Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer reveals the secrets behind Dondoko Island's expansive furniture collection – a testament to smart asset reuse. Discover how this clever approach significantly expanded the minigame's scope.

Dondoko Island: A Minigame That Grew Beyond Expectations

Asset Reuse: The Key to Dondoko Island's Expansion

In a recent interview with Automaton, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's lead designer, Michiko Hatoyama, shed light on the surprising 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 rapidly during development." This expansion was fueled by a significant increase in available furniture recipes.

RGG Studio's innovative approach involved repurposing and adapting 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 from the Yakuza series proved invaluable, allowing for the rapid creation and integration of a vast array of furniture.

The expansion of Dondoko Island, both in size and furniture variety, reflects a commitment to providing players with engaging and refreshing gameplay. The sheer scale of the island and the extensive furniture options 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), has been lauded by fans and newcomers alike. Its success, in part, is due to the clever utilization of existing assets. Dondoko Island stands as a prime example of how efficient asset management can transform a simple minigame into a captivating, time-consuming experience.