Yakuza creator quit Sega because he didn't "want to become CEO" Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Yakuza creator quit Sega because he didn't "want to become CEO" "I want my game to be more like a Quentin Tarantino film." News by Liv Ngan Reporter Intern Published on 23 Aug 2022 9 comments Toshihiro Nagoshi has discussed the new project he's working on and the reason for his departure from Sega. Nagoshi, known as the father of the Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza series, left Sega in 2021 after 32 years at the company to join Chinese technology company NetEase. He later announced Nagoshi Studio, a subsidiary under NetEase Games, which would allow him to "do something different". In an interview with German gaming site 4Players, Nagoshi said it had not been creative differences that had led him to leave Sega, but that during his last few years at the company he was promoted to executive and management roles - something he wasn't interested in. Watch on YouTube Yakuza: Like A Dragon launch trailer. "I said to the current owner, 'Guys, I don't want to be the CEO of Sega here'," Nagoshi recalled. "I'm a player and a game maker, I want to continue to push my career in that way," he said, adding that Sega was instead pushing him towards management. With his departure, Nagoshi said he has been able to refocus on game development whilst maintaining a friendly relationship with Sega, and doesn't see a bad side to the split. "Sega can now develop someone [else] into a future CEO. So I think that the interests of both sides - that is, Sega's and mine - are best protected," he stated. As for what's next, Nagoshi said he couldn't reveal much about the game his studio was currently developing, but said he wanted it to be "more like a Quentin Tarantino film". Nagoshi listed the elements he wanted to include in the studio's new IP, which seem quite typical of a Yakuza game. Violence, humour and "a human touch, some silliness and some seriousness" is how Nagoshi described it - elements from Yakuza's formula which that series perfected over the years. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store