It is a shame there won't be more variety in this corner of market, and also: it is unfortunate that Nagoshi's talent is out of SEGA.

@mrbone Well, I suppose it is not easy to crowdfund 44 millions, even if they made it half of that, it would be tough.

@Oram77 I think that TGA showing was their last attempt at turning the situation around.

@johncalmc I have the same feelings about combat system, but I think it boils down to the fact that there is limited nuber of RGG fans like us who will play all the games automatically and SEGA want to broaden overall playerbase - so they do all these experiments with rpg systems, experimental figting controls and well-known celebrities.

It is also worth to mention that Dead Souls can still be bought and downloaded from PS3 Store, which is to be closed in 2027. So, there is still chance of playing it legally (and quite cheaply in fact).

@get2sammyb Thanks for nice report! You just have the years a bit confused - Kokura is 1915 (you are writing 1925 two times) and Osaka is 1943 (not 1945). I am afraid there is going to be a lot of confusion about these dates overall. And, do we know if they correlate with Daito's age?

About the game itself, just by trailers I am also not sure about the fighting and would like the option to just fight with classical scheme and than enjoy the story.. But, we will have to make do with this.

That song very much reminds me of Parappa The Rapper! It is certainly not a bad idea, to lighten the serious mood of the game by rhymes like this.

I don't know about the music, but it certainly sounds strange, when supposedly japanese people in Tokyo shout 'hey, caaab' and 'taaaxi', instead of something like 'takushii o kudasai'.

Since it will be still before GTA6 release, I wouldn't expect any big announcements that would be overshadowed by it's growing and growing hype.

About the main, physical, topic, what about introduction of dics to digital program?

I think it was stated that those 5 cities (or countries as it seems) will be on 5 different continents. So I suppose Germany represents Europe, and you shouldn't expect London. I agree there should be Japan and that leaves us with another two slots for places in Australia, South America, Africa?

I will log in every day and buy some games as a revenge for those tiresome Youtube comments these bots are constantly making.

The price seems fair to me, it is similar to 2x Sony ULT speakers. Now I am curious if anyone will buy these, when all those PS 'fans' obnoxiously trumpet in their comments they will buy nothing if it is not disc.

Very good idea. Tekken 8 or Fatal Fury should seriously consider something like this - games relatively light on content, but way too large files.

Maybe they meant 5 millions for Persona 4R and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN cumulatively? That would be realistic.

This situation seems quite paradoxical - if the prices are going to continue to rise, then the sonner PS6 is launched, the lower the launch price is going to be..

I think it will be similar situation to Steam Machine - PS6 will be on short supply, so it will sell out for any price really.

@1UP-HUSKY But will consoles even play physical discs in another decade?

Ha ha, of course it is for attention - if not, they could hire thousands of great actors - be it asian, white or black - who are not that well known. But, with movies, it is the same, you just need the stars to get attention and make the product well known and popular. So as a fan, I support this approach, in the end there are enough SEGA games new and old that put gameplay and not celebrities to the fore!!

@PuppetMaster Ok, ok, but as of May, Shinobi movie still figures in their plans (page 59): https://www.segasammy.co.jp/cms/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en/ir/20260512_q4_presentation_E.pdf

@PuppetMaster Underperformer yes, but flop I am not sure. It still could sell enought not to be in loss, so the brand can continue.

The relative unpopularity of CrossWorlds is really strange, given the quallity of the game, all the crossovers (I mean, you can't get much larger that Minecraft) and the wide choice of platforms. Despite all that, it still sold like small fraction of what Mario Kart does.

@pushL7 In that case, only Like a Dragon Gaiden would do from this list, with 15 hours of story and around the same time of additional gameplay.

@PuppetMaster I think Shinobi was not a flop, for the kind of game it is and not bearing brand name like Silksong or God of War, it seems to be doing ok. Ragebound was definitely smaller. It is just that other SEGA/Atlus games are not as big as Persona, LaD and Sonic. Streets of Rage would be similar and was not released under SEGA, so they probably even don't have the numbers. Virtua Fighter 5 US hit big in 2021 when it came to PS Plus on release. Now with REVO World Stage, I think it can gather just a few 100 000s of sold units.

@Dragoon1994 They obviously chose to stick with the Yakuza name for the original series (2005-2016) and switch to Like a Dragon only for newer titles (2020 onwards). And Yakuza 3, even as remake, is still part of the original series.

The interesting thing is how SEGA leaves the rest of 2026 completely empty (with the exception of Switch 2 versions), probably because of GTA, and they plan to do big numbers in 2027 starting with Stranger Than Heaven in January. Now, will it sell better that Infinite Wealth or even Yakuza: Like a Dragon?

@Chapapa Hm, that might be interesting idea, to do special limited-press digital releases!

In the end, I bought the game at 50% discount to give it a try and I think it is not that bad, although I can understand why it is 4/10 for somebody. For me, it is more like 7/10, since when you are in the right mood, you can have fun with it. Yes, it is very alternative, almost not a game it traditional sense, similarly to Flower, Linger in Shadows and other projects from 00's. I think they should have made a demo version to boost interest and also the full €35 price is way too high for quite a short, around 7 hour long experience. €20 launch price would be more fitting.

This would be perfect for PS Portal or new PS handheld! I can't see myself slowly going thorouh the puzzles in front of big TV though.

@The_Elder These 5 cities will definitely be small open world maps, we will hopefully see more details about their interactivity on May 6th. It is true that the roaming passages in the trailer, like the tram ride, looks kind of Shenmue-ish.

So, the story will culminate in 1965 in Kamurocho - that makes the game very much connected to Yakuza series, because Tojo Clan already existed in the 60s.

The partnership with Microsoft seems to be about the game being part of Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere. But timed exclusivity seems possible.

It was certain there will be some new Sonic game in 2026, but I guess fans expected Frontiers 2 and not Frontiers+!

I hope for the best - a game that combines that classic RGG immersion and quality with surpises and innovation. For SEGA, I hope it fulfils their probable goal of reaching wider audiences.

@somnambulance According to SEGA financial report, only Stranger Than Heaven and Total War (plus I suppose some sort of Sonic) are planned for this year, so JSR and Crazy Taxi will come no sooner than 2027. You know, that's how their business model stands - one half of SEGA Japan's output is RGG Studio, the second is Team Sonic.

@BLKxHER0 No, Stranger Than Heaven is a SEGA project with sound and stable funding, the game with uncertain destiny is Gang Of Dragon, from Yakuza series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi's own studio.

Ok, SEGA, bring it on, after absence at Game Awards and State of Play, it is about time for something Strange(r Than Heaven)!

Wow, they really spared no expense with the special editions! But, maybe it is a bit crazy to pay €200 for a game that regularly sells for €4? I know - it's not about the game, but all the merchandise, which looks very promising.

@Czar_Khastik I think we ought to be happy that SEGA released I + II physically at all, maybe in 2026 it would be digital downolad only. Ok, no special edition, but mini poster at least. Sad thing is how long I + II sat in local game shops..

@Gr8VngnzN4esAngr I am another big fan of Amazon series, baffled by all the hate. It probably wasn't friendly enough to western audiences. Thing just can't be bad, when a man who lived in Kabukicho for some time sat at the director's chair. And I really like how they didn't just copy the original game story, but morphed it into something slightly different and interesting, and more fitting for a series/movie. Only the finish was a bit too heavy and prolonged.

Wow, the music catalogue is really cool, they even acknowledged SEGA Rally 2, which never got re-release unlike most of the other games on the music menu!

I further look at the new financial presentation and it looks like this year, they will release Persona 4 Revival and Total War Warhammer 40000 in addition to Kiwami and probably next year Stranger Than Heaven and Total War Medieval III. And maybe some Sonic, which is not mentioned but seems logical.

@themightyant I agree, plus there is finite pool, maybe even shrinking pool of console/pc gamers who regularly buy games.

From SEGA's side, these informations seems to be more focused on shareholder relations, trying to explain their strategy for growth. I think their videogame branch is doing good, accounting for 3/4 of Sega Sammy's bussines. If something is rapidly declining it is Rovio - which they bought to big fanfares two years ago and it is on a downward trajectory since then. And pachinko is also behind it's heyday.

@AgentMantis pro-AI, while RGGS (and in all probability Nagoshi as well) put emphasis on the human aspect and voice acting of real actors..

@Cikajovazmaj Fair enough, but the similarity is kind of a point for the series. The studio definitely tries something different all the time with titles like Kenzan, Ishin, Binary Domain, Fist of the North Star or Stranger than Heaven, but then returns to the 'comfort' of Kamurocho. And Nagoshi did the same.

@Porco Yeah, it always seemed very uncertain, expecially when they stressed Nagoshi is targeting AAA single player experience, which doesn't seem to align with NetEase.

Now I think about it, maybe Nagoshi Studio expected this and that is why they revealed the game at Game Awards, just to shout out 'we are here' to potential investors.

@AinsleyE Every investor can work with sales numbers for Yakuza series and estabilish quite precisely if it has potential.

@BamBamBaklava89 That would be ideal, but again, I am afraid today's Sony has interest only in big franchises that sell in tenths of millions. Unfortunately.

@Cikajovazmaj Despite some missteps, RGGS games are still high quality, polished products. Really can't be called 'slop'.

Not good, but sadly this was to be expected. This is the merit of working for big companies like SEGA - despite all the missteps and criticism from mainstream gamers, they know how the business works and aren't afraid to put money and time into development and treat the employees respectably.

But I can see why Nagoshi was ready to leave as well, when he became too 'executive' and distant from game making itself. I wonder if the same could happen to Mr. Yokoyama, who recently gained the SEGA Senior Vice President title.

I like how the video shows the compression of Japan map. From mountains to city to mountains without all the time on freeways and traffic jams . I just don't get why they chose Saleen of all brands instead of titular GR GT and also - the world feels kind of lifeless.

I believe that during development, Gran Turismo or parts of it are normally being run on PC machines, so it is not that big a deal if they try to run it on PC-based hadheld console. And, it is surely a difference if the engine just somehow runs on Switch 2 and if they wanted to do consumer version, which would need several years of additional work and fine tuning.

This looks bad for any future WRC games. After the end of rally branch of Codemasters, the licence returned to Nacon..

As a fan of classic 3, I am still a bit afraid of all the changes, but I bought the game nonetheless and enjoyed some 7 hours with Dark Ties and another few of Emergency Call Ambulance. One day, I will gather the courage to play the main course.

I can see their thinking: if it's ok to produce niche Pro version, why not do niche disc version as well.

@MrPeanutbutterz It is known that Crazy Taxi is developed by SEGA Sapporo and JSR is also said to be in-house project, so they surely won't outsource everything.

The series really embraced the gaming inspiration in the fourth movie, so now back to games . But, wouldn't LEGO Wick be better?

I am a bit nervous about (japanese) SEGA games being absent from Game Awards as well as yesterday's State of Play. I hope they just didn't want to take the spotlight from Sonic Crossworlds and Kiwami 3 and have something big planned for the rest of 2026!

@Dogbreath Yeah, SEGA games are obviously never bad, but I just don't like original JSR. The influence JSR's visuals had on countless games is insane, but I don't like the principle of trying to jump somewhere while being shot at with rockets. Let's hope the new one will be good!

@Kitsmith Concerning Daytona, I have big faith in driving parts of Gang of Dragon with Nagoshi-san being the designer and producer of Daytonas and Scud Race For SEGA, I think Crazy Taxi is their priority now regarding racing games.

@PuppetMaster They effectively already made 0 Kiwami with Director's Cut. Maybe that's the idea: they will be releasing 'Director's Cuts' or other kind of remasters instead of 'Kiwamis' and that will be it. Other thing is, new version of Ishin! was also released as Ishin! Kiwami in Japan.

So, Yokoyama-san doesn't want to do more Kiwamis and he doesn't want to do LaD 9 either, in favour of 'different line'? Isn't that just what Nagoshi-san wanted to do with Judgments and now Gang of Dragon? I am kind of confused!

But then again, with Pirate Yakuza out in the wild, I am afraid what 'dfferent lines' could mean.

From what I see I will be better off avoiding this. As an old school fan, I don't like the all the alterations and crazyness added to the original game. It seems like the series is deviating from the orginal 'serious crime drama' premise. Best thing would be if you could choose between just reworked graphics and this complete remake .