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

The Dondoko Island minigame in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth surprised many with its impressive scale. Lead designer Michiko Hatoyama recently revealed the secrets behind its growth in an interview with Automaton.

Dondoko Island's Unexpected Growth

Leveraging Past Assets for Rapid Development

Initially conceived as a smaller feature, Dondoko Island's scope expanded significantly during development. Hatoyama stated, “Dondoko Island started small, but it grew much larger than anticipated.” This expansion was fueled by a significant increase in the number of available furniture recipes.

The key to this rapid expansion? Clever reuse and adaptation of existing assets. RGG Studio leveraged its extensive library of assets from the Yakuza series, repurposing existing models to create new furniture items "in a matter of minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for creating entirely new assets.

This efficient asset management allowed for the creation of a vast island and a comprehensive list of furniture recipes. The goal was to provide players with a highly engaging and replayable experience, offering substantial freedom in transforming the island from a dilapidated wasteland into a luxurious resort.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza series) was a critical and commercial success. Its rich asset library will undoubtedly continue to benefit future RGG Studio projects. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to the studio's creative resourcefulness, transforming a seemingly simple minigame into a surprisingly extensive and rewarding experience for players.