In an exclusive interview with Automaton, the creative team behind Like a Dragon shared insights into their unconventional development approach, revealing how constructive disagreements fuel their creative process.
Like a Dragon Studio Embraces Creative Tension for Superior Results
Passionate Debates Fuel Development Excellence
Series director Ryosuke Horii explained that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio actively encourages professional debates among team members. "We view creative friction as essential to our development process," Horii stated. "When our designers and programmers engage in heated discussions, it's actually our planners who facilitate these exchanges toward productive outcomes."
The veteran developer emphasized that suppressing differing opinions would lead to mediocre results. "A development process without passionate debates would only produce watered-down content. That's why we actively welcome these professional conflicts," he noted, adding, "The key is ensuring these discussions yield meaningful improvements rather than turning destructive."
Horii described the studio's unique conflict resolution philosophy: "Our teams naturally align when pursuing quality, not personal agendas. We evaluate ideas purely on their merit, regardless of which department proposed them." The director also stressed their commitment to maintaining high standards, explaining, "We ruthlessly eliminate subpar concepts, ensuring every battle of ideas ultimately serves the game's quality."
