Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island: A Minigame's Unexpected Expansion Through Asset Reuse
The lead designer of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth recently shed light on the surprising growth of Dondoko Island, a minigame that far exceeded its initial scope.
In an interview with Automaton, Michiko Hatoyama revealed that Dondoko Island's expansion was largely unplanned. The project started small, but organically grew into a much larger undertaking. This expansion involved significantly increasing the number of available furniture recipes.
The key to this rapid expansion? Clever asset reuse. RGG Studio leveraged its extensive library of assets from the Yakuza series, repurposing existing models to create new furniture items. Hatoyama stated that individual furniture pieces were created "in a matter of minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation.
This expansion, both in terms of furniture and island size, was driven by a desire to provide players with engaging and replayable content. The vast island and numerous furniture options offer players considerable freedom to transform the initially dilapidated island 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 extensive asset library it contributes to, further underscores the efficiency of RGG Studio's approach to game development. Dondoko Island stands as a testament to this, offering players a surprisingly deep and expansive minigame experience.
