Dondoko Island Furniture: A Sustainable Approach to Game Design

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth's Dondoko Island: A Minigame's Unexpected Expansion Through Asset Reuse

The lead designer of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth sheds light on the surprising growth of Dondoko Island, a seemingly simple minigame that blossomed into a significant part of the game.

In a recent interview with Automaton, Michiko Hatoyama revealed that Dondoko Island's initial scope was far more modest. The project's evolution, she explained, was organic: "At first, Dondoko Island was smaller, but it expanded unexpectedly." This expansion involved a considerable increase in the number of furniture crafting recipes.

Key to this expansion was the strategic reuse and repurposing of existing assets. Hatoyama highlighted the team's ability to create individual pieces of furniture "in minutes," a stark contrast to the days or even months typically required for new asset creation. The extensive library of assets accumulated throughout the Yakuza series proved invaluable, allowing for the rapid creation and integration of a vast array of furniture.

The decision to expand both the island itself and the furniture options stemmed from a desire to enhance player enjoyment and provide fresh gameplay experiences. The expansive island and numerous crafting recipes empower players with the freedom to transform the initial dilapidated island into a thriving, luxurious resort.

Released on January 25, 2024, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (the ninth mainline entry in the Yakuza franchise) has been well-received. Its success, in part, is due to the impressive scale of Dondoko Island, a testament to RGG Studio's efficient asset management and creative repurposing. This minigame offers players countless hours of engaging gameplay, transforming a simple side activity into a compelling and rewarding experience.