Shenmue 3 will not work on current generation of consoles
The first time I saw shenmue was on a tape called “what is Shenmue” that was after I had bought a Japanese Dreamcast with Sonic Adventure. after that, I had started to follow Shenmue news to know exactly when it will be released. At long last, Sega announced the Japanese release date for the game, and I had imported the game immediately in order to play what I considered to be the most anticipated game ever for me.
Although I had finished the game multiple times without understanding the full story of the game (as I mentioned before I played the JP version), I had started to look forward to the US version to experience the game in its full potential. Though the voice acting in the US version was bad, I had enjoyed the game more because of my understanding of the story.
I know that shenmue have a lot of annoyances and criticism like the drought of free battles, and the lack of fast forwarding time in the game. But the game was unique and epic at that time. So I had started to anticipate the sequel to see what Yu Suzuki (the creator of shenmue ) can do to improve the sequel.
Sega announced that they will halt the production of the Dreamcast, and Shenmue 2 will be released in Japan and Europe for the Dreamcast and the US version will be released exclusively on Microsoft new console at that time, Xbox. Shenmue 1 had sold over one million copies on the Dreamcast and the sequel was not as successful as the first one.
So you may ask your self why am telling you a history lesson about Shenmue and Sega? How Shenmue 3 will not work on current generation of consoles? Continue reading to find your answers.
The first reason is the development cost of Shenmue was 70 million dollars as it was mentioned by Yu Suzuki, and if he wants to make the game on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 or the Wii it will cost more than that, and it will be a very risky decision for Sega.
The second reason is the poor sales of the sequel on Xbox, which is a big sign that the game will not sell well if Sega considered releasing part 3 on current generation of consoles.
The third and final reason is new generation of gamers will not play Shenmue 3, why? Because they hadn’t played the prequels and the only audience that will play part 3 is Sega fanatics who had bought the Dreamcast.
So these are my reasons for why Shenmue 3 will not work on current generation of consoles, but I have more questions for you folks to discuss, will you buy Shenmue 3 if Sega considered releasing it on Dreamcast with the same engine? Or how about releasing Shenmue and its sequel on Xbox live or PSN in an attempt of reviving the franchise before Sega and Yu Suzuki considers making part 3?
Check real life shenmue video below
Polls
Loading ...-
Share & follow
Affiliates
damn right i would buy it.
shenmue 1 or 2 are still the best game ive ever played. i even spent ages gettin a emulator working on my pc to play the game again. Shenmue 1 or 2 on PSN would be a great idea. i would pay the full £40 again for it.
Shenmue 3 on ps3 with blu-ray would be epic. would love to finish the story (gotta kill lan-di, kinda like to see fuk-san get killed as well, not sure why)
please please sega make this happen.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I would certainly buy Shenmue 3 if it was released (on PS3). Shenmue was an amazing game, and I would have bought and loved Shenmue 2 if I had an XBOX. Actually, I did buy Shenmue 2 for a friend a few years back. If Sega were smart, they would re-release Shenmue 1 and 2 as downloadable content on all systems as hype for Shenmue 3, making some relative changes/updates (Sega is pretty good at this, look at their re-releases!). I could see them making a nice profit on this series if all is done correctly.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
@Woooo Yeah, I would like to see Fuk-San get killed, as well… strange, huh? I would beat the crap out of him when sparring, just for kicks! Maybe it’s his name…?
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I played the first Shenmue when i was 8 on my uncle’s Dreamcast and it remains one of my favourite games, I never got a chance to play the sequel so if they released the first and second one on the psn, i would definetly buy them and most probably buy the third
man, that game was awesome
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I honestly wouldn’t really care too much whether or not Shenmue 3 came out. I have tried playing the game a few months ago, but I found it to be extremely boring so I had to stop. The arcade was a nice diversion, but there’s only so much talking to random people until something hits that I can really take. I do understand what the game did for gaming in general, but I guess I’m just spoiled by the gaming advances that happened since then.
So I kinda wonder if:
A) I am missing something
B) If all this praise for the game is more the nostalgia factor with few people actually playing the game.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
@Anime12478
As i said in my article the game have problems and they can make it better now.
If you tried to play Zelda ocarina of time or final fantasy 7 lately your feeling will not be the same as when you first played them,right?
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Well, it was more of a remark on the older games. But if I don’t enjoy the older games, then there’s really little incentive to play the newer ones.
And of course playing Zelda and FF VII would feel different now than when I played them over 10 years ago. But I didn’t say anything about those games. I was only talking about Shenmue because that is the subject matter here.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Damn skippy, the previous versions were the bomb, the story was left open lets continue the saga and stop jiving around I ain’t gettin any younger.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
First, Shenmue 3, for anyone that can appreciate a great adventure/RPG would not only be a great idea but a welcome one. Second, while it did cost 70 million to make, technology played a major factor in that. Granted, controls weren’t all that, but for the full cinematic experience and all that they went for, they went above what I believe a lot of us expected, even before Indigo Prophecy. Now with the technology we have now, they should be able to recreate the entire series (full 1080p, responsive controls) with everything else in tact and be way below 70 million. This can/should be done
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
@ Anime12478
i just mentioned ff7 and zelda ocarina of time to tell you even the best games can feel a bit dated.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
@Ahmad Dajani
Well, it’s obvious that the best games can feel dated. It’s impossible to get that same feeling you got when you first played it. I haven’t played through FFVII or Zelda in a while so while I have fond memories of the game, I can’t really say too much about how much they hold up based on changes with time. A better example for me would be Megaman 2. I played the game back in ‘91, but I still enjoy the game to this day when I pop the cartaridge (sp?) in there. Fox’s Peter Pan and the Pirates, that’s a completely different story…
But with Shenmue’s case, I didn’t get the chance to play it when it was first released since I didn’t have a Dreamcast at the time. I bought the game a while ago, but tried to give the game an honest shot, but didn’t really care for it. But then, I do recognize the importance it had back then and probably would have thought the game was the best thing since sliced bread if I had the disposable income at the time.
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
@ Anime12478 Anime12478
First thanks for the comments, i respect your opinion and yes mega man will never feel dated
Posted on July 15th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Dear Ahmad,
Thank you for the wonderful piece on shenmue. It’s one of my favorite games and I am still waiting for a sequel lol. Hopefully since they can do yakuza, they will decide to one day continue the saga that is shenmue. Quick question do you currently live in japan or just went to visit? I want to find out the prices to go there I live in USA. Just another question are you learning japanese as well it’s my goal to learn but I do not know whats a good book and where i live in california not many schools teach it :/
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:17 am
shenmue is the best of the best
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:21 am
great post Ahmad!
I remember the day when we watched shenmue for the first time at my place it was WOW!!!!!
I believe the main and biggest mistake yu suzuki made is to make it on xbox as xbox is not popular at all in Japan and still not!
the game was unique and still, no game on earth is like shemue.
I wish to have it on PS3, but still I prefer to see a revamped shemue 1 and 2 on PS3.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:28 am
Shenmue can & will work on current gen consoles. Sega has already taken big risks with the hardcore ips on Wii such as MadWorld & The Conduit. So why wouldn’t they take a chance with a proven franchise? There has been numerous Sonic games that haven’t sold well and/or have gotten horrible reviews and that doesn’t stop them from pumping out Sonic. Granted Sonic is older and more proven then Shenmue, but enough people are familiar with Shenmue that the hype could easily be there to generate sales.
Wii has is known for it’s flexible productions costs which can be enticing for Sega. It’s no secret that Sega has been pushing a lot of effort towards core titles for Wii (as I mentioned above).
I recommend you guys draw your attention to a much more polished article writing & content wise. This article looks at the brighter side of Shenmue’s future and presents some interesting facts and information that could be the key to seeing Shenmue again: http://aj.600z.com/aj/53154/0/cj?ajkey=V12236BFBD4G2D8DCD8D1D8DCD8D1K52419K76970QI144QQP0G002B
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:35 am
@ Alaa
I bought an Xbox360…so i prefer it on 360 loooooool
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:37 am
WTF MAN SHENMUE 3 IS COMING TO THIS GEN OF CONSOLES WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT !!! MONEY ?! SEE RYU GA GOTOKU KENZAN AND RYU GA GOTOKU 3 FOR XSAMPLE ”ONLY RELEASED IN JAPAN AND WITH DECENT SALLS ” NOW HOW MUCH DID THESE GAMES COST TO DEVELOP ? AND PART 4 IN PRODUCTION !!
SHENMUE 3 IS COMING AND IT WILL WORK ON CURRENT GEN
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:39 am
@ jounceman
Sorry my editor is not working, are you making a silly joke by posting a link that have nothing to do with the subject !!!!!
Anyway if you have an opinion that will add something to the article, just post it.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:55 am
My apologies for the bad link & the few grammactical errors. My phone isn’t the best tool for web posting.
Anyways I believe I did leave an opinion and this should be the proper link to back it up: http://www.wiiplus.net/article.php?articleId=32&page=1
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 1:54 am
My god this article is terrible…
Firstly you just give us all the information we already know about Shenmue, and then you go on giving silly facts to suggest why it could never be made, just to ensure Sega don’t bother. I think it’s fairly obvious you’re not a professional writer due to the way you comment and even the poor quality of this article.
It simply wouldn’t cost nearly as much as it did to make Shenmue on the current generation. Firstly, the technology is in place, and would only need to be upgraded. Secondly, the amount of work done in those days would not be needed as much now due to the advances in game engines etc.
They really should just release it on the same engine, but first they must re-release Shenmue 1 and 2 on the Xbox Live Arcade/PSN, and then perhaps also release Shenmue 3, 4 etc. on Arcade and PSN too.
Also, don’t be fooled into thinking Shenmue 3 would be the last game. It wouldn’t necessarily be that at all, as there are far too many chapters left in the Shenmue storyline to fit into one game on one DVD disk, or even as one download. They should split the game up; perhaps even into the original episodic form the game was designed to be sold in.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:21 am
@ jounceman
i get your point, but i recommend shenmue 3 to be release on ps3 or xbox360, why?
Shenmue was created for the hardcore gamers, and if you was tracking the sales for hardcore games on wii (madworld and no more heroes comes to mind) you will understand what i mean.
Regarding wii motion control and how it will improve shenmue gameplay, they can use natal or ps3 motion controller with HD graphics to make the game as perfect as they can.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:22 am
“Shenmue 1 sold over one million on the dreamcast while the sequel was not as successful as the first one.”
WTF!??? don’t you mean Shenmue 2?
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:27 am
@xino
Don’t worry about it, alot of the facts aren’t even true that he’s said.
One example is where he said “criticism like…you can’t fast forward the time in the game”, even though you CAN in Shenmue 2. That was already fixed in the sequel to the first game…
Get your facts right.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:47 am
@ ObsessedMikey
I’m explaining what are the reasons preventing sega from making shenmue 3 (facts), and by letting shenmue fan base to share their opinions on how is the best way to release the game.
This article is all about preventing shenmue 3 (if we are lucky) from becoming a flop.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:52 am
@ ObsessedMikey:
I was talking about the issues in shenmue 1, and when i said “”So i started to anticipate the sequel to see how can yu suzuki (the creator of shenmue ) improve the game” which means he fixed a lot of issues in the first game including the option to fast forward time in the game.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 2:58 am
@ xino :
If you don’t believe me regarding shenmue sales follow the link below :
http://www.vgchartz.com/games/index.php?name=shenmue
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:18 am
@ squallheart:
Sorry i don’t live in japan ,and regarding Japanese language i learned few words from playing games
so i can’t help you with that also.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:37 am
The problem is that the motion tech with 360 & PS3 is still new and has yet tp prove itself. Yea we could all see @ E3 that it worked, but lets see an actually game developed from the ground up.
If Sega were to use those motion control interfaces then it go right back to one of your reasons for it “not working on next gen consoles”…production costs.
Wii is cheaper and proven. Yes Madworld didn’t do too well. Last time I checked No More Heroes sold around 300k+ that was months ago. And 300K isn’t bad. Who knows what it is now. But you have to remember those are new IPs. Shenmue is a familiar franchise. My point? This game can be successful on Wii.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:39 am
if yakuza 3 can do well then so can shenmue… its all about marketing and exposing it to the right market of gammers..
the only thing that would cost money in this game is the graphical build and up and design and the re-recording of all the voice overs to meet todays standards everything else was finished from years ago…
i still own the originals and all of the yakuza games…
sega get off your lazy ass’s
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:49 am
@ jounceman
Yes, the game can be made on the wii, and may be it will be financially successful.
In the same time developing the game for the wii is a risk in its own, because third party games on the wii doesn’t perform well regarding sales.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:58 am
Wow, this is one of the worse ‘articles’ I have even had the misfortune of reading in my entire life. Its complete junk! What was revolutionary a decade ago on the dreamcast, requiring vast somes of money, would not be true today. Today, Shenmue 3 would cost no nwhere near as much in adjusted. Especially so if it were developed using the original engine upgraded for HD TV’s. Its also a well known fact the Shne,ue and its sequel were markeed very badly in the US and europe. With a decent marketing budget behind it, and a generation of fans and older, more seasoned and muture gamers out there now, there hasn’t been a BETTER time to release the third act on home consoles.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 5:16 am
@ Citizen Cook:
Did you know how many million an average game can cost right now ? between 10-20 million dollars.
GTA4 development cost reached 100 million mark:
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/38395/GTA-4-Cost-100M-To-Make
Am not saying that shenmue 3 must cost like GTA4, but Shenmue right now has reached a legendary status, lots of fans are still waiting the saga to be continued, so they must deliver a game worthy of shenmue name.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 9:46 am
@ Ahmad Dajani
I appreciate the fact we can both respect our opinions. One thing I can’t wrap my head around is how we can have an online conversation about games without flaming each other, lol.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
[...] Thanks, VG [...]
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
@Ahmad Dajani
Yes we know GTA 4 cost $100million, but this is VERY, VERY unusual, as that is now the most expensive game ever made over Shenmue (which cost $70 million).
As Citizen stated, it wouldn’t mean nearly as much cost, as lots of the costing of Shenmue were things like the engine and building up the world and the story. A lot of this is in place now, and could be achieved with a much smaller cost.
The thing is, as many people have said on this article in comments, it is literally ALL about the marketing. I believe Shenmue 1 and 2 on the Dreamcast and Xbox was very poorly done, particularly in the US and Europe, as most people weren’t and still aren’t aware of the game. If SEGA spent more on the marketing, and possibly got another publisher to help (Microsoft maybe?) it could really sell well.
I genuinely think it was a mistake for SEGA to abandon the game franchise, as I believe it could actually sell well if it was marketed correctly for the audience it would appeal to, the mature gamers out there that want more than just a simple shooter or fighter.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
@ Anime12478 :
Give me your MSN, skype or both if you want
to discuss videogames the way you want it.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
We need a big Shenmue discussion board I think!
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
@ ObsessedMikey :
Try to spread the article as possible as you can, may be Sega will take our suggestions and consider reviving the franchise all over again.
Posted on July 16th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
[...] Full story [...]
Posted on July 17th, 2009 at 1:45 am
@Ahmad Dajani
I could send you my info, but I’m not too comfortable putting that info on here so casually. And since I don’t have an email address from you, that makes things difficult.
Posted on July 21st, 2009 at 2:05 am
They have already made Shenmue 3. Ryo has turned to smoking opium instead of training, Fuk San has had a sex change and the Sega Saturn in Ryo’s front room has been stolen.
At least the telephone still works.
Posted on July 22nd, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Of course I would buy Shenmue 3! This is one sequel I want more than any other.
If shenmue 1 was rereleased with some really cool new features and achievements i’d get it on xbla, but I already played shenmue 2 to death.
Posted on July 23rd, 2009 at 12:11 am
Just want to reiterate what has been said many times, but the cost would be FAR lower than it was previously. As has been pointed out, to create their “F.R.E.E.” game, SEGA had to basically invent technology, which costs a lot. Plus, pre-production for this game was enormous, consisting of huge amounts of research being done by highly paid SEGA execs, this costs a TON of money.
All of the pre-production is done, and the script is written, these are sunk costs. In terms of the engine, while this style of game was revolutionary, it has paved the way for many games after it, and there are several engines on the market today, which have already been built, which could easily power this game. It is too bad the first game was released on the Dreamcast, if it was released on the PS2, or if SEGA had stuck behind the Dreamcast, SEGA may have recouped their cost simply by selling what was at the time, a spectacular engine, achieving more on a console than had ever been done.
Any how, using GTA IV as an example, as you have, goes to show WHY this game would not cost nearly as much to produce today. GTA IV, much like the first Shenmue, did things that developers have NEVER done before to make their game. According to the president of Rockstar North, 1,000 people worked on the development of GTA IV. Rockstar had time-lapse cameras on the roofs of buildings in New York to measure the intensity of the rain, for God’s sake. They took over 100,000 photographs, on location, to piece together their city.
This means that Rockstar was paying some high dollar photographers (I guarantee these pictures were not being taken on point and shoots) on top of what they already paid programmers, and I have a feeling the guys coding GTA IV were also some of the better paid programmers in the business. It also used what could not have been a completely developed game engine yet, as it had only been used in their table tennis game, up to that point. So there must have been some major development cost go in to their “Rockstar advanced game engine.”
This broke new ground for video games. Just like Shenmue did. However, in gaming, once this ground has been broken, it makes development of future games cost less money. Like Rockstar with GTA IV, SEGA had to invent things for Shenmue. This would not be the case. There are a million and one engines that could drive Shenmue today. The script is written. You make the character models, you do the voice acting. Shenmue could be made by a skeleton crew development team, at this point.
If they do do it, however, they need to release an updated I and II, Shenmue, has been touted as a potential VC game, I would rather see it released on XBLA or the PSN, as they could update the graphics that way. Of course, none of this is going to happen. Even the fact that it wouldn’t cost much to make doesn’t change the fact that it never brought in much. And SEGA Sammy can just as easily spend their time on XBLA offerings, porting Sonic games, where they KNOW they will rake in the cash. In the end, it is the prudent business move. If the story of Shenmue ever is finished, it will be because of passion, not to make money. Something SEGA Sammy simply can’t afford at the moment.
Posted on July 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
if they wont make it because of low funds ill sell my house and sell all my stuff and go to japan to aid them (hold a gun to the head of the CEO of sega) and wait for the magic to happen
Posted on July 24th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Shenmue is like mass effect, you either love it or hate it, in this case i love it, in a non weird way…
Posted on November 18th, 2009 at 6:35 am
we can only hope fof shenmue 3
shenmue is best video game franchise ever made
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 1:38 am
Add your comment