Going on sale last February, Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (Yakuza 3) has shipped over half a million copies in Japan. It's a hit, and SEGA is hard at work on another entry in the franchise.
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.