Ethan Crossfield 
Players interested in Gang of Dragon should not expect the project to continue: Nagoshi Studio has officially dissolved, ending development on the game announced at The Game Awards last year. The closure also marks the end of the studio founded by Like a Dragon and Yakuza creator Toshiro Nagoshi.
What changed at Nagoshi Studio
Nagoshi Studio’s shareholders approved the company’s dissolution on October 31, according to a notice published in Japan’s Kanpo government newspaper. The filing confirms that the studio is no longer operating and that work on Gang of Dragon has ended with it. The game had only been publicly introduced through its reveal at The Game Awards last year, leaving fans with an early look at the project but no path forward for its development.
Who is affected by the shutdown
The immediate impact falls on followers of Toshiro Nagoshi and anyone tracking Gang of Dragon. Nagoshi is closely associated with the Yakuza, now Like a Dragon, series, so the studio’s debut game carried significant interest from players looking for his next major project. NetEase Games helped establish Nagoshi Studio in November 2021, but Bloomberg reported earlier this year that the company was reducing funding for the studio and allowing Nagoshi to pursue financing independently.
What to watch after Gang of Dragon
There is no indication in the available information that Gang of Dragon will move to another developer or resume under a different funding arrangement. For now, readers should treat the game as discontinued rather than wait for new footage, release information, or platform announcements. The shutdown also arrives amid signs that NetEase is stepping back from some game operations outside China. Grasshopper Manufacture, led by Suda51, returned to independence from NetEase a little over a month ago.
What players should know
- Gang of Dragon development has ended following Nagoshi Studio’s dissolution.
- The game was revealed at The Game Awards last year but had not received confirmed release details.
- Nagoshi Studio was founded in November 2021 with support from NetEase Games.
- No successor studio, new publisher, or continued development plan has been announced.
Expert View
This is a meaningful loss for players hoping to see what Nagoshi’s team would build outside the Like a Dragon franchise. Still, the public record does not support speculation about Gang of Dragon being revived elsewhere. Until Nagoshi or another rights holder announces a new arrangement, the practical takeaway is simple: follow future news from Nagoshi, but do not wait on this project.
