Did you hear the latest rumor? Nagoshi Studio, the team behind the upcoming Gang of Dragon, might be no more. According to VGC's Andy Robinson, the studio is essentially "gone." That's a gut punch for anyone excited about the game.
Robinson dropped the bombshell on VGC's podcast, saying, "Nagoshi Studio…it's not been announced, but that's gone. I heard stories of him even applying at other studios recently, so I think it's fair to say that that's gone." He's talking about founder Toshihiro Nagoshi, the legendary creator behind Yakuza. If he's job hunting, things are dire.
Adding fuel to the fire, the studio's YouTube channel has been removed and its official website is offline. Neither NetEase Games nor Nagoshi has confirmed the closure, but the signs aren't good. And what about Gang of Dragon? No word on its fate.
Gang of Dragon was announced at The Game Awards in December 2025. It starred Train to Busan actor Ma Dong-seok as Shin Ji-seong, a member of a Korean crime syndicate. Details were scarce, but we knew Ji-seong would get tangled in the underworld. Unlike Yakuza's heroes, he has no problem killing those who threaten him.
Trouble started earlier this year when reports surfaced that NetEase was cutting spending on its gaming division. Sources claimed the project needed an additional ¥7 billion ($44.4 million), but the publisher wasn't willing to foot the bill. The studio tried to find new sponsors, but funding reportedly dried up last May. Now, we're left wondering if the game will ever see the light of day.
This isn't the first time NetEase has parted ways with a studio. Grasshopper Manufacture, another Japanese developer, recently split from NetEase and went independent. But Nagoshi Studio hasn't been so lucky.
So, what happens next? Will NetEase do something with the property or let it languish incomplete? We don't know. Stay tuned for updates. What do you think—is Gang of Dragon dead in the water, or could it still be saved?
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