In a new interview from the Shenmue Dojo, the series creator and SEGA legend spoke at length about the development process of Shenmue and Shenmue II, and revealed a bit more about the long awaited third game in the series. A bulk of the interview delves into information shared at GDC 2014’s Shenmue postmortum, clarifying and expanding on development details shared at the event. Suzuki also answered some Shenmue III questions, sharing some very interesting pieces of information. Suzuki revealed that how the third game begins is undecided, but he thinks it will start from Shenhua’s home. Suzuki also defended SEGA, stating “About Shenmue, Sega is not a problem at all. For Shenmue III, we need to define a specific budget and if I can gather enough for it, Sega will allow me to do it.” Regarding the question of if Shenmue III would end the series, Suzuki answered “Yes indeed, the story is far away from being completed and to be honest, I do not think that it’s possible to end it during Shenmue III. If I had to do it my way, players would experience the ending during Shenmue V. But that seems to be a lot so I’m going to try to finish it within the next 2 games.”
For the full interview head on over to Shenmue Dojo, and in the comments below share your thoughts on what Suzuki revealed. Should the series continue past a third title? Or should Suzuki focus on one more game to complete the story?
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I’d like Yu to go past a third game. Follow his vision the way he intended. Shenmue is an epic story that needs Yu’s vision to properly end.
Yeah I’d like that too but I think that’s an impossibility. We would be VERY lucky if ever we see a Shenmue III, let alone IV or V
The way I read it, he can only finish it with two or preferably three more games. Of course I would prefer three more games and see his full vision realized. Make it happen!
Is this ever going to happen? I am keeping myself from getting hyped up for the 20th time only to come crashing back down to earth!
I feel like this is a great bit of news… That SEGA is not apposed to Shenmue but are not willing to fund the project. At least now we know where it stands and it isn’t just SEGA ignoring or hating the project.
Great interview and great questions. Am kinda bummed though that Suzuki revealed that he isn’t even entirely sure where Shenmue III would begin; it means that even if the game does happen, it will be many years off, as it hasn’t even started development yet.
Always good to see Shenmue in the news again and even get a mention. Sad to see that it seems the rest of the series will follow the same fate as Shenmue II though – where bits of it had to be cut out to shorten the games down, like the whole boat chapter in Shen II for one, still I don’t think most of us really care at this stage anymore, we’re at that point now than any Shenmue release will be instant gold, even if parts are taken out.
i see more games as a positive for both more to look forward to and a financial way to fund the game.only the fans r going to buy the game anyway but we’ll also shell out 60$ a pop for the next three or four.
Dude, you need money to make this? If you put up a Kickstarter, I will sign a blank cheque, at which point you can write down whatever figure you want. Just gimme Shenmue 3!!!
I really hope the game comes back…it can’t end the way it did on Shenmue 2. Just figure out a reasonable budget and this time get better actors lol.
I need shenmue III to happen!!!!
Yu Suzuki should follow his vision through thick and thin, even if it means Shenmue V will be the last of the series.
I only played the first Shenmue and could say that it’s one of the most underrated, overlooked game among the gaming world. It’s SEGA’s masterpiece, even till this day in my personal opinion.
Just today I been talking about Shenmue and how I wish I can buy it through the PS3 store, both the first and the second. I’ve heard it was in the works, but sadly it hasn’t come to fruition as of yet.
I really wish there will be consideration on bringing Shenmue 1 and 2 onto the PS3 platform, will that ever happen, is there any hope?
I love SHENMUE, but I really don’t want to see 5 games of it. I would hate if shenmue 3 ended on yet another cliff hanger leaving the extremely possible scenarios of having to wait another 15-20 years for part 4 because of “budget issues”. The game needs to end by 3 because there is no telling if we’ll ever see part 4 let alone 5 seeing as we’re no closer to having 3.
Game starts in cave, lan di intercepts Ryo and Shen hua, first battle occurs ryo gets his ass whooped into near death, lan di spares him because he sees a shred of himself. Let’s him know he understands why ryo is after him and tells him to do as he must in regards to revenge, not angry but with a cold understanding tone, but warns him the next encounter will be fatal. Chi you men haul Shen hua off as lan di leaves.
Ryo awakes in shen huas house. Her father is tending to ryo, tells ryo to drop his foolish act of revenge and explains Shen huas super secret gift. Explains she is gone. Ryo finds he’s a bad ass martial arts teacher who refuses to teach his lethal martial art to anyone because of a vow he took years ago.
Ryo convinces him and begins learning the lethal martial art. Learns the death touch. Goes after lan di once again on a chase through China. The mysterious scroll found in the dojo finally gets translated in a very good remote part of China. It’s the move that killed iwao. Ryo must learn it if he is to stand a chance. The chase eventually leads back to Yokosuka. Xiuying reveals she is lan dis sister. A fight arises, ryo gets whooped again, he must train harder
Lan di learns his sister is helping ryo. This draws lan di back to ryos dojo. Lan di explains what the big secret iwao was holding onto in full detail. Ryo then understands the revenge taken out on his father.
Ryo is left with a choice, squash his desire for revenge or kill lan di. 2 separate endings. Ending that takes place if game isn’t finished in the alloted time, ryo looks to the sky, the mythical Phoenix and dragon are seen flying in the sky and the world is plunged into darkness.
Wow, that was a wonderful glimpse into the future after waiting 12 years for Shenmue III. You are extremely talented. Thank you
Why does Yu not just crowd fund this, I am sure there are a legion of dedicated fans in Japan toot hat we do not hear from, I bet if every fan that would buy it dropped $10-15 he’d have enough money.
Make a kickstarter, make a something, I will fund a project for a shenmue 3 and onwards.
They should port shenmue 1 and 2 to build up some fans and just crowd fund the part of the dec cost.
If Suzuki needs funds, why don’t he ask his fans? I’m sure we would fund it.