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


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.

SEGA teases Yakuza announcement at Kinda Funny Games Showcase on December 8, 2018


It seems that SEGA has a announcement for the upcoming Kinda Funny Games Showcase that is taking place over on Twitch this upcoming September 10 AM PT, what it could be is just a guess.

So what do I think it is? Most likely the announcement for the Dragon Engine Yakuza games coming to PC which includes Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 6. I wouldn’t expect a new game announcement or anything, just because Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios announces new games in Japan, not Western shows like Kinda Funny Showcase. It could also be the release dates for Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 in the West, which would make sense since Kinda Funny Games is ran by Greg ‘I love PlayStation’ Miller (not making a sly remark, the man loves PlayStation). It would also be nice to get a Western finalized name for Project JUDGE. What are your thoughts?

Yakuza 6 sold the same in the West as it did in Japan, a first for the franchise

If you have been a massive Yakuza fan for awhile, you might have noticed that the franchise has been gaining steam since the release of Yakuza 0. My worse fear was that after Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami, that those new audiences would either set Yakuza 6 aside for later (after Kiwami 2 and the Yakuza 3-5 ports) or just stop buying the franchise altogether. I can safely say that isn’t the case, thankfully Yakuza 6 seems to have performed well enough that the game sold the same in West as it did in Japan. This is a first for the franchise, not bad for a title that was closing off a long running story.

“In the past, the Japanese market has generated the bulk of sales for these series, and although it has elements that are appealing to overseas. However, the game was not developed with European and U.S. markets in mind. Thanks to painstaking efforts to create a game that Japanese fans will appreciate, the title has become popular not only in Japan but also won over fans overseas who praise the refined game sense of the title. I believe this is why Yakuza 6: The Song of Life has become such a popular hit around the world.” – SEGA’s Kenji Matsubara

This also means that Yakuza 6 Western sales basically includes UK and US against Japan, I hope that in the near future Western audiences outnumber Japanese audiences for Yakuza sales. I mean, we are getting closer. But we might get that considering that a Yakuza 6 PC port is most likely around the corner. We also have learned that Yakuza franchise has sold over 11 million copies world wide.

[Source: SEGA Report]

Yakuza 6 records biggest series launch in US sales history

For the first time in the series’ history, a Yakuza game has made the top 20 of NPD at position 17th! Beating out Sea of Thieves, Kirby and FIFA, the title was also the month’s 4th best selling Playstation 4 game (In a month which saw the PS4 record the best April sales for a leading console since 2009) and must now cement its place as the series most successful Western release. It’s funny how not only strong this series has become but a jump from Kiwami 1 to 6 has had no negative effects on the series sales potential which has been on an upward trend since 2015’s release of Yakuza 5. Numbers are yet to be published but if we ever see them in the wild we’ll be sure to share them with you but for now it’s certain that Kazuma Kiryu’s final outing as the main protagonist of the series is the most successful Western release yet.

Should SEGA stop making console exclusives?


It does seem that part of SEGA is going more multi-console friendly approach, with games like Shinining Resonance Refrain and Valkyria Chronicles 4 getting ports for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. But it seems some franchise are continuing to stick with one console, most blatantly Yakuza and Persona series. There are quite a bit more, but these seem to be the ones that have been growing in popularity for SEGA. The biggest insult? The lack of PC announcements for titles like these, considering that PC seems to be a ‘non competing platform’ for most console manufactures. For example, Sony funded Street Fighter V to be exclusive, but it still got a PC release. I think having PC ports is very important for SEGA, considering the success of stuff like Bayonetta and Valkyria Chronicles.

Do you think its worth it for SEGA to make console exclusive games anymore?

It seems that something is going on behind the scenes with some franchises, especially Sony exclusives. But as fans, would you rather see these titles hit all platforms or do you like the fact that SEGA has console exclusive games? Sound off in the comments below.

Stories of the Dragon: The Legend of Kazuma Kiryu live action series releases to promote Yakuza 6

This is a surprise! SEGA of America has released a trio of live action short films to promote the upcoming Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Initially I thought these were created for the Japanese release and were localized, but they appear to be brand new (the english speaking actors tipped me off, which to be honest is kind of jarring given the games are subtitled). The short films were created in collaboration with Liquid Advertising and director Christopher Ewing and were shot in Tokyo, Japan. The shorts focus on three people whose lives were changed by Kazuma Kiryu.

Each short is based on in-game substories, including “The Bouncer” and “Prodigal Son” from Yakuza Kiwami, and “Another Haruka” from Yakuza 5. Check all three out after the break! Don’t forget, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases April 17!

SEGA unboxes the Yakuza 6: The Song of Life After Hours Premium Edition

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases in just a few weeks, on April 17th to be exact, for the PlayStation 4. The game will release with three options: a Standard Edition, an Essence of Art Edition, and (in my opinion) the must have After Hours Premium Edition. To promote this very special release, SEGA has created an unboxing hosted by Marketing Associate Lauren and Associate PR Manager Jonathon. Get a sneak peek at the hardcover art book, two bar glasses, 2 ice stones, 2 coasters, and the collectible outer box.

Which edition are you picking up? If you’re getting the After Hours Premium Edition, what are you planning to drink?

Experience the Yakuza 6: The Song of Life “Essence of Art” exhibit opening night in newly released videos

Last weekend, SEGA opened their Yakuza 6: The Song of Life “Essence of Art” Exhibit at Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles. While the event looked like a blast, it was missing our presence as well as the presence of countless Yakuza fans from across the globe. Thankfully, SEGA has bottled up the experience in two videos giving a recap of the event (above) and presenting the full live art and Q&A stream (after the break).

The Yakuza 6: The Song of Life “Essence of Art” Exhibit runs from March 17, 2018 – April 1, 2018 at Gallery Nucleus at 210 East Main St., Alhambra, CA 91801. The gallery is open from 12:00PM – 8:00PM, Tuesday – Sunday and is open to the public with free admission. More details are available at the official event page.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases April 17, and comes in a fancy Essence of Art Edition and an After Hours Premium Edition.

Yakuza 6 demo returns to the PSN Store

Yakuza6Cat

As we found out with the initial release of the Yakuza 6 demo back in late February that SEGA accidentally uploaded the full game for free. Sony got around to actually revoking full access to the game when users connected to the internet and pulled the ‘demo’ off the store. Sony has finally announced the return of the Yakuza 6: The Song of Life demo on the PSN store.

Like we covered before, the demo weighs in at over 36 GB because you are technically downloading the full game but its being locked down to a certain point. If you like the game, you can buy it digitally and unlock the full game, no more downloading required. Not only that, you can continue the game right where the demo leaves off. You can also check out my review for Yakuza 6, as you can see I really liked it.

Yakuza Producer says if Harada wants Kazuma Kiryu in Tekken 7, they’re for it

During the Yakuza 6 Live Q&A portion, one of the questions asked if Yakuza 6 is truly the end for our lovable hero or will we see him appear in other games. Once the question ended, everyone in the audience screamed “Tekken!“, which seems something that fans want to happen. I even wrote a whole article about why Kazuma Kiryu would be perfect for Tekken 7 (take notes, Namco). Yakuza Producer, Daisuke Sato took to answering the question:

“What it comes down to the whole Tekken thing, if Harada-san says he wants to use Kiryu, well then there it is.”  – Daisuke Sato, Yakuza Producer

But lets be honest, SEGA is obviously saving this big Kazuma Kiryu fighting game crossover for Virtua Fighter 6, right guys?

Yakuza 6 Review – New Engine Breathes New Life (PS4)

The Yakuza franchise has been one of SEGA’s longest running franchise since they went 3rd party and Yakuza 6 celebrates a new beginning and an end to the franchise. For one this title sports a brand new, high budget engine created from the ground up for the PlayStation 4 and on the other hand this game is meant to be the last game starring the franchise’s protagonist, Kazuma Kiryu.

But did SEGA deliver in a true next-generation experience with Yakuza 6: The Song of Life? Find out with our review.

Yakuza 6 full game ‘demos’ being revoked by Sony

Yakuza-6

According to users on ResetEra, if you go back online with the Yakuza 6 full game ‘demo’, which SEGA released the other day, they will revoke the license transforming it back into a demo. Of course if you want to bypass this and play the full game all you need to do is not connect to the internet.

I’m personally glad to see that the PlayStation 4 has the ability to do something like this, considering that I want the franchise to do well in the West. It would really hurt sales if thousands upon thousands of would be costumers unlocked the full game for free. Even if you got the full game and are planning on playing it early by not being connected online, I urge you to support the series by at least getting the game physically when it comes out in April!

Yakuza 6 demo out tomorrow, is over 36 GB in size

Yakuza6KiryuHaruto

The Yakuza 6: The Song of Life demo is hitting PSN on February 27, 2018 and since some regions are ahead of us due to timezones, they can already try out the demo. For example, the English demo has now hit the Australian PlayStation Store revealing that the demo will be 36.53 GB in size! Yeah, its a big one.

So what is in this demo? The Yakuza 6: The Song of Life demo is a prologue. This lets you go through the intro segment where they teach you the basics in controls, what Kazuma Kiryu is doing now and why he is taking care of Haruka’s son, Haruto. Also your save data from this demo will carry over to the full game when it comes out April 17, 2018. This demo is basically the same one they released for the Japanese release.

So what do you think? Too big? Are you picking the demo up to give Yakuza 6: The Song of Life a early look?

[Source: Siliconera]

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life delayed, demo release date announced

DVC4Po7X4AEsFhC

We have good news and bad news. The good news is SEGA will be releasing a demo for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life on February 27th. The demo will allow players to bring their save into the full game upon release, so you can start your adventure early. The bad news is that the game will be delayed a month, releasing April 17, 2018. The move was cited as a tough business decision, but claims this gives more time to line things up for launch. The change puts Yakuza 6 4 days away from God of War, which some fear will hurt sales. However I personally think Yakuza has enough of a dedicated fanbase and the games are different enough that it really won’t be a big deal. Plus, does God of War have a premium edition that comes with drinking acoutrama?

You can still pre-order Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Essence of Art Edition for PlayStation 4, so if you haven’t already then get on it!

Yakuza 6 reveals in-game clan creator for real yakuza action

SEGA has finally released a new trailer showing off Yakuza 6‘s clan creator. The clan creator is a brand new minigame created just for Yakuza 6 where you can find and recruit gang members. The minigame will allow you to train them and have them fight the ‘The Six Lunatics’. Which is funny because we have seen Kazuma Kiryu literally take on armies, but now he needs a clan of people to take down six people?

The trailer also features a in-game code for your clan: BLACKPANTSKOUMEI, which unlocks… I dunno, we will find out when the game launches on PlayStation 4 on March 20, 2018. What do you think of Yakuza 6‘s clan creator?