Nagoshi Studios, the development team behind the Yakuza series, appears to have ceased operations, leaving its unreleased title Gang of Dragon in limbo. This situation is significant for players who followed the game's marketing and for industry observers monitoring the stability of major Japanese game developers. The studio's abrupt disappearance raises questions about the future of the franchise and the financial stability of its leadership.
NetEase stops funding Gang of Dragon, creating a $45 million gap
The studio was founded by Toshihiro Nagoshi, a veteran creator known for his work on the Yakuza franchise. NetEase, the publisher of Gang of Dragon, stopped funding the project, creating a $45 million gap needed to complete the game. Without this financial support, the studio could not continue development, and the project effectively stalled.
Digital footprints of the studio have vanished from the internet. The official website, YouTube channel, and the trailer for Gang of Dragon are no longer accessible. The studio has remained silent on the situation for approximately ten months, providing no official statement to clarify the status of the team or the game.
Journalist Andy Robinson reports that Toshihiro Nagoshi has applied for jobs at other studios, suggesting he is seeking new employment. Robinson states that it is fair to say the studio is no longer there, though he notes the lack of official confirmation. The disappearance of assets and funding points to a likely permanent halt in development.
While there is no official confirmation from Nagoshi Studios or NetEase, the evidence strongly suggests the studio has closed. The combination of missing digital presence, halted funding, and the founder seeking new work paints a clear picture of the studio's end. The future of Gang of Dragon remains uncertain without further updates from the involved parties.
Source: IXBT
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