SEGA mastermind Yu Suzuki has said that his latest project could pave the way for a continuation of the infamous Shenmue action RPG series.
Speaking to the Japanese press last night about spinoff MMO game Shenmue City, Suzuki explained that he has every intention to create a Shenmue 3 and satisfy the apparently endless requests for a sequel.
"Shenmue has the image of grand scale," Suzuki said to Famitsu. "But making something of grand scale requires appropriate preparation. I want to make 3 with the same volume as in the past.
"There have actually been a lot of requests from fans for 3 as well. There were even petitions signed by by tens of thousands of people. I wanted to carry out my obligations for the series."
The first Shenmue game was billed as a killer app for Sega's Dreamcast console, but failed to turn a profit due to the costs of development spiralling into a cool $70 million. Despite this, it remains a cult classic, but the publisher has put the project on the backburner for obvious economic reasons.
In contrast, Shenmue City is a lot more modest in terms of graphical prowess and design, with Suzuki revealing that a big influence was the browser game Mafia Wars. Players start their game as a student in the Hazuki dojo, and complete missions and martial arts training until they are able to run their own dojos and arcade centres. You will get rankings for your dojo, and the ability to invite friends to play against.
Suzuki said that if Shenmue City could be deemed a success, he may be able to do more with the series in the future.
"There is a story post Shenmue II. While I can't make any promises at present, if Shenmue City is loved by users, and if service for the game continues, I believe we'll be able to deliver those through version ups and so forth."
Via Andriasang
Speaking to the Japanese press last night about spinoff MMO game Shenmue City, Suzuki explained that he has every intention to create a Shenmue 3 and satisfy the apparently endless requests for a sequel.
"Shenmue has the image of grand scale," Suzuki said to Famitsu. "But making something of grand scale requires appropriate preparation. I want to make 3 with the same volume as in the past.
"There have actually been a lot of requests from fans for 3 as well. There were even petitions signed by by tens of thousands of people. I wanted to carry out my obligations for the series."
The first Shenmue game was billed as a killer app for Sega's Dreamcast console, but failed to turn a profit due to the costs of development spiralling into a cool $70 million. Despite this, it remains a cult classic, but the publisher has put the project on the backburner for obvious economic reasons.
In contrast, Shenmue City is a lot more modest in terms of graphical prowess and design, with Suzuki revealing that a big influence was the browser game Mafia Wars. Players start their game as a student in the Hazuki dojo, and complete missions and martial arts training until they are able to run their own dojos and arcade centres. You will get rankings for your dojo, and the ability to invite friends to play against.
Suzuki said that if Shenmue City could be deemed a success, he may be able to do more with the series in the future.
"There is a story post Shenmue II. While I can't make any promises at present, if Shenmue City is loved by users, and if service for the game continues, I believe we'll be able to deliver those through version ups and so forth."
Via Andriasang
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Comments
Veej 16 Nov 2010 12:18
1/1
WOW!!!! Finally, word from the man himself! Please make this happen!!!! ^__^