Highly Acclaimed Series May Finally See A Conclusion According to Famitsu
February 1, 2010 - An interview in the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine ‘Famitsu 360′ has revealed that the Shenmue series may not be dead.
The original Shenmue was released in Japan for the Dreamcast in 1999. The title made the jump to the United States almost a full year later in November of 2000. The game follows Ryo Hazuki as he tries to find the reason and perpetrator behind his father’s murder. The title was very expensive for the time (estimates put the total cost at nearly $70 million) and despite critical acclaim did not sell particularly well.
SEGA intended Shenmue II to be a blockbuster title for the Dreamcast but the release of the Playstation 2 sunk the system before the title could reach its full potential. The game was released in 2001 in Japan and Europe but a North American release was canceled. Luckily enough for US fans of the series Microsoft Game Studios stepped in and helped bring the title to the original Xbox. The series once again received heaps of critical praise that did not turn into sales. The game’s cliffhanger ending has gone unresolved for almost nine years.
From time to time rumors of the series’ return have appeared online but SEGA rarely commented on the speculation. This new interview with the developer gives hope to fans everywhere. While far from a confirmation, the fact that SEGA is willing to revisit the series could be the first step towards Shenmue III. The developer hopes that an exclusivity deal with one of the major consoles will finance the project, as they are unwilling to take a major risk with the series once again.
So, will Microsoft, Sony or Nintendo step up and help bring Ryo’s story to a close? Or are gamers going to have to settle for Hazuki’s cameo in the upcoming kart racer, ‘Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing‘?
It would be exceedingly awesome if we can find a close to this story. Though, Shenmue isn’t the only great series that I can think of that needs some finishing up. Beyond Good and Evil would be the second most important one which I can think of. Then, Advent Rising. Sure, the game had its issues, but the story, well c’mon, it was written by Orson Scott Card.
All else I can say is, YES, give us more Shenmue!
I know for a fact sega are developing it now so hold your hopes high
The game that made QTEs!!
That game didn’t make QTE’s… they’ve been around for decades… Dragon’s Lair, anyone? Space Ace, maybe? Look up the list of old laserdisc-based arcade games on wiki (I haven’t looked, but I’m positive it’s there.) and you’ll see a whole host of ‘em.
Sure would like to see Shenmue III come out, though… maybe the 360′s answer for Heavy Rain?
Josh,
The term ‘QTE’ refers to Quick Timer Event, and this was invented by Shenmue. Reaction-time gameplay has been around before QTE, but Shenmue invented QTE.
Not only that, I think Shenmue repopularised reaction time gameplay which is evident in a lot of games these days.
Heavy Rain is no Shenmue.