Toshihiro Nagoshi, the renowned creator of the Yakuza and Judgment series, might be on the verge of leaving Sega, according to a recent report from Bloomberg. The report suggests that Nagoshi is in "final negotiations" to join NetEase, a major Chinese gaming company. Although Nagoshi has not yet signed a final contract and his specific duties are still being determined, it is anticipated that he will establish a new team within NetEase to develop games. If this deal materializes, it would represent another significant acquisition for NetEase and its domestic competitor, Tencent, both of which have been aggressively recruiting talent from Japan.
Nagoshi's career at Sega spans over three decades, having joined the company in 1989. He has been involved in the creation of numerous games, including F-Zero GX and Daytona. The Yakuza series, which includes several sequels and spin-offs, has made Nagoshi and the Ryu Ga Gotoku studio he leads well-known worldwide. In April, Nagoshi stepped down from his position as Sega's chief creative officer but remained with the company as a creative director.
The latest major entry in the Yakuza series was last year's Like A Dragon, which introduced a Dragon Quest RPG-inspired direction. This year, fans can look forward to the release of Lost Judgment, a sequel to 2019's Judgment game. Additionally, one of Yakuza's most iconic characters, Kiryu Kazama, will appear in another game created by Nagoshi, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
