Sega has been teasing us. Ryū ga Gotoku 3, the third game in Sega's Yakuza series, has sold half a million copies in Japan since its release in February of last year. Despite strong sales and the clamoring of the franchises' fanbase, the developer has remind quiet about a Western release - until now. In a post on the European PlayStation Blog, Sega announces the impending U.S., European, and Australian release, with words from SOE's European Marketing Director, Gary Knight.

"Yakuza 3 was one of the most requested titles for localisation by our European SEGA community, so we are delighted to be able to fulfil their wishes with this announcement. As well as delving even further into the rich narrative of the Yakuza universe, the development team have pushed the PlayStation 3 hardware to the limits to produce a beautiful and startlingly realistic depiction of the Japanese underworld."

The localization of the game will feature full Japanese voice acting with English subtitles, as it should be. Best of all, the PlayStation 3 exclusive is due out in March. That's only three months or so of waiting. Perhaps Sega was wise to tease us until now.

Our long struggle is over. Time for a nap.

East Meets West – Yakuza 3 Coming In 2010 [PlayStation Blog Europe]

The Examiner has since run an update, explaining those remarks were not "official SEGA statements." The Examiner adds, "SEGA still hasn't made any mention of an upcoming release or revealed plans to release it stateside."

PS3 exclusive Yakuza 3 (AKA Ryu Ga Gotoku 3) was released in Japan last February, selling over 200,000 copies in its first day.

Yakuza 3 US release date announced: Never [The Examiner Thanks, Tony!]

In an interview in the upcoming Famitsu, the very tanned Toshihiro Nagoshi reveals the development on another Yakuza title. Nagoshi says that it doesn't mean this is Ryu Ga Gotoku 4, but he wants the game to have the essence of Ryu Ga Gotoku. "For example," the designer says, "If main character Kiryu Kazuma went to outer space or fought zombies, I think fans would accept that and say, 'I get it.'"

He wants to have players wonder what is going to happen in the next Ryu Ga Gotoku. "It's not KENZAN 2," Nagoshi assures. "I want to create a new style of game set in contemporary surroundings." Ryu Ga Gotoku KENZAN! was set in Edo-era Kyoto, but the other titles have been set in modern day Japan. All of the ideas that have been saved up until this point will apparently find their way into this new, more immersive title.

Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 and the previous Yakuza titles had elaborate promotional campaigns. Nagoshi is thinking about how to promote the new title, and one concept he has is called "Everyone Can Participate" to fill out the game's cast. Starting on May 8, SEGA will begin accepting applications for 18 years-old-and-up female night club hostess-type characters. SEGA is also planning to accept applications from males; however, age is not important.

"This title will be a PLAYSTATION 3 game," says Nagoshi. All Yakuza titles have been PlayStation exclusives.

The DLC content is a total of 29 items and is being released over the course of eight weeks. What kind of content? Stuff like new outfits for you characters. Fancy a walk through Tokyo in a bathing suit with a man dressed as a Mexican wrestler?

Besides the item packs, there are also mission packs. The DLC ends with this newest bundle. Since Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 has been automatically updating each time the PS3 is connected to the internet, keeping up has been a cinch.

第八弾 　4月23日配信コンテンツ [Ryu Ga Gotoku.com via チラシの裏でゲーム鈍報]

The game has in-game tie-ups with 27 different companies, including a karaoke parlor, a sake distillery and a tanning salon. The voice cast boasts some of Japan's biggest stars, and a theme song by popstar Eikichi Yazawa. The game also features model Rina Sakurai, who I interviewed for Arcade Mania.

SEGA announced today that over 500,000 copies of the game have been shipped.

On his official blog, Kameda posted that he's got Ryu Ga Gotoku 3, writing, "The game I've been waiting for. My pops bought it for me! Weeell, gonna play! Catch later!!"

Kameda is the second eldest of the three Kameda brothers, which is Japan's most famous boxing family. In 2007, the Osaka-born Daiki said he would commit seppuku if he lost to WBC flyweight champ Daisuke Naito.

During the bout, Kameda (pictured, then with dyed blonde hair) began elbowing and body slamming Naito out of frustration. Kameda lost and was banned from professional boxing for one year because of his fight conduct. He did not commit seppuku after the fight. His father, who was his trainer, had his license revoked and stepped down as his trainer.

今日からスタート [Kameda Bros.] [Pic]

The game's success also meant a huge PS3 spike. During the Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 debut week, sales of the PLAYSTATION 3 jumped 225 percent to 35,000 units. (Note: This sales data is early.)

This means that Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 falls second to the numbers MGS4 posted in its first week.

In its second week, MGS4 sales dropped 86 percent. If Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 dropped by the same percent, that would mean the game could break the 400,000 copies sold barrier in its second week.

How does Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 stack up against the first week sales of the prequels?

Ryu Ga Gotoku: 130,000 copies
Ryu Ga Gotoku 2: 282,000 copies
Ryu Ga Gotoku KENZAN!: 178,000 copies
Ryu Ga Gotoku 3: 372,000 copies

Remember, Ryu Ga Gotoku KENZAN! is not Yakuza 3. Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 is Yakuza 3.

PS3「龍が如く3」初週で約35万本を販売、他 [忍之閻魔帳]

First and foremost, it sold 300,000 copies.
Thank you very much.

Nagoshi's post is quite terse, and he doesn't explicitly say Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 sold 300,000 copies, and hints at more to come next week.

If this figure is correct, it would mean that Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 has already debuted in the top ten PS3 game life-to-date sales. As impressive as 300,000 copies sold, it falls short of PS3 first week Japanese big boss Metal Gear Solid 4. The stealth action game shifted 465,000 units.

ありがとうございます。 [とりあえず乾杯デショ via シロイブログ]

Seifuku Distillery has crafted Ryu Ga Gotoku alcohol. It comes in two types: Japanese sake with plums and Okinawa's strong island sake awamori.

Awamori is potent stuff and often sold at 60 proof.

A bottle of the Ryu Ga Gotoku awamori is priced at ¥1,100 (US$11.40), while the plum sake is priced at ¥1,600 ($16.50). Both are available in Okinawa from February 26 and in the rest of Japan from March 2.

The game's ridiculously tanned Toshihiro Nagoshi skips stones with the game's hero Kazuma Kiryu and talks about the PS3's "power of expression." Kazuma Kiryu says how importance belief is.

The first part of the ad offers a sample of song "Loser," and original composition by singer songwriter Eikichi Yazawa.

Perhaps to celebrate the game receiving a mighty 38/40 (9/10/9/10) in Japanese mag Famitsu, but probably just to drum up a little more interest in the title, Sega have announced that a demo will go live on the Japanese PlayStation Store tomorrow, February 19.

The PS3 being region-free and all, those of you savvy enough to create a Japanese PSN account can get your download on. Those not savvy enough? Read this handy guide, it'll get you savvy.

龍がPS Storeに舞い降りる！ 『龍が如く3 体験版』が明日配信に [Dengeki]

That's Nagoshi sitting in a tanning bed in Japan's Tanning Studio SOLE — which appears in-game. He's not only promoting his game, but tanning and promoting.

The brown game designer was introduced to SOLE by a friend-in-the-know. (Probably a golden brown friend.) So what's the appeal for Nagoshi? "I feel refreshed when my sweaty skin is tanned."

Apparently the idea of including SOLE in a game came about during a conversation with, wait for it, a SOLE staffer. Nagoshi confirms that going to the in-game salon does affect Ryu Ga Gotoku hero Kazuma Kiryu. No word whether overuse causes skin cancer later in the inevitable Ryu Ga Gotoku sequels.

For those in the dark about Nagoshi's browning, read this.

『龍が如く3』コラボ：日焼けサロンSOLE、カラオケ館に名越氏が来店！ [Gpara]

A TANNING SALON.

That's right, Japan's Tanning Studio Sole appears in game and is also selling special Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 gift cards (priced at ¥10,000 and ¥20,000). Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 banners will be placed in front of Tanning Studio Soles across Japan.

Does Tanning Studio Sole work? If Nagoshi's leathery hide is anything to go on, yes, yes it does.

『龍が如く3』で新たなコラボ！ 今度は日焼けサロン [Famitsu]

PS3 exclusive Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 hits Japanese retailers February 26.

Things like get liquored up, trade business cards, play darts, shoot pool, sing karaoke and go bowling. Remember, you're doing this with a high-priced bar hostess after she gets off work!

There's also a "Hot Viewpoint Mode" (pictured) — power up by looking at the hostess's body. That, and more in the gallery below.

キャバ嬢をあなた色に染めろ『龍が如く3』「キャバつく」＆娯楽を紹介 [Gpara]

Apparently, the install will be 5120 MB (5GB). So those living in Japan who plan on buying the game next month, make sure you've got the extra space or be very, very sad. Just like these children.

Mandatory install confirmed for Yakuza 3 [PS3center]

Nagoshi and his leather skin are doing a nationwide autographing event to promote Ryu Ga Gotoku 3. If you live in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka or Ibaraki Prefecture, click the link below for the dates and locations. If you don't, don't!

名越稔洋総合監督が全国に！ 『龍が如く3』サイン&握手会が実施 [Famitsu]

There's fighting, beachwear, hostesses, sad children, golf and karaoke mini-games. Something for everyone! All that's missing is a Western release date and solid localization.

On March 2, Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 cup ramen will go on sale in Japan from food maker Ace Cook. It's not just ramen, but Kyushu tonkotsu ("pork bone") ramen. The ramen references fictional in-game ramen restaurant called "Kyushu First Star."

Yours to eat for ¥231 (US$2.56).

架空の名店「九州一番星」とコラボ『龍が如く3』カップ麺発売 [Gpara]

The previous Yakuza title Ryu Ga Gotoku: KENZAN! still hasn't gotten a localized Western release. And when asked about upcoming PS3 exclusive Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (aka Yakuza 3), SEGA told site PS3Center.net: "We currently don't know what the future of the Yakuza franchise is for North America."

SEGA America did mention optimistically that it hoped the Yakuza titles would get North America releases. Unlike the tragically dubbed Yakuza, Japanese voice options for KENZAN! and Yakuza 3 pretty please!

American release of next Yakuza titles is questionable [PS3Center via Sega Nerds]