Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Dondoko Island Furniture Came From Reused Game Assets

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island: A Minigame's Unexpected Expansion Through Asset Reuse

The surprisingly 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. "At first, Dondoko Island was smaller, but it grew larger unexpectedly," Hatoyama stated.

This expansion was fueled by the clever reuse of existing assets. Rather than creating each piece of furniture from scratch – a process that typically takes days or even a month – RGG Studio leveraged its extensive library from the Yakuza series. Hatoyama highlighted that individual furniture pieces were created "in a matter of minutes" thanks to this approach.

The decision to expand Dondoko Island and its furniture options stemmed from a desire to enhance player enjoyment. The vast island and numerous furniture recipes offer players extensive freedom to transform the initial garbage dump into a luxurious resort.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza series) has been well-received. The game's success, and the impressive scale of its Dondoko Island minigame, showcase RGG Studio's ability to effectively utilize its existing assets to create engaging and expansive gameplay experiences. The minigame's size allows players to invest countless hours in crafting their ideal island paradise.