Search the Shenmue archives by topic.
Search the Shenmue archives by topic.
Season's Greetings Everyone!
Here we are, the last (and very important) announcements before the magical year that was 2015 comes to a close!
Reward Poll Redo
In the last update we added a link for a Twitter poll asking if Kickstarter Exclusive Rewards should be made available on the Slacker Backer PayPal page. There were many who were against the use of using Twitter for the poll as many do not have a Twitter account. The poll also should be made available only to Kickstarter Backers. True and true. So we will try this one more time so that all Backers at the appropriate pledge level may participate.
The poll can be accessed in the update immediately following this one. We apologize for the mistake and kindly ask for your feedback and participation.
PayPal Period Extension
So why bother with this when there are only a few days left on the Slacker Backer campaign? That is because the deadline has been extended! Many of you have asked for an extension, and we have been late in coming with promised add-on/up-grades system, so the Slacker Backer PayPal page will stay up and running to accept pledges. All contributions made will continue to go to the game's development.
Guinness World Record Presentation
It is official now, Shenmue III is in the Guinness World Records. The good people from Guinness World Records paid Ys Net and Mr. Suzuki a visit a few days ago to hold an impromptu ceremony and present the certificates for "The most money pledged for a Kickstarter videogame" at $6,333,296, and for "The fastest $1 million pledged for a crowdfunded videogame" at 1 hour 44 minutes.
This miracle is all thanks to you, so be proud and say it loud, "Hey, I did that!"
Greetings Backers,
There are two items on the agenda today. The first is question for you regarding the availability of Kickstarter rewards on PayPal and the second is a recap of Mr. Suzuki's lecture at CHUAPPX Expo.
KICKSTARTER REWARDS ON PAYPAL Rewards labeled as "Kickstarter Exclusive" have not been offered on the PayPal site because we felt it was unfair to offer them after the Kickstarter had ended. There have been many requests, however, for certain rewards like the S3 World Telecom to be offered on the PayPal site. We would like everyone to weigh in and tell us what you think. If there is a strong consensus either way, the rewards will either remain as Kickstarter Exclusive, or will be offered on the PayPal site. Keeping our promise to you is very important to us; but at the same time, the PayPal site was set up precisely because fans could not back the Kickstarter and they feel they should not be penalized for that.
We have tweeted a poll so you can vote on the question. Please let us hear what you think! CLICK HERE for the Tweet Poll.
Next up, we have an abridged version of Mr. Suzuki's talk at CHUAPPX.
Hello Everyone,
As you may know, I have recently spent a little time in China to promote and do research for Shenmue 3. I was able to give a give a presentation at the Chuapp X 2015 on the beginning of how I first started making Shenmue, the changing of the times along with the changes in technology, and the work flow of Shenmue 3's production. I would like to share a portion of that presentation with you here.
There are eleven chapters that make up the story of Shenmue, and those chapters are the basis for the games. Shenmue 1 comprised of Chapter 1, and Shenmue 2 focused mainly on Chapter 2, but also incorporated parts of Chapters 4 and 5. The composition for Shenmue 3 has been finalized, and will begin with Chapter 5 as the continuation of Shenmue 2, to move on past Chapter 6. The story has been written to align with this structure; and the planning for the game elements that will go along with the story have been completed. This project was conceived to be scalable, since the game would necessarily need to be adjusted based on the Kickstarter. Once the Kickstarter was complete and the budget for the project determined, a detailed work flow was produced to fit within those constraints. Following along with the game work flow, we have now begun our baseline research work with UE4. I find this to be the most exciting phase of the game development. Having completed the baseline research, we will then move on to the GDD (game design document) and TDD (test-driven development) processes. Once these steps have been completed, actual production will begin.
Scenes from the prototype. The forest in Shenmue 2 was created using the Magic Maze System With UE4, weather changes and forest density will be improved.
A test model room within UE4. A shadow resembling Ine-san's is present. Why do you suppose that is?
The basic systems have been put in place and we are currently testing the Destruction (when objects break) and High Ground (environmental interactivity) effects. Unlike the development from 15 years earlier, we have assets already available to us and we are in an era where we can create prototypes even without a programmer. Programs, artwork and planning have become more closely related, realizing a new type of work flow for a new age. This new work flow utilizes both game engines, which used to be very expensive, and allows for work to be done on a more open, individual basis. I hope this will lead to everyone more fully enjoying their work.
This concludes today's update. I hope you all will continue to follow along with us through the process. Thank you very much.
Greetings Everyone!
Yes, we are in the third month of development of Shenmue 3. The story and scenarios are now out of the planning stage and it is time to get the people, places and things to start fitting together into a world with proper dimension, adequate space, and appropriate scale to keep the feel and essence of all that is a Shenmue game.
In this phase of the development, the major work being done is the map testing. Map testing will define the different areas to make sure they are neither too big, nor too small to get to that Goldilocks zone. This consists of looking at the layout of a certain space, and experimenting to make necessary alterations. For example, an outside area may feel too open. That space may be reduced by 20%, and the number of people there increased from 10 to 16, to affect the proper consistency and density of the area.
All elements in the following screen shots are still in testing. Objects are being used as place holders, like the men in black suits, and Ryo is also an older model. Backgrounds and buildings are also still in the development stage and will see reworking. Shots for the two battle scenes were taken at angle to avoid spoilers as much as possible.
Battle test 1
Battle test 2
Conversation test scene
Thatched house test model
The development team is in high spirits now that we have reached this stage where we are finally able to start testing. The studio has become quite the lively place as of late, even on Saturdays for some of us! We look forward to your continued support!
Surveys are still in the works and are not ready to be sent out yet. Once the survey system is up, there will be an update here on the Kickstarter page, at shenmue.link, and will be announced on Twitter at @Shenmue_3. We hope to have them out as soon as possible and will be doing our best to get them out to you.
Big thanks as always to fans everywhere for continuing to spread the good word of Shenmue! For this Halloween edition update, Ambassador Ali has put together a COMMUNITY UPDATE PACK featuring a Yu Suzuki interview and plenty of treats from the Shenmue community to jump start your Halloween. Enjoy!!!
Thanks to your support, Shenmue III became the most funded video game on Kickstarter with 69,320 people helping to bring back the Shenmue series back to life.
However, there are so many people told us they could not pledge on Kickstarter, or could not make the deadline, and have asked for a PayPal page for another opportunity to contribute to Shenmue III. So here we go!
The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st, and just like the Kickstarter campaign, the funds raised will be used to reach the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper.
The PayPal page will feature a selection of rewards from the Kickstarter campaign including the Trial Version and the Collector's Edition.
If you missed out on the Kickstarter, you still have a chance to be part of the Shenmue legacy!
Hello Backers!
It has been a while since our last post here on Update section. Sorry everyone! We are sure many of your concerns right now boil down to, "How is Shenmue III moving along?". So today, we have a brief interview with Yu about the progress of the project, and future plans. Without further chatter, here we go.
Q: How is the production progress going?
A: Please take a look at this diagram. So far, we have finished the composition, story, planning and the game flow. We will be advancing to the next development step soon.
Q: Can you tell us more about the composition stage?
A: Shenmue III is based on the 11 chapters created 17 years ago, and each chapter is set in different regions. For example, the first chapter was set in Yokosuka, second was set in Hong Kong and so on. However, we cannot finish with just one chapter in one region, so I had to restructure the story to fit within the scope of Shenmue III.
Q: What is the story stage about?
A: We had to rethink the storyline to make a more coherent flow, such as writing additional stories and making other changes.
Q: What about the planning stage? What is going on in this part?
A: Since we now know the amount of the funding from the Kickstarter campaign, we can plan the overall budget for development. So I have mapped out the game project to fit that budget scope at this stage.
Q: After the plan is written and ready, what happens in game flow stage?
A: It is about placing various cut scenes, events, battles, and quests in order. We have just finished this stage few days ago, and we will be working on the actual game development now.
Q: What other plans will be upcoming?
A: I will promise that I will be updating you about the progress of the development at least once a month. This is what we have for now.
Q: Is there anything big coming up on your schedule?
A: I am thinking about seeing the 2015 Tokyo Game Show which will be held in September. Also, I am planning to travel to China this October to both attend a game show called CHUAPP×2015, and also to do some location scouting for Shenmue III's development.
Q: Lastly, do you have any stories you could give that occurred during development so far?
A: One night, I went to a Thai restaurant with the development team after work. At that restaurant, a man approached me and asked to shake hands. He said he was a fan, and we had a brief talk. He also happened to be in the game industry and we began to hit it off. We talked some more to find out he really knew his job, and on top of that, he was an exceptionaly good person. I was so impressed, I asked him to help with the development. I couldn't help but feel Shenmue's unique gravity to bring interesting things together.
That's all for now everyone. Stay tuned to this update section for more news in future posts!
Wataru (a. k. a. "The blue shirt guy from Twitch") & Shenmue III Kickstarter Team
On July 17th, the Kickstarter campaign for Shenmue III drew to a finish.
Because of you, the backers and the fans, Shenmue III set the Guinness record for the fastest game to reach $1 million, past the funding goal of $2 million in just 8 and a half hours, set the record for video games on Kickstarter, and became the 6th most funded project on Kickstarter, collecting $6.33 million.
All of this was accomplished by your efforts.
Through the illustrations you drew, the videos you produced, and all that you did throughout the campaign, I could not help but feel the deep love you have for Shenmue.
Even after 14 years have gone by, to see this outpouring of support is something one as a creator can only dream of. There can be no better feeling than what you have given me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
We have just started getting into development, and as we move ahead, I will listen to all of you to make Shenmue III even better.
I thank you again all for your support, and wholeheartedly look forward to the rest of our journey together.
Yu Suzuki
Happy Shenmue to You!
Here we go, the final rewards for the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter! This is your absolutely last chance to get these Kickstarter only rewards and help #SaveShenmue !!!
SAVE SHENMUE DIGITAL UPGRADE- $39 Kickstarter exclusive Shenmue III wallpaper set + Your name on the official Shenmue III website. This will be the Real Deal Ryo & Sure as Sugar Shenhua - the perfect models of our heroes as they were always imagined to be! + Your name on the official Shenmue III website. Includes the $29 Reward.
*Only backers pledging at the $100 tier or above will have their name in the game.
**This reward will be included in all higher rewards.
SHENMUE CHARACTER BUST - $2,500 Concept design models of the main characters, produced for the development of Shenmue I. These busts were important stepping stones in the design phase to make them as life-like as possible, and were the first time the characters took shape (literally). Good condition, with wear and discoloration from all the loving hands that went into making Shenmue.
Choose one: Ryo (2 available), Shenhua (4 available), Ren (3 available) or Lan Di (3 available). First come, first serve! Limit 12. Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward.
Yu Suzuki will be joined with the Shenmue 3 project members in a special live broadcast to count down the final hours as the Kickstarter project comes to a close. Scheduled to make an appearance are animation producer Hiroaki Takeuchi and main character designer Kenji Miyawaki.
The official Shenmue 3 Twitch channel can be found at:
http://www.twitch.tv/shenmue3official
The festivities will start at the following time:
Yokosuka: July 18, 8:00AM JST
Hong Kong: July 18, 7:00AM HKT
Bailu: July 18, 7:00AM CST
Los Angeles: July 17, 4:00PM PDT
New York: July 17, 7:00PM EDT
Berlin: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Paris: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Rome: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
London: July 18, 12:00AM BST
Moscow: July 18, 2:00AM MSK
Seoul: July 18, 8:00AM KST
Hello Backers and Shenmue Fans Everywhere!
Yes, we are now down to the final 24 hours of the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter! Everyone has been working so hard to make this project a success, so Yu Suzuki would like to give a special message of thanks and inspiration as we head towards the goal.
Please take it away, sir!
Yu Suzuki will be joined with the Shenmue 3 project members in a special live broadcast to count down the final hours as the Kickstarter project comes to a close. Scheduled to make an appearance are animation producer Hiroaki Takeuchi and main character designer Kenji Miyawaki.
The official Shenmue 3 Twitch channel can be found at
http://www.twitch.tv/shenmue3official
The festivities will start at the following time:
Yokosuka: July 18, 8:00AM JST
Hong Kong: July 18, 7:00AM HKT
Bailu: July 18, 7:00AM CST
Los Angeles: July 17, 4:00PM PDT
New York: July 17, 7:00PM EDT
Berlin: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Paris: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Rome: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
London: July 18, 12:00AM BST
Moscow: July 18, 2:00AM MSK
Seoul: July 18, 8:00AM KST
Bonjour fans de Shenmue!
We one more very important person to introduce. Co-producer and longtime Shenmue fan, Cédric Biscay. Here is a little Q & A to get us all acquainted.
Could you introduce by yourself to all of the Shenmue fans out there? I am a 35 year old French entrepreneur with a passion for video games and animation. I started gaming when I was 5 years old, on the CPC 464, a computer made by the company Amstrad. I played a lot on many different consoles, but my favorites are the Sega Saturn and Neo Geo Pocket color. I established Shibuya International, my first company in 2002. We are a consulting company acting as a bridge between Europe and Japan. As I wanted to be more and more involved in the animation and game industries, I decided last year to establish Shibuya Productions in Monaco. We also have a branch office in Japan. Shibuya Production's main projects now are Astroboy Reboot, Fusion and of course, Shenmue III!
Have you played Shenmue 1 or 2? You bet! I played Shenmue in 2000 instead of going to class at university... please don't mention it to the `rents! The game was so amazing, unfortunately I do not understand Japanese, so it was complicated to pick up all of that deep story, but I did not mind because the gameplay was so awesome.
What impression did Shenmue 1 & 2 have on you? First of all, when I switched on the Dreamcast, I was so excited, because all the SEGA fans were waiting for this game and I finally got my hands on it! Usually when you wait too much for something, there is a high chance that you be disappointed, in the case of Shenmue, it was totally different. It was so much more impressive than the pictures I saw previously in the magazines. The whole game from top to bottom is just great--QTE, mini games, open world, and the list goes on and on. It is impossible to just mention one part. And you can't forget that music!
Did you want for play Shenmue 3 after Shenmue 2? Yes, as many fans, I was frustrated at the end of Shenmue 2. I was trying to find the missing CD in the box... I was lucky to have them all there, but unlucky to have them all there, ha ha. I am so excited to get the next episode now!
How do you feel to be working on Shenmue 3 now? I am so proud. In my mind, I wanted to help Yu-san make Shenmue 3 but I could not think this could happen for real. Also, the Shenmue fans are so nice, they understood immediately that I am similar to them, I think beside my role as a co-producer, I am a kind of fan representative. Wow, I think I will make a Shenmue III business card with the official title: Fan Representative Officer! That sounds nice, let's ask Yu san!
As a co-producer, you have a main role in Shenmue III what would you like to say to the Shenmue fans? First of all, thank you so much. I am deeply impressed the all of the Shenmue fans. I knew Shenmue is a famous game with a strong community, but it has been totally beyond my expectations. Without the fans and the KS campaign, it would have been impossible to make Shenmue III. I would like to meet the fans in the Monaco Anime Game International Conference!
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Nice to meet you too Cédric! Got questions or comments for him? You can follow him on Twitter at @CedricBiscay
Greeting Shenmue Allied Forces!
We have been getting a lot of questions asking if Masaya Matsukaze will be the Japanese voice of Ryo for Shenmue 3. Yes, it is official, Mr. Matsukaze will be reprising his role as Ryo!
Yu-san said Masaya-san and Corey-san were the best fit for the respective Japanese/English voice of Ryo and couldn't imagine any different. Big cheers to that!
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Monaco Dinner Reward Gets a Special Upgrade
Yu-san has upped the ante for the Monaco Dinner Reward. The location will now be slightly moved to the nearby town of Eze, famous for its history and old world beauty. There, you will actually work with Yu-san to plan a part of Shenmue 3. After the planning session, enjoy a dinner party with Yu-san among this picturesque world of times past.
Work on Shenmue 3? Here? With Yu Suzuki? Yes, that's right.
Stairway in the village of Eze
"Azure Sky of the Alleyway" by Yu Suzuki
Spend some time with Yu-san in one of his favorite places.
DINNER WITH YU SUZUKI IN MONACO + RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA
Bring a friend to participate in a Shenmue 3 project meeting with Yu-san in the medieval and marvelously scenic town of Eze, followed by a dinner party. (Date will be tentatively set for the end of February, 2016). + Be named as a Special Sponsor in the credits. Transportation and lodging not included.
Includes the RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA Reward.
Shenmue Salutations!
Here we are with two days left! This month has been quite a journey, and just like our hero Ryo, we have fought hard battles and made new friends along the way. None of us can doubt we have been brought together by the love we share for this game that has given us so much.
One of those new friends and a key member who helped Yu Suzuki get Shenmue 3 off the ground, onto Kickstarter, and where we are now, is the founder of Camouflaj and the Director of République, Ryan Payton. Ryan is back for our final video interview of the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter. He had already spoken with us before the project went live, but as a Kickstarter veteran and Shenmue fan, he knew how important fan involvement through Kickstarter meant to Shenmue.
Bringing the past and future of Shenmue full circle, Ryan eloquently sums it all up with his motivational words in part two of his video.
Thank you again Ryan for all of your work helping make Shenmue 3 something we can all share and be a part of!
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Special Commemorative Sculpture Reward
Still looking for that something special to celebrate the occasion? Then this may be just the thing for you.
CRYSTAL MEMORIES - $2,500 Become the proud owner of a highly collectible, laser engraved crystal sculpture of Ryo and Shenhua. Commemorate Shenmue 3 in style. Comes with an LED stand (requires 3 AAA batteries) that illuminates the design within.Crystal: W50mm×H80mm×D50mm, w/ stand: W66mm×H112mm×D66mm, total weight: 556g. Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward.
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Yu Suzuki will be joined with the Shenmue 3 project members in a special live broadcast to count down the final hours as the Kickstarter project comes to a close. Scheduled to make an appearance are animation producer Hiroaki Takeuchi and main character designer Kenji Miyawaki.
The official Shenmue 3 Twitch channel can be found at:
http://www.twitch.tv/shenmue3official
The festivities will start at the following time:
Yokosuka: July 18, 8:00AM JST
Hong Kong: July 18, 7:00AM HKT
Bailu: July 18, 7:00AM CST
Los Angeles: July 17, 4:00PM PDT
New York: July 17, 7:00PM EDT
Berlin: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Paris: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
Rome: July 18, 1:00AM CEST
London: July 18, 12:00AM BST
Moscow: July 18, 2:00AM MSK
Seoul: July 18, 8:00AM KST
Greetings Shenmue Family!
We have come to the final three days of the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter! Your support and encouragement alone have already made this project a huge success. Thank you!!!
But we are not finished yet! It is our pleasure to announce the new scene from Shenmue 3! It is still a work in progress, but Yu Suzuki has sent it with loving care and hopes it will be all that the fans of the series have come to love, and will show those new to the game some of the wonder and magic they can expect from the continually unfolding world of Shenmue. Please enjoy!
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More NPC Last Minute Rewards!!!
Still want to be in the game as an NPC? Don't miss out on this one! You don't get to fight Ryo, but you can definitely make his acquaintance!
CHOUBU TRAVELLER / BE A NON-COMBAT NPC - $6,000 Appear as an NPC staying at a Choubu inn. No big battle scene with Ryo, but this is your chance to cameo in the world of Shenmue! Limit 4. RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward included.
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These final hours are the most important, so please keep sharing and telling those sailors and random people you meet, that the game of decade, nay, the Holocene Era, is upon us! And for the betterment of all mankind, you should give it your support!
Greetings Backers and Shenmue Fans!
Yu-san sends a big thanks for all of your questions at #YouaskYu. Lots of game insights await below!
But first, there is a new reward up for grabs. Your name will be turned into Chinese characters (if you don't already have them!) to be the official signage for a local street vendor in Choubu.
NAME A VENDOR - $4,500Get to name a street vendor in the Choubu area. Once Yu Suzuki approves your name, it will become vendor's sign in Chinese and English. Could you be the next Bob or Tom? RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward included. Limit 10.
Q．Would you consider adding a dating mini game with Nozomi as a reward? A. I would like to make it with separate budget, like 2M? (ha ha)
Q. Considering how the Twitch video helped raise funds, are you willing to do another one before the Kickstarter ends? A. I would like to do Twitch and Reddit session again.
Q. What is your worst fear when making a game? A. Creating new elements. Telling whether it will be effective is always difficult. If it is, then I could enhance it by simplifying it. If it isn't, I need to add more elements.
Q. Will Shenmue 3 start in the cave? I want the satisfaction of leaving it myself! don't skip the moment! A. Either from Shenhua's house, or the road leading up to Bailu Village.
Q. Ryo's jacket looks too neat and tidy, will it be changed to look closer to Shenmue 1 & 2? I'm thinking the same. A. I want it to be more worn out and fits more to Ryo. Brand new jacket doesn't fit.
Q. Is it possible to maybe play darts & other mini games online against fellow Shenmue fans in Shenmue 3? A. It's one of the things I want to do, but we can't do it all, so still thinking.
Q. Who would win in a race, Hang-On motorcycle vs. Out Run car? A. Definitely the bike. He can't lose to some joyrider with a girl in the passenger seat. -Or- The one who does not get caught by police.
Q. What is your favorite Japanese food/dish to eat? A. Sushi.
Q. If all goes to plan when will we see first gameplay footage of Shenmue 3? A. The footage of final version will come out sometime in 2017
Q. Will Shenmue 3 have controller support? I can't play with the keyboard and need a console controller to game on pc. A. I'm still thinking about what would be the best.
Q. What will be in the art book? Will it be art just from Shenmue III, or will it be art from all the Shenmue games? A. I'm want to hear requests and comments from you about what we will include.
Q. Any chance to see Hamtaro as a cameo in Shenmue 3? :3 A. http://blogs.c.yimg.jp/res/blog-8f-f9/aiaikomo/folder/141354/11/652811/img_0
Q. Will you draw new trailer for help the KS? A. Yes we are planning to publish it. Please check our KS page frequently.
Q. Did you base any of the Shenmue characters on people you knew in real life? A. Some of the characters are based on the staff, like Takimoto-san, Takeuchi-san, Hirai-san and Miyawaki-san.
Q. Did any specific martial arts movies inspire you when creating the Shenmue story? A. Yes. Of course others like books on Chinese martial arts, like Jackie Chen and Bruce Lee. I watch Hong Kong kung-fu movies often. The good parts and the bad from Hong Kong B movies were the most helpful. Jackie and Bruce Lee get very complicated with their moves and it is hard to break them down.
Q. I am really happy to see you will be able to call older characters on the phone. Will Ryo be able to call Goro? A. I like Goro, but I don't know how popular he is among the fans...
Q. Will we be seeing the classic QTEs style return with the flashing icons? A. Yes I would like to implement it. I want it to be cooler than Shenmue 1 and 2.
Q. If you could create a spin-off game based around a character other than Ryo, who would you choose? A. I think it will be Ren. Story where he grow from a rogue to a head of the HK Heavens. Then his fate changed by Ryo completely.
Q. Please explain the High Ground Battle System stretch goal for #Shenmue3. A. It enables Ryo to have more interaction with his surroundings to enhance the Battle system. It will be fun to increase the reaction chains.
Q. Hiroshi Fujioka (Iwao Hazuki) was all up for Shenmue City. Will he be back? I would love to see him again. A. He sent me Fujioka-brand Coffee recently.
Q. Would you consider cel shading ONLY for the characters (Ico/Sotc/Last Guardian) to make it look closer to the artwork? A. To express the nostalgia from S1 and S2, I'm not planning to use it.
Q. Where does your interest in Chinese culture come from? A. It's the romance of Chinese martial arts and its history I feel.
Q. Why are Niao Sun's breasts are so large? A. 98cm. You do the math.
Q. Is it safe to assume that the CGI renders from Shenmue 1/2 are the intended final look for the character models? A. The models will have better quality than Shenmue 2.
Q. Could DLC be provided for Shenmue III? Any plan for additional contents after the release ? A. It's under consideration.
Q. Any chance of seeing a playable Virtua Fighter arcade machine in Shenmue 3? A. Shenmue starts around 1986 where full-polygon games do not exist, so what should I do...?
Q. Sometimes are you not annoyed that the interest of your fans mainly concerns Shenmue, to the detriment of your other work? A. I don't get annoyed, but I would like to hear questions about my other games as well. Before this KS, 80% of questions were Shenmue, 10% were Virtua Fighter, and my other games got 10%.
Q. What are the 3 wishes in the $1400 tier? A. It's not decided, but the current plan is "strength", "more money", and "be popular with girls." It's the wishes of you backers, not Ryo.
Q. If the funding does not make 9M in 8 days, will we see a part time job anyway? A. Even if the funding does not reach 9M there will be part time jobs. How many there will be is still a secret.
Q. Will Ryo shoot fireballs in Shenmue 3 like he did in the trailer of Shenmue Online? A. In Shenmue 3, I want the scenario to allow characters to use more realistic moves.
Q. Except from cows, cats, dogs, birds, fish, what new animals can we expect in Shenmue 3? A. There are scenes set in Chinese mountain roads, so I want to have animals that fits the scene. It will be a spoiler if I go further.
Q. Why did you consider using Unreal Engine 4 instead of other middleware (Unity for example)? What were the criteria? A. It was the color. I believe UE4 could express the "Shenmue color". Atmosphere, the humidity, a world with "smell."
Q. Yu, if Ryo was based on Akira was Lan Di based roughly on Lau Chan? A. Lan Di uses the same martial arts Lau, but the character and the background setting are very different.
Q. Since the hardware is different, the data will not be transferrable, but I was wondering if moves like the Brawling Uppercut will be back? I am so excited for Shenmue 3!" A. I want to consider implementing the Brawling Uppercut and Tornado Kick in Shenmue 3.
Q. I really love Shenmue, but really suck at games. I got through II because of the variable difficulty "rescue mode." Will III have something similar? A. Definitely yes. I want everyone, including new players to enjoy it. So I will implement a variable difficulty system in S3.
Q. In chapter one, was there a picture of Ryo in his school uniform? Have you considered a flashback scene from his school days? I really want to see Ryo in his school uniform! A. https://twitter.com/yu_suzuki_jp/status/619715026245423105
Q. From your games, which character... a) would you want to be friends with? b) do you want as your girlfriend? c) do you totally hate? Please tell!" A. I can't tell you, my wife won't be happy if I did.
Q. With the phone card, will you be able to call Nozomi many times and have different conversations? A. She will hate you if you call too many times.
Q. Will you have a presentation at the Tokyo Game Show? A. This year's TGS, is still undecided.
Q. Suzuki San any details on the Magic Maze? A. Magic Maze is a technology to auto-generate maze. If this is reached, we will have large forest area, and many events and elements along with it.
Q. At the inn for Shenmue 3, will Ryo and Shenhua be sleeping in the same room? A. It depends on the vacancy of Bailu Village Inn.
Q. Have you seen this incredible tribute yet? Please enjoy, from you devoted, loving fanbase. https://www.youtube.com/watch?sns=em&v=M4nG7m0FZhc&app=desktop
A. I would like to thank all the fans. I will do my best to meet the fans' expectation, regardless of the budget and create a great game.
Q. The part when Ryo goes to Guilin got super interesting! Thanks! Will Ren make an appearance this time?" A. Yes, he will. I'm thinking about how to give him a cool intro.
Q. Will I be able to follow people all around the villages? A. I will talk to Hirai about it.
Q. Will all Shenmue 3 staff be based in Japan or will you outsource to stretch the budget? A. Japan will be the main location for development.
Q. Why were the Bailu stretch goals the last stretch goals? A. Many of the new challenges in S3 are in Baisha. As a result the focus was put there.
Q. Would you like to make new games for arcade machines? A. Yes. Arcade machines have their own intrinsic qualities. I want to make something that utilizes holographic imaging.
Q. Will we see Fuku-san again? Does he become a martial arts master? A. Look forward to his appearances in the telephone calls.
Q. Even if the Kickstarter finishes around the 5 Million mark, will we still have Bailu, Baisha and Choubu in the game? A. Yes they will be in the game.
Q. Had Ryo been loved much to girls in Yokosuka high school? Or shoe box was full of love letter? A. I don't think so. He was not supposed to be like that.
Q. What is your favorite programming language? A. I think C Sharp is a good one among the recent languages.
Q. With QTE being overused in games now, often badly without deep thoughts, how will you approach this in Shenmue 3? A. I want to make a streamlined, Shenmue unique QTE.
Q. How did Ryo get a Sega Saturn in 1986? Does he have time powers? A. That's a secret.
Q. Will you do any crowdfunding in Japan? I am worried about having to make foreign transactions. A. Our homepage has a Kickstarter "how to" in Japanese. If you send us a message in Japanese on the Kickstarter page, we will answer in Japanese. http://shenmue.link/ks2.html
Q. Any plans of a Shenmue TV drama once maybe the full story is revealed in the games? A. I look forward to your support!
Q. I love Shenmue's story and look, but love the BGM the best. Will there be a special CD like the jukebox from Chapter 1? A. The original soundtrack in $250 tier will have memorable tracks from Shenmue 1 and 2.
Hello Everyone!
Poll results from your favorite character and mini-game are in, with an amazing 14,751 people replying! Some questions were not answered by all of the respondents, but it is pretty easy to see where loyalties lay!
The winner for favorite character, by an overwhelming margin is, of course, our main man Ryo! Ren and Nozomi came in a respectable second and third. Sorry guys, better luck next time!
That means Ryo will get an extra special scene (or something, depending on Mr. Suzuki!) to give him that little bit of extra attention.
And the winner for the most popular mini-game is the Lucky Hit!
QTE Battle and Duck Racing stayed in there, but Lucky Hit took it away big in the end. If you are Lucky Hit fan, The "Be a Technique Scroll Lucky Hit Game Board" could be the reward for you! After Mr. Suzuki saw how popular it the Lucky Hit was, he wanted to make sure it would be the first one you could win the special prizes from. Get rewarded more for straying off the path!
What will Ryo be taking up in Shenmue 3? We think this next reward will give just the smallest of hints:
SHENMUE BAIT & TACKLE - $1,800 Get to name a fishing rod or lure. When your item is purchased, it will get a close-up and reaction from Ryo. + Receive the in-game item you named. Let's get... fishy! Includes the $600 Reward.
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for all of your #YouaskYu questions! All of the questions and answers from today's session will be posted on a later update. Keep your unasked questions safe, because Yu-san will return on #YouaskYu!
*** *** ***
Masaya Matsukaze, the actor who played Ryo in Shenmue 1 & 2, is back to give the second half of his interview. He shares his experiences with the audition, the Shenmue phenomenon, and even gets into his love/hate relationship with video games and how it helped him get the part.
Thanks again Masaya-san! We look forward to seeing you again!
*** *** ***
Last up for today, we have one more reward for all you believers of fate.
LEND SHENMUE A HAND - $900 Your hand and all the mysteries that lie within its palm will be featured in a book at a fortune teller. See what your future will hold! $600 Reward included.
Shenmue Salutations!
New rewards are here! Celebrate Shenmue's return by being there yourself in word or toy!
SHENMUE GUESTBOOK - $600 Put your name and a 140 character message in the guestbook of a Choubu inn. Write your witticism/aphorism/Shenmue-ism for all to see! Includes the $500 Reward.
*The Shenmue Guestbook Reward will be included in all higher rewards.
Main Character Designer Kenji Miyawaki said he would love to help out by doing the design illustrations for your chibi figures. So bonus! Thank you very much Kenji!
*The capsule toy rewards are stand alone rewards, so will not be included in the higher rewards.
DICE DUDE CAPSULE TOY - $700 Be in the newest Shenmue capsule toy collection as your own block figure for the in-game capsule toy machines. + Give an idea for the toy's name. Includes the $600 Reward.
CHIBI YOU CAPSULE TOY - $1,200 Kenji Miyawaki will draw you as a chibi figure for the in-game capsule toy vending machines. + Give an idea for the toy's name. Limit 60. Includes the $600 Reward.
BFF CAPSULE TOY - $1,800 Choose Ryo, Shenhua, Nozomi, Joy, Ren, Ine-san, Guizhang, Lan Di, Chai, or Fangmei to appear with your Kenji Miyawaki-drawn chibi figure for the in-game capsule toy vending machines. + Give an idea for the toy's name. Limit 40. Includes the $600 Reward.
Make sure Ryo adds you to his collection!
Yu Suzuki will be back at #YouaskYu this Friday/Saturday to pick up where he left off last week. Keep sending your questions through your Twitter account by including #YouaskYu in the message.
Times and Zones: July,10: 7:00PM PDT, 10:00PM EDT / July, 11: 11:00AM JST, 2:00AM UTC
Hello Everyone!
Before we get into our member interview for today, a big thank you to everyone for helping us reach the $4.6M Baisha Battle Event Stretch Goal! Ryo will have a tough battle on his hands with this one!
*** *** ***
Today's interview is with Kenji Itoso, the newest member of the Shenmue family. After apprenticing under Hayao Miyazaki at Studio Ghibli, Itoso-san went on to be a director in a number of different media fields. Recently, he had been a part of Satoshi Kon's Dreaming Machine, and has also worked on Attack on Titan.
Itoso-san is passionate about creating original animation, and his Santa Company and Coluboccoro, (funded through Kickstarter by the way!), have won worldwide acclaim, garnering appearances at the Cannes Film Festival.
Itoso-san has been an integral part of the Kickstarter campaign, working closely with Yu Suzuki as the promotion video director. The Shibuya Scramble scene was all him.
Please give a warm welcome to Kenji Itoso!
Yu Suzuki will be back at #YouaskYu this Friday/Saturday to pick up where he left off last week. Keep sending your questions through your Twitter account by including #YouaskYu in the message.
Times and Zones: July,10: 7:00PM PDT, 10:00PM EDT / July, 11: 11:00AM JST, 2:00AM UTC
Hello Again Everyone!
Put your stamp on the game with these rewards! Yu Suzuki wanted to include both of these rewards, as they draw from the culture and traditions of the Far East in which the game takes place.
DREAMS COME TRUE - $1,400 Choose one of three wishes. Your name and birth date will be written on a traditional wishing plaque to be displayed at a temple in Bailu Village. Find your plaque and your wish will come true! This is Kickstarter only exclusive! Includes the TEMPLE OF THE BLOOMING FLOWER Reward.
TEMPLE OF THE BLOOMING FLOWER - $1,200 Get a Chinese character of your choice (or specially selected for you) to represent yourself, drawn in ornate calligraphy. Find your character displayed at the Temple of the Blooming Flower and get a special Technique Scroll! + Get the physical, hand-drawn calligraphy of your character! Includes the SHENMUE PATRON Reward.
Please check the previous update with the second half of Kenji Miyawaki's interview. You don't want to miss it!!!
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening Shenmue Fans!
Kenji Miyawaki is back for the second part of his interview for one look back and one look forward. Kenji talks about how Ryo's character got his fashion sense, and then explains the mysterious character on the canvas.
There are more new rewards on the way that you do not want to miss, so be sure and stay tuned!
Shenmue Salutations!
When Shenmue first came out, it was more real, more life-like than any game to have come before it. One of the people responsible for that feat was architect Manabu Takimoto.
As the game environment designer for the Shenmue series, his real life experience as an architect helped create an immersive world that set the standard for realism in gaming.
Today, Manabu Takimoto talks about talks about his role(s) in Shenmue, and what we can expect from him this time around. Let's give him a big welcome!
Takimoto-san will be back for Shenmue 3. Working on the game, that is. Not in it. (Many belayed condolences for your cat by the way).
He is already hard at work designing layouts for Shenmue 3. Have a look!
the Choubu docks
Choubu inn - first floor
Choubu inn room
Hello Everyone!
Two new rewards have been added to the line up! Both of these rewards will bring you closer to the world of Shenmue and let you more thoroughly enjoy your Shenmue 3 experience.
S3 WORLD TELECOM - $80
Get an international phone card (in-game item) to call Nozomi, Guizhang Chen, Ine-san, Joy, Fuku-san, or other characters from Shenmue 1 & 2. This item will unlock phone conversations and flashback scenes available only to Kickstarter Backers. Keep your friends close with S3 World Telecom.
$60 Reward included.
*All higher Rewards with have the S3 WORLD TELECOM Reward included.
SHENMUE PATRON - $800
In the oriental tradition of marking a pilgrimage to a temple by affixing one's name to the building, your name will appear on a Choubu temple in Chinese characters. The Chinese characters for your name will be approved by Yu Suzuki himself. Find your name tag on the temple and receive a special Technique Scroll! + Receive a PDF of your name in Chinese characters as it will appear in the game. Be part of the culture that is the world of Shenmue.
$500 Reward included
Hello Everyone!!!
It has been a long 14 years that fans have been waiting for a Shenmue sequel, but in that time a vibrant community grew--creating, sharing and keeping the faith. Because you have been there even after all of this time, we have the opportunity to be here today. And for that we cannot thank you enough.
Today we introduce some of the members that have made the Shenmue community what is today--totally kick-ass. See what being a Shenmue fan is all about!
Forum: http://fb.com/groups/shenmue500k 500K HQ heart of the community.
News: http://fb.com/teamyu All the news you need from Team Yu
Videos: http://youtube.com/user/ziming The most comprehensive Shenmue YouTube Channel
Micro Blog: http://twitter.com/shenmuefans The best Shenmue Tweets
Pictures: http://fb.com/shenmuemaster French Facebook w/ news & pics
Hardcore discussions: http://shenmuedojo.com If it's Shenmue, it's here
We have Team Yu to thank for starting the #SaveShenmue movement
@JohnnyQuan Artist & Shenmue fan Johnny Quan made these super awesome banners, so please share!
Next we would like to introduce our special guest for today. Many of you may know him from all his work as an Admin at Shenmue 500k, a Special Coordinator at TeamYu, a Veteran Contributor at Shenmue Dojo, as Ikkyu or as Ali. Where ever you know him from, Ali Novin has been a pillar of the Shenmue community since the very beginning, helping to bring Shenmue fans together into a united movement.
For his meritorious works and actions above and beyond the call of duty, Yu Suzuki has bestowed upon Novin-san the title of Executive Shenmue Ambassador.
Give Ali a big thanks as he shares what Shenmue means to him in his interview video.
I want to give a big shutout to all of them, sorry if I can't name all to keep it short, but Shenmue Dojo, 500K and Team Yu plus Shenmue Master and the Japanese community over MIXI, and let's not forget Shenmue-UK and Hazuki Dojo and Shenmue Japanese BBS who have been able to somehow survive all these years waiting for this day (Thanks to Kiyuu-san from Dojo for the tip about MIXI).
We believe in Yu Suzuki-san that he can deliver the best experience once again.
Please make sure to share the word about this Kickstarter, anywhere and anyway you can using your love, creativity and respect for the series and Suzuki-san's full vision to become a reality.
Executive Shenmue Ambassador
Ali also put together some best of best fan created Shenmue content, "Shenmue Awesomeness" @ShenmueFanWorks
1-The Best Shenmue Awesomeness:
https://twitter.com/ShenmueFanWorks/media
2-Shenmue Retweets:
https://twitter.com/ShenmueFanWorks
3-Shenmue Awesomeness Faves:
https://twitter.com/shenmuefanworks/favorites
Got some Shenmue Awesomeness of your own? Tweet it to us here @Shenmue_3 or @ShenmueFanWorks or add it to the comments!
Thank you again to everyone for all you have done to help support and keep Shenmue in the hearts and minds of us all.
Dreams Can Come True - Ali Novin
Hello Shenmue Fans throughout the World!
Yes, Europe is Shenmue 3 too! More I AM SHENMUE 3 Rewards have been added, especially timed for Shenmue fans in Europe. (Sorry for sneaking them in there while you were asleep!) There is plenty of space in the Choubu boat harbor waiting area for your pictures!
Grazie/Gracias/Danke/Merci!!!
And! Thank you everyone for participating in the #SaveShenmue Tweetathon! Every day is Shenmue Day, so keep your #SaveShenmue Tweets coming!
If you were too busy playing Shenmue and missed the #YouaskYu Q&A during the Tweetathon, no problem, here is rundown of the all the questions that Yu Suzuki answered：
Q1; Were there originally 16 chapters in the Shenmue saga or were there 11? Please elaborate as to why some say 16 and some say 11. A;The detailed document I have has 11 chapters. If you include the chapters prepared for the branched storyline, it will be more than 11.
Q2; Is there any chance we can carry on Pledging after the Kickstarter date has closed? A; Thanks for the question, we will look into it.
Q3; At $5 million, exactly HOW open world will Shenmue 3 be, compared to Shenmue 1/2? A; I'm expecting something similar to Dobuita in terms of scale.
Q4; Now that we know Shenmue 3 will not end the Story, do you have a backup plan if it won´t succeed to tell the end? A; I'm going to have to think about having a successor.
Q5; Will Shenmue have online functionality for example Online arcade Highscores or Online 70 man fighting battles? A; It will be more fun, but it depends on budget, so it is still under consideration
Q6; Will you be disappointed if the Kickstarter doesn't raise $10mill for that 'open world experience'? A; No I won't be. I am grateful that there's another chance for a new Shenmue. I will make what I can within the budget from your money.
Q7; Will the Tiger scroll translated by Guizang in 1 be in 3? A; Great idea! I will look into it.
Q8; For Ryo Hazuki's model and others, are you going to reuse models and general assets from Shenmue 1 and Shenmue 2? A; I don't plan to "reuse" them, but I will use the good parts as an reference.
Q9; Why do you think Shenmue didn't appeal to the mass audience back then? Would it need to be 'modernized' for today? A; There were many new challenges so that might be the reason. Even so I will do more new challenges this time. Challenge is what's important.
Q10; Can we expect the return of lottery prize in Shenmue 3? May be the first prize can be a figure of Yu Suzuki! A; I love to include raffles. Thanks. I will need to think about prizes that are more appealing than my figure.
Q11; Will there be any more dinners offered for the $10,000 tier? I hope more can be added! A; We just added them today!
Q12; Will you research latest tech in AI so you can include it in Shenmue 3 to make it a pioneering game like its predecessors? A; Yes. I would like to do challenges in terms of technology
Q13; Is there a possibility to film a production process for example motion capture or dubbing, during development of Shenmue 3? A; Yes. I want to use it to communicate the progress to you.
Q14; Will @CocaColaCo join the Party? A; I'm considering collaboration like that with real companies.
Q15; Do you have any idea if Sega's planning on doing a Virtua Fighter 6? A; I have not heard about it from SEGA.
Q16; What can you tell me of the three blades? A; It means the jobs that use scissors, razors and knives, so barber, cook, and sewer. These are skills for jobs that have a steady need in any era.
Q17; Although a little hint is left in the video, Ryo will he now be able to jump in Shenmue 3? A; Yes. I am researching about new technology to have more natural motions in Shenmue 3
Q18; My ten year old daughter wants to know if she'll be able to use the phone at will in Shenmue3 like she does in Shenmue1 A; Look forward for it. There will be many nostalgic scenes.
Maybe a tin can telephone as well?
Q19; If future installments of Shenmue become a possibility will we have the option to bring over save data from 3? A; I have not decided it yet.
Q20; Can we expect epic fights like in Kowloon in Shenmue 2 and a similar battle fight system? A; There is "Battle System expanded", in the stretch goal. Things like this will enhance the battle to make it better and more fun than Shenmue 2
Q21; Have you thought about making each future chapter after Shenmue 3 a expansion that expands the chapters one by one? A; I am not considering it at the moment.
Q22; Will we start Shenmue 3 with some items/skills/scrolls from Shenmue 1+2? A; The platform is different, so we can't do it.
Q23; Should we expect any Sega related stuff in Shenmue 3 like arcade games or toy capsules? A; There is a possibility.
Q24; Were there any gameplay elements for Shenmue 1 and 2 that had to be cut due to budget constraints? A; Yes. I wanted the ramen noodles to be soggy after some time, but I couldn't include it. I wanted to include details like that to make it real.
Q25; Will the "Shenmue Trial" be used for feedback to improve the game like Square Enix have with the FF15 demo? A; I would definitely want to get feedback, so I'm looking into how we can have such system in place.
Q26; Will everything be voice acted the same way as 1 and 2? Or will budget constraints not allow 100% VO all the time? A; Full voice will be possible if we have enough funding.
Q27; Would love to hear Mandarin voice acting alongside Japanese in #Shenmue3, could we make it stretch goal? A; Under consideration.
Q28; What's the I.Q. score of Fukuhara-san? A; Maybe something like 86?
Q29; I was wondering did you get Ryo Hazuki name from Ryudo Uzaki that was a Japanese musician? A; Nope.
Q30; My question is why is not possible to use (Shenmue Passport) models for the Shenmue 3? A; I'm considering about adding some functions from Shenmue Passport.
Q31; Will there be official Kickstarter/Shenmue 3 forums to discuss and give feedback throughout the development process? A; I would definitely want to get feedback, so I'm looking into how we can have such system in place.
Q32;Can we expect custom clothing for Ryo Hazuki? It would be great feature to able to style Ryo Hazuki as we want. A; There's a function to change Ryo's jacket for backers pledging above $250. Customizing for other clothes are under consideration.
Q33; Why was the Dragon Mirror hidden under a cherry tree, and not a safe place like the basement? A; Iwao thought the place under Cherry blossom tree is safer.
Q34; Where did Ryo get his band aid? A; It didn't appear in Chp.1, but there was a martial arts event, and the scar is from the final match.
Q35; What is your favorite movie? A; My favorite 3 are: The Hustler, Casablanca, Roman Holiday. I love Billiards, and I still play it sometimes.
Q36; Will Shenmue 3 be compatible with the project Morpheus VR headset for the ultimate second life experience? A; I feel that VR offers great possibilities.
Q37; Will there be a pet dog in Shenmue 3 to call, look at and feed? A; Depends on budget.
Q38; Shenmue's core plot is basically Hamlet - are you a Shakespeare fan & has that been an influence? A; Sorry, but I have not read Hamlet. I know Hamtaro though.
Q39; What did YU name the kitten?
A; I think I named her with dog names, like Pochi or Gontaro.
Q40; How was your day? A; Today is Shenmue Day, so I went to be with everyone on Twitter. Lots of people are participating, and I couldn't be happier. The rewards went over well and completely sold out. Thank you so much!
Q41; Will we see a Shenmue soda (can be just a can) and what would it taste like? A; If there is any interested beverage firm out there, please contact Ys Net!
Q42; Will Ryo learn the value of forgiveness in Shenmue 3? A; Please play Shenmue 3 for that answer!
Q43; Do you have a rough idea how many people will be in the development team for Shenmue 3? A; That will vary depending on the Kickstarter budget.
Q44; Since relationships between characters will be more prominent, will we see something like a multiple choice conversation system? A; I am thinking about dialogue selection system
Q45; I always wondered how Ryo, being Japanese, could communicate so easy in China. Can Ryo speak Chinese? A; That's a touchy subject...let's not touch it shall we?
Q46; Can you confirm that guns will never be a part of Shenmue gameplay, not for Ryo or any other playable character? A; I am not thinking about including guns as a weapon at the moment.
Q47; Will Ryo finally eat and have other bodily functions? A; I don't have any plans for implementing that in Shenmue 3.
Q48; Why does Ryo have a Saturn under his TV in Shenmue 1 but no games? Was Iwao using the promise of a game to keep Ryo focused? A; That sounds about right. Let's go with that.
Q49; Mr. Suzuki, what is your favorite kind of music? A; I like Jazz and Rock.
Q50; Why does Iwao Hazuki love carrots so much? A; Yes! Iwao's most favorite food is carrots! *jokingly*
Q51; Suzuki-san, can you please tell us some little info about Shenhua that the fans don't already know yet? A; The Shenmue tree's flower is named Shenhua. She is named after that flower.
Hello backers, Shenmue fans & PS4 gamers!
The Shenmue 3 Kickstarter proudly announces the addition of the PlayStation 4 Physical Copy Reward.
This is one of the most requested items on the list, and we are very happy to be able to include the Shenmue 3 PS4 Kickstarter Backer's Edition as a Reward. If you are a Shenmue fan and PS4 gamer, this is the reward to have to commemorate the occasion!
PS4 Physical Copy Reward Details:
All backers pledging for a $60 Reward tier or higher, will have the option of a PS4 Physical Copy as their platform choice.
After the Kickstarter finishes, a survey will be sent out to backers in these tiers to confirm your choice of platform. Choose one of the following:
1. PS4 Physical Copy
2. PS4 Digital Copy
3. Windows PC Physical Copy
4. Windows PC Digital Copy.
Backers who have pledged for a PC Physical Copy will not need to adjust their rewards if they would prefer a PS4 Physical Copy instead.
Just a reminder, the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter will be offering only one copy of the game per backer (Trial Version excluded).
Thanks to all the backers for your comments and suggestions to help make this happen. Please keep your feedback coming by sending us a message through the "Contact me" button on the project page.
*************************************************************
Apology from Awesome Japan
We offer our sincerest apologies for last week's Twitch broadcast and any trouble it may have caused. This apology comes late, and we accept full responsibility. We promise we will do everything we can to help bring Shenmue back. We ask for your forgiveness and the opportunity to make amends. - from all of us at Awesome Japan
Greetings Shenmuers!
So, who wants to be in Shenmue 3? Here is your chance to get in the game and be a Shenmue superstar!
Also! More dinner parties with Yu Suzuki have been added. One will be in Monaco, and one will be in Los Angeles. Dine with the legend.
I AM SHENMUE 3 - $1,500
Be immortalized in world of Shenmue with your picture in the harbor waiting area for the Choubu passenger boat. Plus, your name will appear on the guest register at a Choubu inn. Show the world how Shenmue you are. Includes the $500 reward. Limit 64.
BE A LUCKY HIT GAME BOARD - $4,000
Do you want to be a game of lucky hit? Get your face and name on an in-game Lucky Hit board. Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward. Limit 15.
BE A SHENMUE 3 NPC - $10,000
Your face will be featured on a Chi You Men member to do battle with Ryo! To maintain character setting, body style will be up to Mr. Suzuki. Includes the RYO VOICE MESSAGE BY COREY MARSHALL Reward. Limit 5.
DINNER WITH YU SUZUKI IN MONACO + RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA - $10,000
Bring a friend to join a dinner party in Monaco with Yu-san and the other backers of this tier. (Date will be tentatively set for the end of February, 2016). Includes the RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA Reward. Limit 3.
DINNER WITH YU SUZUKI IN LOS ANGELES + RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA - $10,000
Bring a friend to join a dinner party in Los Angeles with Yu-san and the other backers of this tier. (Date will be tentatively set for June, 2016). Includes the RYO'S JACKET - REPLICA Reward. Limit 3.
The Shenmue 3 on the 3rd festivities have just begun! Get on your Twitter account and Tweet #SaveShenmue to show the world Shenmue is where it's at!
Hello Shenmue Family!
Yu Suzuki's power of imagination, and the genius to bring it all together, has manifested itself time and again with every work of art he has produced. His vision for the future of entertainment--the concept that was Shenmue--was to fuse movies, video games, and digital and analog media of all stripes, in order to create a world where you could truly become someone else and live that life. That vision undeniably lives on in the hearts and souls of so many games that came after it.
Hiroaki Takeuchi believes we will see the same visionary greatness from Yu Suzuki this time around with Shenmue 3.
Hiroaki Takeuchi, the renowned animation pioneer and digital content authority, will be teaming up with Yu Suzuki again as Animation Producer for Shenmue 3. His work on the original Shenmue as an animation adviser helped Yu Suzuki realize that vision to merge animation and cinematics together with video games.
Hiroaki Takeuchi has worked as a producer or executive producer on a host of innovative games and films including Virtua Fighter, The Animatrix, TEKKON KINKREET, and Kakurenbo, not to mention his many contributions to the digital content industry. Please check out his website for a complete list of his work and extensive resume at TaKe-Y Inc.
What makes Shenmue so important? How has Yu Suzuki impacted the future of entertainment? He answers these questions like no one else can, so please welcome Hiroaki Takeuchi!
The #SaveShenmue Tweetathon, is almost upon us, so please send a Tweet with the hashtag #SaveShenmue to show your support for Shenmue 3 on the 3rd. If you do not have a Twitter account, there is no better time to sign up than now. Show the world what Shenmue means to you!
And, you can still get your questions to Yu Suzuki by Tweeting to him using the hashtag #YouaskYu He will start Tweeting back around 7:00PM PDT on the 3rd.
Hello Everyone!
The power of Shenmue's music was undoubtedly one of the big reasons that made the Shenmue series such a memorable experience. One of men responsible for this great achievement, is Ryuji Iuchi.
The composer of "Shenhua's Theme," Iuchi-san's songs have pulled at our heart strings and actually put us there, in the world of Shenmue. And now he is back for Shenmue 3 to help take us into that world once again.
A big standing ovation for Ryuji Iuchi! Thank you for all of the memories, Iuchi-san! We look forward to all of the new songs, and the memories we will make with them in Shenmue 3.
To get a further listen of Ryuji Iuchi's body of work, please visit his website at www.ryujiiuchi.com While most of the site is in Japanese, samples of his music are here at this link, so please have a listen!
#SaveShenmue Tweetathon on Twitter
Don't forget that the 3rd of the month is the #SaveShenmue Tweetathon, so please send a Tweet with the hashtag #SaveShenmue to show your support for Shenmue 3.
You can still get your questions to Yu Suzuki by Tweeting to him using the hashtag #YouaskYu
Magic Weather Warning: There will be a storm of updates on the way, so bring your umbrella with you tomorrow!
Hello Everyone!
Just in! Corey Marshall is now confirmed for Shenmue 3!
The support for Mr. Marshall to reprise his role as Ryo has been just overwhelming!
We all thank Corey-san for coming back, and for all he has done to #SaveShenmue over the years.
Corey is as excited for Shenmue's return as we all are, and to help out, he has magnanimously offered his voice for a special reward. Yes, that's right--get a personal message from Ryo! Do not miss this opportunity to get a very special message from Ryo himself. Maybe one those classic Ryo one-liners?
The $1,000 Reward for the Corey Marshall as Ryo Voice Message will include the $500 Reward. The Ryo Voice Message will also be included in the Rewards for $2,000 and up.
Still ahead later this week we have some highly anticipated Rewards in the works and almost ready to go up, so keep it here!
The finishing touches are being put on the new video to help spread the good word of Shenmue. There have been lots of great ideas and fan videos already out there and we would like to use them all if we could! But we have some great footage on the way to let everyone know about our favorite video game of all time.
Every third of the month has traditionally been the day to show your support for Shenmue 3.
To celebrate the final??? #SaveShenmue Tweetathon, this Friday, the 3rd of July, Yu Suzuki will be joining in to Tweet along with you!
As part of the festivities, he will also be taking questions this week to be answered Friday the 3rd July 2015, 7:00PM PDT. From your Twitter account, Tweet to Yu Suzuki by including the hashtag #YouaskYu in your message along with your question.
Get your unanswered questions answered by Yu Suzuki! See you there!
Hello Everyone!
Today we introduce Masahiro Yoshimoto, the script writer for Shenmue. He has written scripts and screenplays for film and TV, from dramas, to crime, to suspense, to mystery, to period dramas, and for just about every genre there is.
He talks about how his experience writing for, and playing Shenmue, and reflects on his life now that he will be involved with Shenmue again. And! Yoshimoto-san recounts the day when Yu Suzuki pitches him the title for a story. No spoilers here, but if you are a Shenmue fan, you don't want to miss it! It will be one for the record books!
Thank you so much Yoshimoto-san for helping to bring the Shenmue story to life!
Coming Up...
Suzuki-san has heard the many requests for additional rewards, and they are in the works as we speak. Thank you for all the great ideas everyone!
Plus, there are more behind-the-scenes interviews with the Shenmue project members on the way, so stay tuned!
Shenmue has a diverse and huge cast of characters. Hundreds of unique personalities, each with their own story, each going about their own lives in the world of Shenmue. Giving these people shape and breathing life into them was artist and designer Kenji Miyawaki. His work with the character concepts and character design helped populate Shenmue with many of the colorful and unforgettable characters that made the story so inviting.
In today's interview, Miyawaki-san gets into how he had come to work for Sega, what it was like being involved in the production of Shenmue, and elaborates on how a certain character came about.
Please welcome, Kenji Miyawaki!
Thank you very much Miyawaki-san! Your art has ignited the imaginations of all us Shenmue fans. We all look forward to what you have in store for us next! His artwork will most certainly be included in the printed artbook reward, as well as with the grab bag rewards.
There have been many questions concerning Shenmue 3's budget and what outside sources will be added to the money collected through Kickstarter. I apologize for not having been more forthright in this area and would like to take this opportunity to help clarify the situation.
Ys Net and I have been putting in many long years trying to find a way to bring back a sequel that so many fans have waited so long for. After learning of Kickstarter, I knew it would be possible to get Shenmue 3 started. Wanting to make the best game possible, I also knew that I would have to look to more traditional means to obtain all the funds that would be needed to create the game I had envisioned.
Sony and Shibuya Productions have been wonderful partners because they believe in Shenmue and want to see the best for the fans and the game. Their investment in (and support of) Shenmue have helped to realize a sequel that will stand proud with its predecessors. While it is not business practice to discuss the specific details of such arrangements, I can say that with their assistance on the production and marketing end, and in Sony's case with some publishing support as well, Ys Net is able to use more of the money we collect through Kickstarter purely for Shenmue 3's development. It is also important to note that your funds are going strictly to Ys Net for development of Shenmue 3 - Sony and Shibuya Productions are not seeing a cent of your Kickstarter dollars.
The outpouring of support from all of you, the backers, has been so inspirational. I cannot thank you enough. Having reached our funding goal, I am excited to say that the Shenmue story will go on, and our journey with Ryo and Shenhua will continue. Fans will be able to enjoy the sequel they have waited so long for, and newcomers to the series will be introduced to a unique gaming experience.
Of course, like with any Kickstarter, additional funding will only help us make a better game. On top of everything Shenmue 3 will already bring, the Stretch Goals that I have laid out will add extra quests, events, and new gameplay systems that will make the game even more immersive and take the series to the next level. At the $5 million mark, there will be an all new gameplay feature I would be excited to be able to add to the Shenmue legacy. If we should make the $10 million Stretch Goal, a much larger, completely open world will be yours to explore.
Even if these Stretch Goals are not reached, Shenmue 3 will already be a sequel true to its name, and one we can all be proud of. It is my hope though, that together we can make this Shenmue just as revolutionary as the first two were.
I understand this statement may by late in coming. Going forward, we wish to be as open as possible concerning the game's development. I would like to again ask for your cooperation and support in helping make Shenmue 3 the best that it can be.
Sincerely, Yu Suzuki
Hello Shenmue Backers!
Today we have special backer only poll to see who the most popular Shenmue character is. So confident are we, Ryo? Think you got this one in the bag, do you? We'll just see now, won't we?
By voting, the top ranked character will get some VIP treatment in Shenmue 3. Depending on the character, they might get an extended cut scene, a flashback sequence, or a cameo appearance. Or something else entirely?
Click on the link here to vote!
Results will be announced here on the update page, so stay front and center to see which character gets to bathe in the glory of being voted Mr. or Ms. Popular.
More rewards you say? Demand is high for more rewards, so included in the survey is a question for what you would like to see added to the pledge list. What do you want from Santa?
Favorite mini-game? Is there a must-have mini-game that absolutely you cannot live without? Yu-san will see what he can do.
Who will you vote for?
Hello to Everyone around the World!
The Shenmue Carnival is in full swing now! Invite your friends to the party and keep sharing the news. Shout it from the streets to the mountains that Shenmue is back!
Today we have an interview from the main programmer of the Shenmue series, Tak Hirai. He was a key member of the team that made the series what it was, and his experience and familiarity with the code from the original series will be an invaluable resource in helping bringing back the world we all know and love. Give a big round of applause for Tak as he talks about the trials and tribulations of programming for Shenmue 1 and 2, and expresses his hopes for where Shenmue 3 will be headed.
Suzuki-san will be on Reddit tomorrow, so please join him and give him your support to celebrate this momentous occasion! The Reddit AMA will start around 9:30 and the link will be posted here on the Update page. See you there!
Hello Shenmuers!
Thanks to everyone backing, supporting, and getting the word out. Please keep doing what you're doing! Every retweet and repost will bring more backers, and more backers means more Shenmue 3.
Yes, we are at day four of the Kickstarter of the Shenmue of the century.
And today we have a special message from someone who has many a "of the" attached to his name--Mark Cerny! If you have played video games before, you probably have played something Mark has either programmed, designed, produced or directed. Oh yeah, he was the lead architect for the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation Vita, too!
Mark was one of the first people to suggest to Yu-san that he do a Kickstarter for Shenmue 3. It was Mark who then introduced Ryan Payton to Yu-san, and that was that!
"It's really exciting to see Yu Suzuki back hard at work in the universe of Shenmue. The first two titles innovated in so many ways - the combination of revolutionary cinematic experiences, deep world simulation, and fresh approaches to gameplay was truly memorable. I can't wait to see how Shenmue 3 turns out!"
Mark Cerny
President, Cerny Games
Thank you very much Mark!!!
Just a little while back, Kotaku had a nice sit down with Mark, so please take a look-see!
And before we sign off for today, this Friday Yu Suzuki will be on Reddit! You will have your chance to ask him anything! Time to be announced. Get your questions ready!
Thank you again everyone, see you tomorrow!
Happy Day 2 Everyone!
That was an AMAZING first day! And we have only just started! There are still so may stops to make, so let's keep this ship steaming on.
Throughout the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter campaign, we will have a whole carnival of everything that is Shenmue to celebrate this occasion. Exclusive interviews, game and development info, polls, and lots more! (Can't spoil all the surprises, can we?)
To kick off our Super Shenmue Update Spectacular, we have a special guest who has had Shenmue close to his heart since the very beginning.
Founder of Camoflaj, and fresh from his success with his own Kickstarter for Republique, this pillar of the gaming community made his mark as a video game journalist and with his work on the Metal Gear Solid series and Halo 4.
So give a big welcome to Ryan Payton as he talks Shenmue, crowdfunding and Yu Suzuki:
Thank you all for supporting Shenmue 3! To make this Shennmue the Shenmue we all want, please keep up the Tweeting, Facebooking, posting, and Chawan signing!
See you tomorrow!
Joyous Greetings Shenmue Fans!
Yes, this is Kickstarter for Shenmue 3, let there be no doubt! Fans everywhere have called for this day and now the time has finally come.
But first! Shout outs to Shenmue fans everywhere!
Your love, passion and dedication are the real reasons we are here. With a cliffhanger like that, every day was a lifetime not knowing what would happen next. But those lifetimes took on a world of their own, giving birth to a creative, energetic, and thriving community. And hilarious. Don't want to forget hilarious.
For everyone who is like "What's a Shenmue?," a quick search will get you caught up and rolling in laughter. You can go to the Shenmue 3 website where we have links to fan sites around the globe. Come and join the party!
Yu Suzuki needs your help though, if Shenmue 3 is going to be the full-on Shenmue experience you have dreamed of. Share the project with every-one/thing/place you know! Random people on the street? Let 'em know. Sailors in bars? Let 'em know. Kickstarter vs. Shenmue 3 is the match of the century, so let's get it on!
The fight starts now. Your backing and support will make Shenmue 3 all it can be. Pledging now will make the game better for everyone. There is no prize for coming late to the duck races. This is the big chance to give what we love to everyone around the world.
Let's make history. Let's make Shenmue 3.
