Like a Dragon Creator Provides an Update On New Game

Like a Dragon Creator Provides an Update On New Game

Key Takeaways

  • Like a Dragon creator Toshihiro Nagoshi’s new game will be an action-adventure and will enter the mass production phase for its assets soon.
  • The upcoming game will focus on quality and density in its world design, prioritizing a balance between map scale and gameplay fun, while integrating story and drama into the gameplay.
  • Nagoshi aims to create a fun, story-driven experience without overwhelming players.

As a long-time fan of Toshihiro Nagoshi’s work, particularly the iconic Yakuza series, I’m genuinely excited about his new project. With his extensive experience in crafting compelling narrative-driven games, it’s intriguing to hear him talk about creating an action-adventure that feels more like a Quentin Tarantino movie.


Toshihiro Nagoshi, the mastermind behind “Like a Dragon,” has announced some exciting news about his latest project from his new studio. This upcoming game will be an action-adventure genre and is gearing up for mass production of its assets in the coming weeks. Moreover, Nagoshi shared his thoughts on the current video game market and expressed his intention to develop a game that’s filled with fun without unnecessary complications.

Toshihiro Nagoshi, famed for crafting the Yakuza series, significantly contributed to its transformation into a thriving franchise. Post his departure from Sega in 2021 and establishing Nagoshi Studio, he embarked on the creation of a grand-scale gaming project. His vision is to preserve the narrative-focused gameplay that characterized Yakuza, but he hints that this new game will exhibit “a style more akin to a Quentin Tarantino film.” Lately, Nagoshi has shared fresh details about the upcoming game from his studio.

In a conversation with Famitsu (as translated by VGC), Nagoshi discussed his intent to create a game offering both a vast, explorable world alongside engaging gameplay. While he didn’t reveal many details, the creator of the Yakuza series emphasized his efforts to design an experience that doesn’t overwhelm players. At present, Nagoshi and his team are working on adjusting an initially oversized map to align with the game’s overall vision.

Like a Dragon’s Creator’s New Game Will Be a Compact, Story-Driven Experience

Rather than populating the game with vast, unimportant areas, Nagoshi emphasized the significance of constructing a world where every section is significant and captivating. Their objective is to strive for something different from what many popular AAA games are doing today by presenting a focused, narrative-based environment instead, where each location contributes to the overall storyline.

In his thoughts, Nagoshi noted that the gaming industry tends to pile on excessive content, leaving modern gamers drowned in expansive open-world games. He emphasized that rather than merely enlarging the map for its size, he aims to prioritize quality and population density, crafting a vibrant world. “I believe it’s crucial to align the scale of the map with the enjoyment of gameplay by designing the world perspective and clarifying the player’s role within this world,” he shared. Furthermore, during his discussion, he highlighted the importance of a game’s narrative and dramatic elements being tightly interwoven with the gameplay mechanics, which has been well-received by fans in games like Like a Dragon, thanks to its character-centric stories and cinematic style.

To ensure a seamless blend of map scale and game enjoyment, it’s crucial to conceptualize the game world and clarify the role of the player, acting as the main character, within this world.

As a devoted admirer, it’s evident that Nagoshi is meticulously crafting an action-adventure that honors the essence of his past masterpieces, yet innovatively propels the experience into contemporary gaming realms. Unfortunately, he hasn’t disclosed any specific launch timeline as of now, but he’s confidently promised us that the team is dedicated to producing a game that will undoubtedly shine in today’s intensely competitive gaming market.

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2024-11-11 20:15