The Like a Dragon series could finally get a major upgrade

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

Yutaka Ito, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's technical director, has expressed his interest in developing a new Dragon Engine for future games. like a dragon Franchise over the past eight years, 10 games in like a dragon Series using the engine created for Yakuza 6.

It is already known outside of Japan as yakuza, 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 dramas and stage shows to a recent live-action like a dragon In the Prime Video series, the series' impact cannot be understated, with Ryu Ga Gotoku constantly looking for new ways to promote the series to new audiences. While the relatable characters and incorporation of unique aspects of Japanese culture have made the franchise a success, some upgrades may be necessary to keep it going. like a dragon The series is going strong

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Yutaka Ito, technical director of Ryu ga Gotoku studio and technical director of the latest title in a conversation with Automaton Like a dragon: infinite wealthsaid that it might be time to develop a new Dragon Engine. The current engine was first used in the 2016 game Yakuza 6: The Song of Lifeand has since been used to create nine additional titles including Like a dragon: Ishin And the upcoming spin-off Like the Dragon: Yakuza Pirates in Hawaii. Ito says, “I want to try to build a new Dragon Engine for high-spec consoles and develop a new action-adventure game with it. This is just how 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 for the future like the Dragon title

Fans of Ryu Ga Gotoku studio games often criticize the reused assets and animations in newer titles, and many are likely interested in seeing future titles take full advantage of the current hardware. This isn't the first time an improved Dragon engine has been mentioned either, as in 2022, RGG studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama admitted it was time for a “major update” and called the engine “old”. While Yakuza pirates in HawaiiHis fate has already been determined, fans will have to wait and see if new technology will be used to develop the next major game in the long-running franchise.

Scheduled for release on February 21, 2025, Like the Dragon: Yakuza Pirates in Hawaii The story follows recurring series protagonist Goro Majima, who must lead a pirate crew to discover hidden treasure and escape from a deserted island. In early November, Toshihiro Nagoshi, the creator like a dragon Siri has updated her new project which is being developed by her own Nagoshi Studio. While few details were provided, Nagushi acknowledged that the game will feature an expansive world with meaningful gameplay that is designed to not overwhelm players.