Toshihiro Nagoshi, the acclaimed director of the Yakuza games, has said his new studio will be making games with “dramatic and moving stories.” Nagoshi left Sega and the Yakuza series behind last year to start a new studio named after himself, Nagoshi Studio. Now, in an interview with IGN Japan, Nagoshi has laid out some of his plans and inspirations for the new studio.
Speaking about his influences and goals with Nagoshi Studio’s upcoming games, Nagoshi said the following.
“We are influenced by movies and are interested in creating games that offer a high level of human drama.”
“That’s what we find fun. Just as before, I hope to create games in that vein that can reach a global audience. So you won’t find us making, like, smartphone puzzle games or whatever. Those games are fun, but what we’re good at and what the world expects from us is games with dramatic and moving stories, and that’s what we want to make. So that’s where our focus is.”
Toshihiro Nagoshi, translated by IGN.
Although Nagoshi didn’t go into details about any upcoming games he did offer this tidbit for what the studio is working on.
“Yes, as a game creator I have always had a number of things I’d like to do one day, and there is one idea in particular from my personal locker that I’d like to try to expand on now. Now the idea is slowly taking shape, with the input of the team.”
Toshihiro Nagoshi, translated by IGN.
Nagoshi also emphasized the need for great story-telling and gameplay to make a successful game.
“Looking at the sales of the Yakuza series, I think having an Oriental setting probably helped to make it feel more unique, but I don’t think that on its own would be enough to make it a million-seller. There must be something stronger, such as an emotional story, or the balance between gameplay and storytelling, and the overall quality being high. So for our next game to be a worldwide success, I don’t think the setting is that important. If the drama is good, then people in France will be moved by a Takeshi Kitano movie, and we in Japan can enjoy a movie from India. If the quality is good then anyone anywhere should be able to enjoy it. I want to return to that pure element of entertainment.”
Toshihiro Nagoshi, translated by IGN.
For more on Nagoshi Studio and other insights from Toshihiro Nagoshi, be sure to check out the full interview with IGN at the source below.
