Yakuza Series Creator Toshiro Nagoshi's Studio Has Officially Shut Down Before Releasing a Game

Yakuza series creator Toshiro Nagoshi’s studio has officially shut down before it had the chance to release a game.

Gematsu reported that the Tokyo-based Nagoshi Studio closed its doors via a shareholders’ resolution on October 31. The announcement was made in today’s Japanese government gazette Kanpo.

The Yakuza-like Gang of Dragon was meant to be the debut game from Nagoshi Studio, which Nagoshi formed in 2022 with investment from Chinese megacorp NetEase after he departed Ryu Ga Gotoku a year earlier. But doubt was cast on its future in March when NetEase signalled its intention to cut off funding as part of a broader retreat from international video game investment.

According to Bloomberg, NetEase made the decision to cut Nagoshi’s funding after it learned Gang of Dragon needed at least another ¥7 billion (approx. $44.4 million) to be completed. Nagoshi was apparently trying to find new investors to help buy the studio out, without much luck.

The studio closes nearly a year after Gang of Dragon enjoyed a flashy reveal at The Game Awards in December. Now, it looks like it may never see the light of day.

Photo by Daniel Pearce/Edge Magazine/Future via Getty Images.