In a surprising move, Sega announced that the Yakuza Studio will be restructured. Two of the most important names in the company’s history have departed. What is going on with the future of this popular franchise?
The next yakuza game after like a dragon is the restructuring of the studio. Two big names have left, but there are still many other games in the pipeline.
We weren’t mistaken in believing the Yakuza rumors first reported by Bloomberg.
The company, which is owned by SEGA and is renowned for the Yakuza and Judgment games, has announced a restructuring. Toshihiro Nagoshi, the previous studio head, and Daisuke Sato, the producer, have both departed the business. According to rumors, he’ll be joining NetEase’s Japanese studio (in other words, he’ll be joining a Chinese IT behemoth). Masayoshi Yokoyama, the Yakuza series’ senior producer, also stated that Ichiban Kasuga’s narrative will be continued (a sequel to Yakuza (7): Like A Dragon is in the works).
“Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2021,” according to the studio’s statement. We are grateful to everyone who has supported us and our endeavors to this point, from the Yakuza series to the Judgment series and beyond. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will move to a new organization as we approach the 10-year mark. Please look forward to our bright future as we continue our goal to offer you the greatest enjoyment via our games.
- Masayoshi Yokoyama, Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Executive Producer (centre on the image)
- Ryosuke Horii, Chief Director of the Yakuza Series (third from the left)
- Yutaka Ito, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Technical Manager / Lost Judgment Director (second from the left)
- Takayuki Sorimachi, Animation Director at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (far left)
- Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Chief Producer of the Yakuza Series (third from the right)
- Nobuaki Mitake is the Art Director for the Yakuza Series (second from the right)
- Daisuke Fukagawa (far right) is the Visual Design and Cutscene Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
Yokoyama’s statement is as follows: “What is “Ryu Ga Gotoku”? When we first launched Yakuza: Like a Dragon two years ago, there was a lot of buzz among fans, and we learned a lot from it. Things that change; things that need to be preserved; things that need to be linked. When we first started Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, I never imagined some of these possibilities. We were anxious to live day to day in order to guarantee our future happiness at the time. To get there, we had to make a lot of sacrifices. Perhaps we were able to stay going for so long and achieve this milestone of ten years as a studio because we dedicated ourselves to tackling these difficulties head-on.
In the blink of an eye, the world may change. And it necessitates that we evolve as well. It has an impact on how we work, live, have morals and values, and even create games. “Ryu Ga Gotoku” was associated with “Toshihiro Nagoshi” before Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio became really established. But I didn’t want to put too much faith in it. So, although having little power at the time, I continued to push for change. Ten years have gone since then, and the opposition I had before has evolved into a sense of camaraderie, and now I am inheriting the studio from a legendary artist.
I pondered what I should say to everyone while introducing the studio’s new structure. Then I recalled what I stated onstage at the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio opening announcement 10 years ago on August 31: “I’m pleased to be standing here as a member of the studio today.” I was very proud of “Ryu Ga Gotoku” at the time, and that emotion hasn’t altered since. It’s something I feel obligated to safeguard. The games Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio produces must be something that all fans of the series, as well as performers and development team, can be proud of. This is required for “Ryu Ga Gotoku” to remain “Ryu Ga Gotoku.”
This time, as 10 years ago, I confidently stand in front of you alongside important members of the studio to convey my resolve. Now that you’ve seen me in this picture acting all cool, it’ll be even more uncool if the games don’t measure up to our expectations, so I’m going to give it my best and stick to my statements. “Please believe in us!” I’m not going to say. We’ll keep doing our best and letting our games speak for themselves. And I hope you will continue to support and keep an eye on Nagoshi and Sato as they start on a new adventure, just as we are.
Every member of Ryu Ga Gotoku’s staff has inherited the ideals and knowledge of Ryu Ga Gotoku’s forefathers.
It’s on display in the newly published Lost Judgment. It will appear in the forthcoming sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon (mentioned in the original Japanese message as Ryu Ga Gotoku 8 (working title)), which will continue Ichiban Kasuga’s tale. Producer Sakamoto and directors Horii, Ito, and Mitake are presently working on this game. Takeuchi and Furuta, as well as myself, are working on the narrative. I want to show you a new Ryu Ga Gotoku title by a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio that is different but still the same in six months or a year, and something that will make you feel like “this is what we’ve been waiting for.” I’m committed to continuing my career as a video game developer. Thank you again for your unwavering support.”
“As I leave from SEGA, I am also going from my role as the leader of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio,” Nagoshi said in his farewell letter. Thank you to all of the Yakuza fans who have supported us and the franchise for so long. My sincere and heartfelt appreciation is extended to you. Thanks to everything I learnt from many individuals around me, I persevered and am now here. It’s a tribute to my coworkers who helped me refine my attitude so that I could continue to push limits.
Today, a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been established, where the series will continue to be produced. Though I have no idea what they will develop, I am certain that the next generation will build on the foundation we have established over the years and offer fantastic games to the globe. They, too, must continue to study, push themselves, and develop in order to accomplish this. I respectfully request that you continue to support the studio’s efforts. I’d want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you once again. Thank you very much for all of your help. “Be on the lookout for a slew of fresh beginnings!”
Finally, Sato’s message: “Thank you very much for your continuing support of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio,” he says. On a personal note, I’d want to use this opportunity to let you know that I’m leaving SEGA to pursue other opportunities. Series Producer Yokoyama will take over as Studio Lead in the future, while Producer Sakamoto and Director Horii will become key figures in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
I have a deep connection to Yakuza since I was engaged in its creation from the beginning and served as the head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio for nine years. Although it is difficult to leave a location and colleagues with whom I have experienced many highs and lows, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has developed into a solid company in the 10 years since its inception. I think the company has the ability to continue the Yakuza series and build on its current momentum. The studio’s skilled employees are more than capable of doing so, which is why I am confident in entrusting it to them.
I’m happy to have been a part of the series for 15 years, and I’d want to thank all of the fans who have supported us, the team who have worked together to develop the Yakuza series, and everyone in the industry who has touched the Yakuza series in any way. I’m excited to see what new games are coming out, and I’ll continue to support Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio as a fan. I’m hoping that the new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio will continue to get fan support. Thank you so much for all of your help throughout the years.”
Don’t be shocked if Nagoshi joins NetEase (perhaps with Sato…).
Gematsu is the source.
The yakuza like a dragon sequel reddit is a blog post from the creator of the game, who announced that development would be halted and two big names would depart.
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