The developers behind the Like a Dragon series embrace conflict as a key ingredient in their game development process. In a recent interview with Automaton, series director Ryosuke Horii revealed that internal disagreements and "in-fighting" are not only common at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, but actively encouraged.
Horii emphasized that these conflicts, while sometimes heated, are vital for producing high-quality games. He explained that disagreements between designers and programmers, for example, offer opportunities for improvement, stating, "If there are no arguments nor discussions, you can expect no more than a lukewarm final product. Therefore, fights are always welcome." The key, he stressed, is ensuring these debates lead to constructive outcomes, requiring skilled planning to guide the team toward a positive resolution.
The studio's culture fosters a meritocratic approach to idea generation. Horii highlighted that the team judges suggestions based on merit, not on the team proposing them. Simultaneously, they maintain a rigorous standard, unafraid to reject substandard ideas. This "merciless" dismissal of weak concepts, alongside robust debate, is seen as essential to achieving their ambitious goals. The studio's commitment to healthy conflict mirrors the gritty, intense spirit of their games themselves. The resulting "fights," as Horii puts it, are integral to the creation of their acclaimed titles.
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