- Joined
- Dec 19, 2019
- Location
- Tokyo
Personally, I don't think anything with even a hint of japanese culture gives up on something after one try.ive seen several documentaries and new articles and to me, it seems like in japanese business culture, once something fails, they don't give it a second chance.
the big wigs at sega even turned down a jet set radio sequel and i think that would of been a hit.
We just need to remember that SEGA doesn't have the same culture anymore. I'd be amazed if more than a handful of people remain from the dreamcast days. The reason they ended up in their SEGA sized hole back in the day was because they took so many crazy risks. Then they went polar-opposite (and understandably) and were way more conservative and risk-averse before yakuza success, Atlus acquisition and sonic movie money. A space channel adaption might be a sign that they are coming out of their hole again, but I'd be surprised if they continue to go back to the well as they seem happier to let other companies take the risk, with or without the license (i.e. Shenmue 3, panzer dragoon, house of the dead remake, taxi chaos, bomb rush cyberpunk.)
Also, let's be honest, without upfront money from Kickstarter, Shenmue 4 could easily be a huge financial disaster for any publisher footing the entire bill (which Suzuki wants to be 20+ million?). Deep silver didn't foot 100% and was clearly disappointed with it.
The odds are not great on Shenmue 4 having a Yakuza 0 breakthrough, as Yakuza had a following in Japan and broke through to the west, Shenmue on the other hand has a cult following in the west and is ignored in Japan despite coming from there, so where is this new audience going to come from?
Most importantly, for this whole saga, at what point does Suzuki just say "f*ck it, forget new fans, let's just get it done for the existing fans"?
Shenmue's biggest problem is that Ryo is constantly on the move, which needs new maps and new characters - a tight budget's worst enemy. Would it really kill Shenmue 4 if they kept the story in Bailu, Niaowu and just added one extra area?
I wouldn't care if the whole of S4 took place in a back alley if it gave them enough money to tell a compelling story and I'd bet most Shenmue fans would take a more linear storytelling over expanded herb gathering to get it over the line.