RGG Studio is prioritizing current-generation hardware for its upcoming title, Stranger Than Heaven, a move that producer Hiroyuki Sakamoto says will allow the developer to fully realize the game's potential. This decision means that the game will not be released on previous-generation consoles like the PlayStation 4.
"We set out to make Stranger Than Heaven as a completely brand-new game, with the goal of creating something entirely fresh while putting forth the absolute best quality we can produce right now," Sakamoto told IGN in an interview at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2026. "[So] we decided to drop previous-gen platforms like the PS4 and focus on creating an experience best enjoyed natively on current-gen consoles like the PS5."
Since the debut of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2020, RGG Studio's titles have continued to support last-gen systems. For instance, 2024's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth was developed for two console generations, and while the Xbox One was eventually dropped for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties this year, PlayStation 4 support persisted. Stranger Than Heaven, developed exclusively for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, eliminates this need for compromise.
"In the past, hardware constraints meant limiting the number of characters we could display on screen at once, among other things we had to give up on," Sakamoto explained. "With Stranger Than Heaven, by fully leveraging the PS5's capabilities we were able to showcase more characters on screen simultaneously than ever before and raise character quality to the next level."
Sakamo expressed confidence in the game's development trajectory, noting, "I think we succeeded in achieving our goal of creating a richer visual experience with a stronger artistic identity than anything we've done prior."
Stranger Than Heaven is slated for release on January 15, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game will also feature optional in-game "cheats" to adjust combat difficulty.