Random Shenmue IV Thoughts.

ININ is well positioned with big japanese firms like Square Enix, Taito and SEGA. They previously stated special devotion to japanese games above all.
They also think about videogames as (quote) "not fast-food entertainment but art and culture".
Could this be what we have been waiting for? Could be just attracting investors for a funding round (like 110 Industries) and then nothing to hear about?
I won't get my hopes up until official YS.net statement, with december-january being key dates.
Edit: looking at their catalogue, being involved with Shenmue IV just seems way too much a huge leap. Of course, small low profile companies had rung the bell before and got big, but proceed with caution with this and refrain of dancing around the bonfire yet.
Edit2: I forgot about they're responsible of making Air Twister multiplatform. Maybe I will preparare small bonfire. Just in case!
 
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We just have to wait it out. I expect nothing from it. ININ are working with YSNET which is good so there is a relationship there which is fantastic.

Nothing likely but still intrigued given the Air Twister link.
 
Sonoshee said:
I've been supporting it since 1999, too. But I aren't egotistical enough to think that Yu owes me anything. It was our choice to support it and Yu will give us answers when he's able to.



Probably because there's nothing to say? Or it's down to the publisher keeping a lid on it.
Don't forget that Yu, like other developers, have to adhere to NDAs.
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Even if he is under an NDA, which I hope by the way, he could still communicate more with his fans. Just saying anything like he is confident something will happen, or something similar. Of course we don’t expect him to announce it and break any NDA.

If he is not though, then there really is no excuse. Under this situation, he should be communicating regularly to keep his (evidently) small fanbase connected and give us reasons to continue our fight.

Or, if he has chosen to move on or if there seems to be no chance in the near future, just let us know.
 
Don't NDAs exist for the exact reason not to give even a tiny tease of information? Apparently just the forklift tweet 24h prior to E32015 got Yu into some sort of trouble IIRC?

Also, saying there no chance in near future won't be good to say if theyre trying to court a publisher... plus the kickstarter showed how vial and stereotypically toxic/entitled plenty of the online Shenmue community really are... we really don't deserve jackshit from artists
 
xatruio said:
Don't NDAs exist for the exact reason not to give even a tiny tease of information? Apparently just the forklift tweet 24h prior to E32015 got Yu into some sort of trouble IIRC?

Also, saying there no chance in near future won't be good to say if theyre trying to court a publisher... plus the kickstarter showed how vial and stereotypically toxic/entitled plenty of the online Shenmue community really are... we really don't deserve jackshit from artists
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Hopefully this is the reason. I mean giving like one interview a year where he discusses Shenmue at all is not enough to keep people caring.

Also, if he doesn’t have funding yet, I think it would be pretty obvious to any publisher anyway so I don’t think that is a reason to say nothing.
 
xatruio said:
Don't NDAs exist for the exact reason not to give even a tiny tease of information?
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Exactly, even saying "Sorry but Im under NDA" isn't allowed in certain circumpstances.
xatruio said:
Also, saying there no chance in near future won't be good to say if theyre trying to court a publisher...
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Thats not the case, fortunately Yu Suzuki has clearly stated when the series future has been compromised. He repeteadly talked in the manner he can about being determined to finish the series, hinting that will be in game format, and that some technology of its own could breakthrough. That totally apply for the fake "we just want to know the state of things no matter how it is". Result: rephrasing the same question again and again.
xatruio said:
plus the kickstarter showed how vial and stereotypically toxic/entitled plenty of the online Shenmue community really are... we really don't deserve jackshit from artists
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I applause your stance for artist. If just Kenji Eno lived today... That guy wasn't afraid of taking on this species of self proclaimed executive producers who simply bought three games at some point, nothing more nothing less and in the same way of the others fans like you and me. You also are 8/16bit veteran and clearly are used (may I risk to say missing?) to the times when artist-fan relationship was: look at our preview version (a few stills in some magazine), waiting 6 months-a year, look at our game done, buy it or leave it, next project.
The BBS channels started all the shitstorm and development-porn.

Dragon & Phoenix just showed two trailers recently and while it was comentted in a correct way, it was throw that Ryo model looked off. I think thats not correct and looking for details to complain.

japalp said:
Or, if he has chosen to move on or if there seems to be no chance in the near future, just let us know.
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"I decided to move on from Shenmue"... Please, you're a reasonable person. if YS says that, given the actual climate, he would be harrased to unsuspected limits. Dead threatened? Yes, sadly I think so.
"after supporting you for 20 years this is how you pay us?!" Like crystal clear can see it happening. He wont be left alone if decides that in all fairness.

Edit: the moment one realizes that people recording, editing and streaming regularly a Shenmue podcast/videoblog regularly (thats supporting) are ok and chill with YS ways... The rest of us should lay the head down, enjoy our real life while patiently awaiting. Cerrar la bocona. Cojones, hostias ya.
 
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xatruio said:
Don't NDAs exist for the exact reason not to give even a tiny tease of information? Apparently just the forklift tweet 24h prior to E32015 got Yu into some sort of trouble IIRC?
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Yeah, Sony were really unhappy with that. They wanted complete secrecy.
 
ININ reply doesnt qualify for trolling, I think that too @Suzaku. Besides the Air Twister link and company ethos about videogames, their answer is very restrained.
Comparing to 110 Bluffs it grows to super proffesional answer.
Quick sum of the facts:
. 110-I pops out of nothing with a cryptic announce displaying a banana with an apple and the line "Red Goes Faster".

. Shenmue fanbase, hungry of news and due a loose tie with S3, gets very excited. That could be argued that was our fault.

. 110 steps announcing three projects unrelated to Shenmue. Wanted:Dead, Vengeance is Mine and Red Goes Faster.
They keep though, a curtain of uncertainty around their pressumed involvement with S4. Including statements like "we have something prepared thats gonna be a big surprise" (more or less those were the words used) and their CEO giving a "no comments" being asked about in a video interview.
Also twitts shifting from very open to the possibility and others almost implying they were involved but "uh can't tell".

. In the middle of the confusion also release a interview with Yu Suzuki. Not clarifying again what he was doing with them or implying he was at least for consulting. People find out he has nothing to do with the project. Again no clear reply from 110 I.

. They were asking for donations for every project, still visible at their Facebook page. A ugly move with a published heavy capital at company profiles beforehand, possibly fake too.

. Shenmue fanbase gets their hopes more balanced/untrusty, choose the best for your stance.

. They repeat the "big announce" hype for a later last hour cancelled event. But keeping pics from the event preparation with staff on set, misleading into it really happened. That was on their Discord.

. At some point, Yu-san is reached and asked about 110 teasing S4. His face expression was like ??? and he stated nothing to do with them. Silence from 110.

Fast-fast forward:
Their CEO outs by the backdoor, without public statement. People have to find out at his LinkedIn profile or rumours. He's in a new company, possibly funded with the previous donations to start trolling again. Not gonna name the company because I don't want to give'em free visibility.

Legacy:
. One game published (Wanted :: dead) and possibly abandoned with no further but previously announced updates.

. Two games "delayed for 2024", the other two projects. Which I dont believe ever be launched because unlike the former, developed by another party (Soleil), those two were developed by them (so just publishers or developers too?)

. For some reason, Sergei CalabacΓ­n finds necessary/appropiate for a proffesional profile related to videogame industry to write he is always carrying a fire weapon.
Allow me saving you people where do I think he can stick that rifle. Just think in a donut.

Epilogue:
The Shenmue fanbase moved on with renewed hopes combined with healthy caution.
Demostrating they're not bullies, just disaproved what 110 I did, vented a bit but never started a campaing against the named individuals or companies.
Another different thing is what each person wish to do at individual title.
In my case, still interested for Soleil developers and not touching even with a stick whatever 110 I and its new rebranded donation hunter company has in sleeve. Other people with the preference of supporting it, are in their legit right to do it, Im not calling to boycott. I don't want to be shot.
 
Let's not also forget that Yu-san comes from a time that existed long before social media became a thing. I think too many people are used/entited to know everything yesterday, when things like that don't always work. Yu-san comes from a time where information is more tightly controlled and it's an uneasy fit in a culture that demands everything immeidately.

Shenmue III is a unique situation because the situation demanded that the project be known long before the game is released. I don't know about you, but there's a balance between something being announced too early or with too short notice. Announce something too early and familiarity breeds contempt and people get bored long before the product is released (Guns N Roses' "Chinese Democracy" is a good example of this). On the other hand, if it was announced that Shenmue IV is released next week, that's mega exciting, but that initial burst of joy will soon be forgotten. In this 24 hour news cycle, such news will quickly be forgotten.

As mentioned on previous Dojo videos, I think 6 months to 1 year is the sweet spot between an announcement and release. On the other hand, we only got two weeks notice for the Shenmue anime, but it's a different kettle of fish.
 
Yu Suzuki doesn't own Shenmue IP. He can work toward making a new game a possibility like he did with Shenmue 3, but ultimately it's all up to SEGA.
SEGA may even decide to do something with Shenmue IP (impossible, I know) without Suzuki, leaving him completely in the dark. Yu Suzuki is simply not in a position to talk about the hypothetical Shenmue future unless he has all the deals in place and is actually working on it. He can't say "no more Shenmue games" just because he's not personally involved right now. From Sega perspective that would be seen as a mean spirited statement aimed to diminish the value of their IP. Sega is the one you should ask for Shenmue updates, all Suzuki can do is repeat what he's already said many, many times.
 
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