Marketing is challenging. It requires knowing how to find the right timing, reach the target audience, and build a consistent presence without becoming overwhelming. We don’t want the target audience to be unaware that the game has been released, but we also don’t want the audience that won’t definitely buy it to get burnt out by exposure. That’s why there are always very original methods to reach the audience, sometimes ones that the target audience can’t even imagine. This is the latest idea from Sega to promote Yakuza.
Sega has announced a collaboration with AEW, the wrestling federation. This means that next Wednesday, November 15th, there will be a street fight on AEW Dynamite that they’ve dubbed the “Like a Dragon Street Fight.” It’s a no-disqualification match where all kinds of objects can be used in and around the ring, in honor of the new spin-off from the Yakuza series, the masterful Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name.
In this match, two teams will participate, facing off to overcome each other in a long-standing feud that has been going on for several months. On one side, there will be Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Paul Wight, while on the other side will be Don Callis’s family, consisting of Konosuke Takeshita and three other members yet to be announced.
While there is still no footage of the match for obvious reasons, there is a teaser trailer for the event that blends both game footage and elements from the feud between these AEW groups. Although we don’t know the specifics of the match, based on their past actions, at the very least, the ring will feature game advertising, and the game’s imagery will be present on all program graphics. Additionally, Kenny Omega is known for his affinity for costumes, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him enter dressed as a Yakuza character.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X and PC.
