My daily habit of checking the Sega Yakuza forum and Neogaf for the past year or so was to scour any information or updates on Yakuza localization. Every day was the same and I finally started to give up. I honestly didn't think Sony's presentation or 3rd Party Localization team was going to pull through after they had acknowledged that Yakuza was the most requested game to bring to the west and then failing to mention it during E3. Was I ever wrong. I really don't have much passion for any game series except the yakuza series.
Did that change to today...It was a wtf too good to be true moment. I felt like a little kid when I found out the announcement. All that begging and pleading from the fans...they listened... I think Sony pulled the strings more than Sega (maybe by some kind of concession or something to help localize it), but I don't care as long as the game is coming.
I am somewhat disappointed that it's digital only but not by much because nowadays they just shove a disc in a case without a manual (unless it's a limited edition). I am not going to complain about that. I'm day one for this game.
More good news...there's another rumor going around that Yakuza 0 will also be localized.
I hope this game sells enough that the spinoffs such as Ishin and the HD version come to the West more easily and quickly.