Why is yakuza 0 being delisted

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Yakuza 0 was delisted from digital storefronts on January 31, 2024, due to expiring music licenses for songs used in the game. This affected platforms like Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, where the game became unavailable for purchase. The delisting was announced by Sega in December 2023, giving players about a month to buy it before removal. Physical copies remain available, and existing owners can still download and play the game.

Key Facts

Delisted on January 31, 2024
Announced by Sega in December 2023
Due to expiring music licenses
Affected Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store
Physical copies unaffected

Overview

Yakuza 0 is a 2015 action-adventure game developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega, serving as a prequel to the Yakuza series. Set in 1988 in Tokyo's Kamurocho and Osaka's Sotenbori districts, it follows protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima during Japan's bubble economy era. The game was critically acclaimed for its storytelling and gameplay, selling over 2 million copies worldwide by 2020. It helped popularize the series in Western markets after its 2017 international release. Yakuza 0 features licensed music tracks, including songs from artists like Crazy Ken Band, which are integral to its 1980s atmosphere. These licenses have finite terms, typically 5-10 years, leading to periodic renewals or removals.

How It Works

Game delistings occur when publishers remove titles from digital storefronts, often due to expiring licenses for music, branding, or other copyrighted content. In Yakuza 0's case, Sega's licenses for specific songs expired in early 2024, making continued sales legally untenable without renegotiation. The process involves Sega coordinating with platform holders like Sony, Microsoft, and Valve to halt new purchases while maintaining access for existing owners. Publishers typically announce delistings in advance, as Sega did in December 2023, to allow final purchases. This is common in gaming; for example, Grand Theft Auto IV was temporarily delisted in 2020 for similar music licensing issues. Physical copies avoid this by being fixed at production, though they may become rare over time.

Why It Matters

The delisting highlights preservation challenges in digital gaming, as players lose easy access to historic titles. For Yakuza 0, it affects new fans discovering the series, potentially driving up physical copy prices. It underscores how licensing complexities can impact game availability, urging publishers to secure longer terms or use original scores. The event has sparked discussions about game preservation efforts, with some advocating for legal reforms to protect culturally significant titles. For Sega, it may influence future licensing strategies in the Yakuza series, which continues with new entries like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth in 2024.