Sega Trademark May Reveal Upcoming Yakuza Game

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Sega Trademark May Reveal Upcoming Yakuza Game

Highlights

  • Sega filed a new trademark for Yakuza Wars, hinting at a possible new game in the popular Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise.
  • The franchise is expanding with a TV series on Amazon Prime Video, starring original protagonist Kazuma Kiryu in an all-new story.
  • It is unclear if Yakuza Wars will be a mainline game or spinoff, but Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios has said the next entry in the series will surprise fans.

As a seasoned Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise fan with over a decade of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation at the news of potential new additions to this beloved series. The recent filing of the Yakuza Wars trademark by Sega has sent ripples of excitement through our community, and the announcement of a TV series on Amazon Prime Video starring Kazuma Kiryu only adds fuel to the fire.

Sega has publicly revealed a fresh trademark titled “Yakuza Wars,” suggesting a potential new game from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, a Sega affiliate. The last game released by this studio was “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth” in January of this year. Given the studio’s history of annual releases or remakes within the Yakuza series, it’s not surprising that they might be working on the next installment set for 2025.

Sega is putting significant resources into expanding the popular Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. Recently, they announced a TV show based on Like a Dragon: Yakuza, scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on October 25. The series centers around Kazuma Kiryu, the main character from the Yakuza games, and spans six episodes. Although it tells an original story, the creators aim to preserve the core spirit of the games, potentially attracting more fans to other Yakuza franchise offerings.

It’s no surprise that people are speculating about a new Yakuza game after Sega filed a trademark for “Yakuza Wars.” The Japanese trademark was registered on June 26 but made public only yesterday, and it falls under the video games category. With Sega planning to announce the next Yakuza game at this year’s Tokyo Game Show, many are wondering if Yakuza Wars could be the title of the upcoming installment in the series.

Sega Files the Yakuza Wars Trademark

It’s important to mention that although all signs seem to indicate a fresh Yakuza game, it remains uncertain if this is another installment in the main series or a standalone title. The Yakuza franchise has produced more spin-offs than primary games, each offering unique elements and characters. For instance, Judgment follows the narrative of private detective Takayuki Yagami while retaining its signature brawling gameplay. Like a Dragon: Ishin is set during Japan’s Late Edo period (between 1853 and 1867), while Like a Dragon Gaiden continues the story of Kiryu post his departure from the main series. However, it’s worth noting that there are connections between Yakuza spin-offs, indicating they all exist within the same universe.

In essence, Yakuza Wars might assume various roles, ranging from an offshoot of Yakuza: Like a Dragon to a game belonging to a distinct genre. Notably, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios hinted that the next Yakuza installment would deliver an unexpected twist for fans. Upon the launch of Yakuza: Like a Dragon in 2020, players expressed diverse views about transitioning from action-based combat to a traditional turn-based RPG system. Yet, it underscored Ryu Ga Gotoku’s audacity in experimentation and innovation within the Yakuza franchise.

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2024-08-06 00:03