When the Xbox Series X/S was launched, it featured an unexpected game: Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Interestingly, this game was conspicuously absent on PlayStation 5 for some time, despite the franchise’s history of being closely tied to PlayStation. It turns out the real reason for this surprising move was a tangled web of contracts. This article aims to offer an in-depth examination of how Yakuza: Like a Dragon became one of the most bizarre next-gen exclusives ever.

An Odd Turn of Events: The Initial Surprise

In November 2020, both Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 came into the market. Most of the games released alongside these consoles were ports of existing titles. However, the Yakuza game, available on Xbox Series X/S but not on PS5, caught the attention of many. While some speculated Microsoft had struck a deal with Sega, others thought that technical issues on PS5 caused the delay. As it turns out, the real reason is more complex and involves a series of contracts.

A Revelation from Inside: The Xbox Leak

On September 19, a massive leak exposed various internal communications within Microsoft, shedding light on this unexpected exclusivity. Among these were emails where Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, expressed surprise about the game’s absence from the PS5 lineup. Spencer’s initial understanding was corrected by another executive, who clarified that Yakuza: Like a Dragon would indeed be available on PS4 as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Interestingly, even Spencer found it “funny” that Sega left out the PS5 in its announcements.

Dual Deals: The Real Reason Behind the Delay

What truly complicated the game’s release on different platforms were two separate deals signed by Sega. According to Damon Baker, who was responsible for global gaming partnerships and development at Microsoft at the time, Sega had initially struck a 12-month exclusivity contract with Sony for the game’s release in Japan and Asia. This prevented Microsoft from releasing an Xbox version in these regions until the Sony deal ended. Simultaneously, Microsoft had a contract with Sega that contained a parity clause. This clause stopped Sony from releasing a next-gen version in Japan until Microsoft did. Due to these overlapping contracts, neither company could move forward with a PS5 release in Japan for a while.

The Impact on Marketing and Release

Upon learning the convoluted reasons behind the delayed PS5 port, Phil Spencer considered using the exclusivity as a marketing advantage. Subsequently, Microsoft did utilize this in their marketing, emphasizing how Yakuza: Like a Dragon would exploit the “next-gen” capabilities of Xbox Series X/S. Finally, in February 2021, the exclusivity deal with Sony expired, allowing the game to be released on Xbox platforms in Japan. A month later, it made its way to PS5, resolving one of the most baffling exclusivity arrangements in recent gaming history.

Conclusion: The Tangled Web of Corporate Agreements

Yakuza: Like a Dragon’s brief stint as an Xbox Series X/S exclusive is a testament to the complexity that can arise from multiple contracts in the gaming industry. It offers a compelling case study of how business agreements can directly impact the availability of games on different platforms, sometimes leading to unexpected exclusivities. This episode serves as a reminder that behind every surprising twist in the gaming world, there is often a labyrinth of corporate decisions and contracts.

By dissecting each aspect of this unusual case, we can better appreciate the intricate landscape of modern gaming—a world where the journey from development to release can take unexpected turns, thanks in no small part to the decisions made in boardrooms rather than development studios.

Also Read: