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Shenmue III

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Shenmue III
File:Promotional Kickstarter image for Shenmue III.png
Developer(s)Ys Net[1]
Publisher(s)Shibuya Productions
Director(s)Yu Suzuki[1]
Producer(s)Yu Suzuki
Cedric Biscay[1]
Artist(s)Kenji Miyawaki
Manabu Takimoto[1]
Writer(s)Yu Suzuki
Masahiro Yoshimoto[1]
Composer(s)Ryuji Iuchi[1]
SeriesShenmue
EngineUnreal Engine 4[1]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
ReleaseDecember 2017[1]
Genre(s)Action-adventure, role-playing, life simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Shenmue III (シェンムー3) is an upcoming action-adventure video game developed by Ys Net and published by Shibuya Productions for the PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows, and is currently scheduled for release in December 2017. It follows teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki in his quest to find his father's killer in 1980s China.

The first two Shenmue games were developed by Sega AM2 and released for the Dreamcast in Japan in 1999 and in the United States and Europe in 2001. The original Shenmue was the most expensive video game ever developed at the time, with an estimated production and marketing cost over $47 million USD, though this also covered Shenmue II and groundwork for future Shenmue games. Despite attracting a cult following, the games did not recoup their development cost and Shenmue III spent over thirteen years in development hell.

In June 2015, Suzuki launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to help fund Shenmue III with his development company Ys Net. It met its initial target of $2 million USD in under eight hours, making it the fastest Kickstarter campaign to reach that amount. The campaign ended in July having raised over $6 million, becoming the most funded video game and the sixth most funded campaign in Kickstarter history.

Premise

Following the events of Shenmue II, teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki has reached Guilin, China in search of his father's killer, Lan Di. There he met Ling Shenhua, a mysterious girl who previously appeared in his dreams. After learning the legend of her village which foretells a united path between them, they embark on a new journey which will reveal their shared destinies.[1] Lan Di will return, with a new antagonist Niao Sun.[1]

Shenmue III begins in Bailu Village. The second area, Choubu, is "a riverside village with lots of shops, souvenir stores, hotels and temples ... the port of call will be filled with souvenir shops and hotels, shrines and village dwellings". The third area, Baisha, will feature a "siege game reminiscent of the Warring kingdoms."[2]

Development

The first two Shenmue games were developed by Sega AM2 and released for the Dreamcast in Japan in 1999 and in the United States and Europe in 2001. The original Shenmue was most expensive video game ever developed at the time, reported to have cost between $47 and 70 million USD, though some of this development covered Shenmue II and groundwork for future Shenmue games;[3] Shenmue II was "completed for a much more reasonable sum".[4] Sega cancelled Shenmue III after the first two games failed to recoup their development cost.

Fans petitioned for Shenmue III, including a campaign by the BBC television show VideoGaiden.[5] In 2008, Sega of America president Simon Jeffrey stated that the game was not in development, but said that it was "one of the most requested fanboy games."[6][7] In January 2010, Sega said that though sales were a concern, they would "love" to develop Shenmue III given the opportunity.[8] In November 2010, Sega West president Mike Hayes said: "While at present we have no plans for the franchise ... the Shenmue legacy ignites a lot of passion among fans. Never say never."[9] On March 2, 2011, Suzuki appeared at the Game Developer's Conference and said about Shenmue III: "I think Sega will let me make it…it's a matter of budget…we have to make it in an affordable way."[10] On January 4, 2012, Suzuki suggested that he could secure the rights to Shenmue from Sega.[11] In 2012, Sega told Eurogamer that Shenmue was "among its most requested rereleases".[12]

In March 2013, 12 years after the release of Shenmue II, news arose that Suzuki was attempting to crowdfund Shenmue III, with talks about console exclusivity as another potential method to fund the project.[13] During a presentation on the franchise at the 2014 Game Developers Conference, Suzuki stated that he would like to make Shenmue III with the "right opportunity". In an interview the following day, he said he was researching the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.[14] In May 2014, the Shenmue trademark was renewed by Sega.[15] On September 28, 2014, Suzuki said: "Sega is not a problem at all. For Shenmue III, we need to define a specific budget and if I can gather enough for it, Sega will allow me to do it."[16] During the conference, Sony Computer Entertainment approached Suzuki about Shenmue III as it was one of the most requested titles in their "#BuildingTheList" Twitter campaign, which asked fans what they want on PlayStation.[17][18][19]

Announcement and crowdfunding

On June 15, 2015, during Sony's E3 press conference, Suzuki announced a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to develop Shenmue III for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 using Unreal Engine 4, with a tentative release date of December 2017.[20] The initial funding goal - the amount necessary for the Kickstarter campaign to succeed and development to begin - was $2 million USD. "Stretch goals" - additional goals to encourage donations beyond the initial goal - included a "rapport system" at $3.2 million, which governs changes in Shenhua's actions depending on the player's actions, and a "character perspective system" at $5 million, which highlights different characters' personalities.[21] Suzuki said that for Shenmue III to be a "true open world" game, the campaign would need to raise at least $10 million; nonetheless, he said he would not be disappointed by a smaller figure and that he would "make what [he] can within the budget from your money".[22]

The campaign raised $1 million USD in 102 minutes, making it the fastest game to raise that amount through crowdfunding,[23] and met its initial goal of $2 million in under eight hours, making it the fastest Kickstarter campaign to reach that amount.[24][25][26] The campaign ended on July 17 having raised $6.3 million USD from over 69,000 backers, becoming the most funded Kickstarter video game campaign and the sixth most funded Kickstarter campaign of all time.[22] Suzuki said that he will continue crowdfunding Shenmue III through PayPal.[27] Sony may provide additional funding to market the PlayStation 4 version of the game.[28]

Shenmue III is being developed by Ys Net, with the team consisting of key members of the original Shenmue development team.[29] Masaya Matsukaze and Corey Marshall, the Japanese and English voices of Ryo respectively, will reprise their roles.[1][30]

On August 27, 2015, MCV reported that since the announcement of Shenmue III, sales of preowned Dreamcast consoles had "gone through the roof".[31]

Awards

In June 2015, Shenmue III won the Best Debut Award in GameTrailers's Best of E3 2015 awards.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Shenmue III Kickstarter". Kickstarter. Kickstarter. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Shenmue 3". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2015-08-22.
  3. ^ Diver, Mike. "Shenmue – discovering the Sega classic 14 years too late". the Guardian. Retrieved 2015-06-30.
  4. ^ Fahs, Travis (September 9, 2010). "IGN Presents the History of Dreamcast". IGN. Retrieved 2014-10-31.
  5. ^ [1][dead link]
  6. ^ 7/16/08 2:40pm 7/16/08 2:40pm. "Sega: No Plans For Shenmue III, Seaman 2". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ 7/23/08 6:20pm 7/23/08 6:20pm. "E308 Simon Jeffery Destroys All of Your Hopes For Dreamcast 2, Shenmue 3, and Seaman 2". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Story: Sega talks Shenmue III". PS3center.net. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  9. ^ Reisinger, Don (2010-11-02). "Sega: 'Never say never' on Shenmue 3 | The Digital Home - CNET News". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  10. ^ "GDC: The Future of Shenmue - IGN". Pc.ign.com. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  11. ^ Dutton, Fred (2012-01-04). "Suzuki: "We can obtain Shenmue license from Sega" • News •". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  12. ^ "Shenmue 1, 2 HD to launch on PSN, XBLA - report". Retrieved 2015-07-04.
  13. ^ "Sega Considers Shenmue III Options, Trade Exclusivity for Funds - Page 1 - PS3 NEWS - PlayStation 3 News - PS3 Hacks - PS3 CFW". PS3 NEWS. Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  14. ^ Robinson, Martin (20 March 2014). "Yu Suzuki is looking into Kickstarter for Shenmue 3". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  15. ^ GameCentral. "Sega renews Shenmue trademark as Nintendo registers Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. | Metro News". Metro.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
  16. ^ "Shenmue Dojo - Shenmue Series Extras". shenmuedojo.net. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  17. ^ "Sony Are Helping Create Shenmue III". Siliconera. June 16, 2015. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  18. ^ Romano, Sal (June 16, 2015). "Sony Is A Partner In Shenmue III's Development". Gematsu. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  19. ^ "Between Shu Ferns: PlayStation Experience clips tease #BuildingTheList announcements". Retrieved 2015-09-08.
  20. ^ Fingas, Jon. "'Shenmue III' will come to PC and PS4 with your help". Engadget. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  21. ^ I am Yu Suzuki. New Posting!, Reddit
  22. ^ a b "Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Ends at $6.3 Million, Most Ever for a Video Game". Retrieved 2015-07-19.
  23. ^ Pitcher, Jenna (June 17, 2015). "E3 2015: Shenmue III Smashes Guinness World Record For Fastest Video Game Crowdfunding". IGN. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  24. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (June 16, 2015). "Kickstarter campaign for Shenmue III hits its $2m target in less than eight hours". Metro. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  25. ^ Newhouse, Alex (June 16, 2015). "Shenmue 3 Makes $2.4 Million, Crosses its Funding Goal in Less Than 12 Hours". GameSpot. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  26. ^ Parfitt, Ben (June 16, 2015). "Shenmue 3 successfully funded on Kickstarter". MCVUK. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  27. ^ http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/20/9002807/shenmue-3-pulls-in-three-times-kickstarter-request-paypal-campaign
  28. ^ Finnegan, Lizzy (June 22, 2015). "Understanding Sony's Role in Shenmue 3". The Escapist. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  29. ^ Nakamura, Toshi (June 18, 2015). "What We Know About Shenmue III So Far". Kotaku. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  30. ^ Crecente, Brian (July 1, 2015). "Original Shenmue voice actor returns for Shenmue 3". Polygon. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  31. ^ "Dreamcast console sales spike following Shenmue III reveal". MCV UK. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  32. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/s9ivv0/best-of-e3-2015-awards-best-debut
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