Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio has tried to explain why it changed the franchise's name to Like a Dragon but made things much more complicated in the process.
For those unfamiliar, the franchise is called Ryu Ga Gotaku in Japan, which translates to Like a Dragon. 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon therefore adopted both names, but the developer is fully switching over with its sequel, which is called Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
As explained in a tweet (below) from the developer, the Japanese version is remaining a simple Ryu Ga Gotaku 8 because "one subtitle simply isn't enough".
We’d like to share a message from Masayoshi Yokoyama, Director of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
— RGG Studio (@RGGStudio) June 15, 2023
Thank you for your continued support of the Like a Dragon franchise!
We look forward to you playing Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.#LikeaDragon #InfiniteWealth pic.twitter.com/82045mugg4
"Which character and which point of view in this complex, intertwined storyline do you think you'll most closely relate to? Depending on which of the past titles you have played, your answer may change! It is our hope that, once you have finished the game, you might even be enticed to provide a subtitle of your own."
RGG Studio then explained that it included a subtitle in the west to tie the game closer with Yakuza: Like a Dragon. "The concept of infinity is deeply tied to the themes of the latest instalment," it said.
"We have had this subtitle in mind since last year's teaser trailer, in which the two main characters, Kasuga Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu, were surrounded by the infinity symbol.
"What does Infinite Wealth mean?" the developer asked, ironically. "Is there really such a thing? We are all eagerly awaiting the day you'll be able to find out for yourself."
RGG previously said it changed the name from Yakuza to Like a Dragon following the "pretty good" response to 2020's game. The slightly odd explanation for its subtitle, on the other hand, follow a long line of bizarre statements from the developer.
Explaining why it isn't interested in bringing the Yakuza games to Nintendo Switch, RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama said: "we still think of ourselves as people of the night world. We don't want to be walking around in the daylight with everybody else."
Infinite Wealth's official reveal came during the 2023 Xbox Games Showcase where protagonist Ichiban Kasuga woke up naked on a beach with no idea how he got there.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.