Ryu ga Gotoku Studio

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio reveals new franchise in the works

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Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio director Masayoshi Yokoyama revealed in a recent Famitsu interview that the studio is planning a new franchise outside of their Yakuza and Judgement series. Little else was revealed, but it appears the future of Judgement was touched upon, because the likeness of the lead character is up in the air thanks to the talent agency managing the actor having strict rules about PC games, which has apparently halted plans for a Steam release. “We will continue to cherish the Judgement series,” Yokoyama said.

What direction would you like to see RGG Studio take a new franchise? Something more outside the box like Binary Domain? A Yakuza/Judgment spin-off?

[Source: Video Games Chronicle]

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Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania box art and screenshots leak online ahead of its E3 Nintendo Direct debut

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SEGA’s Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania might be the worse kept game secret in a long time, having its platforms already leak and now box art and screenshots from TechnikNews writer Nils Ahrensmeier. I’ll be honest, that is probably some of the nicest box art I have seen from a Super Monkey Ball game and I really dig the logo.

Big spoilers, those mini-games you love from the original games? They back baby! Check out the screens shared by Nils below:

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Unannounced Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania leaks platforms via Brazil’s classification board

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We posted before how the Australian Classification Board rated Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania and now it looks like the beans (I mean, bananas) have been re-spilled by a Brazilian certification board. But this time we got more information, which platforms the unannounced game is heading for and basically every modern piece of hardware:

  • PC
  • PlayStation 4
  • Xbox One
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox Series X/S

Crazy enough, SEGA just revealed quite a bit of games, but still no word on this Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania title…

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Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown to have delay-based netcode

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According to the folks over at Kotaku, who talked to a SEGA representative via e-mail, have finally confirmed if Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown will have roll-back netcode. It won’t. This might be the biggest disappointment to fans looking forward to playing games with someone across the country.

It seems that the game will be re-using the old Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown netcode, which at the time was well received but now more people are asking for rollback netcode in fighting games. This movement has spread so far out that SNK has even went back and updated their old classic games with rollback netcode.

Though just because a team uses rollback, doesn’t mean that the game will not have lag or other issues. For example, Street Fighter V uses Capcom’s own rollback netcode and I personally have had way more smoother games in Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown back in the day.

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Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown getting an arcade release & opening cinematic released

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This is one of those two for one post on Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown. First we got a brand new opening cinematic released by the Japanese Virtua Fighter YouTube channel, seems this is the ‘eSports’ branded intro (for the arcades?). Regardless, the cinematic has me hyped, really loved the ending where all the main cast is looking at each other.


While SEGA and their arcade future isn’t looking too bright, it is known that each main series Virtua Fighter game has had an arcade version and Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown is no different as SEGA has confirmed the existence of an arcade version. It seems SEGA is branding this one Virtua Fighter E-Sports, like the teaser and releases on June 2nd, 2021. Interesting enough the opening really sells on the ‘fight anyone around the world’ and the arcade cabinet only supports one player.

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Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown being given away to PlayStation Plus members starting June 1st

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It looks like the rumors running around that Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown was going to be given away to PlayStation Plus members in June are true. It has now been confirmed via the PlayStation Blog:

Sega’s iconic one-on-one battler gets remade for a new generation by Yakuza and Judgment developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. This console exclusive debuts on PlayStation Plus, allowing both VF veterans and newcomers to experience the intense martial arts combat, deep strategy, and intricately balanced gameplay of the groundbreaking 3D fighter in stunning HD. New online features – like custom tournaments supporting up to 16 players and live spectating – join classic modes like Rank Match, Arcade, and VF5’s famously robust Training to deliver the definitive Virtua Fighter experience.

The game will not only be available on PlayStation Plus for about two months – June and July – but it’ll also be releasing on PlayStation Now in June! PlayStation Plus members can enter Virtua Fighter 5’s arenas starting Tuesday, June 1.

According to the internet, PlayStation Plus has over 47 million subscribers, meaning that Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown might be the most online active Virtua Fighter game ever. Maybe. What do you guys think of SEGA’s move in giving the game away for free to Plus members?

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Judgment Day Stream reveals gameplay details for Lost Judgment; Yakuza series to remain Turn-Based RPG

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Following the announcement trailer for Lost Judgment. SEGA hosted a global reveal stream, “Judgment Day”, for the upcoming title with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio executive producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa sharing details on story and gameplay. During the stream, RGG Studio revealed that in addition to the setting of Kamurocho, fans will be able to adventure to the scenic port city of Yokohama which was last seen in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Along with Yokohama, there will be a high school setting that will play a key role in both the story and optional side content such as School Stories and unique mini games.

With fans showing much support from the original game with it’s fast-paced action, the team made improvements to the combat system with Crane and Tiger styles making their return, along with a brand new strategic Snake style which will allow you to counter and disarm enemies with weapons. Players will also experience the investigation gameplay in a new way with the ability to scramble up buildings, acrobatics, and perform stealthy objectives.

At last with an recent interview with IGN, the producers stated that the Yakuza series will remain turn-based RPG while Judgment will continue the classic action based gameplay. Lost Judgment will release simultaneous worldwide on September 24 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One with dual audio (JP/EN), dual English subs, and FIGS language subtitles.

 

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Japanese PSN leaks “Lost Judgment” early, sequel to Judgment

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As you know, back in March SEGA filed a trademark for the name ‘Lost Judgment‘, which lead people to speculate that SEGA will be making a sequel to Judgment (or Judge Eyes in Japan). Since then SEGA has released the next generation ‘Remaster’ of Judgment and has been teasing a sequel on social media (which is set to be reveal tomorrow).

But Japanese PSN can’t wait, it has updated its store page to show off the sequel right now. The game in Japan will be called “Lost Judgment” according to the leak. The Japanese PSN has been on fire since they also leaked Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown early. We also know that the game will feature a season pass in Japan, according to the site page.
The game is set to launch in Japan on September 21st on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5! As far as the Western name for the game? I guess we shall see if we will get Judgment 2 or Lost Judgment; tomorrow at 7am PST!

 

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Yakuza 0 Vinyl Pre-Orders Open, Including a Double Deluxe LP and a Six Record Limited Edition

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Looks like Laced Records has opened up pre-orders fro the Yakuza 0 vinyl soundtrack. The company is set to ship the records in October 2021 and this will include:

The cheaper, deluxe record is set to include 27 songs, with on record being green and the other light blue. It will also including songs like “Fever ☆ Time,” “Ignite Your Spirit,” “Koi no Disco Queen,” “One-Eyed Slugger,” and “Setsuna No Ningyohime〜Heart break​ mermaid〜【Full Spec Edition】.”

Now the Limited Edition Six Record Set will offer 90 songs with each record getting its own sleeve and its own ‘color-in-color’ design. If you want “Bakamitai”, you gonna have to spend more money on this edition.

[Via: Siliconera]

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Yakuza 6 launches on Xbox Game Pass on March 25 on Xbox, PC and the Cloud

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If you’re a long time SEGA fan on Xbox and have been looking forward to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life on the Xbox and/or Xbox Game Pass for PC, then you’re in luck! In a little less than 2 weeks you’ll be able to finish the Kazuma Kiryu storyline.

It looks like March is a big month for Game Pass as its also getting:

  • Undertale (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 16
  • Empire of Sin (Cloud, Console, and PC) – March 18
  • Nier: Automata (PC) – March 18
  • Star Wars: Squadrons (Console) EA Play – March 18
  • Torchlight 3 (PC) – March 18
  • Genesis Noir (Console and PC) – March 25
  • Octopath Traveler (Console and PC) – March 25
  • Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire – Ultimate Edition (PC) – March 25
  • Supraland (PC) – March 25
  • Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (Cloud, Console and PC) – March 25
  • Narita Boy (Cloud, Console and PC) – March 30
  • Outriders (Cloud and Console) – April 1

Since Yakuza 6 will support the ‘cloud’ that means you’ll be able to stream it to compatible devices including your phone.

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Microsoft Japan indefinitely delays the Xbox Series version of Yakuza Like a Dragon

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It looks like if you live in Japan, you won’t be able to experience the power of X when it comes to playing Yakuza Like a Dragon. I would say in the title that SEGA delayed the game, but according to the Game.Impress article from Japan, they’re saying Microsoft Japan is delaying it and not SEGA. Probably because in Japan the game was suppose to come out digitally only.

According to Game Impress there is no reason given by SEGA to why they delayed it and if it will be one of those “Its coming…” then we never hear about it. The site says that this version was titled “Yakuza Like a Dragon” instead its Japanese name: “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Whereabouts of Light and Darkness”. They also say that this version was set to include the English dub and subtitles (along with all the other great languages it supports). Yakuza Like a Dragon was set to be a launch title for the Xbox Series X which releases on November 10th. Oddly enough, the game page to pre-order Yakuza Like a Dragon seems to still be up on the Microsoft page.

I also heard mixed opinions online regarding past Xbox ports coming out in Japan. I heard some people suggest that Micorosft never released these titles in Japan but that doesn’t seem to be true since all Xbox releases are marked as ‘World Wide’ online. I guess if you buy a Xbox Series X or S and live in Japan, you can always just make a United States account to buy the western version or play it on Game Pass.

[Via Game Watch]

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SEGA to announce new Yakuza title this weekend during Tokyo Game Show 2020

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While we are still counting down the days for us to play Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the seventh main title in the  Yakuza franchise, the studio is already set to announce yet another Yakuza title this weekend. Will this new title feature more traditional combat? Will Ichiban come back? Could this be the long rumored sequel to Yakuza 0?

We will find out soon since they are set to announce it via the Sega Atlus  Tokyo Game Show stream this September 27th at 8pm JST (4am PT) on YouTube.

[Via: PCgamer]

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Rumor: Nick Robinson says SEGA is working on Super Monkey Ball 3 via voice actor interview

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YouTuber Nick Robinson went out of his way to interview Brian Matt, the voice actor for Super Monkey Ball games (announcer) back in the old days and sorta, maybe hinted at SEGA working on Super Monkey Ball 3? We actually discussed Brian Matt in the past hinting at a future Super Monkey Ball announcement. According to Nick Robinson, the voice actor is under an NDA, so you can view the interview at the top where he tries to dance around questions during the interview (Starts at 7:14) with Nick trying to fill in the blanks with his thoughts.

So this confirms that the original Super Monkey Ball announcer is working with SEGA, where he has recorded one session. According to the voice actor one of the lines he remembers doing was ‘Sad Emoji’ and ‘Happy Emoji’, which makes you wonder if this is joke lines to record or will be used in the next game. A lot of the interview is speculation since the voice actor isn’t allowed to confirm what the actual game is. I will let you watch the video and make your own opinion for yourself.

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The History of Sega Japan R&D Part 5: The Road to 2020 is Complete

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It was 2015 when I posted the four part retrospective of Sega of Japan’s game development. 2015 was the year where they announced a new initiative and went as far as to make their previous corporate divisions their own separate companies. Such as Sega Games, Sega Interactive for arcades and so on (which they are already undoing again in April). Sega Game’s new president, Haruki Satomi, promised that he would right the wrongs of the past, gain back the trust of consumers and also shareholders with their “Road to 2020” initiative. Of course this encompasses the evolution of their Japanese in-house studios, which are arguably the core of Sega.

Continue Reading ➜

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