Support NeoGAF

[ajim]

Yu Suzuki Interview on Shenmue - Shenmue Master

Yu Suzuki allowed an exclusive interview entirely about Shenmue at Shenmue Master (French Shenmue fan-based website), and discussed a few things.

A few things to note:

• He has written 11 chapters (Shenmue 2 ends at 6)
• Ryo's will for revenge on Lan Di will disappear throughout the story (essentially confirms there won't be a big final battle between Ryo and Lan Di).
• Shenhua has the ability to recall/link in with the memory of ancestors.
• The Shenmue IP still belongs to Sega.
• When asked what his favourite part of Shenmue was he responds "So far we are only at Shenmue II, I developed the story until chapter 11. It's in this sequel the part of Shenmue I care about most is hidden.

Nice to see this, if still a little depressing hearing that the part Yu cares about would be in the next game. He still talks apprehensively about the story, and talks as if a 3rd installment will come about, and doesn't let up many details about the story.

Edit: Regarding Shenmue Gai:

Shenmue Gai hasn't been canceled, it has been continued onto smartphones.

"The first version we know on mobiles will end. However Shenmue Gai will continue on smartphones."

Shenmue Gai / Yu Suzuki interview

 

[Frankfurt]

Just give me Yu's Kinect fighting game already so i can forget about Shenmue 3 never coming.

 

[Y2Kev]

Oh look, another opportunity to get punched in the face

 

[SmithnCo]

So far we are only at Shenmue II, I developed the story until chapter 11. It's in this sequel the part of Shenmue I care about most is hidden.

Whelp, too bad we won't ever get to see it lololol

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Why not just release a graphic novel/Manga?

Why string along the fans under the delusion that there will be another game from Sega?

 

[PeakPointMatrix]

1) Sega releases HD ports as downloadable games on PSN + XBLA
2) Makes sweet sweet money
3) Goddamn it Sega, take a chance and make a Sequel! Just use the Yakuza Engine!!

I mean, if I'm not mistaken, Shenmue made a good amount of money back, it's just the production budget was so astronomical (70million?) that it was almost impossible for it to recoup it entirely. Although I don't know how MS buying the game up for release on the xbox affects it's re-release at all.

 

[IrishNinja]

Oh look, another opportunity to get punched in the face

yup.

wait, 11 chapters? i'm assuming we're back on the 1 game = 3-4 chapters or so?

also:

Ryo's will for revenge on Lan Di will disappear throughout the story (essentially confirms there won't be a big final battle between Ryo and Lan Di).

okay, now i gotta know what Ryo learns about either what his father did, or who's really behind the Chiyoumen.

Spoiler

you're just gonna end up leaking the script or something one day, suzuki

I mean, if I'm not mistaken, Shenmue made a good amount of money back, it's just the production budget was so astronomical (70million?) that it was almost impossible for it to recoup it entirely. Although I don't know how MS buying the game up for release on the xbox affects it's re-release at all.

i recall a thread here a year or so back where suzuki said that # was overblown, that it was closer to 45 mill? not that that's not a huge number for the time as well, but at least a better one.

 

[C-Jo]

Why not just release a graphic novel/Manga?

I would almost prefer this over a game at this point.

 

[Gravijah]

come on yu suzuki, stop worrying about this dead franchise and move on to your most important creation: outrun!

 

[IrishNinja]

come on yu suzuki, stop worrying about this dead franchise and move on to your most important creation: outrun!

i'm going to go draw you my response to this in swapnote, check back later

 

[The Boat]

Damnit, stop reminding me that we'll never get Shenmue III!

 

[grap3fruitman]

wait, 11 chapters? i'm assuming we're back on the 1 game = 3-4 chapters or so?

From what I can recall, the original game was chapter 1, chapter 2 was what happened on Ryo's voyage to China which was never shown off in any game and Shenmue 2 was chapters 3 through 6.

 

[Sixfortyfive]

i recall a thread here a year or so back where suzuki said that # was overblown, that it was closer to 45 mill? not that that's not a huge number for the time as well, but at least a better one.

The budget numbers for Shenmue have always been a little misleading because they probably include a good chunk of development of Shenmue II (and beyond), not just the first game. The scrapped Saturn version encompassed all of Shenmue I + II and possibly a little beyond that, too.

 

[Zapages]

I think he should just do a manga or book, so the fans could at least see his vision.

 

[CartridgeBlower]

Here you go Sega -- get him back, fund Shenmue III as a 19.99 downloadable title for PSN and Xbox Live, with 'retro' graphics that emulate the Dreamcast-era graphics of Shenmue I and II, enjoy profits.

Your welcome.

 

[Raide]

Do Manga\Anime Movie, release Shenmue 1&2 HD for PSN/XBLA/Wii-U. Grow fanbase.

 

[cj_iwakura]

Here you go Sega -- get him back, fund Shenmue III as a 19.99 downloadable title for PSN and Xbox Live, with 'retro' graphics that emulate the Dreamcast-era graphics of Shenmue I and II. This keeps the budget low, and guarantees a profit.

Uh, considering the graphics those games pulled off put some current gen games to shame, I think you're being a little unrealistic.

 

[Frankfurt]

Would Shenmue 3 even be that expensive nowadays?

Sega already has engines that can pull it off, there are a few games like it out there, it can't be that expensive to make a sequel. The hype levels would be insane, they would only have to make some re-release of the originals or make it an HD package of 1 + 2+ 3.

 

[goldenpp72]

Honestly I think a remake of shenmue 1/2 would actually be quite profitable today, with the right idea and direction the series could probably be a 2-3 million seller on a multiplatform level, not exactly something that will make 100 million bucks easy but i'm sure it would be easier to pull off today than before. Shenmue was not so much a great game but a great experience, being able to make a great game around an already immersive world, that contains voice acting that isn't pure shit, would probably fare well. I also can bet any current shenmue fans would jump that shit day one just to support funding of a sequel.

 

[Gravijah]

Would Shenmue 3 even be that expensive nowadays?

Sega already has engines that can pull it off, there are a few games like it out there, it can't be that expensive to make a sequel. The hype levels would be insane, they would only have to make some re-release of the originals or make it an HD package of 1 + 2+ 3.

could you imagine how long it would take for a modern japanese developer to develop a game with shenmues ambition?

 

[Ra1den]

Don't sweat it, GAF. I plan on personally bankrolling this project some day. Just give me a couple years.

 

[Y2Kev]

Would Shenmue 3 even be that expensive nowadays?

Sega already has engines that can pull it off, there are a few games like it out there, it can't be that expensive to make a sequel. The hype levels would be insane, they would only have to make some re-release of the originals or make it an HD package of 1 + 2+ 3.

They could do it on 3ds if they wanted to. I don't give a crap. Just make the game.

 

[butter_stick]

What.

I want to kill Lan Di. How can Ryu just get over it when I can't?

 

[CartridgeBlower]

Uh, considering the graphics those games pulled off put some current gen games to shame, I think you're being a little unrealistic.

Nostalgia. How does it work?

 

[Ra1den]

It would make a really good visual novel.

 

[butter_stick]

Nostalgia. How does it work?

Shenmue looks better than Killzone 3.

 

[Lijik]

Nostalgia. How does it work?

No he's right.
It looks better than wii shovelware for instance.

 

[R_thanatos]

Sniff
i still want to know the rest of the story

I need a miracle...what should i do to know the rest?

 

[kokujin]

All games should take place during the 80's, it adds so much.

 

[Forkball]

We already know how Shenmue would have ended.

 

[Amagon]

Another Shenmue thread, another disappointment. I wish Suzuki just leak the entire script for the Shenmue series so I can move on with my life.

 

[cj_iwakura]

We already know how Shenmue would have ended.

Wow.

 

[Juice]

I shall cry myself to sleep again tonight. :-(

We should start a Shenmue 3 campaign on Kickstarter and raise andrew million dollars in working capital.

 

[Damon Bennet]

Would play a visual novel on PS Vita. Do it!

 

[Coin Return]

Shenmue 3DS

You know it makes sense.

 

[Seraphis Cain]

Why they haven't let the Yakuza team do Shenmue III yet still mystifies me. Even as a side-project.

 

[Ultratech]

Why they haven't let the Yakuza team do Shenmue III yet still mystifies me. Even as a side-project.

Yakuza Gaiden: Shenmue III

Bank on it!

 

[Gravijah]

Shenmue 3DS

You know it makes sense.

that makes no sense because shenmue is dead.

 

[Smiles and Cries]

that makes no sense because shenmue is dead.

makes perfect sense 3DS was dead

 

[C-Jo]

that makes no sense because shenmue is dead.

So what you're saying is Shenmue III Vita?

 

[Mr. Enigma]

If Duke Nukem Forever can find a way to finally be released, I still have faith.

 

[butter_stick]

If Duke Nukem Forever can find a way to finally be released, I still have faith.

Did Shenmue 3 ever actually enter development? I'm assuming not.

 

[duckroll]

Why they haven't let the Yakuza team do Shenmue III yet still mystifies me. Even as a side-project.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HERE WE GO AGAIN.

*duckroll punches Shenmue fans in the face*

 

[Gravijah]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. HERE WE GO AGAIN.

*duckroll punches Shenmue fans in the face*

you don't need to punch shenmue fans, they hurt themselves plenty enough already.

 

[Douche McBaggins The 3rd]

Why they haven't let the Yakuza team do Shenmue III yet still mystifies me. Even as a side-project.

I'm with you. I WANT TO BELIEVE. I believed that Duke Nukem Forever would come out. Why can't this?

 

[ajim]

Did Shenmue 3 ever actually enter development? I'm assuming not.

A large portion of the entire series has been completed already. People found assests (entire areas and characters) stored away in one of the Shenmue II GD roms. A lot of the money that has gone into Shenmue has meant that the series has almost been entirely developed (story, characters, areas, research etc).

 

[Camilos]

All games should take place during the 80's, it adds so much.

This gave my abs a 30 minute work out.

Ooops, meant this one.

We already know how Shenmue would have ended.

 

[NeoGIF]

[*]Ryo's will for revenge on Lan Di will disappear throughout the story (essentially confirms there won't be a big final battle between Ryo and Lan Di).

Hell no! I want to kick Lan Di's ass!

 

[duckroll]

A large portion of the entire series has been completed already. People found assests (entire areas and characters) stored away in one of the Shenmue II GD roms. A lot of the money that has gone into Shenmue has meant that the series has almost been entirely developed (story, characters, areas, research etc).

Most of that money has been pissed down the toilet, because no one is going to release a game today with assets from 2001, and everyone else who worked on the first two games will likely not touch the series again so any experience, research, and work they put into the games when they worked on them is useless now.

I love how Shenmue fans have no sense of reality. Makes it all the more fun to hit them while they're down.

 

[butter_stick]

A large portion of the entire series has been completed already. People found assests (entire areas and characters) stored away in one of the Shenmue II GD roms. A lot of the money that has gone into Shenmue has meant that the series has almost been entirely developed (story, characters, areas, research etc).

Well in that case

Shenmue 3DS 3/3/2013