SEGA Reinvents Legacy with Century & Virtua Fighter

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

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio (RGG Studio) thrives on Sega's willingness to embrace risk and innovation, enabling the studio to simultaneously develop multiple large-scale projects. This innovative spirit is evident in their upcoming slate, which includes a new IP and a Virtua Fighter revamp. Let's delve into the exciting future of the Like a Dragon studio.

Sega's Bold Investment in New IPs

RGG Studio currently juggles several major projects, including a brand-new IP alongside the next Like a Dragon installment and a Virtua Fighter remake slated for 2025. The addition of two more titles to their development pipeline is a testament to Sega's commitment to risk-taking, as highlighted by RGG Studio's head and director, Masayoshi Yokoyama.

In early December, RGG unveiled trailers for two distinct projects within a single week. Project Century, a new IP set in 1915 Japan, debuted at The Game Awards 2025, followed by the announcement of a new Virtua Fighter project (separate from the upcoming Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O remaster) on Sega's official channel. The scale and ambition evident in these projects underscore Sega's unwavering confidence in RGG Studio's capabilities. This approach reflects a blend of trust and a proactive pursuit of novelty.

Embracing Failure as a Stepping Stone to Success

Yokoyama credits Sega's acceptance of potential failure as a key factor in their success. In an interview with Famitsu (translated by Automaton Media), he stated, "I think a good aspect of Sega is that it accepts the possibility of failure. It doesn’t just keep pursuing the kind of projects it knows are a safe bet." He further suggests this risk-taking is ingrained in Sega's DNA, citing the evolution from the Virtua Fighter IP to the creation of the action-adventure series Shenmue – born from the question, "What if we made ‘VF’ into an RPG?"

Quality Assurance Remains Paramount

RGG Studio assures fans that the simultaneous development of these projects will not compromise quality, particularly for the Virtua Fighter series. With the support of the original IP creator, Yu Suzuki, and the determination of Yokoyama, Virtua Fighter Project producer Riichiro Yamada, and their team, they aim to deliver a truly innovative experience. Yamada emphasizes their commitment to creating "something innovative that a wide range of people will find ‘cool and interesting!’” Yokoyama echoes this sentiment, expressing his anticipation for both titles' reception.