‘Yakuza’ game series creator and series producer confirm Sega departure

Toshihiro Nogashi and Daisuke Sato confirm their departures from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios and SEGA.

Yakuza series creator Toshihiro Nogashi and series producer Daisuke Sato announced their departures from Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the studio within Sega responsible for the Yakuza games.

In a farewell message on the Ryu Ga Gotoku studio website, Toshihiro Nogashi said, “As of today, a new Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio is born where the series will live on. Though I don’t know for sure what they will create, I believe the new generation will further enhance the foundation we built over the years and deliver great games to the world. To achieve that, they too need to continue to learn, challenge themselves, and grow. I ask that you continue your support of the studio’s endeavors.”

Nagoshi is a 30-year Sega veteran who has worked on Daytona, Monkey Ball, Virtua Fighter, and more before founding the Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which produced the Yakuza series and its various spin-offs that have made him a legendary figure among fans.

Masayoshi Yokoyama is the new studio lead of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The studio will continue making Yakuza games and has announced a sequel for the Yakuza: Like a Dragon game which will be released in the next six months to a year.