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German retailer lists localized version of Yakuza 3
This should provide hope to those who have been longing for a localized Yakuza 3 release. German retailer amazon.de has added a listing for the Japanese crime game, with a scheduled release of March 12th. Sega isn't commenting on the listing, but a localization has been rumored since July. While still unconfirmed, this listing adds credence to a project that seems like a no-brainer, considering the franchise's tremendous success in Japan. [Via 1UP]
Rumor: 1UP 'source' says Yakuza 3 is Westward bound
If fanboys complain loudly enough, can they get a game localized for an English release? The answer appears to be: yes, at least according to an unnamed 1UP source "close to the project," who says that "Yakuza 3 is currently being localized for release in the U.S. and European markets." If true, it'll be interesting to see if people will actually buy the game. The late-to-the-party PS2 release of Yakuza 2 was largely ignored. Could Yakuza 3 meet the same fate, now that Yakuza 4 is already on its way to Japan? [Thanks, Marius!]
Japanese gamers want Persona 4, Phoenix Wright anime series (and so do we)
Japanese gaming pub Dengenki recently polled its readers on what series they'd like to see translated into anime form. The Top 10 list looks nearly exactly the same as our own wishlist: 1. Persona 4 2. Phoenix Wright 3. Okami 4. Kingdom Hearts 5. Idol Master 6. Metal Gear Solid 7. Yakuza 8. BlazBlue 9. Persona 3 10. Atelier Rorona Atlus' PS2 RPG Persona 4 tops the list, managing to beat out some big names like Kingdom Hearts and Metal Gear Solid. Perhaps the success of Persona: Trinity Soul reminded readers that the franchise works in serialized TV format? While we'd certainly like to see another Persona anime, an adaptation of Phoenix Wright seems like a no-brainer. Capcom, are you reading this? [Via Andriasang]
Watch Japanese girls audition for a role in Yakuza 4
There are two very important things crucial to every Yakuza game: noodles and girls. We're pretty sure you've figured out which of these topics we're covering today. Sega's upcoming PS3-exclusive Yakuza 4 will continue the franchise's penchant for featuring Japanese hostesses. This time, however, they're relying on the fan community to vote for their favorites. Andriasang has a helpful guide detailing all of the candidates, many of whom may be found on this exclusive Blu-ray disc. Remember as you peruse the various choices that you can look, but you can't play with any of these girls -- just like the game itself.
Yakuza 3 localization looking unlikely
Try not to think too much about the Yakuza 4 that was just announced to an eager Japanese audience. It doesn't look like Yakuza 3 is going to make it outside of Japan, and that doesn't bode well for its sequel, either. Sega Europe told VG247 that it has "no current plans" to localize Toshihiro Nagoshi's open-world brawler/RPG. A Sega of America employee offered his opinion to The Examiner, saying that the sales of Yakuza 2 were insufficient to justify localization of the PS3 title. Officially, according to statements given to Siliconera by a Sega rep, there is "no confirmation" of any decision regarding Yakuza 3. Maybe we should all go clear our local GameStop's shelves of Yakuza 2.
It's already time for another Yakuza
Yakuza 3 (Ryu ga Gotoku 3 in Japan) just came out in February, and Sega has already officially announced the sequel. The official Ryu ga Gotoku site revealed that a new PlayStation 3 installment is on the way. Other than the platform and the title, Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu wo Tsugu Mono (Succeed the Legend), few details are known. We can speculate that since the series is already two deep on the PS3 and we haven't seen either of those in North America, this one is also going to remain in Japan. How does Sega have time to make all these huge games so quickly anyway? If you'd like to see what some of the characters will look like in the new open-world title, GAME Watch (via Kotaku) has images of actors Hiroki Narimiya and Kenta Kiritani recording voice work and sitting for motion capture. Detailed 3D models of the actors will appear in the game. [Thanks, Marius]
Sega looking for real-life host club stories for use in next Yakuza game
Familiar with host clubs? Most likely not. The concept of paying for a date with an attractive, attentive female may seem ludicrous to Americans, but it's a service that's easily found in Japan's urban centers. Sega is calling out for fans to submit their real-life club experiences for use in the next Yakuza game for PS3. At least one submission will be used in the game, with the author highlighted in the game's credits.The Yakuza series has frequently used some bizarre, very-Japanese promotions to showcase its titles, but this might be the strangest yet. Imagine an American game that asked fans to submit stories of their experiences with prostitutes -- how much response would that get? Wait -- we're actually somewhat surprised Grand Theft Auto hasn't done that yet.
Sega Japan casting 'hostess' models for next Yakuza title
Following on the fine Italian leather heels of yesterday's Yakuza sequel news comes word that Sega's scouting young Japanese women to "model" as the game's hostess club employees. The 5-10 finalists' likenesses will be used in-game, and the girls will take part in promotional events -- including a Tokyo Game Show appearance -- for the title.Adriasang reports that auditions will commence following the June 19 submissions deadline, leading up to a round of public web voting. The site also says that Yakuza series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi told Famitsu that casting will be held for "males and other age groups" at a later date. "Other age groups" being another way of saying "women who aren't 18-20, attractive and likely to make countless otaku drool."
Sega working on another Yakuza game for PS3
It looks like Sega was quite pleased with the sales of Japan's PS3-exclusive Yakuza 3. In fact, the company is already working on yet another Yakuza title for Sony's home console, though it won't be a sequel to Yakuza 3 nor the historic Kenzan spin-off.There's no other information to work with right now, so let's just use this time to do our requisite "please-Sega-will-you-localize-this-game-for-the-West" dance.
Yakuza 3 sells half a million copies in Japan
Yakuza 3 is quite a success in Japan. In fact, Sega is reporting that the game has sold over 500,000 copies in the region since its February debut. It's the second PS3 title to reach the 500k milestone, following the success of Metal Gear Solid 4. With a sexy custom PS3 bundle and solid first week sales of 380,000 copies, Yakuza 3 was poised to easily surpass the half a million mark. Now, Sega just needs to worry about real Yakuza showing up at its offices and collecting a debt for using their image and likeness. Yikes, where's Kiryu Kazuma when you need him?
Yakuza 3 captures second-best PS3 launch in Japan
According to early data uncovered by the Japanese site, Drill-No Blog, Yakuza 3 has sold 380,000 units in its first week -- the second-best launch for a PS3 game in that country. If the numbers are accurate, Yakuza 3 (Ry? ga Gotoku 3 in Japan) will only have been bested by Konami's 2008 powerhouse, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, which sold around 465,000 units in its first week. Unfortunately, according to a comment Sega made to VG247, Western gamers may never get a chance to continue the adventures of Kiryu Kazuma as the publisher has no plans to bring the game to North America at this time. [Via N4G]
Sega launches Yakuza 3 in Japan with a bang
Ryu Ga Gotoku 3 (Yakuza 3) may lack an exclamation point in its title -- unlike predecessor Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan! -- but that doesn't mean the excitement over it is any less. In fact, Sega made sure that Yakuza 3's February 26 launch would go off with a bang (figuratively, not literally! No gangster shootings here) with signing sessions and free swag give-aways. IGN was in Japan to capture the festivities, snapping pictures of the crowd and checking out the signing sessions with Producer Toshihiro Nagoshi. Surprisingly, Toshihiro went around to three different retail stores in the Tokyo area for launch day signing events. That's some love for the hardcore gamer right there. Some stores were raffling off prizes such as post cards, clear files and limited edition Yakuza t-shirts. Check out IGN for more pics.
Yakuza 3 to get free post-release DLC
Looks like Sega is following Criterion's footsteps with its upcoming Yakuza 3. Siliconera reports that Sega is planning eight weeks of free post-release DLC for the game. 29 downloads will be added, ranging from special missions to new items. Supposedly the DLC will work much like Burnout Paradise's free content: simply boot up the game and new content will be added automatically -- no need to visit the PlayStation Store at all! Sega of America has not announced a US release for Yakuza 3. We're sure that if Sega does decide to localize the game, this additional content will also be available to non-Japanese players.
Joystiq hands-on: Yakuza 3 demo
Japan's next big game is coming out exclusively for PS3. Yakuza 3 launches in the territory next week and to get people psyched, Sega has released a demo on the PlayStation Network. The importance of the Yakuza series is, for the most part, lost to non-Japanese gamers. The first two PS2 games didn't exactly garner much fanfare when localized versions were released in the US. The series has always been uniquely Japanese, from its setting to its story to the gameplay. Although it may be Japan's interpretation of the Grand Theft Auto series, playing the demo reveals how antiquated the series still is. While Western developers have refined gameplay and storytelling, Yakuza 3 feels decidedly dated. For example, the visuals are inconsistent, repeating a technique Japanese developers loved employing during the PS2 era. The cutscenes look fantastic, with detailed character models, animations and voice acting. Switching to gameplay immediately reveals a significantly watered down look that's missing all the details featured in the non-interactive sequences. The disparity between playable and non-playable visuals is rather immense. Scrolling through lines of text instead of hearing more of the (very solid) voice acting reinforces the feeling that corners were cut to finish the game.
Sega cross-promotes Yakuza 3 with ... a tanning salon chain
Sega is promoting the upcoming Yakuza 3 (Ryu ga Gotoku 3 in Japan) with tie-ins to various businesses, in which real-life businesses offer Yakuza-themed goods, and digital versions of those same operations appear in the game. The latest company to promote the RPG/brawler is Tanning Studio Sole, a chain of tanning salons. From February 13 to March 15, Sole stores will offer Yakuza 3-themed prepaid cards, and will display Yakuza 3 posters in-store. In turn, Sole billboards will add authenticity to the game's environment (while providing money to Sega). We're guessing that this promotion came about when producer Toshihiro Nagoshi discovered that he had pumped so much money into Sole that he now owns it. Okay, we know the Nagoshi tan joke is obvious, but seriously, the man is flame-broiled. You can't ignore a "coincidence" like that. [Via IGN; screen via Inside-Games]
Yakuza run on instant noodles, you can too
Beating up people with the most unlikely objects, collecting debt and cutting off pinkies are all rather taxing elements of any young, struggling gangster's life. As one can imagine, these guys don't have much time for anything else, but they need to keep their strength up. So how do they do that? What do they eat? Sega suggests they eat instant noodles; but not just any noodles ... Yakuza 3-branded noodles. It's been a long standing tradition for these tattooed ruffians to eat the incredibly easy-to-make, readily available, MSG-laden snack. And starting on March 2, you too can spice up your own soup bowls with some Yakuza 3 ramen. That is, if you happen to live in Japan and have ¥231 ($2.50) to spare. [Via Kotaku]
Metal Gear Solid and Yakuza creators discuss future titles
What do you get when you sit Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid) and Toshihiro Nagoshi (Yakuza) in the same room together? You get a fruitful discussion about games. But not just any lot of games -- their games; games they're currently working on and even ones planned for release this year. Kojima said in Japan's Famitsu magazine (via IGN) that his production company is working on at least three to four titles. It's a nice step up from his statement last month which was at two mystery titles. He could very well be counting Metal Gear Solid Touch in there, referring to one of these games as something that could be released quickly. But it makes you wonder, what are the other two to three titles? With Kojima being an ardent supporter of the PS3 and PSP, often offering high profile MGS exclusives, we're more than willing to go out on a limb that one of these titles will appear on a current PlayStation format. Also, one of these games is planned for release this year.Turning things over to Nagoshi, he too has something yet unannounced but currently in production. That title, he revealed, is to be announced sometime later this year. Nagoshi, too, like Kojima has put somewhat of a preference on PS3 as of late. Could this new title also appear on the PS3?
Japanese 'Yakuza 3' PlayStation 3 is sexy, in short supply
To commemorate the release of Yakuza 3 in Japan, Sony and Sega are bundling the game with a special edition ceramic white 80GB PlayStation 3, complete with a very detailed dragon decal emblazoned on top. If that wasn't enough, the pack is being offered for ¥45,980 ($495), which according to Siliconera saves you ¥2,000 ($21.50) than when buying the game and console separate. You can expect that price tag to skyrocket on eBay, though, as only 10,000 of these are being made. Sure, it's no price drop, but man is it gorgeous.[Via Joystiq]
Japan-only: Sexy 'Yakuza 3' PS3 with dragon etching
The new PlayStation 3 bundle, accompanying the release of Yakuza 3 in Japan, comes with two silver dragons etched into the system's white exterior. We don't know how the effect appears in person, but judging by the images that Siliconera extorted and laundered from Sony, it looks quite sexy. The bundle, which comes with a 80GB PS3, retails for ¥45,980 ($495), an approximate savings of ¥2,000 ($21.50). Sega only plans to make 10,000 of these units available, so importers had better act fast and ruthlessly. We contacted Sega about a possible North American release of the console, but a company spokesperson confirmed it's "only slated for release in Japan." Considering Yakuza 3 hasn't even been announced for North America, we can see how such a bundle might not make it stateside.* *Fun fact: Yakuza 2 took 21 months to localize.
Yakuza 3-themed PS3 looks stylish
A brand new PS3 bundle will go on sale in Japan, featuring the upcoming PS3-exclusive Yakuza 3. Available in late February, the bundle will include the game and a specially designed Ceramic White console (pictured, above). Only 10,000 units of this bundle will be made, so expect it to sell out quickly in Japan. Will any find their way on eBay? Perhaps. [Thanks, diare331]
