Up until recently, Sega has frolicked arm-in-arm with Game Pass, bringing most games in the Yakuza (now, Like a Dragon) series to the service. But, as the franchise has demonstrated, all things eventually change. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is looking to break the Game Pass tradition.
It hasn’t been so long since the last game in the franchise hit the streets to hurt thugs and feelings. The exhaustively named Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name arrived on November 8, 2023, for most platforms, as well as day one on Game Pass. According to RGG Studio Director Masayoshi Yokoyama, it may be the last to do so — for now, anyway.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: Infinite Wealth to pass on Game Pass
In an interview with Automaton Media, Yokoyama confirmed that there are “no plans” to bring Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth to Game Pass when it launches on January 25. The reason? Well, it’s apparently because Yokoyama believes the franchise is no longer so obscure in the Western market. Like a Dragon can now speak for itself, says the RGG boss.
“I thought of Game Pass as a way of ‘handing overseas users our business card’ – in other words, letting players new to the series enjoy the game and get to know Kiryu,” Yokoyama said. “Game Pass proved to be a very good method to invite new users to interact with the series.”
To date, nearly every game in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise is available to download and play on Game Pass. There are some exceptions, mind. Yakuza: Dead Souls remains locked on the PlayStation 3 where it can’t hurt anyone else (I still love it, though). The two Judgment games are also not on the service.
As the eighth mainline game, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth skipping Game Pass is certainly a surprise. But “no plans” certainly doesn’t mean it’ll never join its extended family. For the moment, fans will have to take Kiryu on (supposedly) one last ride on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC when the game launches on January 25. Be sure to check out our hands-on preview ahead of the release.
