Ryu ga Gotoku Studios Toshihiro Nagoshi Steps Down as CCO of Sega

Sega announced through a press release that structural changes would be happening within the company. This includes Ryu ga Gotoku Studios’ Toshihiro Nagoshi stepping down as CCO, or Chief Creative Officer, of Sega. However, despite stepping down as CCO Nagoshi will stay within Sega as a Creative Director. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

This change will take place immediately effective April 1, 2021. This will include other structural changes within Sega, such as the reorganization of its group companies to adapt to the current “external environment.”

Toshihiro Nagoshi is best known for his creation of and contribution to the Yakuza series. Since its first release in 2005, the series has gone on to be immensely successful in Japan, spawning eight mainline titles and several spinoffs. The Yakuza series has recently found that same success in the West. Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 were recently made available on PC and Xbox through the Xbox Game Pass. And while Yakuza 6: The Song of Life is currently only available on the PlayStation 4, a PC and Xbox version will appear in March 2021.

Additionally, a recent leak suggests that a new Yakuza spinoff title may be in development. While information is scarce, an early screenshot provided by an anonymous source shared an image of Yakuza 2 antagonist Ryuji Goda strolling through a familiar location. Further information revealed that this could be something of a prequel title staring none other than the Dragon of Kansai himself.