"Shenmue 3" a trilogy that many have been anticipating for over 15 years since "Shenmue 2," is expected to release in the second half of 2018. This beautiful well-crafted video game with wise dialog that expresses creativity in each cutscene, definitely one of the best Video Games ever created in that era.
'Shenmue 1' was released:
- Japan on December 29, 1999.
- North America on November 8, 2000.
- Europe on December 1, 2000.
"Shenmue 1" was said to have cost over $70 million to complete although some of that went toward part two of the series it still had the highest video game budge in history becoming well-loved in households for many years.
Despite the popularity and people who supported the "Shenmue" series 1 & 2 did not bring in half of the cost to create, causing SEGA developers an uphill battle leading questions if "Shenmue 3" would even exist?
Yu Suzuki's Struggles
Director of the Shenmue series Yu Suzuki, licensed by SEGA had been going through his own fights with many unsuccessful attempts to launch video games such as PC MMORPG, a spin-off to Shenmue world, Shenmue online announced in 2004 and Shenmue city. All games were only sold in Japan and were shut down in December 2011. Suzuki left SEGA a few months earlier to focus on his own company called Ys Net.
'Shenmue 3' back to life
On June 15, 2015, during Sony's E3 conference Yu Suzuki announced a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to build "Shenmue 3" and successfully hit their goal of $2 million in just nine hours.
On July 17, 2015, it was recorded that "Shenmu"e became the fastest and highest video game project in Kick-started history earning $6.3 million.
In the past, Suzuki had around 200 employees working on the "Shenmue" series but currently is working with a smaller team of contractors from all over to focus on the characters essentials.
Animations producer Hiroaki Takeuchi, Lakshya digital character design and Suzuki have joined with Unreal Engine 4 hoping for better graphics quality with emphasis on technique and various movement systems. In a YouTube video, Yu Suzuki explained in Japan being original is considered high risk in the game industry causing companies to feel intimidated, but in his opinion game developers should try new things and seek to challenge themselves.
Suzuki also revealed new Mechanics that will be added to "Shenmue 3."
'Shenmue 3' New Mechanics
- Affinity System: Where the co-star Shenhua will ask Ryo various questions depending on how Ryo replies Shenhua she'll act more friendly or meaner.
- Cooperative Quest: Shenhua's level of cooperation will vary toward Ryo either improving or worsening.
- Character Perspective: Allowing to change characters during gameplay the objective will remain the same just how you solve it will be changed depending on each character. Ryo will fight, Ren uses weapons.
- New Free Battle System: Before you fought your opponent one by one, you were able to have multiple person battles but only defeat one at a time, now it will be open.
