NetEase is reportedly pulling funding for Yakuza creator’s studio

The hype for Band of dragonsNagoshi Studio’s first game, may already be going off the rails. According to a Bloomberg ReportChinese tech giant NetEase will stop funding Nagoshi Studio starting in May. Bloomberg confirmed the news with studio employees and a NetEase spokesperson.

The report explains that NetEase decided to cut funding for Nagoshi Studio, founded in 2021 by Yakuza franchise creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, after discovering that the studio needed $44.4 million to complete the project. Bloomberg reported that Nagoshi Studio is trying to find new sponsors but has had no success so far. The report also adds that the studio can pursue the project on its own, but would be responsible for paying NetEase any costs associated with maintaining the brand or assets.

While Nagoshi Studio may have been working on Band of dragons since the creation of the studio, the general public has been able to better discover the title thanks to a trailer announced during the Game Awards 2025. The action-adventure game set in Tokyo would feature Ma Dong-Seok, a South Korean actor who played in Train to Busan and Marvel Eternals. Right now, Nagoshi Studio could be at risk of joining other victims resulting from NetEase’s executive decisions, such as when the tech giant decided to shut down Ouka Studio in 2024.