Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island: A Minigame's Unexpected Expansion Through Asset Reuse
The expansive Dondoko Island minigame in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a testament to efficient asset management. Lead designer Michiko Hatoyama revealed in a recent Automaton interview that the island's scale significantly exceeded initial plans. The key to this expansion? Clever reuse and repurposing of existing assets.
Initially conceived as a smaller feature, Dondoko Island's growth stemmed from the addition of numerous furniture recipes. Rather than creating entirely new assets—a process that can take days or even a month—RGG Studio leveraged its extensive library of assets from the Yakuza series. This allowed the team to craft individual furniture pieces in mere minutes, dramatically accelerating development.
The decision to expand both the island's size and the number of furniture options was driven by a desire to enhance player enjoyment. The freedom to transform the dilapidated island into a luxurious resort provides a significant and rewarding gameplay loop.
Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline Yakuza title) has been well-received. Dondoko Island, a surprisingly large-scale minigame, showcases RGG Studio's resourcefulness and commitment to providing players with rich and engaging experiences. The game's extensive asset library ensures a wealth of material for future projects.
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