Toshihiro Nagoshi, renowned creator of the famous Yakuza saga, made his return to the spotlight when he announced his new project, Gang of Dragon, at The Game Awards 2025. This action-adventure game follows the story of Shin Ji-seong in the streets of Tokyo and is positioned as a spiritual successor to Yakuza/Like a Dragon. However, the excitement sparked by its announcement has been overshadowed by financial issues that threaten its development.
A Study in Trouble
According to information from Bloomberg, NetEase, the company that finances the development of the game, has decided to cut funding starting in May. This decision is based on the urgent need for an additional 7 billion yen (approximately 38 million euros) to complete the project, which has left Nagoshi seeking new investors. To date, these efforts have not been successful.
The employees of Nagoshi Studio were informed of this drastic measure, which has generated uncertainty about the future of Gang of Dragon. Although both NetEase and the studio have declined to make further comments, there are reports suggesting that the game was in full development and could take a couple more years to be released.
The case of Nagoshi Studio is not unique. NetEase has undertaken a reassessment of its financial strategy, closing several studios both locally and internationally, including Ouka Studio and T-Minus. Many in the industry are watching the situation of Nagoshi and his team, as the cancellation of Gang of Dragon would be a hard blow not only for the studio, but for fans who have eagerly awaited a new title from this renowned developer.
With the situation still developing, fans hope that a viable solution will be found for the future of the game. However, the current uncertainty raises questions about the status of Gang of Dragon and its eventual release.
