Yu Suzuki's 1994 research trip to China inspired his creation of Virtua Fighter 2 later that same year - and it's clear to see how this also provided a rich base for his subsequent development of Shenmue.
"I feel like that trip gave me the power to overcome any difficulty. Breathing the air of China, feeling martial arts with my body, and encountering real wonders and real people naturally recharged my energy".
https://www.phantomriverstone.com/2021/06/the-end-of-yus-china-journey-creation.html
(This is the final translated part of the series of articles that were run in the Japanese Beep! magazine at the time).
"I feel like that trip gave me the power to overcome any difficulty. Breathing the air of China, feeling martial arts with my body, and encountering real wonders and real people naturally recharged my energy".
https://www.phantomriverstone.com/2021/06/the-end-of-yus-china-journey-creation.html
(This is the final translated part of the series of articles that were run in the Japanese Beep! magazine at the time).