Yu Suzuki has issued a new update on the hotly anticipated Shenmue 3 for PlayStation 4 and PC.
Writing in a Kickstarter update, Suzuki-san, who previously worked at SEGA and created all-time classics such as Hang-On, revealed that the basic story outline has been all planned out to continue on from Shenmue II’s epic cliffhanger, as well as teasing some of the interactive elements of the game’s open-world.
“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,” wrote Suzuki in a Kickstarter update. “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.”
“The basic systems have been put in place and we are currently testing the Destruction (when objects break) and High Ground (environmental interactivity) effects,” Suzuki said in the update. “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.”
Shenmue 3 is scheduled for release in December 2017 and was formally announced during Sony’s E3 2015 press conference. The game raised 6.3 million on Kickstarter, and became the fastest video game project on the crowd funding website to reach the one million mark. Fans of the series can still contribute to the funding process of Shenmue 3 thanks to the recently-launched Slacker Backer campaign. Suzuki-san recently admitted that getting the action-RPG sequel to run at 60fps on Sony’s current-generation console may be too difficult.
While a high-definition remaster of Shenmue 1 and 2 has yet to be announced, SEGA has hinted that a re-release may be possible, acknowledging that there is a demand for legacy titles from the publishing giant.