Nagoshi Studio Website Vanishes Amid NetEase Funding Collapse

The Nagoshi Studio website has disappeared without notice, signaling a potentially critical juncture for the developer and its flagship title, Gang of Dragon. While the studio’s YouTube channel remains technically active, it is entirely devoid of content, reflecting the silence surrounding the company’s future.

This digital disappearance follows a tumultuous period for the studio. In April, panic briefly ensued among Yakuza aficionados when the Nagoshi Studio YouTube channel vanished without explanation. The anxiety was justified; just a month prior, publisher NetEase had pulled its funding, leading to the immediate assumption that Gang of Dragon was cancelled merely months after its reveal. Although the channel reappeared hours later, relieving some tension, the situation has now deteriorated significantly.

From Reappearance to Disappearance

The sudden loss of the studio’s official web presence suggests a deeper crisis than a temporary technical glitch. As noted by Shacknews, the Wayback Machine confirms the site was active as recently as April 24, but attempts to access it now result in errors, confirming the site is no longer live.

This comes despite a brief period of hope. When the YouTube channel briefly vanished in April, its rapid return offered a sigh of relief for fans. However, the current state of the website indicates that the studio’s operational capabilities are severely compromised.

NetEase Pulls the Plug

The root of this instability lies in NetEase’s strategic withdrawal from external game development. The publisher announced that it would end its support for Nagoshi Studio in May, a deadline that has now passed. This decision was driven by two primary factors:

  • Strategic Shift: NetEase is pulling back from external development partnerships.
  • Funding Shortfalls: Gang of Dragon required at least $44.4 million more in funding to reach completion, a gap NetEase was unwilling to fill.

Toshihiro Nagoshi, the creator of the Yakuza series, founded the studio in 2022 after departing Sega. The studio’s debut project, Gang of Dragon, was revealed at the 2025 Game Awards. It is a gritty, Yakuza-style experience starring Ma Dong-Seok, who replicates his role from The Outlaws series.

Uncertain Future for Gang of Dragon

Despite the website’s disappearance, a definitive shutdown has not yet been officially announced. The Steam page for Gang of Dragon remains online, although it has not been updated since the initial 2025 reveal.

While the absence of the website is a major red flag, there is still a sliver of hope. Nagoshi was reportedly seeking new backers to replace NetEase’s funding, but as of recent reports, no new investors had stepped in. Until further notice, the fate of Gang of Dragon remains unclear, with the vanishing website serving as a stark indicator that the studio’s prospects are dimming rapidly.