Nagoshi Studio Inc. Unveiled as Yakuza Director’s New Studio

Nagoshi Studio Inc., a new subsidiary of Netease has been established in Tokyo, Japan. Toshihiro Nagoshi, the former producer of the Yakuza and Super Monkey Ball franchises, has taken up the post of Representative Director and CEO of the studio, alongside many experienced developers.

The studio will focus on developing “high-end titles for worldwide release, with a primary focus on the console software business”.

At the end of last year, Toshihiro Nagoshi announced that he would be leaving Sega and the Yakuza development team Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to join Netease and lead his own studio. Nagoshi Studio is the result of this transition.

Nagoshi Studio Inc. will enjoy the “full authority” to manage and create the kinds of games that they are passionate about, with support from Netease. Based on Nagoshi’s message on the studio’s website, it seems he’ll be sticking to his roots in developing triple-A high-quality console software.

“There have been sweeping changes made to how content is produced in the entertainment industry, in terms of how it’s made and the business model that supports it. These changes are happening at a greater speed, thanks to the advances in technology and infrastructure.

However, NetEase Games and Nagoshi Studio both believe that what people want from entertainment hasn’t changed one bit. People see their dreams in entertainment; they look to it to give them hope in their everyday life, to soothe them in difficult times, and to add excitement in happy times. People look to entertainment to provide the spark for all kinds of events in their life.”

NetEase Games says that they and Nagoshi studios share the same goal, to “Unleash the Potential of Creators” in an open and inclusive environment.

International audiences have been warry of Nagoshi joining Netease due to the stigma of Chinese studios only publishing low-quality mobile games.

Netease and Nagoshi Studio Inc.’s statements however seem to have been made in response to this, promising that the veteran director’s new studio will deliver the same high-end console titles that he has always been known for.

I personally look forward to what Nagoshi and his new team are going to make and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

If you’d like to learn more about Nagoshi Studio Inc., including new job openings, check out their official website.