Yakuza Like a Dragon Devs Promote In-Game Fights and Confrontation

In a revealing interview with Automaton, the developers behind Like a Dragon have shed light on the unique dynamics within Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, emphasizing how healthy arguments and in-fighting contribute to crafting superior games.

Like a Dragon Studio: In-Fighting Fuels Better Games

Fiery Passion, Just Like a Dragon

Ryosuke Horii, the series director of the acclaimed Like a Dragon/Yakuza franchise, disclosed that internal conflicts among team members are not only frequent but are actively encouraged to enhance game quality. During his discussion with Automaton, Horii confirmed that disagreements are commonplace but stressed that these "in-fighting" scenarios are far from detrimental. "When a designer and a programmer clash, it's the planner's role to mediate," Horii stated, underscoring the potential productivity of such confrontations.

He elaborated, "Without arguments or discussions, you're left with a lukewarm product at best. Therefore, we always welcome fights." Horii emphasized the importance of these conflicts leading to positive outcomes, saying, "Fighting is futile if it doesn't culminate in a beneficial result. It's the planner's responsibility to steer everyone towards a constructive resolution. It's all about fostering healthy, productive disputes."

Horii further explained that the studio's approach is to "fight to the same beat," prioritizing the quality of ideas over their origin. "We evaluate opinions based on their merit, not on which team proposed them," he noted. The studio also maintains a rigorous standard, ready to "mercilessly" dismiss subpar ideas. "Our focus is on engaging in debates and 'battles' to ensure we create the best possible game," Horii concluded.