Is Shenmue III coming to E3 2013?

If you’re a Shenmue fan (like me) and you played the first two games in the series on either its original format on the Dreamcast or the ports on the Xbox then you’ll understand the cliffhanger Shenmue 2 ended on. Being one of the most expensive games of its time to develop it’s resulted in the third game being removed from SEGA’s future plans. This morning the voice actor for Ryo Hazuki, Corey Marshall, posted some teasing images on his Facebook page.

[majiebeast]

Yeah made by Yu Suzuki and Mark Cerny.

[Relientk77]

Yeah, I saw that, very well might be true

[darthv72]

The story of Ryo needs to continue.

I wondered why sega opted to not continue the story but the last rumor was it was going to be more of an MMO type of game.

when Sega went with developing the yakuza series I figured they would never revisit the story of Shenmue. Even if they only make 1 more game in the series, at least let the series go out with some style.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

PS4 exclusive would be just.. just massive IMO.

[abzdine]

as i said in a news yesterday, an HD collection already for this year on PS3 and Shenmue 3 on PS4 would definitely be Big!

[showtimefolks]

Mark cerny had a picture with developer of the series, could we see a HD collection than a release of the 3rd game?

If rumors are true the HD collection is done and only awaiting saga's approval

Also Sega where is my HD collection for yakuza 1-2? We been waiting forever also what's the word on yakuza 5 for west?

[badz149]

come on people...give it a rest! SHENMUE 3 doesn't exist and never will be!

[JoelT]

lol this.

[GamersHeaven]

I hope so that would be epic as well as Demon's Soul 2....
http://abload.de/img/untitl...

[Williamson]

I feel for all the fans that have had to live with the cliffhanger for all these years! I don't care if its an exclusive for one of the 3 consoles, I just hope it gets made and given a proper conclusion.

[LOGICWINS]

Not only a proper conclusion, but filling up numerous plot holes such as what exactly would happen if a person got a hold of both the Pheonix and Dragon mirrors. Hopefully this doesn't result in some supernatural crap happening as this wouldn't fit the tone of the game.

And Ryo never makes it clear what he will do if he actually gets his hands on Lan Di. Is he going to literally kill him...or just kick his ass? My bet is the latter, but then, that would mean that one of the most beloved stories in gaming would ultimately be about one guy traveling thousands of miles across Asia, learning new moves, and meeting memorable characters... just to kick another guys ass lol.

[itani]

I thought if you get a hold of the 2 mirrors it grants you immortality.

[kB0]

I've gotten my hopes up and crushed by these rumors all the time since 2003....why do I still give in?

At this point I'd be grateful for a Shenmue 1 + 2 HD release on Steam, ps3, vita, 360 or w.e:)

I'd love to play shenmue on the go!

[Blank]

Good mindset because im sure we will see an HD collection before we get part 3. I have given up hope and now in that mood of not expecting it anymore. But should there be an official announcement with a proper release date for part 3 im jumping off the walls with joy!

[LOGICWINS]

Sega already has Shenmue 1 and 2 HD made.

http://n4g.com/news/960178/...

The reason why they've held back on it is likely because someone has (or has been working towards) having an exclusive deal on the Shenmue franchise in terms of Shenmue 1 and 2 HD and Shenmue 3.

My guess is Nintendo. If Sega is dumb enough to make Bayonetta 2 a Wii U exclusive and drastically cannibalize its sales potential, reason suggests that they are also dumb enough to do the same thing with Shenmue.

[Wolfbiker]

How is SEGA dumb for doing an exclusive deal with Nintendo? Do you really think that the deal struck with Nintendo did not offer them enough sum of money to make up for the sales difference in being a multiplatform title? I mean we are talking about a SEGA game, not a CoD that sells stupid numbers, Bayonetta is a pretty niche action game, it was never going to sell a ridiculous amount, be happy its even being made at all and potentially the same can be said for Shenmue 3.

[kB0]

@Wolfbiker

TBH man, a lot of 3rd party companies that do exclusives for consoles drastically decrease their sales potential and minitorzie their market.

Sega is in heavy need to expand their games and get ppl to play them.

Them become Nintendo exclusive not only is embarrassing because their were former competitor, but also bring them one step closer in being bought in by Nintendo (which seems to be the direction), which is really good for Nintendo because it adds to their already massive Platform monopoly but pretty much kills off Sonic in the mass market.

Also if you say niche then I'd say not only Nintendo but also SOny are pretty big Niche consoles....them ignoring at least ps3 will kill the sales and I guarantee you will be the LAST bayonetta you see.

A good example of this is Alan wake, doing extremely poorly on 360 and being saved by Steam and PC gaming...even though the game was absolutely amazing.

Sega's Sonic exclusive was brilliant though, not only letting them focus on one platform but also making a Sonic exclusive also use some of Mario's ideas (3D land + galaxy style worlds), but this doesn't mean they should only be exclusive. especially since Sonic Generations Alone created a mass market for its amazing gameplay, excluding the terrible 3Ds version...

:)

So yes, Bayoneta exclusive was pretty bad especially since the first was on different consoles to begin with, most ppl that have played it prob already own a 360 and ps3, and might not own a wii.u.

Shenmue on the other hand has seen Dreamcast release, Xbox, 360(through xbox 1) and PC(through emulation) so really it never being on the Nintendo market...would prob not be good to make it a Nintendo Exclusive:P A steam release alone would prob guarantee success imo...everything sells on steam...even polished turds!

Food for thought!

[THamm]

Sonic exclusive also use some of Mario's ideas (3D land + galaxy style worlds)

I think Galaxy ripped off Sonic Xtreme

[kB0]

Xtreme never got released, and back then a lot of games used the sphere view because draw view was limitations (also fog among others), its nothing new.

The reason i said 3D land and Galaxy because its very recent, it's also comparable to Animal Crossings, but I mean the Marios actually resemble it more...

[ceballos77mx]

I've been hearing of shenmue 3 on every e3 since I don't even remember.

[Haki1112]

I would give my first born for this to happen...maybe not but dammit us gamers waited long enough to avenge our fathers!

[Nightfallen]

This along with Sega console rumors happen every year before E3. Every year it will be the same thing.

[Bhuahahaha]

nope

i think they wont release shenmue 3
before re-releasing the first 2 on hd version

[FrigidDARKNESS]

Nope Its a forgotten game. We have a new generation of gamers that dont know about he awesomeness of this title.

[MikeyDucati1]

Don't tease the fans...that's not cool.

[hkgamer]

get teased every year and we always know its never going to happen. However we all feel sad once e3 ends and there is no shenmue announcements... =(

OK time to marathon shenmue I & II like I do every time I am reminded of the game.

[1nsomniac]

This would be a big win & console seller for Nintendo if true I hope it wouldn't be exclusive though.

[NarooN]

Not gonna happen. It's vaporware, they haven't even released the HD versions of Shenmue 1 & 2 yet.

[S2Killinit]

Oh God PLease let this be on Playstation 4!!

Edit: just read the article, it says Nintendo signed an exclusivity deal with Sega. If its Shenmue, my list of must have consoles just grew by one.

[BillytheBarbarian]

Me too. 12 years waiting for Shenmue 3

[S2Killinit]

Seriously man I hear you. They need to make this happen. Its getting ridiculous. The least they can do is offer the originals as a downloadable. Anything at all would be better than nothing.

[insertnamehurr]

Why would you want to play shenmue on wiiU? Unless you like shitty current gen graphics :P

[MegaLagann]

0/10 You need to try harder next time.

[LOGICWINS]

I question the sanity of anyone who wants Shenmue 3 to be exclusive to any one console.

The ideal situation would be for it to be available on as many current gen/next-gen platforms as possible so as many people as possible can enjoy/support the franchise.

"It has to be an exclusive: Sega won't fund the game, they won't let fans crowd fund the game, the only way Shenmue 3 will be made is if either one of the big three fund it themselves, thus making it exclusive. Now with that said let's look at the likability of which one Shenmue 3 could be on"

Correct. Shenmue being exclusive to one console isn't the ideal situation...but it may be the only way we will ever see it.

And yes, as of right now, Nintendo has the best chance of acquiring exclusivity despite the dream world some N4Gers usually confine themselves to as a result of their fervent desperation for Shenmue 3 to be a PS4 exclusive.

[MegaLagann]

@LOGICWINS

Exactly, I don't think anyone wants Shenmue 3 ro be an exclusive, okay maybe a few who really want either the PS4 or Wii U to get the "gaems" all to themselves, but for the most part no one wants it to be exclusive, but if it's to be made it has to be. Sega won't fund it, they sure as hell won't let fans fund it, so the only option is Sony or Nintendo. And while I know N4G is a pretty pro Sony site and people would love if Shenmue 3 was PS4 exclusive (I myself wouldn't mind) you're right in that right now it would probably be Nintendo. But like I said before I seriously doubt it. Maybe i'll be proven wrong and Shenmue 3 is that rumored third party exclusive for Wii U to be announced at E3. Or maybe it's something from Atlus or Platinum or another third party partner. Or maybe i'm wrong and Shenmue 3 will be a PS4 exclusive. Or maybe i'm right in that it's not happening at all. Either way, E3 is going to be very interesting and this week is going to be dreadful.

[MegaLagann]

Okay, so in case some people may not know, Shenmue is my favorite of all time. I've played 1 & 2 multiple times and eat up anything Shenmue fandom. That being said I usually scoff off every Shenmue 3 rumor since I pretty much convinced myself it would never happen, and still do. But, if it were to happen, here are some ground rules.

1) It has to be an exclusive: Sega won't fund the game, they won't let fans crowd fund the game, the only way Shenmue 3 will be made is if either one of the big three fund it themselves, thus making it exclusive. Now with that said let's look at the likability of which one Shenmue 3 could be on.

Xbox One: Zero chance. Microsoft had Sega make Shenmue 2 exclusive to the Xbox in America (grrr) and it bombed. Also seeing as how Microsoft has lost all ambition to try and capture the Japanese market, this will probably go on the "never going to happen" side.

PS4: The only real "evidence" we have so far is the picture of Yu Suzuki & Mark Cerny. But despite this, and I know since everyone is riding the Sony wave right now this might get a few dislikes, i'm not convinced this will amount to anything. What people need to realize is the Cerny use to work for Sega in the early 90's and is good friends with Suzuki, so for all we know the picture and conversation was just two old friends catching up. And as for the guy on Twitter who said they were discussing Shenmue 3. Again, I wouldn't put too much stock on some guy from Twitter. Especially when Shenmue 3 rumors love taking out of context quotes and blowing them out of proportion.

Wii U: As much as some people may not like to hear me say it, so for the Wii U has the best chance, hell even the article agrees. That being said I still say there's little to no chance but let's humor this. Nintendo, like Sony, are money hatting projects for the Wii U, projects that may of never seen the light of day (Bayonetta 2). They also are in a new partnership with Sega, and yes it includes more than the three Sonic games. For example there's the Yakuza 1&2 HD coming to Wii U. Also Sega themselves said in an investor's meeting a month prior they have seven new titles for the Wii U in then next fiscal year. And finally there's the mysterious picture of the voice actor of Ryo. Some people say it's for DLC in Sonic Racing Transformed, but Sumo uses existing audio for the dialogue so that's ruled out. And it does strike me as odd timing. All of this happening in succession right before E3. But nevertheless I still think it won't happen (I've been burned before with Shenmue 3 rumors, not going to happen again).

So overall while I don't think anything is happening, if it would, Nintendo would be the most likely choice, then Sony. Either way if Shenmue 3 gets made for one or the other it would be one of the greatest days in gaming for me. Oh, and side note, but if it were coming to the Wii U as an exclusive, Shenmue fans, don't complain like Bayonetta or Sonic fans. We've been waiting more than a decade for this game, at this point I don't care if it were for the 3DO, I would get it. Here's hoping one day we can talk to sailors again.

[jetlian]

MS could do it. they are spending 1 billion dollars on games and shenmue could eat that. Also they already invested in the series.

I hope sony gets it so l dont have to get xbo

edit: got to remember 15 games shouldn't cost over 300 million at 20 million each.

[S2Killinit]

to be honest with you I think the 1 billion dollars was a PR thing. Think about it. Would they even make their money back? (maybe actually but not sure) Could they even fit that many 'games' in one year? (so that 1 billion wasn't spent one the 15) So what time span are they referring to? The whole generation? Are they including xbox 360? Its just bogus if you ask me. It doesn't make sense no matter how much I think about it.

[jetlian]

why wouldn't they make their money back? its 15 games..halo generates 200-300 in its first week alone.

we don't even no how much they spend on advertising. kinect got 500 million so its not out of he realm of possible

[IronFistChinMi]

If Microsoft "lost all ambition to try and capture the Japanese market", why did they open a Japanese studio to make games for Xbox One?

"At the unveiling of the Xbox One, Microsoft Studios - Osaka was listed on a global map, dedicated to providing exclusive games and content for Japan."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

Shenmue needs to be multi-platform to stand a chance imo, barely anyone bought it on Dreamcast/Xbox and despite it being one of the best games I've played, it's a divisive game. You either love it or hate it.

[tiffac008]

I certainly hope so, this series needs a proper ending.

[HalfNerdHalfAmazing]

Shenmue 3 on Wii U that would be awesome

[thirtyandnerdy]

I'm not saying there's no other reason to own a WiiU, but -that- would sell me a WiiU.

[Agent_hitman]

Yep SEGA please announce shenmue 3 on all platfroms. I'm still waiting for the next story of Ryo Hazuki..

[PrimeGrime]

This is freaking awesome, I really hope this is true. Been playing Yakuza 1 & 2, makes me want a new Shenmue bad. All those games were so amazing for their times.

Yakuza 5 being localized wouldn't hurt either.

P.S. - Goodness LOGICWINS is raging over this one.. Well anyway for anyone who doesn't know how this crappy site works. You submit articles and such. You can get more bubbles.

If anyone here has seen most of LOGICWINS comments, it is very clear almost no one ever really agrees with him if at all. Pretty bad when you don't even have one single person who agrees most the time, which that is pretty hard to do even being a troll. So congratulations on that Logic.

It is pretty obvious no one is bubbling him up so it should be pretty self explanatory. Go ahead.. Try and bubble him down and see how it makes no difference..

Yet the bubble system is for just that trolling according to the FAQ.. Yet that isn't at all what it is used for. They don't even mention how the more you contribute, you can easily get more bubbles.

[Pillsbury1]

Shenmue 3 happening has become an urban legend. Please make shenmue 3! Playing with arcade games and cats and driving forklifts... Those where amazing memories. The dreamcast was an amazing system. So many unique games.

[Wizziokid]

If this is true for me this will be the best gaming news ever, please do 1 & 2 HD with this!

[fatstarr]

NIntendo is doing some brilliant marketing, hopefully more people give em credit. sega is a good partner especially with the ips they own.

[Droid Control]

Shenmue 3 or even Shenmue 1&2 HD editions are system sellers for me.

That's right, I would even buy an xbone for Shenmue 3.
The series is that good.

[o-Sunny-o]

Omg I want it to happen badly! ^~^

[young7yang]

I would not buy the xbox one for this but i would get a ps4..

[kamakaz3md]

hopefully, only true gamers have played shenmue... truely true gamers have played all of the shenmues!

[SaxScrotumz]

It's being showcased with the Dreamcast 2!!! LOL

[Indiahouse]

It's the BEST GAME EVER