!, Sega's spin-off sees a suspiciously familiar party of heroes and villains clash against the backdrop of the latter-day Bakamatsu period of Edo-era Japan. Replacing the streets of Kamurocho with rural villages and ancient temples, the game follows the adventures of legendary swordsman and folklore figure Sakamoto Ryōma �?essentially "portrayed" by Like a Dragon hero Kazuma Kiryu.

The new remake will feature an overhauled game engine, modern visuals, and tightened combat. In addition, a new "soldier" system will let the player call upon classic Like a Dragon characters for an assist in battle, including Like a Dragon 2's Kaoru Sayama and Like a Dragon 7's Ichiban Kasuga. As depicted in the trailer, fans can also expect a wide variety of dopey side activities, including some garden ??plantation, fishing, gambling, and, naturally, some Edo-era karaoke. Because why hot?

It might have been a very, very, very long time coming for western fans, but it looks like this new edition of the rare release is going to have been worth the wait. Like a Dragon: Ishin! lau?nches on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platf??orms February 21, 2023.

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The Dragon of Dojima returns

As part of today's RGG Studio live stream, the developer revealed a brand new title, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This "side-story" release is described as a new action-adventure, currently in de?velopment for PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms with a 2023 release date.

While the developer was incredibly tight-lipped in regards to the details, the new title is an "action-adventure game" that will detail the actions of The Dragon of Dojima, Kiryu Kazuma, following his departure from the series in Yakuza 6. The purpose of Like a Dragon Gaiden is to tell Kiryu's story from Yakuza 6, through his brief appearance in Like a Dragon 7, and his return in the just revealed Like a Dragon 8.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will launch in 2023 on PlayStation, P??C, and Xbox.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxkn-dcy01k

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The streets of Kamurocho are about to get messy

During this morning's RGG Studio live stream presentation, the developer released a teaser trailer confirming the arrival of Like a Dragon 8, the newest entry in the legendary Like a Dragon/Yakuza franchise. The new sequel will arrive in 2024 on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms.

The new sequel will feature both Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga in a dual protagonist role. The former is spo?rting a new "silver fox" hairstyle, which RGG Studio insists will be explained in the new game's storyline, as will the snakeskin-shoed hero's reason for returning to the mean streets of Kamurocho.

Gameplay style was not discussed, outside of referring to Like a Dragon 8 as an "RPG." The new title will be the largest scale Yakuza/Like a Dragon title to date. It will be available on previous-gen consoles, including PS4 and Xbox One. Also revealed during the showcase were a release date for Like a Dragon: Ishin and new side-story adventure Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJhqN7R_oAg

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Ishin finally comes to the west on PS4 and PS5

[Update: RGG Studio has released a new, near-six-minute story trailer for Like a Dragon: Ishin! You can check it out below. Like a Dragon: Ishin! will launch worldwide on February 22, 2023.]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wVSyxsUQHU

A long-awaited Yakuza title is making its way to new fans. Like a Dragon: Ishin is a historic??al action-adventure, launching globally in February 2023.

Ishin is a historical thriller set in 1860s Kyo, a fictional version of Kyoto. Hero Sakamoto Ryoma is a true historical figure, and the story follows the overthrow of th?e shogunate and how the samurai?? era vanished.

If the faces look familiar, it's for good reason. Kazuma Kiryu is essentially "cast" as Sak?amoto Ryoma, and others will appear as well. Yes, that includ?es Goro Majima.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWCjnYx7Ytc

While Yakuza Ishin launched in Japan in 2014, western players haven't had a localized version to play just yet. And more than a localization, Like a Dragon: Ishin is being built on Unreal Engine 4. I have to s?ay, it's looking pretty darn good ??on it, too.

Of course, the game will still have heat actions for some big finishers. Sakamoto can also wield a blade in Swordsman style, a gun in the Gunman style, or both in the Wild? Dancer style. Or maybe just go back to good old fists, in the Brawler stance.

Like a dragon

There's more to come for Like a Dragon: Ishin, and we might not have to wait long. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is set to host a summit live stream early tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll get some more details and info on RGG's plans ??there.

Today's State of Play confirms that Like a Dragon: Ishin is coming to PlayStation 4 and PS5. The Sega upload of the trailer also confirms Ishin is coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via ??Windows and S??team.

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See what's next for RGG Studio

Another developer is joining the list of showcases set for next week. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developer behind the Yakuza and Judgment series??, is host??ing the RGG Summit 2022 on September 14.

The RGG Summit will air on Sega's Twitch channel, going live at 19:00 JST. That's 10:00 UTC, or 3:00 a.m. PT for those on the west coast. East coasters have it a little bit easier, with a 6 a.m. ET air ti?me.

For those who are awake and tuned in, the ?stream will have live English interpretation and subtitled assets for th?ose outside of Japan.

//twitter.com/RGGStudio/status/15678309601330995?20

No indication's been given yet as to what will be announced. Though, given the recent tease of some footage from the next Yakuza, that seems like a likely candidate.

The studio has confirmed it's working on the next Yakuza game already. It will be a follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and it will retain a turn-based RPG approach.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will also be without Toshihiro Nagoshi, who left the company and has established Nagoshi Studio under NetEase. It'll be interesting to see what's next for Ichiban and the crew, and the Yakuza ser?ies in general, if we get a glimpse during the RGG Summit.

Summer's end gaming news blitz

That's far from the only showcase next week, too. Next week is the 2022 Tokyo Game Show, and companies like Capcom, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco are all lined up to air streams.

Xbox and Twitch are also airing a showcase next week for ID@Xbox, too. This weekend will even have a Marvel and Disney showcase, and an Ubisoft Forward. Plus, the ever-present rumors of a potential September Direct (which may or may not be happening, who's to say).

With the holiday season just over the h??orizon, seems like ??we're getting one last wave of gaming news and announcements. We'll see what RGG Studio has in store next week.

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Misadventures in Kamurocho

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, perhaps better known to western audiences as Team Yakuza, has anno?unced that it wil??l be hosting a new episode of production web series next week, which will feature none other than studio director himself, Masayoshi Yokoyama, who will present fans with a "sneak peek trailer."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMIrQbJ5K2E

The developer did not offer any further hint as to what the trailer will be giving us a "sneak peek" of, but the rumor mill has been turning for some time �?spilling stories that a "Yakuza 8" is currently in the works at the veteran studio. With Tokyo Game Show kicking off in just a fortnight's time, now would b??e the perfect opportunity for a Japanese company to get the hype engine in motion for a brand new release. The stream will also feature a gallery of specially selected fan art reflecting the studio's games.

The Ryu ga Gotoku Studio TV #12.5 episode will premiere on the developer's official YouTube channel Thursday, September 8, at 20:00 JST. This is, obviously, an eye-watering 02:00 PT / 05:00 ET, but fret not, as we will be sure to have all of the pertinent details on the new trailer right here on Destuctoid, ready and waitin?g for you when you eventual?ly roll outta bed and into your snakeskin shoes.

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PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers are getting Yakuza, Trials of Mana, and more

Sony shared the new games coming to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog in August for Extra and Premium subscribers, and I hope you like Yakuza or are willing to give it a chance. Heavily discounted as they often are, the Yakuza games rule, and Yakuza 0, e??specially, is an all-time great video? game �?the kind that will sit with you for years.

It feels strange to call Monopoly Madness a hidden gem, but it is. Take a chance on it.

Here's the full lineu??p, which some of you might find disappointing.

New games joining the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog on August 16, 2022

• Bugsnax
• Dead by Daylight
• Metro Exodus
• Monopoly Madness
• Monopoly Plus
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands
• Trials of Mana
• UNO
• Yakuza 0
• Yakuza Kiwami
• Yakuza Kiwami 2

It's going to be interesting to see what a "normal" month ends up being for the PS Plus Game Catalog. Expectations are pretty set for the Essential tier, at this point.

As someone who tries to keep up with most major releases within reason, these games aren't that fresh �?but if you've been out of the loop and haven't played games like Bugsnax, Metro Exodus, or Yakuza 0 yet, then sure,? there's some good stuff to check out.

[caption id="attachment_339045" align="alignnone" width="960"] _{Monopoly Madness is worth a look for the Overcooked crowd �?even if you dislike Monopoly proper.}[/caption]

Trials of Mana is a good pull if you're down for an RPG remake, and while it's super under the radar, Monopoly Madness is a surprisingly enjoyable party game.

Weirdly �?bafflingly �?there's no word yet about additional classic PS1, PS2, or PSP games joining the PlayStation Plus Premium library in August. After a quiet launch, followed by two lonely classics (No Heroes Allowed! and LocoRoco Midnight Carnival) in July, I'm not feeling optimistic about Sony's retro releases. There's so much to pull from!

If you haven't upgraded, I would easily recommend PlayStation Plus Extra at most �?skip Premium until it proves itself. The middle option is the sweet spot with access to the Game Catalog,? and while you're missing out on classics, you aren't missing that much.

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You'll need PS Plus Premium to get them all, though

The PlayStation Plus games for August are now officially announced, with Yakuza: Like a Dragon among the lineup. But that isn't the only Yakuza game coming to PlayStation Plus owners this year.

Sony has confirmed that eight Yakuza games, stretching across the mainline entries, will arrive on PlayStation Plus services ??by the end of the year. To check out the full gamut, you'll need PlayStation Plus Premium. But yes, those who do have a subscription will ??be able to dive deep into this wild series.

Starting this month, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the first up. The RPG may be a departure from the usual beat 'em up action of the core series, but it's a darn good one. August's Game Catalog update for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members will also see Yakuza 0, Kiwami, and Kiwami 2 arrive. The Kiwami games are remakes of the first two games, while Yakuza 0 is a prequel story that is frankly superb.

Then, as the year rolls on, the remasters of Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 will arrive for PS Plus Premium, and Yakuza 6: The Song of Life will close it out for Extra and Pr??emium. The short version is:

Yakuza games headed to PS Plus by tiers

• Essential: Yakuza: Like Dragon
• Extra: Yakuza 0, Kiwami, Kiwami 2, 6
• Premium: Yakuza 3, 4, 5

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkygiqC7ulQ

So yes, you will need PlayStation Plus Premium to take full advantage of the sheer flood of Yakuza content. But for those who did dip all in the way, getting the entire Yakuza series seems like a good upside.

Sony has also rolled out additional PS Plus bonuses since launching its new subscription tiers, like making popular cat-game Stray free for Extra and up. We'll see how these tiers keep up with both the modern offerings of Game Pass and the retro lineup of the Nintendo Switch Plus collection as time goes on, but a whole bunch of Yakuza is a pretty good pace-setter.

Meanwhile, if you want a look at the future of the Yakuza series, we got one in an offscreen video clip. Now would be a great time for a Like a Dragon ?refresher, as Ichiban and the crew look ready?? to take the lead again.

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Some off-screen footage appears of what looks like the next Yakuza

We just got a glimpse of the next Yakuza story. And rather than through a story or gameplay trailer, it's through some off-the-screen footage of Yakuza 8 in a studio tour.

As shared by Famitsu, MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura recently posted a behind-the-scenes tour of Sega's headquarters. He spends the video chatting with developers, but what really caught attention was a moment where a screen shows several Like a Dragon characters in what appears to be Yakuza 8.

//twitter.com/famitsu/status/1549363407614185472

Ichiban, Nanba, and Adachi all appear in this scene. The Yakuza: Like a Dragon ??protagonist appears to have a different haircut again, though it seems like his hair might be tied back rather than cut short.

Return of the dragon

The development team confirmed that the next Yakuza story would be a follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon, so seeing these characters again makes sense. This was alongside a larger shake-up at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which saw longtime director Toshihiro Nagoshi depart the studio. The Yakuza creator would later reveal his own studio, Nagoshi Studio, under the NetEase banner.

As for the next Yakuza game? This is the first glimpse we've seen of it. We did get confirmation last year that the Yakuza series would not just carry on the Like a Dragon story, but its RPG combat as well. It seems like the brawler action will live on with Lost Judgement and other games from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.

Hopefully this is a sign that we'll see more of the next Yakuza soon. Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a major departure for the? series, with a new core cast and entirely new battle system. But it was incredibly charming, a??nd I'm pretty down to spend some more time with this disaster-person RPG party.

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Yakuza heroes (don't) cameo in new DLC

You might have heard the hot scoop that Kazuma Kiryu is about to guest star in Rainbow Six Siege. Well, he isn't, but his suit and haircut sure are. Ubisoft has announced that it is collaborating with Sega to bring character skins of the Yakuza hero �?as well as his one-time love in?terest and?? ass-kicking partner, Kaoru Sayama �?to its popular online squad shooter.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rnZeKj9SWM

The Rainbow Six Siege Yakuza Bundle, which launches on all platforms today, includes looks for Siege's resident "Team Japan," Hibana and Echo. In addition to the character skins, new weapon skins will kit Hibana out with a Police-themed rifle skin, while Echo gets a pearl-colored rifle skin emblazoned with the legendary Dragon of Dojima. Though these are, essentially, Siege characters in cosplay, it's still pretty weird to see even a dollar store Kazuma carrying a gun. Later this season, a new Elite skin will see Echo transform into the wildly unpredictable Gor?o Majima, as teased in the above trailer.

This is not the first time Rainbow Six Siege has ventured into "guest skins" territory. Back in 2020, Rainbow squad leader Ash got her Lara Croft on, while 2021 saw Zofia don the iconic S.T.A.R.S. garb of Resident Evil's Jill Valentine. These crossover costumes are part of Rainbow Six Siege's continued progression into a wider universe of lore �?evolving from its nationalistic and stringently militant, roots into a more approachable, character-driven, alternate universe. Another example of this new direction lies in the icky, sci-fi sensibilities of 2021's Rainbow Six Extraction, which saw the counter-terrorist team battle a literal ??a??lien invasion.

Rainbow Six Siege and Rainbow Six Extraction are available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox platforms. The Rainbow Six Siege Yakuza Bundle is available on all platforms today.

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Bring it in

I admit it; I’m a hugger. Don’t make this w??eird. Keep it office appropriate, but bring it in. Maybe after the pandemic has ended.

Just like any hugger, I spend a lot of time thinking about hugging other people, dogs,  crustaceans, and fictional characters. More than once have I been playing a game and thought, “I bet that character gives great hugs.�?By “more than once,�?I mean, like, constantly. When a new monster re?veals itself from the depths, my mind immediately? puts it on a scale for huggability. Great Grey Wolf Sif: Very huggable. Gaping Dragon: No.

So allow me to share my expertise with all the other huggers out there and bring your attention to some of my picks for ten of the best video game huggers out there. I know some of you are already searching your folders of Shin Megami Tensei gam??es to find the most phallic creation that you want to pull into your embrace, but this is serious business. You can’t just go through life making light of the important subject of hugs. Focus!

Mike Haggar

Can you truly look me in the eye and tell me you never wanted to hug Mike Haggar from Final Fight? Look at him, he walks like he’s inviting everyone on the street into his arms. It helps that the beat-’em-up ??genre is the huggingest variety of games on the market. Most of the time, when a brawler gets close to another character, they immediately take them into their arms before driving their faces into the concrete.

There are quite a few characters that would fit in place of Haggar, including newcomer hugger, Estel from Streets of Rage 4, but Haggar ha??s been hugging longer than most. Plus, he’s willing to hug a city full of thugs to save his city and get his daughte??r back. That’s a man dedicated to hugging.

Yellow Devil

Jump, wait, hop, wait, wait, jump, wait, wait, jump (clear two), wait, wait, wait, jump, wait, wait, wait, hop, wait, and hug. Look at Mega Man's Yellow Devil, he’s huge. Maybe squishy. His stance implies that he wants a hug, but is too shy to commit to it. Those are hugging hands, ready for a soft embrace. Just don’t get too attached. Yellow Devil is a heartbreaker. If you take your time and pause for? effect, you might just crack that squishy exterior.

Hestu

Damn! Talk about tree-hugging! While his bark-covered exterior may not make for the most comfortable embrace, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Hestu's round shape is pleasing to the arms. He also really knows how to shake it, so if you’re the typ??e to go out dancing, Hestu will shake it with you. I’m not the dancing type, but I respect his hobbies.

Sheeva

The first thought a lot of people probably had when they saw the four-armed Goro in the first Mortal Kombat was, “Damn, I want a?? hug from that guy.�?The problem is, like so many fighting game bosses, the dude’s a cheater. ??He’s fast and does stupid amounts of damage. Sheeva is a much better option.

First appearing in Mortal Kombat 3 as the first playable Shokan on the regular roster, Sheeva’s skimpy outfit and impressive musculature confused me as a pre-pubescent child. She has ??beckoning arms, unlike Goro’s “I’m going to crush you�?physique.

DoomGuy

I can’t really imagine a scenario where Doom's DoomG?uy would be looking for a hug. He’s pretty fixated on demon killing, but he did take time out for his pet rabbit, Daisy, so maybe there is a comforting embrace in him somewhere. All I know is he��s a passionate individual, and if he could somehow swap his demon-killing hands for hugging hands, it w?ould be a hug for the ages. Just look at those arms! They’re as big as my waist.

Alucard

Dracula’s half-human spawn is something of the dramatic type. Alucard from the Castlevania series presents himself as equal parts sullen and stoic, he’s like the ideal persona of a shoegazing band frontman. More than anyone on this list, however, the guy needs a hug. He misses his mom and has severe daddy issues. It might?? be difficult to get him to throw open his cloak, bu??t if you can somehow convince him to take you into his dhampir arms, he’d probably have trouble letting go.

Andre (Blacksmith from Dark Souls)

There were few truly friendly faces in Dark Souls. One wrong move and someone you thought was your friend would be at your throat. Not Andre, though. Guy just sits in the basement of a church, blacksmithing all day. He wishes you well with a cheerful demeanor, a welcome change from the morose or plainly insane. Plus, those calloused hammering hands are primed for hugging, and an embrace from Andre would definitely make the world of Dark Souls a lot less bleak.

Shoutout to Stockpile Thomas from Demons Souls. He’s got a heart of gold that co??uld probably benefit from a hug, but he loses points because he’d ??probably start crying down your back.

Kazuma Kiryu

The Yakuza series�?mainstay protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu, reminds me a lot of my dad. Hyper-competent, good-hearted, and endearingly out of touch. Do you know who gives great hugs? My dad. And while my dad has arms honed from working in a lumberyard for most of his life, he doesn’t quite have Kiryu’s chiseled physique.

Plus, despite his expressionless exterior, he is a bit of a soft touch. He takes care of orphans (while absolutely sloshed if you play Yakuza like I do) and even loves animals. He’s not so manly he can’t take time to play with toy cars, so you can bet ??a hug from him will be slightly awkward but palpably comforting.

Garrus Vakarian

Uuunng, Garrus~

Toriel

If given the choice, I probably wouldn’t have even started Undertale. I would have just accepted Toriel’s offer of motherly love and butterscotch pie. I hate butterscotch. It was pretty mean of Undertale to start the game by forcing you to break the heart of a kindly woman. I fought it, but it leaves you no choi??ce. Thankf?ully, if you play your cards right, you might get another chance at that matriarchal embrace.

However, if you chose to kill Toriel, we can’t be friends anymore.

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'People see their dreams in entertainment.'

Industry veteran Toshihiro Nagoshi has announced the formation of Nagoshi Studio, a new video game developer formed of the Yakuza creator and several key staff members from the formative days of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The new outfit will operate under NetEase to design and d??evelop console games for worldwide release.

"I believe that the first step to creating high-quality titles and delivering the essence of entertainment with strong motivation starts with creating an open atmosphere in the studio," said Nagoshi in a pointed statement of intent. "This means having open-ended discussio??ns that ignore seniority and hierarchy... This means not fearing mistakes while also not being afraid to correct them, and treating failures as assets. This means not giving up on reaching the ideal, and fighting to get closer to it."

"Nagoshi Studio is committed to creating content for the world to enjoy from ??this atmos??phere."

Nagoshi's Dream Team

Toshihiro Nagoshi has formed a team of eight individuals to help lead Nagoshi Studio's projects. This team is made up of individuals that already have strong ties with their head honcho, who left Ryu Ga Gotoko Studio bac??k in October 2021. First and foremost is Nagoshi's confidant and associate Daisuke Sato, who worked in close proximity with Nagoshi throughout the development of almost every Yakuza r??elease. Saito is themselves a long-time Sega veteran, having previously been with the legendary publisher some 25 years.

Joining the duo are artist and Judgment producer Kazuki Hosokawa, coder Koji Tokieda, game designers/engineers Mitsunori Fujimoto, Masao Shirosaki, and? Mitsunori Fujimoto, artists Naoki Someya and Toshihiro Ando, and director Taichi Ushioda �?all of whom have worked within Sega, Ryu Ga Gotoku, or other major Japanese developers. Quite the party of ?talent, I'm sure you'll agree.

With decades of industry experience, (not to mention a resume of fantastic releases), Nagoshi's new squad looks set to be a major player in the coming years. With a team that can boast of contributing to franchises such as Yakuza, Judgment, Streets of Rage, Panzer Dragoon, Sakatsuko, and Jet Set Radio. It will be exciting to see?? how Nagoshi Studio will make their presence felt in this generation's market.

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I'm really interested in seeing how Ryu Ga Gotoku fares long term

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, better known to some as the "Yakuza developer," has been around in some form for several decades. They've become a fixture at Sega, and whenever they announce a game, time stops for a moment. The Yakuza studio's future is uncertain, especially with a change in leadership recently, but they're still planning on sailing full speed a?head.

As a reminder, producers Toshihiro Nagoshi (the face of the Yakuza franchise) and Daisuke Sato left the company, leaving producer/writer Masayoshi Yokoyama in charge. It was a shock for Yakuza fans given how much Nagoshi had put his heart and soul into the franchise, and the studio took the opportunity to course-correct with the announcement of Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2 in that same breath. This announcement was preceded by rumors pointing toward Nagoshi's departure.

So what's happening now, three months later? Speaking to 4Gamer, Yakuza director Hiroyuki Sakamoto says that the studio will continue to live on, and there will be some surprises in store (as translated by Gematsu):

"Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has taken on a new structure, but we?’ll continue to create games that everyone can enjoy from here on. Please look forward to some truly surprising announcements in the future!"

Those "surprises" likely include the already confirmed non-Yakuza games. So at this point, it's safe to say that if anything is in active development, Nagoshi likely had a hand in it before he left. With that in mind, I'm really keen to see how the ??studio gets on in five, or six years from now.

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Ichiban Kasuga to return in 'Yakuza 8'

Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, (also known as "Team Yakuza"), sat down with Japanese publication Weekly Famitsu to discuss various aspects of the studio's output �?from its recent staff restructure, to its recent releases, upcoming sequels, and, perhaps most intriguingly, new titles that will actually take place *gasp* outside of the Yakuza/Lost Judgment universe!

Among the tidbits transcribed from the interview by Gematsu, (with an assist from the ever-ready Ryokutya2089), is news that the next Yakuza title will see the return of Yakuza: Like a Dragon protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, as the loveable ne'er-do-well continues his story in a new game set "several years" after the events of the 2020 action-RPG. This is news that was well received by many Yakuza fans, as Ichiban did a fantastic job at filling the snakeskin shoes of Yakuza's long-time protagonist Kaz??uma Kiryu. More adventures from the crazy-haired reprobate are welcome.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRgZog5Y328

As previously mentioned, some of the most interesting news from the interview concerns new titles that are set outside of the Yakuza and Lost Judgment universe. This is a territory rarely ventured by Ryu ga Gotoku, save for the 2018 anime adaptation Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise.

The studio seemingly did not offer much in the way of details pertaining to these new releases, so we'll have to wait and see whether they fall in line with the tried-and-tested brawler/adventure action that is the Ryu ga Gotoku trademark. Let's not forget that the developer also coded Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown for Sega earlier this year, so the studio ??clearly has the capabilities to produce an excellent fighting game.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3JTmNATxWc

Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ryu ga Gotoku Studio underwent a personnel shakeup, which saw the departure of Yakuza series creator and game director Toshihiro Nagoshi, as well as producer and 25-year Sega veteran Daisuke Sato. Both visionaries expressed confidence in the studio's future, which? is now in the capable hands of writer and Yakuza Kiwami producer Masayoshi Yokoyama.

Here's to another decade of bicycle-breaking, sign-smashing, nightcl?ub-wrecking adventure, peppered with t??he delightful comedy and warm characterization that makes Ryu ga Gotoku's output so appealing.

Yakuza 8 set several years after Like a Dragon [Gematsu / Ryokutya2089]

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The end of an era for Ryu Ga Gotoku

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the Japanese developer behind the fantastic Yakuza series, is going through something of a major restructure. Sega announced a personnel shakeup happening within the studio's walls, while also confirming that work has begun on the next title in the knuckle-bustin' series �?a sequel to 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

Inarguably the biggest change at the studio is the departure of series creator and game director Toshihiro Nagoshi. Nagoshi has been involved with the development of every title in the Yakuza franchise, working as designer, producer, and director for the series' many installments, while also holding court as the General Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, (also known as simply "Team Yakuza"). Nagoshi's departure is a watershed moment for the company, though his work and legacy in making Yakuza a globally recognized franchise cannot be understated nor for?gotten.

In addition to Nagoshi, producer Daisuke Sato is also stepping away from their role at the developer. A 25-year Sega veteran, Sato has worked in some capacity on every title in the Yakuza franchise, as well as other associated Sega releases such as Dotemu's Streets of Rage 4 and the recent Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. Both Nagoshi and Sato stated that they have full confidence in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's abilities to carry the Yakuza franc?hise forward, delivering the fantastic ?action, wild adventure, and tongue-in-cheek charisma that is the series' trademark.

To that end, Sega also announced that work has begun on the next chapter in the franchise, confirming that the frizzy-haired superstar Ichiban Kasuga is set to return in a sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon. This will come as joyful news to a lot of Yakuza fans, who quickly took Ichiban into their hearts, desp??ite his unenviable task of replacing legendary series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu. No further details pert??aining to the new sequel were revealed.

Going forward, Masayoshi Yokoyama will serve as Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's director and executive producer. Having worked as a writer for many Yakuza titles, as well as serving as chief producer for the Kiwami remakes, Yokoyama has been fully engaged in Yakuza's universe and its characters for many years, and is a fine choice for?? the franchise's?? future.

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Toshihiro Nagoshi is still influential

Toshihiro Nagoshi was 36 when Super Monkey Ball was released. The innocent series was a hit, and survived to this day. But being the Monkey Ball creator wasn't their sole contribution to th??e industry. No, they were pretty active way before ??balls entered the equation, and remained a key player at Sega for a long while after.

As chief designer on Virtua Racing, you could say that Nagoshi had a long career ahead of him. Almost immediately afterward he worked on F-Zero GX alongside of Miyamoto, made his name with the Yakuza series, and then worked on pretty much every major Sega game to date, even transitioning into Atlus when they were acquired by Sega. The last thing the Monkey Ball creator contributed to was receiving a writing credit for Lost Judgment. The man never stops working.

When Yakuza was first revealed, Nagoshi famously noted: "For a while now, I've wanted to create a powerful, gritty drama where you feel the sense of humanity." When I ??first heard this, I immediately got flashbacks to Hayao Miyazaki: a man who has experien??ced much pain in his life, and chooses to create a mix of art that's both cute and heartwarming, and grounded/terrifying.

Which brings us to the main point: the header image. While Monkey Ball put Toshihiro Nagoshi on a lot of people's radars, Yakuza catapulted him into the stratosphere. It's no wonder that it's become a large part of his identity and his public persona, and it's worth noting that it's never too late to change tact and follow your dreams. I wonder what he'll get up to next?

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The developer could get poached as part of an ongoing talent rush

The creator of the Yakuza series is reportedly in talks to leave Sega for NetEase. Bloomberg reports that To?shihiro Nagoshi is in "final negotiations" to depart the company, wh??ere he's been since 1989.

People familiar with the matter tell Bloomberg that the final contract hasn't been signed yet and duties have not yet been finalized, but Nagoshi would reportedly be expected to set up his own team and create new?? g??ames.

Bloomberg characterizes this as part of an ongoing contest between NetEase and rival Tencent to pick up video game talent from Japan. The two have re?portedly struck more than 20 deals in Japan so far, and according to Bloomberg's report, are zeroing?? in on individual creators.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkygiqC7ulQ

Nagoshi has worked on a number of major Sega franchises, ranging from Virtua Racing to directing  Super Monkey Ball, and he's also been very public-facing in his role as head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series. It may not be a death knell for Yakuza or its companion series, but it would be a noticeable loss.

NetEase did not respond to Bloo?mberg's request for comment, while a Sega spokesperson told the outlet that it doesn't comment on the employment status of individual employees.

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