Sega Ventures into Bold Projects: Century and Virtua Fighter

Sega's Risk-Taking Approach Fuels RGG Studio's Ambitious Projects

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) credits Sega's willingness to embrace risk as the driving force behind its ability to juggle multiple large-scale projects simultaneously. This includes a brand-new IP and a surprising twist on a classic franchise. Let's delve into the exciting future of the Like a Dragon studio.

Sega's Bold Investment in New IPs and Concepts

RGG Studio currently has several major projects underway, including a completely original IP. Despite already having the next Like a Dragon title and a Virtua Fighter remake slated for 2025, they've added two more ambitious projects to their development pipeline. Studio head and director Masayoshi Yokoyama attributes this to Sega's proactive approach to risk-taking.

In early December, RGG unveiled trailers for two distinct projects within the same week. Project Century, a new IP set in 1915 Japan, debuted at The Game Awards 2025. The following day, Sega's official channel showcased a trailer for a new Virtua Fighter project (separate from the upcoming Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. remaster). The scale and ambition evident in both projects highlight the studio's unwavering drive. Sega, with its diverse portfolio of established IPs, demonstrates remarkable confidence in RGG Studio's capabilities, fostering both trust and a commitment to innovation.

"Sega's willingness to accept the possibility of failure is a significant strength," Yokoyama shared with Famitsu, as translated by Automaton Media. "It's not just about sticking to safe bets," he continued, suggesting that this risk-embracing philosophy is deeply ingrained in Sega's corporate DNA. He further explained that this approach was evident early on in their history with the Virtua Fighter IP, leading them to explore uncharted territory. Their desire for something new sparked the question, "What if we made ‘VF’ into an RPG?"—a question that birthed the action-adventure series Shenmue.

RGG Studio assures fans that the simultaneous development of these two projects won't compromise quality, especially concerning the Virtua Fighter franchise. Original Virtua Fighter creator Yu Suzuki has voiced his support for the new project. With Virtua Fighter being one of Sega's iconic IPs, Yokoyama, Virtua Fighter Project producer Riichiro Yamada, and their team are committed to delivering a high-quality product, stating that they "have no intention of making something half-baked."

Yamada added, "With this new ‘VF,’ we aim to create something innovative that a broad audience will find ‘cool and interesting!’ We hope everyone, fans and newcomers alike, will eagerly anticipate further updates." Yokoyama echoed this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for both upcoming titles.