Yakuza Studio working on a non-Yakuza project

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In a new interview with Famitsu, Yokoyama Masayoshi (Series producer at Yakuza Studio (aka: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.) has confirmed that the team is recruiting for continued high end video game development.The team already housing 150 development staff, Masayoshi also confirmed that the team is working on a project not related to the Yakuza series albeit based on saying the team is making a non-Yakuza project.

With Tokyo Game Show around the corner and no major new Yakuza game being announced, is this the announcement that newly appointed SEGA Games Co CEO Haruki Satomi was hinting at? We’ll find out shortly as TGS is only a month away!

Yakuza Zero branded limited edition Playstation 4 consoles come in four variants

Goro Majima Black & White Edition
Goro Majima Black & White Edition

This isn’t the first Yakuza branded Sony console to hit the scene and it won’t be the last. This one will be avalible in two versions: the Kazuma Kiryu edition and the Goro Majima edition. The console will feature a laser etched design on the case, featuring tattoos of both of the game’s protagonist.

Not only that, each version comes in either white or black, which is a nice option. The console will set you back 41,980 yen (about $348 USD) plus tax. Sadly the game isn’t included, but there is a bundle with the game for 6,480 yen (about $54 USD) more.

So, which one do you guys like the best?

Yakuza Zero screenshots and scans hit the internet

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Scans and screenshots for Famitsu’s scope on the up and coming Yakuza Zero (Ryu Ga Gotoku Zero) have leaked and as expected both Kiryu and Majima have been given a much more youthful appearance. There’s not much more else to say but no doubt we should be hearing a bit more this coming Thursday, both the time when the latest Famitsu goes on general sale and the date Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio announced that they would be sharing more news on the project. With Tokyo Game Show around the corner, this title is SEGA’s second pre-TGS announcement following Hero Bank 2 and it promises that this will be just as busy as the last one.

Thanks to 真鵜雄 of our forums for the tip! Hit the break for higher quality pictures;

Yakuza Zero is a prequel, will star a young Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima

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It seems that the latest issue of Famitsu has leaked and in that issue there have been a few things that are Yakuza related. It is confirmed that the game is set to take place in 1988 and will feature a darker, more Yakuza ran Kamurocho and Osaka district. Kazuma will be 20 years old in this game and takes place when he was the Tojo Clan’s debt collector. The other star of the game is no other than fan favorite Goro Majima who is 24 years old in this prequel and takes place while he was building the most popular cabaret club in Soutenburi.

The developers promise that many of the game’s characters will get origin stories within the game. This is a true ‘prequel’ since the events in this game lead up to the first Yakuza game. Its going to be interesting to see what they do with the new 80’s theme for the game, especially considering SEGA has had a 80’s theme game before: Shenmue. I would like to see the development team add some classic AM2 games in those Club SEGA arcades.

Color me excited for more information come TGS next month.

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SEGA already auditioning for the next Yakuza game

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Now that we know there is a new Yakuza game in development for both the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4, SEGA has started two campaigns to get new faces into the unannounced title. They are doing  auditions for men and sexy actress popularity contest for women. I can hear the screams of Tumblr feminist already.

For men they are looking for males over 20 and to be a in-game model in the next Yakuza title. SEGA says they want a guy that has a sense of ‘violence’, ‘fortune’ and of course ‘spirit’. But if you don’t make it into a in-game model there is also a spot with your face on hostess signs. If you get chosen in the audition you will be able to be character model in game, but also win a Playstation 4 and Vita, including the new Yakuza game when it comes out.

But if you only get your face on host club signs you won’t get as much as the model characters. You get a copy of the new Yakuza game and either a Playstation 3 or Playstation 4. Who would choose a Playstation 3 over a Playstation 4?

As for women…

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The SEGA Five: Best SEGA games on Playstation 3

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Today is the launch day for the Playstation 4 in America, many people are grabbing up the ‘next generation’ consoles and soon Playstation 3 will be a relic like the Playstation 2 before it. So I think its the perfect time to remember SEGA’s best Playstation 3 games. This is my personal list, if you want to share your favorites let us know in the comment section!

Haruka cleans your home in Yakuza Restoration

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Haruka has been in the Yakuza franchise since the first title came out on the Playstation 2 back in 2005 and is a main character of the franchise. In this title, the character Ryoma Sakamoto (played by Kiryu Kazuma) meets Haruka (yes, they are keeping her name) after saving her from a incident (that isn’t revealed). After that, she decides to let him live with her. Yeah, even she’s confused in the picture above.

Check the gallery after the jump for more photos of her sweeping dirt, caressing Ryoma’s head and other creepy shots.

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Yakuza Ishin’s TGS gameplay trailer has lots of slicing and dicing


SEGA has released two trailers for the upcoming Playstation exclusive, Yakuza Ishin. The first one and the one we embeded above is the gameplay trailer showing off the combat system, forging system and a few other tidbits.

Now the other trailer is the story trailer, this one uses the intro from the cinematic trailer shown off at the Sony conference, which was also awesome.  The game comes out in Japan on both Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 on February 22nd, 2014.

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First Yakuza: Ishin details revealed by Famitsu

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Even though Yakuza 5 only came out 8 months ago over in Japan, SEGA is already teasing the next title in the franchise, Yakuza: Ishin (Ishin apparently translates to Resurrection). So, why not just make Yakuza 6?

“In terms of volume and quality, we felt like we did everything we could with Yakuza 5. If I had to put it out there, I’d say that if we want to do another numbered title in the series, we’ll need a little time for that.” – Toshihiro Nagoshi, director of Yakuza series

Like we told you when the game was first revealed, you will take the role of a real life historical figure, Sakamoto Ryoma. The game will take place in mid 19th century Japan during the final years of the shogunate ruling.

Just like in history, Sakamoto was born into a low ranking Samurai clan known as Tosa fiefdom. Ryoma gets frustrated with the strict caste system, so him and his friend Takechi Hanpeita form a political group to reform the government and resist the rapid Westernization that is taking place in Japan at the time. The villain the the game? Saito Hajime, leader of the Shinsengumi group of samurai that are loyal to the shogunate.

Yakuza producer talks changes in upcoming Yakuza 1&2 HD on Wii U

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We already knew that SEGA was going to have an easy mode for Yakuza 1&2 HD, but what else are they making easier? According to Producer Mitsuhiro Shimano, some people didn’t beat the first two games due to getting stuck. He says that they will tweak the upcoming HD re-release to make it easier on new comers.

Some of the adjustments make sense, like batting cages will now be marked on your map and signs on walls will be easier to read (due to 1080p resolution of course). Outside of this, heat gauge will also be available at the start, for those that aren’t good with action games.

The developers stated they will make good use of the second screen so you can see your completed missions, current missions, maps, relationship with cabaret girls, foods you have eaten, and more.

Hit the jump to read a special message from Shimano to fathers.

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The SEGA Five: Last generation SEGA IPs that I want to see return next generation

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Last generation might not have been the best time for SEGA fans, the start of 2006 was pretty rocky with SEGA totally ruining the image of Sonic the Hedgehog and releasing a slew of blunders through out the generation. That doesn’t mean that beneath the piles of garbage there wasn’t some great IPs, right? This list will consist of five last generation SEGA IPs (this means that they debuted, brand new on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and/or Wii) that I want to return on next generation consoles (be it Wii U, Xbox One or Playstation 4).