Street Fighter 2 producer Yoshiki Okamoto now makes gacha games and spends half a million dollars on each 'to make sure the people who spend the most don't end up dissatisfied'
PC Gamer
by Jody Macgregor February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Yoshiki Okamoto, the legendary game producer behind *Street Fighter II*, has made a significant pivot in his career from classic fighting games to gacha mobile titles. After leaving Capcom and facing financial struggles following the bankruptcy of his indie studio Game Republic, Okamoto rebuilt his career with Monster Strike, a wildly successful gacha game that boasts over 65 million players. Now a producer at Deluxe Games, he generates an annual income of 1.2 billion yen ($7.7 million) and owns a luxurious Malaysian mansion. A key aspect of his success lies in his unique approach to ensuring player satisfaction: Okamoto personally invests 80 million yen (around $515,000) into each game he works on. He explained that this spending allows him to deeply understand the expectations and frustrations of high-spending players, aiming to prevent their dissatisfaction.
Okamoto’s journey from Capcom to near financial ruin and back highlights his resilience in the gaming industry. After working on iconic titles like *Final Fight* and *Resident Evil*, he founded Game Republic in 2003, but its failure left him $11 million in debt. This setback didn’t deter him; instead, it fueled his determination to succeed. Monster Strike became a turning point, not only financially restoring him but also establishing him as a key player in the gacha market. His success with gacha games underscores how mobile gaming has reshaped the industry, offering massive profit potential for developers willing to adapt.
The reason Okamoto spends his own money on each game is rooted in empathy. He believes that without genuine investment and understanding, it’s impossible to fully grasp players’ emotions, especially those who spend heavily. This approach ensures that high-spending players feel valued, which is crucial for maintaining a thriving gacha community. While critics might suggest creating an admin account with unlimited funds as a simpler solution, Okamoto insists on using his own money to authentically connect with user experiences.
For readers interested in gaming, Okamoto’s story offers insights into the business side of game development and the growing influence of gacha mechanics. His methods reveal how understanding player psychology can drive success, even for seasoned developers. Moreover, his journey from *Street Fighter II* to gacha games illustrates the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, where adaptability and innovation are key to long-term success.
Verticals
gamingpc
Originally published on PC Gamer on 2/20/2026