On September 15, in Makuhari Messe, Chiba ken, Japan, ‘Tokyo Game Show 2016’ was opened.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary this year, ‘Tokyo Game Show 2016,’ the show that represents Japan, is co-hosted by Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) and Nikkei BP, and specially cooperated with DWANGO. The event is organized into a business-day on September 15 and 16, when only game business people and mass communication officials can enter, and a public-day on September 17 and 18, when all the visitors can enter.

At New Otani Hotel near the event hall, Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia (SIEJA) progressed a presentation session presenting a new title. In this session, it introduced about the main titles published by SIE affiliated developers and major publishers and explained the features of the games.

On the second day of event, ‘Yakuza(aka ‘Ryu ga Gotoku’ in Japan, literally ‘Like a Dragon’) 0 & Yakuza 6’ session, which is an action adventure game developed by Sega Games, was prepared. A general manager Toshihiro Nagoshi and a producer Daisuke Sato were presenters for the session.

Nagoshi talked about Korean version of ‘Yakuza 0,’ which was decided to be released in Korean version on November 17 already released Japanese version in Korean market, by saying, “Since it is the work highly appreciated by users among series of ‘Yakuza,’ we decided to publish Korean version from the hope to let Korean users play comfortably in Korean.” And, “The order is changed as it had been published before ‘Ryu ga Gotoku: Kiwami’, However, due to the setting, it covers the most beginning period, so there will be no trouble in enjoying the story.”

After the announcement of the release of Korean version, the release date was relatively quickly decided. About that, its sales in Asia is positive, and the project went smoothly as SIEK has strong will to activate ‘Yakuza’ franchise and PlayStation 4. In case of the latest work, ‘Yakuza 6,’ it is emphasized that localization speed will get faster as the publication of Korean version is decided.

Moreover, since it is the separate title from Japanese version that had already been released, trophies of ‘Yakuza 0’ Korean version are also applied separately. However, any unique content will not be applied in Korean version unlike Chinese version.


In Q&A session of ‘Yakuza 6,’ Nagoshi answered the question of unveiling Haruka becoming a child’s mother through the trailer by saying, “It might have been a problem in the previous game, but Haruka became an adult in ‘Yakuza 6.’ So I don’t think getting a child is a big problem. Rather, I think the story would be deeper through this drama.” And, “After the announcement, lots of users wrote complaints like ‘what did you do?’ I was pleased but felt responsibility at the same time since I think that many people have affection for the character Haruka. I will show a reasonable story that users would accept.”

About appearances of Chinese and Korean organizations, the advance into Asia market is one of the reasons of their appearances. Organizations from other countries also appeared in the previous works, but this time, the game is produced based on the consideration that Asia users would play it. Especially in case of Korean voice, unlike ‘Yakuza 2,’ an actor for Korean voice is carefully selected through audition, and it is announced to put proper Korean voice by constantly sharing opinions with SIEK.

About participations of famous celebrities, such as Takeshi Kitano and Hiroyuki Miyasako, in series, Nagoshi introduced the background stories by saying, “I asked Kitano permission to participate the game since it is the last story of Kazuma Kiryu. I also sent a request to Miyasako for participating again as his voice acting is excellent.” Moreover, he talked about including the music from Tatsuro Yamashita who took charge of many dramas’ theme songs by saying, “Since Yamashita sings completely different mood of music from hard works like ‘Yakuza,’ I’ve been rejected. However, I thought that there are some common things in this work, so, after presentation of the concept, I could finally get permission from him.”

Meanwhile, to the question of how franchise will be developed after completing the drama with Kazuma Kiryu as a main character, he answered that nothing has been decided about ‘Yakuza’ series’ development pattern, but the appearance of a new main character is under consideration. Also, he revealed that Kazuma Kiryu could be appeared again through spin-off title.



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