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'At some point we did have a small rhythm game, but it didn't exactly match the feeling that you're promoting a show' — Stranger Than Heaven director says the showbiz system was 'a real challenge' and inspired by musicians with an 'antenna' for music
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, discussed the challenges RGG Studio faced in designing the game's Showbiz system. He explained that the team researched the role of a promoter and experimented with different mechanics, including a rhythm game concept, before settling on the current system that emphasizes inspiration gathering and production planning.
'Historical accuracy wasn't the goal from the very beginning' — Stranger Than Heaven director says while research for its era-spanning game was 'really difficult,' the cities will still have 'a lot of fiction'
Mikinobu Abe, director of RGG Studio's upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven, discussed the extensive research involved in depicting multiple cities across five decades. While historical accuracy was not the primary goal, the team aimed to capture the essence and atmosphere of the eras through creative liberties and inspiration from period art and equipment. The game is set to release on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Stranger Than Heaven director says 'it was really important' for RGG that 'the player experience the whole life of a man' and that the story's 50-year timeline was essential to depicting how a yakuza organization is built
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, explained RGG Studios' decision to tell the game's 50-year yakuza story within a single title. He emphasized that depicting the entire life of the protagonist, Makoto Daito, was crucial for conveying how such an organization is built, making a multi-game approach unsuitable.
Stranger Than Heaven director says the game's combat was inspired by old 'Ninkyo' Yakuza movies because the 'raw and gritty' action scenes fit Daito's character as an inexperienced fighter — 'We felt that atmosphere was what made those genres special'
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, revealed that the game's combat system draws inspiration from classic Ninkyo yakuza films, emphasizing their raw and gritty action scenes. This approach aligns with the character development of Makoto Daito, who begins as an inexperienced fighter and evolves throughout the narrative. The game is set to release on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, and PC.
Stranger Than Heaven director says Makoto Daito's life story is 'not just entertainment' and hopes it will break the barriers of racism — 'I hope that Makoto’s life journey really speaks to people around the globe who have had similar experiences'
Stranger Than Heaven director Mikinobu Abe emphasizes that the game's narrative, focusing on protagonist Makoto Daito's life journey and experiences with racism due to his mixed heritage, is intended to be more than just entertainment. Abe hopes the multi-era story will resonate with players globally who have faced similar discrimination, highlighting how music served as a key element for Daito to break down barriers.
Stranger Than Heaven director says RGG 'intentionally' forgot about Yakuza to create 'something new' — 'Every single aspect of it, we started thinking about it from scratch, just to suit the style of Stranger Than Heaven'
Mikinobu Abe, director of Stranger Than Heaven, stated that RGG Studio intentionally distanced the game from its Yakuza and Like a Dragon franchises to create a distinct experience. The team started development from scratch, rethinking every aspect from maps and UI to narrative and cutscenes, to suit the unique style of Stranger Than Heaven. The game is set to launch on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
After a few hours with Yakuza studio's soulful Stranger Than Heaven, I'm smitten, but I suspect it'll be a divisive game
RGG Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, offers a bold new direction with striking melee combat and a narrative spanning decades in Japan. The combat system, which uses triggers and bumpers for attacks, is described as potentially divisive but rewarding, emphasizing parrying and dodging. The game also features a detailed, evolving world and a significant musical element through a revue management minigame.
Stranger Than Heaven oozes even more style than the Yakuza series
Stranger Than Heaven offers a stylish and engaging experience with a strong narrative focus, set across multiple time periods from 1915 to 1965. While its combat mechanics may require some adjustment, the game boasts a unique aesthetic, engaging side activities like theater management and underground fighting, and a compelling protagonist.
After Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Daredevil star Charlie Cox is in a new Sega game, but you don't know what it is:…
Actor Charlie Cox, known for his role as Daredevil, has revealed he is working on an unannounced Sega game. Following his debut in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Cox confirmed he has completed voice work for a new Sega title, which he described as a fun but intensive experience requiring 40 hours of lines.
Stranger Than Heaven Trailer Highlights the Glamor and Show Biz of Minami, Osaka, in 1943
RGG Studio has released a new trailer for Stranger Than Heaven, showcasing the Minami district of Osaka in 1943. The trailer highlights the era's blend of modern architecture, burgeoning show business, and the underlying tensions of World War 2. The game, launching January 15th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, will feature five distinct historical eras.
Stranger Than Heaven Now Available For Pre-Order, Additional Details Unveiled
SEGA and RGG Studio have announced that pre-orders for their upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, are now open. Additional details about the title have also been unveiled.
Stranger Than Heaven Details Everything About Show Business in New In-Depth Look
RGG Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, will feature in-depth mechanics related to show business and music production, alongside its action-adventure combat. Players will be able to act as producers, scout talent, and manage performances to turn a profit. The game is set to release on January 15th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Stranger Than Heaven Studio Made The Tupac Resurrection Less Weird By Not Using AI
RGG Studio's upcoming game, Stranger Than Heaven, will feature the likeness of the late rapper Tupac Shakur as the character Amaru. The studio confirmed that traditional research methods and archival footage were used, explicitly stating that no artificial intelligence technology was employed to create the character, aiming to treat Shakur's legacy with respect. Snoop Dogg also appears in the game as the character Orpheus.
Meet Key Players Shaping Makoto Daito’s Journey in STRANGER THAN HEAVEN
SEGA and RGG Studio have revealed key characters for STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, launching January 15, 2027, on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Cloud. The game follows Makoto Daito's 50-year journey across five cities and eras, featuring a diverse cast including portrayals of historical and posthumous figures like Bunta Sugawara and Tupac Shakur. The article highlights the game's narrative depth, evolving combat system, and unique music creation mechanics.
Sega and Netflix Announce New Content for Classic Games
Sega and Netflix have announced a new partnership that will bring several of Sega's classic franchises to film and television. The initial projects include movie adaptations of Crazy Taxi and Stranger Than Heaven, along with a new Sonic the Hedgehog animated series for children. This collaboration is part of Sega's broader strategy to expand its intellectual properties beyond video games.
Crazy Taxi Gets Crazier With Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Writers For New Movie
Netflix and Sega have partnered to produce a live-action Crazy Taxi movie set to release in 2027, with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand writing the screenplay. Neal H. Moritz and Toru Nakahara are producing the film, which aims to capture the spirit of the arcade racing game. This announcement coincides with news of a new Crazy Taxi game and a Sonic animated series.
Sega and Netflix partner for a "cute yet cool" Sonic TV Show, a Crazy Taxi film, and a "badass action" Stranger Than Heaven adaptation
Netflix and Sega have partnered to create multiple adaptations, including a new animated Sonic the Hedgehog TV show, a film based on Crazy Taxi, and a movie adaptation of the upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven. The deal aims to leverage popular Sega franchises for streaming content.
Live-Action Crazy Taxi Movie, New Sonic Animated Series, and Stranger Than Heaven Adaptation Heading to Netflix
Netflix has announced three new adaptations of Sega video game properties. These include a live-action comedy movie based on Crazy Taxi, a new animated series featuring Sonic, and an adaptation of RGG Studio's upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven.
Steam achievements for Persona 6, Fable, Stranger Than Heaven and a host of other upcoming PC games appear to have leaked
Steam achievement lists for numerous unreleased and unannounced PC games, including Persona 6, Fable, and Stranger Than Heaven, have reportedly leaked via the trophy tracking site Exophase. The site's owner suggested the incident may be a "screw up on Valve's end" due to achievements being accessible through the API.
I love Stranger Than Heaven's "more intuitive and rough" combat: "Frankly speaking, with Yakuza, you could even play it with closed eyes", says its producer
Stranger Than Heaven's combat system is designed to be more intuitive and rough than the Like a Dragon series, requiring players to actively block and strategize. Producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto highlights the left-and-right arm control scheme, which aims to create a greater sense of involvement in fights. The preview showcased different difficulty levels and demonstrated the game's impressive gore, leaving the reviewer excited for its January 15, 2027 release.
