For what I read he is, I think the fans have ignited a spark, from what I read in the Polygon interview recently, he just wants to create new games (
![Sad :(](http://www.segabits.com/forums/Smileys/default/sad.gif)
), the issue is publisher. I really think he should do smaller console digital games via kickstarter with good ideas (aka don't try to change the game, just make a fun game Yu Suzuki status).
The thing is, will a follow up ever satisfy fans? I remember when they first started teasing Shenmue Online, Yu Suzuki said he wanted to finish the story via the game's updates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpE2sKvgJtUI really think Shenmue Online was the last nail in the coffin for the Shenmue franchise. SEGA spent a shit ton of cash on the project. If rumors are correct (That the 3rd game was going to go in a really different direction with powers and such) will the old fanbase be happy at the changes? I mean, if it came out in 2003-4, they probably would have accepted it, shit if it came out in 2006 as well. But would they accept it now in 2015> ? The answer is probably not.
I think SEGA is in a bind on this franchise and its not like their making large amounts of money to spend on a vanity project (which Shenmue was) and they don't need to create games like these anymore due to not selling hardware.
The best case is Sony co-funds the game and do it in hopes of long term profits, the way that they have handled Team ICO (Sony says they don't care if their games don't make immediate returns in profit). The point of having 'highly regarded games' is to put your console in a positive light and if having Shenmue and other SEGA IPs exclusive (they already are doing it with Street Fighter V) then its probably better for SEGA.