Nagoshi Studios Deletes Gang of Dragon YouTube Channel and Trailers

Nagoshi’s Gang of Dragon has entered a period of visible instability after Nagoshi Studios’ official YouTube presence disappeared, with multiple outlets describing the channel and trailers as being deleted or taken offline.

“Several rumours have been floating around about the status of Toshihiro Nagoshi’s upcoming Gang of Dragons, but it may appear that the game may be getting shelved”

Comics Gaming Magazine

Wccftech reported that “the official YouTube channel and trailers have been suddenly deleted,” adding that the Steam page “is still up.”

Comics Gaming Magazine

Comics Gaming Magazine said that “the entire YouTube Account for Nagoshi Studios—the developer and publisher of Gang of Dragon—has been deleted, alongside every video relating to the game,” while also noting that Gamespot claimed the channel “has been reinstated.”

GamingBolt similarly wrote that “the official YouTube page hosting the title’s reveal trailer has now gone offline,” and it emphasized that “Nagoshi hasn’t yet made any official statement regarding the state of the game’s development.”

Gamereactor UK framed the removal as “almost confirmation that the project has been abandoned entirely,” saying “Nagoshi Studio has deleted all content from its YouTube channel, along with all the trailers.”

Across the reporting, the only consistently surviving official-facing item was the Steam listing: Wccftech said “The Steam page is still up,” while GamingBolt noted “even the Steam page remains online.”

The Game Awards reveal trailer remained accessible elsewhere, with GamingBolt pointing to “the official one for The Game Awards, where it was first unveiled,” and Comics Gaming Magazine stating that the only results on YouTube were “outside the initial Game Awards reveal trailer (via The Game Awards channel).”

The YouTube removals were repeatedly tied to a funding crisis involving NetEase, with several outlets citing a specific additional amount needed to finish development.

Wccftech said that “in early 2025, reports began circulating that NetEase had decided to cut funding for many projects, including Nagoshi's,” and it described Gang of Dragon as “self-publishing it” after Nagoshi Studio’s departure from SEGA.

Gamereactor UK

Comics Gaming Magazine reported that “NetEase supposedly made the decision to axe Gang of Dragon after the studio claimed it needed an additional ¥7 billion (approx. $44.4 million) in funding to get it to completion,” and it added that Nagoshi Studios was “looking for funding partners, it has not reached any deals, and the current funding is due to run out in May.”

OpenCritic likewise said that “during that time, the game's future has already been thrown into complete chaos,” attributing it to “the game's struggles to receive funding,” and it stated that “NetEase had ended up pulling funding for the game after it was told that Nagoshi Studios would need an additional ¥7 billion (roughly $44.4 million) to actually finish development.”

GamingBolt described the same figure as the reason for NetEase’s decision, quoting a spokesperson that “the decision to cut funding for Gang of Dragon came from the fact that it was going to need ¥7 billion for development, which roughly translates to around $44.4 million.”

Gamereactor UK connected the funding shortfall to the project’s scale, writing that the title “was estimated to require a further $44 million to see the light of day,” and it said “NetEase was cutting ties with Nagoshi Studio.”

Multiple outlets also described the financial mechanics after the partnership ended: GamingBolt said “With the end of the partnership, Nagoshi Studios would need to pay NetEase Games for the IP and assets if it wanted to continue the game’s development.”

While the funding and channel deletions dominated the headlines, the sources also reiterated what Gang of Dragon was supposed to be, including its setting, protagonist, and gameplay pillars.

“With recent rumors having indicated that NetEase Games was pulling the plug on funding Toshihiro Nagoshi’s Gang of Dragon, it looks like the official YouTube page hosting the title’s reveal trailer has now gone offline”

GamingBolt

Wccftech said the game was “set in Kabukicho, the iconic nightlife and entertainment district of Shinjuku, Tokyo,” and it described the protagonist as “Shin Ji-seong, a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate operating in Japan.”

It added that Shin was “portrayed by acclaimed Korean-American actor Ma Dong-seok (known internationally as Don Lee, from Train to Busan and Marvel's The Eternals).”

GamingBolt similarly stated that “Gang of Dragon is the first game by Nagoshi,” and it said the game “would star Ma Dong-seok as protagonist Shin Ji-seong,” with the character described as “a high-ranking member of a Korean crime syndicate based out of Kabukicho.”

The same outlet said the story revolved around “a large conflict between various underworld factions,” and it described the game as featuring “real-time action combat with a third-person perspective.”

Wccftech also emphasized vehicles, writing that “The Vehicles are also supposed to play a significant role, with car chases and driving mechanics described as a core part of the experience,” and it listed weapon variety including “melee weapons and swords to firearms and even portable miniguns.”

GamingBolt added that “It was also going to include driving sequences,” and it described combat as “melee combat featuring brutal hand-to-hand strikes and blade attacks, along with some gunplay for the larger fights.”

The reporting also placed the situation in the context of Toshihiro Nagoshi’s career moves and the studio’s timeline, while repeatedly stressing that no official statement had been issued.

Wccftech said Nagoshi “founded a new studio with NetEase's help the following year” after his “departure from SEGA in 2021,” and it described Gang of Dragon as unveiled “at The Game Awards 2025.”

Instant Gaming News

Comics Gaming Magazine said the game was “Initially revealed at The Game Awards 2025,” and it described it as “Toshihiro Nagoshi’s first game after his departure from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.”

GamingBolt noted that Nagoshi Studios was founded “back in 2022 after his departure from Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios,” and it said Nagoshi was “noted to be in the hunt for “new sponsors.””

Gamereactor UK added that “it seems that the developer, founded by the creator of Yakuza and working on the ambitious title Gang of Dragon, has failed to find a partner to continue the costly project,” and it predicted “a large number of staff will lose their jobs.”

IXBT.games framed the channel deletion as a warning sign, writing that “the studio deleted the official YouTube account where the game's trailer had been posted,” and it said “fans consider the deletion of the channel an alarming signal.”

Netto’s Game Room claimed it had reached out for an official statement, writing “We here at _Netto's Game Room_ have reached out for an official statement regarding the matter, and will update this article if one is provided,” while also saying “While nothing has officially been announced, the removal of the company's YouTube channel and trailers doesn't look good for either the game or the studio's future.”

The sources portray the Gang of Dragon situation as part of a broader pattern of studio disruption and project cancellations tied to funding decisions, with several outlets explicitly connecting the case to wider industry cuts.

“It seems Nagoshi Studio is unable to shake off the problems hanging over the studio”

IXBT.games

Wccftech said that after NetEase cut funding for many projects, “including Nagoshi's,” the studio had to seek funding to complete the game, and it suggested the YouTube deletion reflected failure to secure it.

IXBT.games

Comics Gaming Magazine described “a trend in the game industry of high-profile games being unceremoniously cancelled,” and it linked the situation to “Alongside all of Microsoft’s cuts—including the upcoming Perfect Dark reimagining—Highguard, which was surprised announced during The Game Awards 2025 finale was also recently shuttered.”

Gamereactor UK argued that “since the summer of 2024, we have also witnessed a gradual but steady withdrawal of these investments,” and it said “This has led to the cancellation and closure of dozens of projects.”

It then stated that “Following NetEase's withdrawal, all signs point to the project having been cancelled due to a lack of funding,” while also warning that “without a project to work on, it is highly likely that a large number of staff will lose their jobs.”

OpenCritic framed the immediate future as uncertain but leaning toward trouble, saying “it appears as though Nagoshi Studios has struggled on that front, and it's looking even more likely that Gang of Dragon may...” and it reiterated the funding trigger involving “¥7 billion (roughly $44.4 million).”

Finally, Wccftech and GamingBolt both noted that the only official communication would clarify the situation, with Wccftech writing “although we'll have to wait for an official communication to know for sure,” and GamingBolt emphasizing “Nagoshi hasn’t yet made any official statement regarding the state of the game’s development.”