A new report claims Yakuza and Judgment creator Toshihiro Nagoshi is leaving Sega to join Chinese internet company NetEase. Nagoshi entered the Sega family in 1989, assuming the role of designer within the publisher's AM2 group. Under the tutelage of the legendary Yu Suzuki, Nagoshi proved instrumental to the design of experiences such as Virtua Racing and Virtua Fighter.
By 1999, the up-and-coming developer had risen through the ranks to co-produce and co-direct the Suzuki-created Shenmue. Nagoshi expanded his horizons even further at the turn of the century, helming the development of a brand-new property for Sega - Yakuza. The beat 'em up series debuted in 2005, offering a unique crime drama experience starring reformed gangster Kazuma Kiryu, whose adventures would go on to spawn several sequels across multiple console generations. Yakuza's continued growth in popularity later resulted in Nagoshi leading the charge on Judgment, a Yakuza spinoff following the exploits of lawyer-turned-detective Takayuki Yagami.
According to a Bloomberg report (via VGC) Toshihiro Nagoshi has entered "final negotiations" to join Chinese company NetEase. He'll depart Sega after 32 years if true, then establish his own studio in Japan - a move that will help NetEase further expand its operations outside of China. As noted by Bloomberg, however, Nagoshi and NetEase have yet to finalize an agreement.
Toshihiro Nagoshi's supposed plan to exit the storied Japanese publisher comes on the heels of a structural shift within the business. This past April, Sega appointed the Yakuza visionary as its Creative Director, a decision made amidst an organizational restructure. Who may replace Nagoshi should he depart in the near future, of course, remains unknown to the public.
2021 has proven a significant year for both of Sega's Nagoshi-led IPs. After hitting PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S in 20201, Yakuza: Like a Dragon migrated to the PS5 in March 2021. Judgment received a native current-gen port as well, completed with enhanced visuals and a performance boost that tops 60 frames per second. And a sequel, Lost Judgment, will launch on consoles in September, once more placing players in the role of Takayuki Yagami as he investigates yet another mystery in the Yakuza universe. The title will hit PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S platforms in just a few weeks on September 24.
Source: Bloomberg via Video Games Chronicle