Mikinobu Abe
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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 is Dialing Down RGG’s Absurdity for A More “Serious” Take on Japan
Stranger Than Heaven director Mikinobu Abe discussed a tonal shift away from the absurdity often found in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's Yakuza titles, aiming for a more serious take on Japan's history. The game will explore Makoto Daito's rags-to-riches story across nearly half a century, focusing on the social norms and values of past eras. The title is set to release on January 15th, 2027, for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, 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.
I'm not surprised by how much Yakuza DNA is in Stranger Than Heaven, but I am shocked by how much I love it
Stranger Than Heaven, the latest project from Yakuza developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, blends familiar themes of found family with ambitious storytelling structures. The game explores identity and belonging through the life of protagonist Makoto Daito across multiple eras, featuring a combat system that feels akin to a fighting game and detailed minigames like music composition and show business management.
Stranger Than Heaven dev says it isn't using AI to bring back Tupac, it's treating him with the "biggest respect possible"
The developer of Stranger Than Heaven, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, has addressed concerns about the posthumous inclusion of rapper Tupac Shakur, stating they are treating his likeness with the utmost respect and that no AI was used. Director Mikinobu Abe and producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto explained that they approached Tupac's family and agency with transparency about the game's story and intent, receiving their approval. The article notes the controversial nature of Tupac's death and ongoing estate disputes, expressing a degree of perplexity regarding the decision.
I asked the Stranger Than Heaven devs the only question that matters: when is the theme song coming to Spotify?
During an interview at Gamescom, RGG Studio's Mikinobu Abe and Hiroyuki Sakamoto addressed the highly anticipated release of the Stranger Than Heaven theme song, featuring Ado, Snoop Dogg, Tori Kelly, and Satoshi Fujihara, on streaming platforms like Spotify. While no firm release date was provided, Sakamoto assured that the song would be available at the proper time, highlighting its integral role in balancing the game's serious tone with its vibrant musical and show business elements.
SEGA Announces Huge Gamescom 2026 Line-Up
SEGA has announced its Gamescom 2026 line-up, featuring playable demos of Alien: Isolation 2, Crazy Taxi: World Tour, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, Persona 4 Revival, and Total War: WARHAMMER 40,000. The event will also showcase Metaphor: ReFantazio on Nintendo Switch, the Lords of the End Times DLC for Total War: Warhammer III, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and SONIC PICO PARK. Attendees can also meet RGG Studio legends Hiroyuki Sakamoto and Mikinobu Abe.
Preorders Are Open For Like a Dragon Prequel Stranger Than Heaven
Preorders are now open for Stranger Than Heaven, a prequel to the Like a Dragon franchise, set to release on January 15, 2027, for Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, Steam, and PC. The game follows Makoto Daito across five timelines and features appearances from Snoop Dogg, Bunta Sugawara, and Tupac Shakur. Developed by RGG Studio and published by Sega, it will also be available on Game Pass day one.
Xbox Presents: A Special Look at Stranger Than Heaven – Everything We Learned (Including Snoop Dogg’s Role!)
RGG Studio revealed new details about their upcoming game Stranger Than Heaven during an Xbox Presents showcase. The game follows protagonist Makoto Daito across five decades and five cities, featuring a unique combat system and a story that incorporates music composition and management elements. Notable voice actors include Snoop Dogg, Cordell Broadus, Tori Kelly, and Satoshi Fujihara. Stranger Than Heaven will be released this winter for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass.
