From left: Kazuhiro Nakatani, kson, Ai Sayama, Masayoshi Yokoyama
Sega will hold a trial session for the dramatic RPG “Ryu ga Gotoku 8” for PlayStation 5/PlayStation 4/Xbox Series X|S/Xbox One/PC on November 11th at Sunshine City Fountain Plaza in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. It was done.
At the venue of this event, Mr. Masayoshi Yokoyama, who is the representative of “Ryu ga Gotoku Studio”, Kazuhiro Nakatani, who plays the main character Kasuga Ichiban in “Ryu ga Gotoku 8”, and An interview was conducted with Kson and Ai Sayama, who played live hostesses in “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name” (hereinafter referred to as “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden”).
In this article, we will provide you with an overview of that process.
Many fans rushed to the Sunshine City Fountain Plaza, the Tokyo venue.
The Tokyo venue was suddenly changed after seeing the excitement at the Sapporo and Osaka venues.
――A lot of people came to the venue for this trial session, what do you think?
Mr. Yokoyama: No, I’m happy. thank you.
――There was a line from the morning today, and numbered tickets sold out in an instant. “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden” has just been released, but do you feel a bit of excitement there?
Mr. Yokoyama: Not a bit. Actually, the venue in Tokyo wasn’t here (Sunshine City Fountain Square) at first. After seeing the excitement at the venues in Sapporo and Osaka, I thought it would be dangerous if the venue could accommodate more people than we had planned. We had to make arrangements in a hurry without announcing the venue in Tokyo…Thank you Sunshine for your cooperation (lol).
–You were lucky!
Mr. Yokoyama: I’m lucky to be able to use it today.
――A lot of people came to the event, what are your impressions after participating in the event?
Mr. Yokoyama: Mr. Sayama, this is your first time, right?
Mr. Sayama: That’s right. I’m going to various places around the country this time, but I’ll only be attending the Tokyo venue. After hearing that the numbered tickets were gone in about 10 to 15 minutes in the morning, that many people wanted to try it out! I am very happy that you are visiting us. I feel very, very honored to be able to work on such a game, and I’m filled with great happiness right now.
Mr. kson: I also participated in the “Ryu ga Gotoku” trial event in Fukuoka. I think this is a work that is truly loved by many people. I was really surprised that there were so many girls. When I saw female fans making ita bags for their support, I was like, oh, I wish I had done that too (lol). It’s a great opportunity to meet fans face-to-face like this, so I’m enjoying it as well.
Mr. Nakatani: I was staying at home right around the time of “Ryu ga Gotoku 7,” so I didn’t have many opportunities to interact with fans. On social media, I receive many comments such as “I like it the best” or “I like Ryu ga Gotoku”, but by coming to a trial session like this, I once again receive each person’s face and words. , my spine felt stiff. I feel lucky to be able to participate in a work that is truly loved. From now on, I decided to work hard in preparation for the release of “Ryu ga Gotoku 8.”
–Does it feel like a new feeling?
Mr. Nakatani: It continues from the previous work, but I hope it doesn’t end. So that I can go higher. We are currently in the Year of the Rabbit, but I feel like I need to straighten myself out so that I can bounce back towards next year’s Year of the Dragon (lol).
–What were your thoughts on working on “Ryu ga Gotoku 8”?
Mr. Nakatani: It has been a while since the previous work “Ryu ga Gotoku 7”, but of course the script does not describe how he has adapted to society, how he thinks, and what kind of life he has lived during that time. yeah. I had a hard time filling that space within myself.
In the world of Ichiban, maybe it’s not a stay home. In the real world, we were wearing masks so we couldn’t see their facial expressions, and it was difficult to talk to each other face-to-face. However, when I thought that it wasn’t the most important thing, the most difficult thing this time was to make up for it.
–What do you think of Sayama-san and Kson-san?
Mr. Sayama: Today’s tryout was the same, but by participating in the live hostess audition and passing, I was able to have a lot of really valuable experiences, such as the Tokyo Game Show in September. In the first place, being able to be a part of a game is a very valuable thing, and I’m sure there won’t be many opportunities like this in the future, so I’m really glad that this important opportunity was this Ryu ga Gotoku. .
There are three other live hostesses, including Mr. Kson next to me, and they are all really good friends and I love them all. Today is probably the last day of my PR work for “Ryu ga Gotoku,” but I was able to meet some friends that I will continue to be friends with even after it’s over. I believe that “Ryu ga Gotoku” has given me important opportunities and experiences in my life, so please continue to call me if you need anything.
kson: I would be happy if I could receive a lot of projects (lol).
Mr. Yokoyama: I don’t use it much.
kson: Why?
Mr. Yokoyama: You guys shine the most in “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden,” so it’s after you wake up.
All members of the Dragon team are on the same team.
–Are today’s members also looking forward to “Ryu ga Gotoku 8” due to the excitement surrounding “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden”?
Mr. Yokoyama: The four of us just happened to be together due to schedules, so that’s not what we were aiming for. Today’s trial session will only be for “Ryu ga Gotoku 8”, but I was actually planning to hold a trial session for “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden” as well. It seemed like “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden” was already popular among fans. Initial response, or rather, it’s only been 3 days since the release, right? But it’s selling pretty well (lol). In that case, I thought everyone would want to play Yakuza 8 more, so I switched to it. These four people just happened to be there.
But that’s fine, isn’t it? Even if you happen to form a formation. The good thing about the Ryu team is that you can go anytime. Because they’re all in the first team.
――It feels strange that the live hostess I saw live today can play the game.
Mr. Yokoyama: It makes me feel excited. Which one is more beautiful?
Mr. Sayama: After all, the real live hostess must be the most beautiful, right?
–Mr. Sayama and kson, a game featuring you has been released, how are you feeling?
Mr. Sayama: Everyone said things like, “You did a great job!” or “They were happy when I gave them this.” They said things like, “I’m giving you a yakiniku bento.” I’m glad that you’re doing things the way you want, but in the game you look like a cheap girl (lol). She seems like a woman who would be happy even if you don’t give her anything too expensive. I don’t know, I was the one who set that up (lol).
Mr. Yokoyama: I served it with a tonkatsu bento. It’s not going up at all, but I’m a little happy about it.
kson: Is the gauge just that good?
Mr. Yokoyama: That’s right. The game really depends on the price.
Mr. Sayama: According to Mr. Nakatani’s information, I get really happy with fresh eggs. Personally, I work at a cabaret club, so I need fresh eggs…
Mr. Yokoyama: No, I wish I could get fresh eggs. If you make a joke about it, they’ll come. Are you okay?
Mr. Sayama: Then he would say, “Thank you for the fresh eggs,” and give the same reaction (lol).
Mr. Nakatani: Wouldn’t it be a business opportunity?
Mr. Yokoyama: No way (laughs).
Mr. Sayama: It’s nice to be able to play around with things like that.
kson: Even on X (old Twitter), people said, “This time it’s like a live-action movie” (lol).
Mr. Yokoyama: Yes! That’s right. This time, we’re using live-action footage for the opening of the game. Well, people think it’s super beautiful CG (lol). Somewhere along the way, live-action and CG were combined, and the part where Kiryu is walking is actually half live-action and half CG. We start with live-action, then when Kiryu enters, we start compositing CG and live-action, and at the end, when the young lady appears, we switch to full CG. People think it’s all CG, but that’s not the case (everyone bursts out laughing).
This time, we also had a live hostess, so we’re trying to see if the live-action version and our character fit in realistically.
Mr. Sayama: Some people think that we are also 3D models.
Mr. Yokoyama: Eventually, even if we filmed the whole movie in live-action, we wouldn’t be able to find out (lol).
Mr. Sayama: That means the quality of 3D models has improved that much.
Mr. Yokoyama: That’s not true. It’s still different, and I don’t think there’s any need to adjust in that respect.
“Ryu ga Gotoku 8” is a long monster class, so it has no choice but to create a festival feeling.
–An in-depth video focusing on marketing was released. You mentioned “festivals” in that part, so please tell us about that part.
[[Ryu ga Gotoku]Behind the scenes of the marketing team “We do everything because we want our customers to be happy”/Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden/Ryu ga Gotoku 8]
Mr. Yokoyama: Last year, we released a close-up video of the development side. To be honest, more and more of my friends have seen that and want to work with me at Ryu ga Gotoku Studio. There is a risk in showing the inner workings of the company, but we actively do so, and like KSON, there are many people among the cast who like “Ryu ga Gotoku,” and it’s great to work with such people. Over the past year or two, I’ve realized that I can make good things.
It’s a bit disconcerting to show the inside of the product before it’s released, but I want people who might become friends to see it, so I’m showing the behind-the-scenes aspects of marketing. I hope that more people will want to share their time with Ryu ga Gotoku. Trial sessions are also part of that. Because I can share time with customers.
Isn’t there a long time to play games to call it a “festival”? “Gaiden” is not that long, but “Ryu ga Gotoku 8” is the longest monster class ever. I still get sick, and I guess it’s not like in the world of “Ryu ga Gotoku 8” where I don’t sleep for a day or two. When that happens, I think there will be people who will think twice about it. Stacking games. I thought that was sad too. If that happens, you’ll have no choice but to cheer yourself up and get them to do it.
For the past year or two, I’ve been thinking that as a manufacturer, we should do something to cheer people up when that happens, because they have no choice but to do it for a week or a month even if their health is ruined. In preparation for the release of “Ryu ga Gotoku 8,” I thought it would be rude to make such a long game and keep releasing it (lol), unless we could create a festive atmosphere in various ways.
–People who have completed “Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden” have been posting their opinions on the internet, and some have said that the shortness of the story is actually refreshing and interesting. Do you see that in a positive way?
Mr. Yokoyama: Of course we look at it positively, but we also keep the price low accordingly. I think it would be great if people could understand that and play with it. Even if people say that they want us to make a lot of this kind of “gaiden” as soon as possible, it’s not like that. It’s not that easy to make. I was able to make it because I had Yakuza 8 and had the material, but it would be difficult to make it from scratch.
–“Ryu ga Gotoku 8” is the second work for the main character, Kasuga. There were some difficulties in creating the first work, but please tell us what made you want to play her role in “Ryu ga Gotoku 8”.
Mr. Nakatani: For “Ryu ga Gotoku 7,” we really worked together with Mr. Yokoyama and everyone at Ryu ga Gotoku Studio to create the characters. I was doing my best while my friends were there, so there were a lot of parts where we were in sync. On the other hand, this work goes even further, has the biggest potential for growth, and has high expectations, so at first I was putting pressure on myself, or rather, I was doing it on my own. Was this the best one? There was something like this.
While correcting any incongruities or errors, I sometimes asked Mr. Yokoyama to tell me various stories. So, all I can say is please wait patiently (lol). I wouldn’t mind if it becomes a spoiler. As long as I still think I’m doing my best, I think it’s okay. No matter what I do, I think it’s the worst thing to do when I get carried away thinking I’m the best. I would be happy if I could express various degrees of freedom as the best, so please look forward to that.
――It was also displayed at today’s venue, but the first one was drawn in the position of Christ in “The Last Supper.” What did you think?
Mr. Nakatani: I first saw it at Tokyo Game Show, but I didn’t know it was like that. Since he’s the main character, he’ll probably be in the middle. Then, someone said something like, “Isn’t that the Last Supper of Christ?” and I was like, “Huh!?” So this is probably the most similar thing. I think it’s a testament to the high level of technical ability of all the staff that they were able to quickly make the food after an order came in.
Mr. Yokoyama: You don’t need any technology!
–Is the character’s position changing every time so you don’t get caught?
Mr. Yokoyama: I don’t think anyone will find out, but I just want you to think about it. The first one is the fixed position of Christ, which doesn’t make much sense.
–Thank you for today!
