Is it like a dragon infinite wealth coming to game pass?
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s upcoming Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth won’t launch directly into Xbox Game Pass according to director Masayoshi Yokoyama. This contrasts with the previous entry, Like a Dragon Gaiden, which debuted on day one of the subscription service.
In this article, we’ll break down Yokoyama’s comments, what they mean for fans, and the likelihood of Infinite Wealth eventually coming to Game Pass.
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Background on Infinite Wealth
- Spinoff set in the Like a Dragon/Yakuza universe
- Stars Chinese mafia leader Tianyou Zhao instead of Kazuma Kiryu
- Focuses on minigames and side activities in Yokohama’s red light district
- Releasing March 2, 2023 on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
No Xbox Game Pass at Launch
- Yokoyama said no plans currently for Game Pass at release
- The previous game Like a Dragon Gaiden did launch directly into the Game Pass
- Likely a business decision to maximize initial sales revenue
“At the moment, there are no plans for Infinite Wealth to come to Game Pass […] for Gaiden, I thought of Game Pass as a way of ‘handing overseas users our business card.'” – Yokoyama
Yokoyama Tweet
- Wanted to establish a series with Western gamers through Game Pass for Gaiden
What It Means for Fans
- Disappointing for fans, especially those introduced via Game Pass
- But doesn’t rule out Infinite Wealth coming later like previous entries
- May just be a timed exclusive release before hitting Game Pass
Should You Buy at Launch?
- Diehard fans may want to play ASAP and avoid spoilers
- But others may want to wait for inevitable Game Pass release
Pros of Buying at Launch
- Play immediately on release
- Avoid story spoilers from early players
- Experience hype and excitement
Cons of Buying at Launch
- Full $60 price tag
- Likely to get discounts/deals later
- Huge Game Pass backlog to play instead
What to Play on Game Pass While Waiting
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Yakuza Games’ Journey to Xbox Game Pass
Looking at previous Yakuza games, most took 1-4 years after launch to finally arrive on Xbox Game Pass:
| Game | Original Release | Game Pass Launch | Time Between |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakuza 0 | 2017 | 2020 | 3 years |
| Yakuza Kiwami | 2017 | 2020 | 3 years |
| Yakuza Kiwami 2 | 2017 | 2021 | 4 years |
| Yakuza 3 Remaster | 2021 | 2022 | 1 year |
| Yakuza 4 Remaster | 2021 | 2022 | 1 year |
| Yakuza 5 Remaster | 2021 | 2022 | 1 year |
| Yakuza 6 | 2018 | 2022 | 4 years |
| Yakuza: Like a Dragon | 2020 | 2022 | 2 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Infinite Wealth come to other subscriptions like PlayStation Plus?
Possibly in the future, but nothing confirmed yet. The focus has been on Xbox Game Pass for now.
How much will Infinite Wealth cost at launch?
Likely the standard USD 59.99 price point for new releases. The exact pricing is unconfirmed.
Is there a lack of Game Pass signal issues between Xbox and RGG Studio?
No indication of problems. Seems to just be a business timing decision.
Will missing launch hurt Game Pass value?
Unlikely to impact overall value much given the vast library. Yakuza games leaving would be a bigger loss.
Is Infinite Wealth next-gen only?
Yes, it’s PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC only. No PS4 or Xbox One versions were announced.
Conclusion
While it’s a shame Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth won’t hit Xbox Game Pass at launch, history suggests it will arrive eventually like previous games. Fans will have to decide if buying at full price is worth playing right away or if waiting for a discounted Game Pass version is preferable. But Like a Dragon will almost certainly join its predecessors on Game Pass in due time.
