RGG Studio Staff
Image: RGG Studio

The developer that makes the Yakuza and Judgment games, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio for short), has officially reshuffled following the confirmed departure of Yakuza series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi. His exit was heavily rumoured back in August.

The 56-year-old had become something of a legendary figure at SEGA, having spearheaded the creative vision and subsequent success of Yakuza as a franchise. Nagoshi actually started at the company back in the 90s, when he worked as a CG designer under Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki. It's safe to say that his eventual work on the Shenmue series would have a dramatic influence on Yakuza as a whole.

Nagoshi isn't the only important figure leaving SEGA, either. Daisuke Sato, who's been with RGG Studio from the start, is also making his exit. Sato, like Nagoshi, has been a key part of Yakuza's continued success in recent times. He was made head of the studio nine years ago, and it's gone from strength to strength ever since.

With both Nagoshi and Sato gone, it'll be up to SEGA's next generation to carry the torch. RGG Studio has highlighted seven key developers in a new blog post, and got them all together for one hell of a staff photo, which is embedded at the top of this article. Needless to say, these guys have inherited Nagoshi's famous sense of style.

What do you think the future holds for RGG Studio? Dream of Kamurocho in the comments section below.

[source ryu-ga-gotoku.com]