Like a Dragon: Dondoko Island Furniture Crafted from Former Game Elements

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island: A Minigame's Unexpected Expansion Through Asset Reuse

The lead designer of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth recently shed light on the surprising growth of Dondoko Island, a seemingly simple minigame that blossomed into a significant part of the game's experience.

In an interview with Automaton, Michiko Hatoyama revealed that Dondoko Island's scope far exceeded initial plans. The project's evolution involved a substantial increase in furniture recipes, a feat achieved through clever asset management.

RGG Studio leveraged its extensive library of assets from the Yakuza series, repurposing existing elements to create new furniture items. Hatoyama highlighted the efficiency of this approach, stating that individual furniture pieces were created in mere minutes, a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation. This strategic reuse allowed for the rapid expansion of Dondoko Island's content.

The decision to expand both the island itself and the number of furniture recipes stemmed from a desire to provide players with engaging and varied gameplay. The expansive island and diverse furniture options offer players significant freedom in transforming the initially dilapidated island into a luxurious resort.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth—the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza series—received widespread acclaim. The game's success, coupled with the rich history of assets within the franchise, positions RGG Studio to continue this efficient approach to game development in future titles. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to the studio's resourceful use of existing assets, transforming a seemingly minor minigame into a substantial and rewarding player experience.