informa
1 MIN READ
News

Sega removing actor from Western version of Judgment after drug scandal

Sega will change the voice and character model for Kyohei Hamura in the western release of Judgment, after the character's actor Pierre Taki was arrested for illegal drug use.

Sega will edit the voice and character model for Kyohei Hamura (pictured) in the western release of Judgment, after the character's actor Pierre Taki was arrested for illegal drug use. 

Taki was detained by investigators earlier this month on suspicion of possessing and using cocaine, and eventually admitted to using a small amount of the drug.

The controversy initially prompted Sega to pull Judgment -- which is a Yakuza spin-off -- from sale in Japan. Rather than doing the same in the West, the publisher has instead opted to remove Taki from the game before it launches on June 25. 

Sega has also temporarily pulled all screenshots and trailers featuring Taki's character Hamura from its official channels, and will release updated materials at a later date.

If you're baffled as to why Sega has taken such a hard line stance, drug laws in Japan are still incredibly strict compared to the rest of the world, and public figures caught using illegal substances are often ostracized.

Latest Jobs

Double Fine Productions

Hybrid, San Francisco CA, USA
10.25.23
Senior Systems Programmer

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN, USA
11.14.23
Clinical Assistant Professor in Game Development

Digital Extremes

Remote
11.13.23
Lead AI Programmer
More Jobs   

CONNECT WITH US

Explore the
Advertise with
Follow us

Game Developer Job Board

Game Developer

@gamedevdotcom

Explore the

Game Developer Job Board

Browse open positions across the game industry or recruit new talent for your studio

Browse
Advertise with

Game Developer

Engage game professionals and drive sales using an array of Game Developer media solutions to meet your objectives.

Learn More
Follow us

@gamedevdotcom

Follow us @gamedevdotcom to stay up-to-date with the latest news & insider information about events & more