Hey everyone! Aaron Webber here again – some of you may remember me from the Valkyria Chronicles 2 blog post a while back. This time, I have the privilege of bringing you guys some more exciting news – news that I know many of you are about to be extremely excited about!
After months upon months of requests, a myriad of rumors, and even full campaigns that speak to the unparalleled dedication of the fans, we can finally speak those words that all of you have been waiting anxiously to hear. So, here they are:
Yakuza 3 is coming West.
Featuring the original all-star Japanese voice cast and subtitled in English, Yakuza 3 chronicles the next steps in the life of the man once known as the Dragon of Dojima – Kiryu Kazuma.
As Kiryu works to begin a new life running an orphanage in Okinawa, the world he left behind in Tokyo also moves quickly. When the chairman of the Tojo clan is shot and the rivalry between the families plunges the city into chaos, even Okinawa is not far enough away to escape the grasp of the mysterious forces pulling the strings.
Then, when one of Kiryu’s close friends in Okinawa is found with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, things take a new turn for the worse. Driven to protect his friends, the Dragon is alive again – Kiryu returns to the dark city of Kamurocho, and will stop at nothing to find those responsible and give them his own taste of justice.
Releasing March 2010, the epic Yakuza saga continues, exclusively on the PlayStation 3.
Last but not least, we’d like to give special thanks to you guys, the Yakuza fans! Your passion and dedication has helped make this a reality, and we’d like to extend that thanks by letting you submit questions to the Yakuza 3 development team in Japan! To do so, just put *Dev Question* before typing your question here in the comments.
Until next time – we’ll have lots more news and in-depth looks at what Yakuza 3 has to offer very soon. Spread the word – Yakuza 3 is coming!
*Dev Question* Will this game be a PSN release like Record of Agarest War or a retail release? The Q1 release schedule is currently packed so a retail release would seem likely to fail.
*Dev Question*
龍が如く３の大ファンで、４番目を非常に楽しみしています。４では、蒼天堀や琉球町のように神室町から抜け出せる背景がありますか。もちろん神室町がメインだけれども、来年の春が神室町への４回目になりますので、たまには遠出するのがさわやかな気分にすると思います。
@202 O.o that surprised me.
*Dev Question*
Now that I Think about it, do you guys have a projected retail price so I can know how much to put aside for this transaction? >.> Also, can you cryogenically freeze me so I can pick it up on release day?
Why the hell does everyone keep thinking this will be a digital download? As an owner of the Japanese copy, I see it physically impossible.
The time has come…..Bring it SEGA!!
*Dev Question* Will this be a direct translation without editing? One of the reasons so many fans want this game is the authentic Japanese environment and story line it would do the title a disservice if the localization tried to appeal to a “western sensibility”. Also, I understand that the lack of English voice overs is a cost cutting measure to minimize loss, in the event that it doesnt meet expected sales, but will there be any added features for the EU/NA release? Perhaps included DLC, new clothing options or missions?
Ok, WHOA! Spring is packed.
You know what, more big games are targeting a Spring launch, even more so than this winter.
The audience dose grow the most during the holidays though, so I don’t blame anyone for feeding the hungry.
THANK YOU I WILL BUY A PS3 NOW
How does it feel to be sending this game out to die in March, a month with pretty heavy releases?
You want this game to sell well, Sega? Put it in the Summer. Less games in general then. More hype building, less bombing like Yakuza 1/2.
But hey, maybe in April I can pick it up for $30.
WE YAKUZA FANS WANT A BD Yakuza 1-2 COLLECTION!
come on! I would love to replay the games in HD and with trophy’s n.n!
“Dev. Question” – Is there a chance original Yakuza, Yakuza 2 will make their way onto PSN download network?
As a big fan of Yakuza series I absolutely loved the first two games.
I just wish to express my deepest gratitude to everyone making Yakuza 3 possible in the West.
The Japanese voice acting is nothing short of phenomenal in both previous games and once again, thank you very much for including the subtitles and keeping the original language.
There are many folks like myself who prefer English Subtitles with Japanese voices, especially in such games as Yakuza where the culture is so strongly present and I personally take pride in learning the Japanese as well.
Once again, thank you. :)
P.S. I hope Yakuza 4 makes it to the West as well.
FINALLY !!!!!! hopefully we can get some home items with this.
I need to co sign onlineatron and everyone else.
march?
how do you complain about poor american sales then release not only the same month as god of war, final fantasy, which by they way is right after white knight chronicles..
and in japan yakusa 4 the same month as gran turismo?
sega is a great company but..
no wonder they fell out of the console race.. poor decision making seems to be a prerequisite to be an executive at sega
@213: Haha, probably….and it will get terrible sales because it is in this time frame, and the consumers will be blamed. Sega will yell to us saying “Well, you didn’t buy Yakuza 3, so you aren’t getting 4. It is your fault.”
Yep, all our faults. Yep yep.
Sony your really going overboard on the month of March, its like the month of October this year. You need to spread all these games out a bit better jeez.
Please add in the enlish voice overs!I’d even take it as dlc,yes I’d be willing to pay for dlc in the form of the enlish voice overs if necessary.Don’t ignore those of us that prefer the english voice overs
Hi,
Great !!! thank you sega / sony !!!!!!
can´t wait until march 2010
13 months after it was released in japan?
and you expect me to pay full RRP for it?
i dont think so.
sorry sega but i dont buy 1 year old games, especially when there charging full RRP for it.
216 and 218, as Sega said, they are mainly releasing it because there have been die-hards wanting this game…..even the die-hards said just for the subs and no english and they would be fine. Sega saves money on the dublessness (Not to mention, there is ALOT of content to dub over), and since Yakuza is a niche title in the US, well….. I can see why they take the route they do. Money wise as well, worth every penny, old or not.
219 I understand that but it really doesn’t concern me and sega is a very popular company with some pretty big games this year and next year,they make a lot of money on their sonic games alone.I don’t think it would hurt their pockets too much to get the english dub on the disc.
Their previous Yakuza games would like to say otherwise. The sales on them alone hurt Sega, so, pulling out a dub on the game, for a game that wont even sell outside the audience that keeps telling them “Subs are okay! Just bring it!”…..honestly, I can see this decision being the best. Even if you don’t buy it, Sega did make all the fans, who made Youtube videos, and posted everywhere for it, happy. Sorry if you are not, and I understand, but looking at that point of view, you know? Sonic cannot save them from everything, especially since Sega would have to use the same voice actors and actresses alot, since there is hours upon hours of dialog, and even street punks have voices.
I dont really understand the commucation of Sega, almost one year of denied about the localisation…why ?
Yu suck on marketing and yu send your game to died in Mars, i hope its gone be the same for the 4…(13 monthe later in west), why yu dont locate the game in the same time when yu developpe it ?
I take the games in japanese, i bored to wait, i made Kenzan like that THANKS YU!!!
Yu make great games but yu dont sale them, some japanese studio are archaic!
AWESOME! So many games for Feb-March… we’re going to be broke!
Dev Question: Is it true that you’re censoring/removing gameplay/content from the western release of the game?
If you aren’t removing anything then:
This is great news! I can’t wait to pick this game up, good to hear it’ll also feature the Japanese voice acting!
Auhhhh Yea!!! I can’t wait!
Day 1 buy for me!
*Dev Question*
Hi, French fan here, I’ve completed the Japanese game and I’m glad you’re releasing Yakuza 3 in the West.
-will Yakuza 3 feature 100% of the Japanese version’s substories or will it be “cultural adaptation” (removal of cabaret missions)?
-will Yakuza 3 feature all Extra Contents on release day or will it be an 8-eight week DLC campaign as in March 2009?
-why you didn’t sell extra Hitman Missions and Substories through DLC?
-Kamurocho is based on Kabukicho, Ryukyugai is based on Naha, is Asagao’s beach based on a real location too?
-A Musashi fan friend of mine will buy a PS3 if you release “Yakuza Kenzan!” in French, will you localize it?
-is Tokyo Shock’s Like A Dragon (US DVD of Ryugagotoku Gekkijoban) licensed by SEGA? Its 03.2010 release coincides with Yakuza 3’s localization!!
Thank you.
this game is so nice “for me;japanene”
i hope this game will be loved for you;unfamilier to japan
*Dev Question*
This is great news but there is one more thing that i’ve been dreaming about too.
Yakuza Kenzan!,Is there any news on a NA release for that game as well? I always enjoyed playing as Musashi, the greatest swordsman to ever live and Kenzan seems to be the best game with Musashi Miyamoto. The great thing about us fans is that all we need is english menu text and subtitles in order to make us happy.
when are they going to asnwer us and how?
This game got almost perfect reviews in Japan. It’s sold millions of copies. I really can’t wait.
Bayonetta, Yakuza 3, and Resonance of Fate are going to be works of art. I’m so excited.
221 Guess I’m just spoiled by Yakuza 1.Despite all my complaints I am a fan of the series,I bought Yakuza 1 and 2
231: It is understandable. If I was you, I would give it a ride either way. I played the whole game without any translation, and still understood most without subtitles. The game does a fantastic job in showing emotion and the like….and heck, even one character in the game DOES speak English, so……helpful atleast there. Up to you though. It is my GOTY 2009.
Great news Sony and Sega,adding this one to my game list,and what about Ryu Gatoku Kenzan(Yakuza samurai version)i will love to see this coming to the US as well, Keep the good work people this are the games that make Playstation3 the best system ever created.
(Only on PS3)KillZone2,Resistance1,2,Uncharted1,2,Valkyria Chronicles,Demon’s Souls, CrossXEdge,Metal Gear4,Genji,Afrika,White Knigth Chronicles,Gran Turismo5,Heavy Rain,Mobil Suit Gundam U.C 0081,Final Fantasy Versus13, Ninja Gaiden Sigma2,The Last Guardian, and God of War3, and many more.
when will it come to the E.U?
232 I will still buy it but it’s just kind of a bummer,I just miss Mark Hamill.How did you understand it without subtitles,do you know japanese?
Actually, I don’t understand Japanese, however, I am learning, so it helps. I keep my mind on the Hiragana and Katakana, and just, you know…..some small lines, I can read. The game is straight forward, and can be beat easily without Japanese knowledge. You got a pink indicator to tell you where to go 95% of the time.
I’m so happy this is finally getting a western release!
Hopefully we’ll see Kenzan! and Yakuza 4 one day as well
day one purchase for me!!!! this is just the best news of the week!
*Dev Question*
Has a real yakuza ever contacted you with their reactions to these games? Or has the dev team ever asked a yakuza about their thoughts on the games?
also will “Loser” still remain as the theme song for the western localization?
Oh and last, I just want to thank the dev team for such a wonderful and great series!!
*Dev Question*will you bring yakuza kenzan in the west too?and thanks for bringing yakuza 3 to the west.i almost forgot why did you decide to release yakuza 3 in the west,the same month as god of war 3 and final fantasy XIII?
Are the SEGA execs insane???
Why are they launching this game after all this time right smack in the middle of 2010’s biggest torrent of amazing games both Western AND Japanese such as Bioshock 2 or FFXIII?? Couldn’t they wait until summer 2010?
And funny thing is that if it’ll flop in sales you will blame the western market…
Bad call IMO. Really bad call…
Too bad for a great game to be set up to fail abysmally for no reason whatsoever – and by it’s own creators no less!
*Dev Question*Are the SEGA execs insane???
Why are they launching this game after all this time right smack in the middle of 2010’s biggest torrent of amazing games both Western AND Japanese such as Bioshock 2 or FFXIII?? Couldn’t they wait until summer 2010?
And funny thing is that if it’ll flop in sales you will blame the western market…
Bad call IMO. Really bad call…
Too bad for a great game to be set up to fail abysmally for no reason whatsoever – and by it’s own creators no less!
Sorry for the double post but I saw the dev question prefix after I initially posted my remark which was mainly intended for sega as well as playstation staff…
*Dev Question*
Besides an obvious improvement in the graphics department, what were you able to do on the PS3 version that was impossible on the PS2? And what does Yakuza 3 bring NEW to the table for fans of parts 1 and 2?
dev question
hey will we be seeing a bundle with yakuza 3 and the movie become available? i liked the movie and would like it on blu ray.
236 Well I really meant story related not game related.How do you know what the characters are saying if you don’t speak japanese and don’t look at the subtitles,it seems impossible.
@242 GeminiBoy
check the updated english WIKIPEDIA article for yakuza 3 ! :)
*Dev Question*
Are there any plans to release an HD remastered edition of both PS2 games on a single BD?
And will Kazuma/Haruka make a cameo appearance in Valkyria Chronicles 2?
Is SEGA planning on putting any decent effort into properly marketing Yakuza 3 in the west, instead of riding on the false coattails of GTA?
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Sony and Sega
It’s about time. I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time. Even though Japan is getting Yakuza 4 in a couple of months. I’m still glad we’re getting Yakuza 3.
*Dev Question* pt1
Well, it’s more like a suggestion, but I really hope you’ll consider it and tell us, what you think.
I’m sure I’m not the first one to say that, but you should take notes from God of War Collection. BUT! You shouldn’t release just Yakuza 1+2, no. You should make a collection out of three games: first, second AND Kenzan with trophies, added to all three games.
Here are some things, why I think it’ll be a great idea.
+ Yakuza is popular in Japan, so that collection will sell there good enough to make it profitable because of HD-versions of ps2 games alone. Add here people, who haven’t buy Kenzan yet, but will buy it now, with such bonuses (it will work just like “game of the year editions” work), and you are looking on a possible chart-topper.
+ that probably is the only way we’ll ever get a translated version of Kenzan.
+ Trophies-fans will surely buy that collection. After all – it’s 3 platinum trophies for the price of one!
*Dev Question* pt2
+ 3 games for price of one – that will interest a lot of people outside of our Yakuza-fandom. It would not interest people nearly as much if there were only 2 ps2 games in HD. But 3 games, one of with really is an exclusive (and not some short and cheap, but a good one)? People will be hooked.
+ We are living in times, when people are interested in EVERY exclusive to his console. It’s not like it was with ps2, when there were so much exclusive titles that no one cared about exclusivity. So, here is your second chance to make Yakuza series popular in USA. But Yakuza 3 alone is not enough for that: it’s 3-rd, and for that – not very interesting for people, that never saw 1-2. But if they’ll find out, that there are four exclusive games for their console, and 3 of them are sold for the price of one – that may fire up their interest.
+ And so – it will also boost sells of Yakuza 3.
+ We will buy this collection for sure. We want Yakuza 1+2 in HD. We REALLY want Kenzan. And to get all of that in one package? DAMN.