Key Takeaways
1. Toshihiro Nagoshi, former CCO of Sega, revealed his new game “Gang of Dragon” at The Game Awards 2025 after leaving Sega in 2021.
2. The game features a darker portrayal of Tokyo’s Kabukicho district and introduces a new protagonist, Shin Ji-seong, played by Korean actor Ma Dong-seok.
3. “Gang of Dragon” is developed by Nagoshi Studio in partnership with NetEase, with a team composed of former Yakuza members.
4. The game aims for a distinct direction, avoiding Yakuza’s typical mini-games and humor, focusing instead on a cinematic experience reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino films.
5. Currently, the game is confirmed for PC on Steam, but no release date or additional platforms have been announced yet.
Former CCO and General Director of Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Toshihiro Nagoshi, is now in the limelight after stepping back from the Yakuza series following his exit from Sega in 2021. At the Game Awards 2025, Nagoshi unveiled his first project, Gang of Dragon, created under Nagoshi Studio and in collaboration with NetEase Games.
Trailer Release
The trailer hit the audience at The Game Awards like a firebomb, immersing viewers in a darker view of Tokyo’s Red Light District, Kabukicho. With his newfound independence from Sega, Nagoshi is crafting a gritty game featuring a fresh protagonist who forges his own path through Tokyo’s violent underbelly.
Game Details
Gang of Dragon’s teaser was entirely filmed in-engine, as verified by Geoff Keighley. The main character, who appears prominently in the trailer, is a massive figure played by Korean action star Ma Dong-seok, globally recognized as Don Lee, known from films like Train to Busan and Eternals.
Ma Dong-seok takes on the role of Shin Ji-seong, a senior enforcer within a Korean crime syndicate that has strong connections to Kabukicho’s criminal scene.
Development Background
Nagoshi began developing Gang of Dragon after securing a partnership with NetEase in early 2022. He brought together a group of former Yakuza team members to establish Nagoshi Studio. This team includes director and producer Daisuke Sato, art director Kazuki Hosokawa, and lead programmer Koji Tokieda from Like a Dragon, among others.
Fans of the Yakuza franchise have quickly noted the resemblances between Nagoshi’s new title and RGG’s main IP, but Nagoshi has been clear about the game’s distinct direction. In a 2022 interview, he described his post-Sega projects as “more like a Quentin Tarantino film, so humor may be involved,” alongside “something that’s just scary or only violent and savage.”
Game Expectations
So far, Gang of Dragon looks to avoid Yakuza’s signature features like mini-games and outrageous antics, aiming for a more focused cinematic experience.
Currently, no platforms have been announced aside from PC through Steam. Additionally, Gang of Dragon has not yet confirmed a release date, but fans can expect more glimpses of the game in the year ahead.
Source:
Link