Infinite Wealth Furnishings Reused From Past Yakuza Games

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer reveals the clever asset reuse behind Dondoko Island's expansive furniture collection. Discover how repurposing past game assets significantly enhanced this popular minigame.

Dondoko Island: A Minigame of Unexpected Scale

Leveraging Past Assets for Enhanced Gameplay

In a July 30th interview with Automaton, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer, Michiko Hatoyama, shed light on the surprising growth of Dondoko Island. Initially conceived as a smaller feature, the minigame expanded organically during development. Hatoyama stated, "Dondoko Island started small, but it grew much larger than anticipated." This expansion involved a substantial increase in available furniture recipes.

RGG Studio cleverly repurposed existing assets to achieve this rapid expansion. Hatoyama explained that individual furniture pieces were created "in minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation. The extensive asset library from the Yakuza series proved invaluable, allowing for the swift integration of numerous furniture items into Dondoko Island.

The decision to expand Dondoko Island and its furniture selection stemmed from a desire to provide players with fresh and engaging gameplay. The vast island and extensive furniture options offer players considerable freedom and enjoyment in transforming the initial dilapidated island into a thriving resort.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza series, excluding spin-offs) received widespread acclaim. Its success, coupled with the rich legacy of assets from previous games, ensures a strong foundation for future installments. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to RGG Studio's efficient asset management, transforming a seemingly minor minigame into a substantial and rewarding experience for players.