Breaking: Like a Dragon Gaiden Shocks Gaming Industry with Bold Move
Speculation arises on potential controversy in upcoming game, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Recent information hints at potential followings of a controversial trend in the gaming world
According to recent information, fans eagerly anticipating the release of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name may not be able to purchase a physical copy. Despite the excitement among some fans who view the game as a return to form for the Yakuza franchise, publishers are becoming increasingly hesitant to produce physical copies due to declining sales. Sega, like many others, has followed this trend, as seen with their digital-only release of Sonic Origins in 2022. However, there is some hope as Sega has recently announced a physical version of Sonic Origins Plus, an expanded edition of the game set to release on June 23.
According to reports from the YouTube channel KamurochoBros, it seems that Sega is hesitant to continue with physical releases for their games. This is evident from the news that the English-language version of Like a Dragon Gaiden will only be available in digital form. The source of this information is retailers who claim to have discussed the matter with Sega. This could be the reason why the game is being priced at $49.99, which is often a benefit of digital-only releases. While Sega has not yet confirmed whether or not the West will receive a physical edition of Like a Dragon Gaiden, the game's pre-order page that went live on June 8 suggests otherwise. For fans who prefer boxed copies, the only option would be to import one from Japan since only the Japanese version of Like a Dragon Gaiden will be getting a physical release.
It is possible that this is not the last game from Sega's 2023 lineup that will not have a physical release, but this does not necessarily indicate a digital-only future for the series. The recent global physical release of the Like a Dragon: Ishin remake supports this notion. Additionally, Like a Dragon Gaiden is confirmed to be a smaller-scale game than previous franchise installments, with a more niche appeal suggested by its "gaiden" title - a Japanese term for a side story. Therefore, it is likely that the reserved distribution strategy for this game is simply a reflection of its more targeted audience.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name launches November 9 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
