Gang of Dragons Ran Out of Money
A notable development has occurred in the gaming world. It is alleged that China-based gaming giant NetEase is preparing to cut funding for Nagoshi Studio as of May 2026. This decision is said to stem from increasing development costs for the studio’s first game, Gang of Dragon.
Gang of Dragon Development Process in Uncertainty
The studio was founded in 2021 by Toshihiro Nagoshi, known in the gaming world especially for the Yakuza series. Gang of Dragon, the studio’s first project after Nagoshi’s departure from Sega, was announced during The Game Awards in December 2025 and generated considerable interest.
However, according to recent reports, NetEase realized that completing the game would require an additional budget of over $44 million. This high cost influenced the company’s decision to cut funding for the project. Thus, the future of Gang of Dragon suddenly became uncertain.
Allegedly, Nagoshi Studio is not considering canceling the project entirely. The studio is preparing to seek new investors or funding sources to continue the game’s development. It is rumored that NetEase may allow the studio to reach an agreement under certain conditions to protect the game’s rights.
This development is noteworthy given NetEase’s recent separation from several studios. The company has previously canceled various projects or closed down some game studios. The future of Gang of Dragon seems to depend on whether new investment can be secured.
