NetEase pulls funding from Yakuza creator’s Gang of Dragon project; Fans are disappointed
(Courtesy : Nagoshi Studio, NetEase)
This game was announced at the Game Awards 2025
The future of Gang of Dragon, the debut from Nagoshi Studio, looks grim, as reports indicate that NetEase plans to discontinue funding the development team.
According to the latest reports from Bloomberg, NetEase has decided to withdraw its financial support as part of a broader strategy to reduce its investment in game development.
Fans are very disappointed with this and have expressed their frustration on social media platforms. Let’s check out more details in this article.
NetEase ending financial support & Nagoshi is searching for a new sponsor
According to the reports, the employees at Nagoshi Studio were informed about the change on Friday. A spokesperson for NetEase reportedly confirmed that the company will stop financing the studio beginning in May.
This decision is surely going to have a major impact on the development of the game. This game is also the first project since the formation of this studio.
The development team will be facing many difficulties and completing the game will become impossible unless they secure new funding.
The reports also suggest that this project requires at least ¥7 billion (around $44 million) in additional funding to reach completion.
The studio’s founder, Toshihiro Nagoshi, is very well known for creating the popular Yakuza series during his time at Sega.
He left Sega in 2011 and launched Nagoshi Studio with support from NetEase. Following reports tell that he is looking for an alternative funding option to continue the work on Gang of Dragon. So far, no new sponsor has been secured.
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Fans share their frustration
Fans are disappointed and frustrated after they read this news. They are not happy with how Netease has treated Nagoshi and the development of Gang of Dragon.
Many have raised their voices on how many AAA games that flop like Concord, Dragon Age: Veilguard and the latest Highguard get the funding and actual good games struggle with the funding and development process.
Many fans were also excited as Ma Dong-seok was a part of the project and many were excited to play as him in the game.
Hopefully, this project will find a new sponsor very soon and we hope it will be saved from cancellation.
FAQs
Why is NetEase cutting funding for Nagoshi Studio?
Reports suggest NetEase is reducing its investments in game development and has decided to stop financing the studio starting in May.
What is Gang of Dragon about?
Gang of Dragon is a crime-focused action game set in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, starring actor Ma Dong-seok as a syndicate enforcer named Shin Ji-seong.
Will Gang of Dragon still release?
The game’s future is currently uncertain. The studio is reportedly seeking new funding to continue development.
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Mahaksh Chauhan is a passionate gaming journalist who loves for old-school RPGs and turn-based games. With a keen eye for storytelling and a deep understanding of game mechanics, Mahaksh brings an unique perspective to the world of gaming. Inspired by classics like Persona, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Skyrim, Mahaksh is dedicated in sharing the magic of games with readers. When not writing or gaming, Mahaksh can be found cheering on WWE superstars or watching his favourite Anime.