Urgent.News

What's breaking now, across thousands of outlets.

World

Nagoshi Studio, from the creator of the Yakuza series, officially shuts down

It's unclear what will happen to the studio's work on Gang of Dragon.

Nagoshi Studio, from the creator of the Yakuza series, officially shuts down

Nagoshi Studio, the brainchild of Yakuza franchise creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, has officially ceased operations. Following the release of the game's first trailer in December 2025, the studio hoped to build upon the success of the Yakuza series with an ambitious project called Gang of Dragon. Scheduled to delve deeper into the organized crime underworld of Tokyo's Kabuchiko district, the game's protagonist was set to be Shin Ji-Seong.

However, despite initial enthusiasm, financial backing from investor NetEase was withdrawn, leaving the project short of its $44 million funding goal. In response, Nagoshi Studio announced its decision to wind down operations, as detailed in its official notice published in Japan's government gazette Kanpo. The studio's dissolution took place on October 31 during a shareholders meeting.

Although the game's Steam page remains operational, the likelihood of Gang of Dragon ever emerging from development limbo appears slim.

Written by urgent.news from Engadget's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

This story

This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.

Read the original at engadget.com →

More in World

More from Monday 2 November →