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In the current gaming landscape, guest characters in fighting games are becoming increasingly common. Titles like Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6 have recently introduced characters from other franchises, such as Lucy from Cyberpunk Edgerunners and Terry and Mai from Fatal Fury, respectively. This trend has sparked discussions among fans about which iconic gaming characters could make exciting guest appearances next. One character frequently mentioned in these conversations is Kazuma Kiryu from the Like A Dragon/Yakuza series. Alongside Tifa from Final Fantasy VII, Kiryu has been a popular suggestion for potential guest appearances in fighting games like Tekken 8 or Virtua Fighter. However, the series' former producer, Toshihiro Nagoshi, had previously expressed reservations about such crossovers, citing concerns about Kiryu's portrayal, particularly regarding the character hitting women. Yokoyama's Vision for Kiryu Masayoshi Yokoyama, the current series producer, recently addressed these speculations in an interview with Polygon. While he does not share Nagoshi's specific concerns, Yokoyama revealed that he still does not see fighting games as the best fit for Kiryu or other Yakuza characters. Instead, Yokoyama believes that exploring cross-media opportunities is more beneficial for the series. "I think it’s better to say that going across mediums like how we did with series is better, rather than just going to another game," Yokoyama said. "We receive all kinds of invitations to appear in other games, but we never actually went over to their doorstep and said ‘let us in.’ I think going cross-medium is the better way to go about it." Kiryu's Cross-Media Potential Yokoyama's preference for cross-media ventures is exemplified by the upcoming TV show based on the Yakuza series. He sees such projects as a way to introduce the characters to a broader audience, potentially attracting new fans who might not be reached through traditional video game crossovers. This strategy aims to leverage the narrative and emotional depth of the Yakuza series in formats that can provide richer storytelling experiences. The Future of Yakuza Crossovers While Yokoyama's comments do not entirely rule out the possibility of Kiryu appearing in other games, they make it clear that such crossovers are not a priority. This stance might disappoint fans who were hoping to see Kiryu as a guest character in fighting games like Tekken 8. However, it suggests that the focus will remain on creating high-quality cross-media content that can expand the series' reach and impact. Despite this, the gaming community remains hopeful for any future developments. Recent trademark filings, such as "Yakuza Wars," hint at new projects that could feature Kiryu in different capacities, keeping the character relevant and exciting for fans. Final Thoughts While the idea of seeing Kiryu face off against the likes of Heihachi in Tekken 8 might be off the table for now, the future of the Yakuza series looks promising with its cross-media explorations. Fans can look forward to new adventures and stories that continue to build on the rich legacy of Kazuma Kiryu and the Yakuza universe. Stay tuned to TheBadGamer for more updates and in-depth coverage of all your favorite gaming news. Also Read:

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virtua fighter

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