The alleged leak of Yakuza Kiwami 3 from RGG Studio’s official website has sent shockwaves through the Like a Dragon fan community—fueling long-held hopes that the beloved remastering series may finally expand to include the third mainline entry.
🔍 What Exactly Was Leaked?
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit (r/yakuzagames) quickly noticed a brief mention of “Yakuza Kiwami 3” buried within the RGG Studio website’s project listing. Though the page was taken down within hours—possibly due to a temporary error or early draft—it was captured in multiple screenshots, confirming the existence of a placeholder or draft page referencing a third remake.
The reference was particularly telling because:
- Yakuza Kiwami 1 (2016) and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017) were both remakes of the original Yakuza games.
- The original Yakuza 3, released in 2009 for PlayStation 3, is widely considered one of the most iconic entries in the series—known for its deeper narrative, emotional storytelling, and iconic setting in Kamurocho’s quieter, more mature iteration.
Given this context, a Kiwami 3 remake would likely be a full HD overhaul with updated gameplay mechanics (like those in Kiwami 1 and 2), modern graphics, and potentially new content—just as seen in previous remasters.
📅 Why Now? The RGG Summit Connection
The leak arrives just one week before RGG Studio’s annual RGG Summit, set for September 24, 2024, followed by a special RGG Direct. This event has historically served as a launchpad for major franchise announcements—especially for Like a Dragon.
Past events have revealed:
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2023)
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2024)
- Stranger Than Heaven (2024, announced at RGG Summit 2023)
With Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii now live and Stranger Than Heaven generating buzz, a Yakuza Kiwami 3 reveal would fit perfectly into the studio’s 2024 roadmap.
🗣️ Director Yokoyama’s Tease Confirmed
In April 2024, director Masayoshi Yokoyama gave a cryptic but promising confirmation during a Q&A:
“I’ll just say that I think I’ll do Kiwami 3 at some point. I’m sure I’ll do it someday.”
While he cautioned fans not to expect immediate news—due to ongoing work on other titles—his words were interpreted as a soft confirmation that the project remains in development.
Now, with a visible website leak, many fans believe this was not a coincidence, but a deliberate soft-drop ahead of the big event.
🕵️♂️ What’s Next?
If Yakuza Kiwami 3 is officially announced on September 24, expect:
- A full remaster of Yakuza 3 (2009), likely including updated combat, new voice acting, and modernized visuals.
- Possible inclusion of Kiryu’s emotional arc, including his descent into darkness and his relationship with his son, Haruka.
- Possibly a “Kiryu Mode” or new story branch—a trend seen in recent Kiwami remasters.
Also on the horizon:
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2023) – Already a hit.
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii – A spin-off that’s been praised for its wild tone and fun.
- Stranger Than Heaven – A new, mysterious project rumored to explore psychological drama and surreal elements.
🧩 Final Verdict
While no official statement has been issued, the timing, the website artifact, and Yokoyama’s prior comments all point to one likely conclusion:
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is coming—and the RGG Summit on September 24 is the most probable reveal date.
For fans who’ve waited over a decade for a remake of one of the series’ most powerful stories, it might finally be time to "Kiwami" again.
🔔 Stay tuned:
Whether it’s a teaser, full reveal, or gameplay demo—prepare for emotional sirens, the return of Kiryu, and the long-awaited rise of Kiwami 3.
“The past isn’t dead. It’s just waiting to be reborn.”
— Likely tagline for Yakuza Kiwami 3 (rumored)