Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Dondoko Island Furniture Came From Reused Game Assets

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer reveals the surprising origins of Dondoko Island's extensive furniture collection: repurposed assets! This article delves into the creative process behind expanding this popular minigame.

Dondoko Island: A Minigame of Epic Proportions

Leveraging Past Assets for Creative 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, its scope dramatically increased during development. Hatoyama noted, "Dondoko Island started small, but it expanded rapidly." This expansion was fueled by a significant increase in the number of available furniture crafting recipes.

RGG Studio achieved this impressive feat by cleverly repurposing and adapting existing assets. Hatoyama explained that individual furniture pieces were created "in minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation. The vast library of assets accumulated throughout the Yakuza series proved invaluable, enabling the team to rapidly populate Dondoko Island with a diverse range of furniture.

The expansion of Dondoko Island and its furniture selection reflects a commitment to providing players with engaging and varied gameplay. The sheer scale of the island and the extensive crafting options empower players to transform the humble garbage dump into a luxurious 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 ensures a wealth of material for future projects. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to RGG Studio's efficient asset management, transforming a simple minigame into a surprisingly expansive and rewarding experience.