Is it too late? (for Shenmue 3)

[Virt McPolygon]

Shenmue was released, what, 10 years ago now? Perhaps in development since '96/'97 (the Saturn version I mean), the people who worked on the game are not getting any younger. Ideally if we wanted a sequel, we would like the same team behind the orginal two games. However can't really see the original team getting back together again for a third game. I would hazard a guess that several of the people on the Sega-AM2 team from that time have been reshuffled, changed jobs, or retired completely.

Hypothetical scenario; Shenmue 3 goes into development. A new team at Sega is formed under the supervision of some of the senior members from the time of Shenmue 1&2's development. It's written and directed by Yu Suzuki (who has had many years to reflect on the mixed reception to his Shenmue dream). Ultimately, trying to please several audiences at once, and unable to capture the same essence as the late 90's-era AM2 did, the game sucks. (I know I'm speculating a bit, but think of the disappointment associated with something like Star Wars Ep.1- unless you liked it. ) Maybe now it appeals to more audiences and sells much better, but it's just not Shenmue.

So what I'm getting at is- is it too late for Sega to make this game? Would it be nicer to enjoy the experience with a sense of nostalgia, rather than frustration on how it got ruined? Or would you want it, no matter how it turns out?

[JoePesci]

Shenmue, to me is not even worth talking about very much future wise anymore. It's in purgatory. Right now we just have to let time run its course and see if fate decides that it goes to hell or heaven. But I don't neccessarily think it is too late. At least not until it is finally openly spoken that the game is cancelled.

[Henry Spencer]

^ I hope it ends just like Jacob's Ladder. Tim Robbins being SEGA and the kid being Shenmue III.

[silverson]

its trying to find its way back from development hell as for shenmue online......id love to see that.

[Tumain]

I always remain optimistic with Shenmue. I have Google Alerts that email me on Shenmue 3 news, but most of the time they just email me random alerts such as a site explaining that Resident Evil has QTEs like the Shenmue series. Or its usually just another site requesting a third Shenmue. Nevertheless, they're usually interesting to read.

I myself would've loved Shenmue Online. I liked watching the videos of them. I don't like things like WoW for example, but I'm sure I would get addicted to Shenmue Online.

[Jeff]

The gamer that is inside me hopes that it is still possible.

However you have to think of the possibility like a businessman. Many games that are created, especially for a company like Sega they go to banks to get the funding (venture loan) in order to pay for the development and the idea is to pay off the loan with the sales money and take the rest as profit. When making a sequel the banks would want to see the sales of the past two games. That's when they would decline the request, not including the length of time since the last and the amount of money it would cost to make. These companies found they can program stupid shovelware on the cheap and charge $50=60 a copy. I can see that gaming sales are down in this economy, not horrible, but noticeably lower from the stats I can see in my profession from sales data of the retailers I service. There is no way in hell a bank, especially in this climate that they would approve such a loan. If it leaked that an insolvent bank loaned lets say 10-20 mill for a video game the Obama Administration would paint them the enemy of the people like AIG.

Due to the shovelware nonsense and the cost of gaming I consider myself in gaming retirement. I refuse to participate in it any further unless big changes occur which I don't see in the horizon.

[Kyodai]

Of course i also have hope. here in germany we have a saying that goes "Hope dies last". Anyways, being serious i think the Shenmue 3 we are thinking of is quite unlikely. Regard Shenmue 1, Shenmue II, US Shenmue and Shenmue 2 Xbox. The sales have always been far behind expectations (not mentioning that the expectations were unrealistic). This gets itself laid down as a "This type of game does not appeal to the majority of the audience". For cheap niche games like some puzzle crap you can still think about a (small) investment, but for a quite development-expensive game like Shenmue i doubt any investor would take the risk. Sega themselves and their surroundings are all broke, so money would need to come from 3rd party. Maybe if you give Ryo a gun and let him drives cars (or a bike, lol) it could end up as some GTA 3 clone with limited success, but seriously, this ain't the Shenmue 3 we were thinking about - right?

The only halfway possible solution was the "Shenmue Online" concept riding on the wave of mmorpgs it could have been a succes when they ever released it. I dont know the details, but i assume technical problems with player action orchestration - because from content and pure gameplay tech it looked always halfway finished. This is a concept i could imagine being released any time soon, everything else became quite unlikely i think.

[Kiba]

I really think it's impossible to release the third game of a series when only the second can still be played on modern hardware, and even then, it is a game for the first Xbox console and can therefore only be bought used. Nobody wants to jump into a story in media res, and few want to become antique collectors. I think the only way we'll ever see Shenmue III now is if the last part of the story is tacked on to the end of a complete remake. And that could be a good thing or a very bad thing.

A feature film or TV show, perhaps an anime, telling the whole story could be great if they don't make the mistake of making it a superficial copy of the games, while neglecting the rich mysterious atmosphere that made the games great. In other words, I would hate a poorly directed cheesy film version that is self-conscious and disappointing. It would have to be much more than a generic martial arts movie full of cliche with no substance.

In fact, we should make it. At least a community made graphic novel to double as a screen play, yeah? Like Jeff, I've pretty much quit games anyway.

[Vyse Hazuky]

A book, a movie with the Shenmue 2 engine (or an interactive movie, why not...) would serve me well. With a lengthy foreword (if it's a book) or intro (if it's a movie, à la Hitchcock) by Yu.

I know Shenmue is a special case because they still have that "most expensive game ever" tag on it, but many series were dead or dormant for years before they were resurrected, even though not with their story cut short... :\

There's no point in saying that it will or not come until there's an official word, but I think even many people at SEGA Japan would like to see it made.

[Ryo Hazuki ™]

Never too late for a Shenmue 3. I began the series as a kid, and being older now know it's been a while. One problem back when the Shenmue Series came out is the cost in making it. Making Shenmue costed quite a bit for a video game a lot of people thought, despite that it's 10 years later now and I think sega even with a new team could bring something to the table. As said, with supervision of senior members and directed by Yu Suzuki I think it could take off, sega has been going well and with another release of a Shenmue it would make them look all the better.

[Vyse Hazuky]

sega has been going strong

With this I disagree.

Sega has definitely not been going strong. It still has redeeming qualities in Toshihiro Nagoshi's works (mainly Yakuza now), some of the other Japan studios (Overworks, or what the hell they're called now... SEGA WOW? ) and signing PlatinumGames (although it remains to be seen if that'll pay off, and if it'll continue after their 5 game contract).

Everything else has been crap. And their business model of outsourcing japan-based series to western developers and signing publishing deals with independent developers remains to be seen if it is the best option for them.

[Ryo Hazuki ™]

sega has been going strong

With this I disagree.

I believe you misinterpreted my post, by me saying sega has been going strong, my meaning was that the games sega has been putting out have been good, whether many disagree upon that or not. Their different from 10 years ago, and with the new technology I am sure a new Shenmue could be made. Yu Suzuki has said that the story is done, they just are not sure if their going to work on it or not at this time.

[Ren of Heavens]

Definitely. Sega is not in bad shape as some say, there just not putting out the best. They've lost a lot of good people from their team, and they've lost creativity when it comes to making good games. Don't get me wrong, there still a good company, just not as good as they once was in my opinion.