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 allowed the studio to pursue ambitious new IPs and innovative takes on existing franchises.

Sega Embraces Risk, Fostering 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 and director Masayoshi Yokoyama attributes this to Sega's culture of embracing risk.

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 upcoming Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O remaster). These large-scale projects highlight the studio's ambition and Sega's confidence in their ability to deliver. Yokoyama credits Sega's acceptance of potential failure as a key factor, contrasting it with a more risk-averse approach commonly seen in the industry. 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 for the new project, and the team, including producer Riichiro Yamada, is committed to delivering an innovative and engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers.

Yamada emphasizes the team's goal of creating something "cool and interesting" that appeals to a broad audience. Yokoyama expresses his excitement for both upcoming titles, promising further information soon.