Sega producer 'sorry' content was cut from Yakuza 3

Kikuchi "feels bad" the hostess bars were removed.

The fact that Sega continues to localize its Japan-oriented Yakuza series is a testament to the publisher's commitment to the franchise's fans. However, many gamers were upset when the company revealed it would be cutting the hostess bars and mini-games from Yakuza 3 for undisclosed reasons.

According to series producer Masayoshi Kikuchi, the removed content was a business decision put in place to enhance the game's Western appeal. Sega felt the side quests were too rooted in Japanese culture to provide meaningful benefit to American and European gamers.

Kikuchi was shocked when the cut content garnered a negative reaction from fans. "It was a big surprise for us. I'm definitely pleased that people wanted to see more, but at the same time, I feel sorry for the fans who were let down by the cut content," he recently admitted to Digital Spy.

Sega hopes to redeem itself with Yakuza 4, which will hit Western retail with the hostess clubs in tact. The game is set to release next March.

By Nicholas Gasse