Project Century and Virtua Fighter Project Shows Sega's Willingness to Take Risks

RGG Studio's ability to juggle multiple large-scale projects simultaneously is a testament to Sega's risk-taking approach to game development. This willingness to venture beyond safe bets has enabled the studio to pursue ambitious new IPs and innovative reinterpretations of existing franchises.

Sega Embraces Risk and Innovation

RGG Studio, renowned for the Like a Dragon series, currently has several projects underway, including a brand-new IP. Despite already having a new Like a Dragon title and a Virtua Fighter remake slated for 2025, they've added two more projects to their development pipeline. Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama attributes this to Sega's culture of risk-taking.

In December, RGG unveiled trailers for two distinct projects: Project Century, a new IP set in 1915 Japan, and a new Virtua Fighter project (separate from the Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O remaster). These large-scale projects highlight the studio's ambition and Sega's confidence in their capabilities. Yokoyama emphasizes Sega's acceptance of potential failure as a key factor, contrasting it with a more risk-averse approach. He points to the creation of Shenmue as an example of Sega's innovative spirit, born from the question: "What if we made 'VF' into an RPG?"

RGG Studio assures fans that the simultaneous development of these projects won't compromise quality, particularly for the Virtua Fighter series. Original creator Yu Suzuki has expressed his support, and the team, led by Yokoyama and producer Riichiro Yamada, is committed to delivering an innovative and engaging experience.

Yamada promises a "cool and interesting" new Virtua Fighter experience for both existing fans and newcomers, urging anticipation for future updates. Yokoyama echoes this sentiment, expressing excitement for both upcoming titles.