Yakuza Game Devs Urge Confrontation

The creators of the Like a Dragon series embrace conflict as a key ingredient in their game development process. In a recent interview with Automaton, series director Ryosuke Horii revealed that internal disagreements and spirited debates are not only common at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, but actively encouraged.

Horii emphasizes that these "in-fights," while seemingly negative, are crucial for producing high-quality games. He explains that disagreements between designers and programmers, for example, are opportunities for improvement, requiring a planner to mediate and guide the discussion towards a productive conclusion. "If there are no arguments nor discussions," Horii stated, "you can expect no more than a lukewarm final product. Therefore, fights are always welcome." The key, he stresses, is ensuring these conflicts result in positive outcomes and improved game design.

The studio's approach prioritizes the quality of ideas over their origin. Horii notes that the team evaluates suggestions based on merit, not on which team member proposed them. This open, yet demanding, environment also includes a willingness to reject subpar ideas without hesitation. "We also make sure to ‘mercilessly’ shut down poor ideas," Horii said, highlighting the competitive, yet collaborative, nature of their development process. The ultimate goal, he reiterates, is to foster "healthy and productive fights" that ultimately lead to a superior final product. This methodology reflects the series' own themes of grit, determination, and overcoming adversity.