SEGA has revealed in a recent management meeting that the Yakuza series on PC – including the Kiwami spin-offs and recent RPG Yakuza: Like A Dragon– has had “quite strong sales”, with total copies sold being in the region of 2.8 million units worldwide.
It took a very long time for the Yakuza series to finallyget ported to PC, as traditionallyeach game receiveda PlayStation-onlyrelease – and a lot of the time, it’s a Japan-only release too. Yakuza 3, for example, released in 2009 on the PS3 in Japan and only arrived on PC in the Yakuza Remastered Collection in 2021.
Still, things are slowly changing, with the Western release of Yakuza: Like A Dragon launching simultaneously on all platforms – including PC – at the end of 2020. It had a “strong performance” on PC, according to SEGA, and nowthe publisher has reported in a management meeting (via Yakuza fan site Tojo Dojo) that the entire Yakuza series has had “quite strong sales” on PC.
Specifically, SEGA says that the entire Yakuza series – incorporating the main games, both Kiwami titles, and Like A Dragon – has had “unit sales of approximately 2.80 million units worldwide”. SEGA is also satisfied that the PC versions of these games have allowed them to reach more users and “prolong the product life cycle” of the Yakuza series’ sales.
Given these sales figures and the warm reception to Yakuza: Like A Dragonon PC, it seems very likely that the next Yakuza game will launch on PC simultaneously as consoles once again.
As an avid enthusiast and expert in the gaming industry, particularly in the realm of Japanese video games and PC gaming, I can attest to the significant impact that SEGA's decision to bring the Yakuza series to PC has had on the gaming landscape. My deep knowledge of the gaming market is grounded in a robust understanding of the historical context and evolution of the Yakuza series, as well as a keen awareness of industry trends and player preferences.
The Yakuza series has been a staple of the gaming scene for years, known for its immersive storytelling, rich character development, and captivating open-world environments. SEGA's recent revelation during a management meeting, where they disclosed that the Yakuza series on PC, including the Kiwami spin-offs and the RPG Yakuza: Like A Dragon, has achieved "quite strong sales" totaling around 2.8 million units worldwide, is a testament to the growing importance of the PC platform in the gaming market.
The Yakuza series traditionally had a strong association with PlayStation consoles, with each game initially receiving a PlayStation-only release, often limited to Japan. The gradual shift towards multi-platform releases, as evidenced by the Western launch of Yakuza: Like A Dragon on all platforms simultaneously, including PC, marks a significant departure from the series' historical exclusivity.
Notably, the delay in bringing certain Yakuza titles to PC, such as Yakuza 3, which originally released on the PS3 in Japan in 2009 and only arrived on PC in the Yakuza Remastered Collection in 2021, underscores the evolving strategy employed by SEGA to tap into the PC gaming market.
SEGA's acknowledgment of the "strong performance" of Yakuza: Like A Dragon on PC and the reported "quite strong sales" of the entire Yakuza series on the platform indicate a shifting paradigm in the gaming industry. The PC versions have not only expanded the reach of these games but have also contributed to "prolonging the product life cycle" of the Yakuza series' sales, according to SEGA.
Considering the success of the Yakuza series on PC, with 2.8 million units sold globally, it becomes increasingly probable that future installments of the franchise will see simultaneous releases on PC and consoles. This strategic decision aligns with the industry trend of embracing the diverse gaming preferences of players across different platforms.
In conclusion, the Yakuza series' success on PC is a noteworthy phenomenon in the gaming industry, symbolizing a departure from traditional platform exclusivity and showcasing the growing importance of the PC platform in expanding the reach and commercial success of iconic gaming franchises.
