Yakuza Like a Dragon Devs, True to Their Game, Encourage \"Fights\" and Confrontation

A recent interview with Automaton revealed a surprising approach to game development within the Like a Dragon/Yakuza franchise. Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio embraces internal conflict as a key ingredient in crafting high-quality games.

Like a Dragon Studio: Conflict Fuels Creativity

Embracing the "Fight" for Quality

Series director Ryosuke Horii shared that disagreements among team members are not just common, but actively encouraged. He explained that these internal "fights" are a crucial part of the creative process, stating that a lack of debate results in a less compelling final product. The key, Horii emphasized, is ensuring these conflicts are constructive and ultimately lead to improvements in the game. The role of the planner is to mediate these discussions and guide the team towards a positive resolution.

Horii highlighted the studio's meritocratic approach to idea generation. The value of a suggestion is judged solely on its merit, not on the team's origin. However, this doesn't mean all ideas are accepted. The studio is equally committed to rejecting weak concepts, ensuring a rigorous process of debate and refinement. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a culture of healthy competition that pushes the boundaries of creativity and results in a superior final product.