Like the Dragon series, it could finally get a major upgrade

Key takeaways

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's technical manager wants to develop a new dragon engine for future games in the Like a Dragon series.
The studio's current engine was first used to make Yakuza 6 in 2016.
Recent titles in the franchise have been well received, but players have criticized the recycled assets and animations.

Yutaka Ito, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's Technical Manager, has expressed interest in developing a new Dragon Engine for future games. Like a dragon suffrage In 10 games over the last eight years Like a dragon The series is developed using an engine created for Yakuza 6.

Formerly known as Out of Japan YakuzaThe Like a dragon The franchise has seen a surge in popularity over the past decade, attracting players with its unique blend of beat 'em up and RPG elements. Inspiring everything from radio plays and stage plays to recent live-action Like a dragon series on Prime Video, the series' impact cannot be understated, with Ryu Ga Gotoku constantly finding new ways to upgrade the series for new audiences. While its inclusion of relatable characters and unique aspects of Japanese culture have made the franchise a hit, some upgrades may need to be put in place. Like a dragon The series is going strong.

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In conversation with Automaton, Yutaka Ito, technical manager of Ryu ga Gotoku Studio and technical director of the latest title Like the Dragon: Eternal WealthThat said, it may be time to develop a new Dragon engine. The current engine was first used in the 2016 game Yakuza 6: Song of Lifeand has since been used to create nine more titles, including Like a Dragon : Ishin and upcoming spin-offs Like Dragons: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. “I want to try to make the new Dragon Engine special for high-spec consoles, and with that, develop a new action-adventure game,” Ito said. “It's just something I feel personally, so it has nothing to do with the studio's actual plans.”

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio may develop a new game engine similar to the Dragon title for the future

Fans of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's games often criticize the many reused assets and animations found in recent titles, and many would be interested to see future titles developed to utilize the full power of current hardware. This is not the first time an improved Dragon engine has been mentioned, in 2022, RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama admitted that the engine was “old” and that it was time for a “major update”. While Pirate Yakuza in HawaiiWith its fate already sealed, fans will have to wait and see if some new technology is used to develop another mainline game in the long-running franchise.

Scheduled for release on February 21, 2025, Like Dragons: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii The recurring series will follow the story of protagonist Goro Majima, who must lead a pirate crew to find hidden treasure and escape from a deserted island. In early November, Toshihiro Nagoshi, producer of Like a dragon The series has given an update on his new project, which is being developed by his own Nagoshi Studio. While few specific details have been provided, Nagoshi teased that the game will feature a vast world with meaningful gameplay designed to not overwhelm players.