Yakuza and Monkey Ball creator’s new company is Nagoshi Studio
The new studio, founded in Shibuya, Tokyo, is backed by the Chinese company NetEase.
Last year, we reported on Yakuza and Super Monkey Ball creator Toshihiro Nagoshi’s departure from Ryu Ga Gotoku after spending 10 years with the company. Just recently, we learned what Nagoshi’s been up to: founding a new studio with Ryu Ga Gotoku veteran Daisuke Sato. Now, Toshihiro Nagoshi will head the appropriately-named Nagoshi Studio in Shibuya, Tokyo, backed by Chinese company NetEase.
The move followed a restructuring at Ryu Ga Gotoku and reports that Nagoshi was negotiating a contract with NetEase. Now, we’re seeing the first steps towards a new venture for Nagoshi and we’re excited to see where it leads.
Nagoshi is running the company as CEO and Representative Director, with eight former SEGA developers also joining the team. Positions are still open for new employees, indicating the company is still in its initial growth stage.
What we know about Nagoshi Studio so far
With nine former SEGA developers on staff, many of whom worked on Yakuza, it’s easy to expect that a game similar to that series is in Nagoshi Studio’s future. Yet we don’t know what its first project is or what its plans are for partners and publishing. We’ll just have to wait for more information as the studio increases its staff and begins serious development work.
Nagoshi outlined his thought process behind the creation of the studio on the company’s website:
Changes to entertainment content, how it’s made and the business model driven by technology and infrastructure advances have sparked a paradigm shift, and these changes are continuing to unfold with greater and greater speed. What only yesterday had been considered the height of cool now suddenly becomes outdated before you know it. […] The only way to deliver this essence to the world is if all creators approach the works they create with seriousness and clarity while grinding away to get closer to reaching the ideal.
Toshihoro Nagoshi, CEO and Representative Director of Nagoshi Studio
As for Ryu Ga Gotoku, following the restructuring, they’re working on a follow-up to Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Though we know little about Yakuza 8, we know that Like a Dragon‘s turn-based battle system will return. More details on this title are sure to come at a later time.
What are you hoping to see from Nagoshi Studio? Let us know!
Via Nintendo Life.
