Sega Corporation has announced the eight participants selected for Phase 4 of its “Game Streamer” Support Project, an initiative backing streamers who play the Like a Dragon (Ryu Ga Gotoku) series. At the same time, applications opened on August 21 for Phase 5 – the final recruitment window of the project – and will be accepted until September 6.

Eight Phase 4 participants confirmed

Chosen through a rigorous screening process, the Phase 4 lineup features action-game commentator Wado, blind-playthrough favorite Umizuki Luna, Omocoro Channel regular Kato Ryo, franchise completionist Banshaku, self-described “shut-in angel” VTuber Shuto Ren, game-music-loving VTuber Tsumuka Aisha, 10-year veteran Mozuto Hayanie, and voice-impression specialist Takemoto Manato. The selection spans a wide range of genres, from VTubers to IRL streamers.

A grade-rank system with a game role on the line

Participants are assigned one of three “grade ranks” – Bronze, Silver or Gold. Promotions and demotions are decided by reviews of each streamer’s activity, and the three participants who hold Gold rank the most times by the end of the project period will receive a role in an upcoming Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio title along with an end-credits listing.

Phase 5 is the final call, closing September 6

To apply for Phase 5, streamers need at least 5,000 YouTube subscribers and must stream or post Like a Dragon-related content at least twice a month. They also need to hit either 3,000 total video views within the month or an average of 5,000 views on Shorts. The deadline is 11:59 p.m. on September 6, 2026, with results scheduled for announcement on October 23. Applications are accepted through the official project site.

What comes next

Running as a special program for the 20th anniversary of Like a Dragon – a series with cumulative sales of more than 27.7 million copies – the project has steadily grown in scale since its Phase 2 recruitment. kson and Dogma Kazami have been appointed special ambassadors, and the initiative is drawing attention as a model for collaboration between game publishers and the streaming community. With Phase 5 the last opportunity to join, streamers considering an application are encouraged to move early.

Our take

A game company officially “backing” streamers and ultimately offering a role in one of its own titles is a genuinely forward-thinking move that pushes the relationship between the games industry and creators a step further. Phase 4 notably includes VTubers such as Umizuki Luna and Shuto Ren, showing that the door is open to virtual talents as well as IRL streamers. It is a fitting project for a 20th-anniversary milestone, and we hope this kind of streamer-support framework spreads to other game franchises.

Source: PR TIMES