Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Furniture Origins

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer reveals the clever asset reuse behind Dondoko Island's expansive furniture collection. Discover how this innovative approach significantly expanded the minigame's scope.

Dondoko Island: A Minigame of Epic Proportions

Reusing Assets: A Creative Approach to Expansion

In a July 30th interview with Automaton, Michiko Hatoyama, lead designer of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, shared insights into the surprising growth of Dondoko Island. Initially conceived as a smaller minigame, its scope dramatically increased during development. Hatoyama stated, "Dondoko Island started small, but it unexpectedly grew much larger." This expansion was fueled by the addition of numerous furniture recipes.

RGG Studio leveraged its extensive asset library from the Yakuza series to achieve this rapid expansion. By repurposing and adapting existing assets, individual furniture pieces were created "in minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation. This efficient approach allowed for the seamless integration of a vast array of furniture into Dondoko Island.

The expansion of Dondoko Island and its furniture selection reflects a commitment to providing players with engaging and diverse gameplay experiences. The sheer scale of the island and the extensive furniture options empower players to transform the humble garbage dump into a luxurious resort paradise.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza series) has been lauded by fans and newcomers alike. Its success, and the rich asset library it contributes to, ensures a legacy of reusable content for future installments. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to RGG Studio's resourcefulness, offering a surprisingly large-scale minigame that provides hours of immersive island-building enjoyment.