Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer reveals the surprising origins of Dondoko Island's extensive furniture collection – a clever reuse of existing game assets. Discover how this approach significantly expanded the minigame's scope.
Dondoko Island: A Minigame That Grew Beyond Expectations
Reusing Assets: The Key to Dondoko Island's Expansion
In a July 30th interview with Automaton, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer, Michiko Hatoyama, shed light on the unexpected growth of Dondoko Island. Initially conceived as a smaller minigame, it blossomed into a much larger undertaking. Hatoyama explained, "Dondoko Island started small, but it expanded surprisingly quickly." This expansion was fueled by a significant increase in the number of available furniture recipes.
RGG Studio achieved this impressive feat by creatively repurposing existing assets. Hatoyama revealed 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 accumulated throughout the Yakuza series proved invaluable, allowing for rapid development and integration of a vast array of furniture.
The expansion of Dondoko Island, with its increased furniture options and larger space, reflects a commitment to providing players with fresh and engaging gameplay experiences. The expansive island and diverse furniture selection empower players to transform the humble garbage dump into a luxurious island paradise.
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 rich asset library, a legacy of previous titles, played a key role in the creation of Dondoko Island. The scale of this minigame is truly remarkable, offering players countless hours of immersive island development, all thanks to RGG Studio's resourceful asset management.
