Gang Of Dragon On Verge Of Shuttering As Developer Faces Pulled Funding From NetEast, Report Says

As of this past month, RGG studio rolled out Yakuza Kiwami 3. And whilst fans were eager that the original 2006 release would find itself remade in the Dragon Engine, things are already past this new release. Even the developer confirmed no more projects in this subgenre is to come. Additionally, Ryu Ga Gotoku is working on a new IP – Stranger Than Heaven. The game appears to be another crime-driven action title spanning across multiple decades.

Elsewhere, original Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi founded developer Nagoshi Studio under the NetEase umbrella. While quietly working on the new title for the past few years, it wasn’t until The Game Awards that the Japanese team unveiled Gang of Dragon. The title shares similarities to its recognized influences with Unreal Engine 5 being the main source for its development.

Although the game is nowhere close to being finished, it was certain the title was in active development with plenty of progress already made on the title. However, there is a potential kink in the hose for the entire operation according to Bloomberg. Jason Schreier reports that NetEase is potentially pulling the funding to Nagoshi Studio which could jeopardize the game from releasing fully.

From the report, ¥7 billion ($44.4 million) is required for the title to be officially completed. It is understood that Nagoshi has already begun searching for additional benefactors to fund the rest of the game’s development, but to no luck thus far. Nagoshi Studio nor NetEase has not responded to comment on the claim as of writing. The report comes surprisingly soon after the unveiling from this past December is what only widens many perspective on the entire situation.

As for an alternative turn of events for the genre, Shenmue III has recently found new life. The original PlayStation 4 & PC release is being remastered for Xbox, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo. ININ Games also confirms this will be an upgrade for original owners of the title. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you surprised by this abrupt report on Nagoshi Games’ Gang of Dragon?

Gang of Dragon is listed for PC.

Source: Bloomberg