I'm currently working on the final phase of putting together a couple of videos with multiple rare, funny or otherwise interesting scenes and also other videos about Shenmue.
I'll start with what I've already uploaded in the past. Some of those are really old, starting in 2008.
This topic will house every Shenmue related video that I've made from now on. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYUgJHfttbo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQBlHis9LI4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3bGDpukwCM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lePAYlRoTR4
Search found 213 matches
Dorimaga 2001 Interview w/ Yu Suzuki & others
This is a translation of an article that was published in the September 2001 edition of the Dorimaga magazine. In it, Yu Suzuki and some of the Japanese voice actors talk about the completion of Shenmue II (released for the Dreamcast in Japan during the month this article was published) including some of the content that had to be cut from the release, and reflect back on their experiences over the previous 5 years they spent on the Shenmue project.
Part of this article (about Chapter 2) was translated by Kiyuu and discussed back in 2003. Also a short manga version of the Chapter 2 boat scenario is included as unlockable content on the Xbox version of Shenmue II.
http://i.imgur.com/FoGm3IDt.png
Special Interview: Looking Back on Shenmue
http://i.imgur.com/PAaSTUg.png
Yu Suzuki – Executive Producer
Masaya Matsukaze – Japanese voice & motion actor for Ryo
Hazuki Ishigaki – Japanese voice & motion actress for Shenhua
Takumi Hagiwara – Japanese voice & motion actor for Ren
Compared to the previous episode, “Chapter One - Yokosuka”, the townsfolk of Shenmue II seem friendlier. The game gives the impression that it has been made to address some of the areas that had room for improvement in the first game, as if to acknowledge that some may find it off-putting if everyone were to give you the cold shoulder like in Shenmue I. Some people may already have completed Shenmue II in its entirety, but this interview covers a range of topics, including things that people who have finished the game will also want to hear about.
TV Commercials
Q: The first topic is about the commercials for Shenmue II that are currently being shown on TV.
Shenmue II Commercial #1: "Pork"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cdJMDayC4o Shenmue II Commercial #2: "Kung Fu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVGozf4zCRs Shenmue II Commercial #3: "Beautiful Woman"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jv1cgLsQAk
Suzuki: To film those TV commercials we went over to Shanghai, although in the near future we plan to show commercials that will feature actual screens from the game. I think showing some of the gameplay will help attract ordinary members of the public to the game.
Matsukaze: You know, Hagiwara-san and I actually appear in one of those commercials, but probably no one’s noticed. (laughs) And we're really acting, too!
http://i.imgur.com/WV2O5Qr.png
Left & bottom-right: the set of the Hong Kong street at the Shanghai Film Park. The first photo was actually taken by Yu Suzuki. In the “Beautiful Woman” version of the commercial, look for Masaya Matsukaze (Ryo), and Takumi Hagiwara (Ren), showing their “real acting" (!) in the background.
Top-right: two giant pig carcasses containing a machine gun were chopped up on location. The set crew took the innards home for dinner.
Hagiwara: Right. People who have played Shenmue II are sure to recognize that we’re acting the bit where we lie in wait for Yuan. There are several different episode variations of the commercial, and they’re fun to watch. In the one with the old man, he was pretty shaky on his feet, so we had to film using a high-speed camera to make it look as though he was standing steadily. Gee, that old man was wobbling all over the place. (laughs)
Release of Shenmue II
Q: With Shenmue II going on sale soon, how do you all feel about that? You've been involved with Shenmue for a really long period of time.
Suzuki: We’ve been through a lot to get here, but for me I think the main thing is to have created something that will be loved by the people who play the game. Recently that’s all I’ve been thinking about. So I’m extremely keen to hear everyone’s comments. Right now it’s the only thing on my mind. (laughs)
Matsukaze: For me, I started my “countdown” about a month ago. It hasn’t felt that long, but I’ve been willing it to get here faster. (laughs)
Suzuki: I think the way the game has been put together is pretty unusual these days. For example, the shop interiors have been created down to the last inch. I don’t think any other game pays such ridiculous attention to detail. “Shenmue: The Movie”, which is playing right now, has that same flavor.
Q: It really has been a long project, hasn’t it. The voice actors have also been involved for ages; how long has it been?
Matsukaze: I’ve been playing the role of Ryo since the days of the Saturn. All up, I’ve been acting the part for just over 5 years.
http://i.imgur.com/LRomR4A.png
Matsukaze has been playing as Ryo for over 5 years.
Q: Did those 5 years feel long?
Hagiwara: It felt long! For one thing, an enormous amount of time was spent on filming, but it also took a long time for it to be incorporated into the actual game. We captured an endless amount of motion footage, and even after the voice recordings had been done, the creation of the game still had to be done. It seemed like the release day would never be reached.
Suzuki: Well, the software implementation side was tough too! After writing the software there was a huge checklist to be run through – I wish I had it here to show everyone! (laughs) There was a line chart that showed the number of check items decreasing; there were more than 10,000 items to check and it seemed endless.
Q: By the way, how many times larger is Shenmue II compared to Shenmue I?
Suzuki: I don’t know exactly, but I'd say easily 3 or 4 times the size of Shenmue I. But a lot of scenes got left out, because right as we neared the end of development I added a whole lot of extra content. Even using the best compression techniques of the time, there was too much for it all to fit. Even so, at the end we increased the content by about an extra 30% of the total game, for the area of Guilin where Shenhua appears.
Matsukaze: I heard a lot about that near the end of the development. People were saying that too much had been made and it wouldn’t all fit in.
The Cutting Room Floor
Q: I’ve heard that there was going to be a “Chapter 2 – The Boat” between Shenmue I and Shenmue II, but Shenmue II starts with Ryo disembarking from the boat, doesn’t it. And the mother of a little girl makes reference to something about that. (laughs)
Suzuki: That’s right. “Chapter 2 – The Boat” from the original scenario was dropped completely.
Matsukaze: Oh yeah, the boat! Actually Chai shows up there. It turns out that Chai survives being cast into Yokosuka harbor, and he shows up on the boat where Ryo fights against this unseen enemy. That was how the scenario was going to run.
Q: Were the scenes filmed?
Matsukaze: Yes, they were. They were filmed in a really over-the-top style. (laughs) Several of the people involved in the story on the boat were to then appear again in a later scenario. They would say something along the lines of “Oh, it’s you from that time on the boat...”, connecting the plot together. That was the plan for the scenario.
Suzuki: The confrontation with Chai would have made a nice situation. We had completed the designs for the boat interior, with everything detailed - from the escape routes and deck heights to the length of the handrails. The plan was that it would develop into a large-scale action scene.
Matsukaze: We completed filming of all the motion capture too. It started with opening the cabin door, and events developed spectacularly from there.
Q: So as you were working on making Shenmue II, you reluctantly had to cut it?
Suzuki: Well, it didn’t trouble me too much. I was like “It’s impossible, it won’t fit – cut it!”. (laughs)
Q: I’m guessing that there were a lot of other scenes cut from the final version, and motion capture that wasn’t included? In particular, I think Ren’s movements are really well done and I was impressed; but I kind of wish we could see more of them.
Hagiwara: Well, if the motion capture was kept for all the detailed actions, it would make a huge amount. We shot a ton of fight scenes as well. Quite a lot has been cut.
http://i.imgur.com/ppqn5We.png
On asking Yu Suzuki, “What happened to Niao Sun, who was shown at the premiere?”, he replies “I haven’t been able to use her yet, since she appears later in terms of the scenarios.” Masaya Matsukaze, who plays Ryo, hints at things to come: “When it’s time for Niao Sun to make an appearance in Shenmue, the story will have reached an amazing point!”
Q: Which was more difficult to carry out: dubbing voices to the actions, or the motion capture?
Suzuki: Firstly, these weren’t carried out by different people – the actor’s own acting is the source of the motion capture. Also, when an opponent is hit in the game he cries out; so by actually hitting him, his cry will be the cry of someone who has really been hit. (laughs) It may sound like tough work, but I think it was the perfect set-up.
There was a lot of trial and error at the beginning, but by the time we got to Shenmue II, at last we had found ways to manage things more efficiently.
Q: By the way, Shenmue is your first RPG-style game, isn’t it. Would it be correct to say that one of the main factors that sparked you to develop it is one that is commonly cited, namely the arrival of Final Fantasy VII during the era of the Saturn and PlayStation?
Suzuki: To be honest, part of it was because I found myself in a position of having “no place to go next”. The reason that the Sega Saturn lost popularity wasn't because it was beaten in terms of Sega vs Sony software titles, but because of a completely separate shift in power. And around that time I definitely had a kind of feeling of not having a place to go. As well as that, up until now I had been competing in the 3-minute world of arcade games, and I had been wanting to try my hand at creating something without such a time limit. So you can say that these two points are why I decided to move from arcades to try my hand on the home console.
http://i.imgur.com/9JQjld9.png
“At first Shenhua wears plain clothing, but I planned to have her wear various different clothes later on” says Suzuki. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds” comments Hazuki Ishigaki, who plays the role of Shenhua.
Looking Back
Q: And so, now that at last Shenmue II has been completed, how do you feel now looking back on it? After the Shenmue Premiere event (December 20, 1998), I guess that the plan was to release it within a year, but it has turned out to have taken right up until now... Is that somewhere near the mark?
Suzuki: It’s true that it didn’t turn out quite as I had initially planned. As more people became involved things grew more and more complicated, not just by a factor of a few times, but exponentially. And with everyone being a developer, if the person next to them developed something impressive, then they would feel compelled to outdo it. This resulted in a kind of chain reaction where everyone would strive to improve their output quality. But it’s hard for me to tell people not to increase quality! It was really challenging to find the right balance.
However there is one thing I think turned out well. In some ways Shenmue shares similarities with fighting-based games, but in the last half of the game in Guilin, where Shenhua appears, there’s no fighting at all. So I feel that I’ve been able to bring out the true Shenmue spirit there.
With Shenmue the graphics are all generated in real time, and ordinarily an attempt to make a game like this would be abandoned in frustration. (laughs) Game developers simply don’t go to the extremes we did. To tell you the truth, I don’t think we could go through it all again.
The Future
Q: So you won’t be making another Shenmue?
Suzuki: The first thing I want to do is take some vacation (laughs), and the staff too. I don’t think we could put ourselves through such tough times again as we did with Chapter One. However, even so, I’ve now learned a lot about how to make this type of game and so I’m confident that we’ll be able to make the next one more efficiently and with less of a burden. We’ll be able to make a similar kind of game, and it’s something I want to do. But... I feel like taking a bit of a break first. (laughs)
Q: Hypothetically speaking, if there was the possibility again in the future, what would be your choice of hardware? Ah, before asking that - is there any potential for a port?
Suzuki: Porting Shenmue I and II across to other hardware wouldn’t be impossible, but due to the sheer size it would materially be a tough job to take on. The easiest and most likely option would be the PC, in a year or two. That’s because the PC has, in a sense, the ability to handle anything and has few constraints.
Q: What thoughts do you actors have about that?
Hagiwara: I’m already raring to go! (laughs) Bring it on!
http://i.imgur.com/CrmKdVM.png
We really hope to see more acting from Takumi Hagiwara, who plays Ren. “Just say the word and I definitely will!” he says.
Q: I would have liked to have seen Ren take part in more scenes, to be honest!
Hagiwara: I know, right? There are still heaps of interesting stories connected to the scenarios made so far. Things like “Why is Ren present?” and “Why did Shenhua make an appearance?” It all gets explained later on.
Ishigaki: My wish for a port is that it starts properly from the very first disk of the series (laughs).
Matsukaze: Yeah, I agree.
Q: Yu-san, going back to the point you mentioned about the feeling you had of “nowhere to go”, have you satisfied this to some extent for the future?
Suzuki: In a way... not completely though. Conversely, now things have turned into a kind of hardware war, so it has become kind of pointless, right? Life is full of variety, for better or worse. But for me, the creation process is enjoyable, and therefore I want to create a product that people will enjoy. I think that’s been the lesson I’ve learned.
Matsukaze: A lot of female characters appear in Shenmue II, but actually people like Fangmei have some really detailed parameters associated with them such as her level of intimacy. And to reflect these parameters, her spoken lines were all recorded with various tones of voice! I hope everyone can appreciate the amazing attention to detail that fills every corner of the game.
Suzuki: For me, I don’t consider that “Shenmue” came to an end with the demise of the Dreamcast. I have an emotional attachment to the game. And so, I hope to meet up with you all again one day.
Matsukaze: Let’s meet next time for “Shenmue Returns”. (laughs)
Hagiwara: Absolutely. I hope we can.
http://i.imgur.com/Xn9zNAj.png
Matsukaze, Ishigaki, Suzuki and Hagiwara. For now, the long long project that was Shenmue has come to an end. Will we meet everyone again in the next episode? Or perhaps in a different project... if one is in the works? We’ll be watching for the next release from Yu Suzuki!
Part of this article (about Chapter 2) was translated by Kiyuu and discussed back in 2003. Also a short manga version of the Chapter 2 boat scenario is included as unlockable content on the Xbox version of Shenmue II.
http://i.imgur.com/FoGm3IDt.png
Special Interview: Looking Back on Shenmue
http://i.imgur.com/PAaSTUg.png
Yu Suzuki – Executive Producer
Masaya Matsukaze – Japanese voice & motion actor for Ryo
Hazuki Ishigaki – Japanese voice & motion actress for Shenhua
Takumi Hagiwara – Japanese voice & motion actor for Ren
Compared to the previous episode, “Chapter One - Yokosuka”, the townsfolk of Shenmue II seem friendlier. The game gives the impression that it has been made to address some of the areas that had room for improvement in the first game, as if to acknowledge that some may find it off-putting if everyone were to give you the cold shoulder like in Shenmue I. Some people may already have completed Shenmue II in its entirety, but this interview covers a range of topics, including things that people who have finished the game will also want to hear about.
TV Commercials
Q: The first topic is about the commercials for Shenmue II that are currently being shown on TV.
Shenmue II Commercial #1: "Pork"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cdJMDayC4o Shenmue II Commercial #2: "Kung Fu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVGozf4zCRs Shenmue II Commercial #3: "Beautiful Woman"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jv1cgLsQAk
Suzuki: To film those TV commercials we went over to Shanghai, although in the near future we plan to show commercials that will feature actual screens from the game. I think showing some of the gameplay will help attract ordinary members of the public to the game.
Matsukaze: You know, Hagiwara-san and I actually appear in one of those commercials, but probably no one’s noticed. (laughs) And we're really acting, too!
http://i.imgur.com/WV2O5Qr.png
Left & bottom-right: the set of the Hong Kong street at the Shanghai Film Park. The first photo was actually taken by Yu Suzuki. In the “Beautiful Woman” version of the commercial, look for Masaya Matsukaze (Ryo), and Takumi Hagiwara (Ren), showing their “real acting" (!) in the background.
Top-right: two giant pig carcasses containing a machine gun were chopped up on location. The set crew took the innards home for dinner.
Hagiwara: Right. People who have played Shenmue II are sure to recognize that we’re acting the bit where we lie in wait for Yuan. There are several different episode variations of the commercial, and they’re fun to watch. In the one with the old man, he was pretty shaky on his feet, so we had to film using a high-speed camera to make it look as though he was standing steadily. Gee, that old man was wobbling all over the place. (laughs)
Release of Shenmue II
Q: With Shenmue II going on sale soon, how do you all feel about that? You've been involved with Shenmue for a really long period of time.
Suzuki: We’ve been through a lot to get here, but for me I think the main thing is to have created something that will be loved by the people who play the game. Recently that’s all I’ve been thinking about. So I’m extremely keen to hear everyone’s comments. Right now it’s the only thing on my mind. (laughs)
Matsukaze: For me, I started my “countdown” about a month ago. It hasn’t felt that long, but I’ve been willing it to get here faster. (laughs)
Suzuki: I think the way the game has been put together is pretty unusual these days. For example, the shop interiors have been created down to the last inch. I don’t think any other game pays such ridiculous attention to detail. “Shenmue: The Movie”, which is playing right now, has that same flavor.
Q: It really has been a long project, hasn’t it. The voice actors have also been involved for ages; how long has it been?
Matsukaze: I’ve been playing the role of Ryo since the days of the Saturn. All up, I’ve been acting the part for just over 5 years.
http://i.imgur.com/LRomR4A.png
Matsukaze has been playing as Ryo for over 5 years.
Q: Did those 5 years feel long?
Hagiwara: It felt long! For one thing, an enormous amount of time was spent on filming, but it also took a long time for it to be incorporated into the actual game. We captured an endless amount of motion footage, and even after the voice recordings had been done, the creation of the game still had to be done. It seemed like the release day would never be reached.
Suzuki: Well, the software implementation side was tough too! After writing the software there was a huge checklist to be run through – I wish I had it here to show everyone! (laughs) There was a line chart that showed the number of check items decreasing; there were more than 10,000 items to check and it seemed endless.
Q: By the way, how many times larger is Shenmue II compared to Shenmue I?
Suzuki: I don’t know exactly, but I'd say easily 3 or 4 times the size of Shenmue I. But a lot of scenes got left out, because right as we neared the end of development I added a whole lot of extra content. Even using the best compression techniques of the time, there was too much for it all to fit. Even so, at the end we increased the content by about an extra 30% of the total game, for the area of Guilin where Shenhua appears.
Matsukaze: I heard a lot about that near the end of the development. People were saying that too much had been made and it wouldn’t all fit in.
The Cutting Room Floor
Q: I’ve heard that there was going to be a “Chapter 2 – The Boat” between Shenmue I and Shenmue II, but Shenmue II starts with Ryo disembarking from the boat, doesn’t it. And the mother of a little girl makes reference to something about that. (laughs)
Suzuki: That’s right. “Chapter 2 – The Boat” from the original scenario was dropped completely.
Matsukaze: Oh yeah, the boat! Actually Chai shows up there. It turns out that Chai survives being cast into Yokosuka harbor, and he shows up on the boat where Ryo fights against this unseen enemy. That was how the scenario was going to run.
Q: Were the scenes filmed?
Matsukaze: Yes, they were. They were filmed in a really over-the-top style. (laughs) Several of the people involved in the story on the boat were to then appear again in a later scenario. They would say something along the lines of “Oh, it’s you from that time on the boat...”, connecting the plot together. That was the plan for the scenario.
Suzuki: The confrontation with Chai would have made a nice situation. We had completed the designs for the boat interior, with everything detailed - from the escape routes and deck heights to the length of the handrails. The plan was that it would develop into a large-scale action scene.
Matsukaze: We completed filming of all the motion capture too. It started with opening the cabin door, and events developed spectacularly from there.
Q: So as you were working on making Shenmue II, you reluctantly had to cut it?
Suzuki: Well, it didn’t trouble me too much. I was like “It’s impossible, it won’t fit – cut it!”. (laughs)
Q: I’m guessing that there were a lot of other scenes cut from the final version, and motion capture that wasn’t included? In particular, I think Ren’s movements are really well done and I was impressed; but I kind of wish we could see more of them.
Hagiwara: Well, if the motion capture was kept for all the detailed actions, it would make a huge amount. We shot a ton of fight scenes as well. Quite a lot has been cut.
http://i.imgur.com/ppqn5We.png
On asking Yu Suzuki, “What happened to Niao Sun, who was shown at the premiere?”, he replies “I haven’t been able to use her yet, since she appears later in terms of the scenarios.” Masaya Matsukaze, who plays Ryo, hints at things to come: “When it’s time for Niao Sun to make an appearance in Shenmue, the story will have reached an amazing point!”
Q: Which was more difficult to carry out: dubbing voices to the actions, or the motion capture?
Suzuki: Firstly, these weren’t carried out by different people – the actor’s own acting is the source of the motion capture. Also, when an opponent is hit in the game he cries out; so by actually hitting him, his cry will be the cry of someone who has really been hit. (laughs) It may sound like tough work, but I think it was the perfect set-up.
There was a lot of trial and error at the beginning, but by the time we got to Shenmue II, at last we had found ways to manage things more efficiently.
Q: By the way, Shenmue is your first RPG-style game, isn’t it. Would it be correct to say that one of the main factors that sparked you to develop it is one that is commonly cited, namely the arrival of Final Fantasy VII during the era of the Saturn and PlayStation?
Suzuki: To be honest, part of it was because I found myself in a position of having “no place to go next”. The reason that the Sega Saturn lost popularity wasn't because it was beaten in terms of Sega vs Sony software titles, but because of a completely separate shift in power. And around that time I definitely had a kind of feeling of not having a place to go. As well as that, up until now I had been competing in the 3-minute world of arcade games, and I had been wanting to try my hand at creating something without such a time limit. So you can say that these two points are why I decided to move from arcades to try my hand on the home console.
http://i.imgur.com/9JQjld9.png
“At first Shenhua wears plain clothing, but I planned to have her wear various different clothes later on” says Suzuki. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds” comments Hazuki Ishigaki, who plays the role of Shenhua.
Looking Back
Q: And so, now that at last Shenmue II has been completed, how do you feel now looking back on it? After the Shenmue Premiere event (December 20, 1998), I guess that the plan was to release it within a year, but it has turned out to have taken right up until now... Is that somewhere near the mark?
Suzuki: It’s true that it didn’t turn out quite as I had initially planned. As more people became involved things grew more and more complicated, not just by a factor of a few times, but exponentially. And with everyone being a developer, if the person next to them developed something impressive, then they would feel compelled to outdo it. This resulted in a kind of chain reaction where everyone would strive to improve their output quality. But it’s hard for me to tell people not to increase quality! It was really challenging to find the right balance.
However there is one thing I think turned out well. In some ways Shenmue shares similarities with fighting-based games, but in the last half of the game in Guilin, where Shenhua appears, there’s no fighting at all. So I feel that I’ve been able to bring out the true Shenmue spirit there.
With Shenmue the graphics are all generated in real time, and ordinarily an attempt to make a game like this would be abandoned in frustration. (laughs) Game developers simply don’t go to the extremes we did. To tell you the truth, I don’t think we could go through it all again.
The Future
Q: So you won’t be making another Shenmue?
Suzuki: The first thing I want to do is take some vacation (laughs), and the staff too. I don’t think we could put ourselves through such tough times again as we did with Chapter One. However, even so, I’ve now learned a lot about how to make this type of game and so I’m confident that we’ll be able to make the next one more efficiently and with less of a burden. We’ll be able to make a similar kind of game, and it’s something I want to do. But... I feel like taking a bit of a break first. (laughs)
Q: Hypothetically speaking, if there was the possibility again in the future, what would be your choice of hardware? Ah, before asking that - is there any potential for a port?
Suzuki: Porting Shenmue I and II across to other hardware wouldn’t be impossible, but due to the sheer size it would materially be a tough job to take on. The easiest and most likely option would be the PC, in a year or two. That’s because the PC has, in a sense, the ability to handle anything and has few constraints.
Q: What thoughts do you actors have about that?
Hagiwara: I’m already raring to go! (laughs) Bring it on!
http://i.imgur.com/CrmKdVM.png
We really hope to see more acting from Takumi Hagiwara, who plays Ren. “Just say the word and I definitely will!” he says.
Q: I would have liked to have seen Ren take part in more scenes, to be honest!
Hagiwara: I know, right? There are still heaps of interesting stories connected to the scenarios made so far. Things like “Why is Ren present?” and “Why did Shenhua make an appearance?” It all gets explained later on.
Ishigaki: My wish for a port is that it starts properly from the very first disk of the series (laughs).
Matsukaze: Yeah, I agree.
Q: Yu-san, going back to the point you mentioned about the feeling you had of “nowhere to go”, have you satisfied this to some extent for the future?
Suzuki: In a way... not completely though. Conversely, now things have turned into a kind of hardware war, so it has become kind of pointless, right? Life is full of variety, for better or worse. But for me, the creation process is enjoyable, and therefore I want to create a product that people will enjoy. I think that’s been the lesson I’ve learned.
Matsukaze: A lot of female characters appear in Shenmue II, but actually people like Fangmei have some really detailed parameters associated with them such as her level of intimacy. And to reflect these parameters, her spoken lines were all recorded with various tones of voice! I hope everyone can appreciate the amazing attention to detail that fills every corner of the game.
Suzuki: For me, I don’t consider that “Shenmue” came to an end with the demise of the Dreamcast. I have an emotional attachment to the game. And so, I hope to meet up with you all again one day.
Matsukaze: Let’s meet next time for “Shenmue Returns”. (laughs)
Hagiwara: Absolutely. I hope we can.
http://i.imgur.com/Xn9zNAj.png
Matsukaze, Ishigaki, Suzuki and Hagiwara. For now, the long long project that was Shenmue has come to an end. Will we meet everyone again in the next episode? Or perhaps in a different project... if one is in the works? We’ll be watching for the next release from Yu Suzuki!
- Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:48 pm
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Re: Translation requests here!
Next I'll be translating this Shenmue II interview with Yu and some of the Japanese voice actors that was published in the September 2001 issue of Dorimaga magazine. Some of its content has been partially translated before but I think it will be of interest to translate the full interview.
http://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ADorimaga_JP_20010921_2001-08ex.pdf&page=84
About the Shenmue Premiere video, the short edition is now subbed , but I'll hold off on the full version in the hope that a high quality version can be obtained.
Update: the Dorimaga interview translation is posted here .
http://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ADorimaga_JP_20010921_2001-08ex.pdf&page=84
About the Shenmue Premiere video, the short edition is now subbed , but I'll hold off on the full version in the hope that a high quality version can be obtained.
Update: the Dorimaga interview translation is posted here .
- Mon Aug 17, 2015 12:43 am
- Jump to forum
- Jump to topic
All stars transformed models (FBX)
What's up guys?
I decided to open this thread because I'm actually ripping the next models from all stars games in FBX format. The DL link will be posted when I finish it.
- Ryo.
- Forklift.
- Motorcycle.
- Out Run cabinet.
- Hang On cabinet.
- Space Harrier cabinet.
The reason I want to make this is because not all Ryo's vehicles are already ripped and most of files are merged into various threads so it's always a question of time to get them all. My intention is making a "Mega pack" with all these files so we can get them all quickly with one download. I'm going to add extra model like the next ones:
- Akira & Jacky models from all stars.
- Jacky's car from all stars.
- Ferrari Testarossa from Out Run 2006.
- Delphinus from Transformed.
- Hornet (Daytona USA) from Transformed.
I'd like to credit Esppiral for telling me that All Stars models can be ripped and ReeceKun for showing the tools needed to make it. Actually, I have this:
http://imgur.com/NOHUs23.jpg
I decided to open this thread because I'm actually ripping the next models from all stars games in FBX format. The DL link will be posted when I finish it.
- Ryo.
- Forklift.
- Motorcycle.
- Out Run cabinet.
- Hang On cabinet.
- Space Harrier cabinet.
The reason I want to make this is because not all Ryo's vehicles are already ripped and most of files are merged into various threads so it's always a question of time to get them all. My intention is making a "Mega pack" with all these files so we can get them all quickly with one download. I'm going to add extra model like the next ones:
- Akira & Jacky models from all stars.
- Jacky's car from all stars.
- Ferrari Testarossa from Out Run 2006.
- Delphinus from Transformed.
- Hornet (Daytona USA) from Transformed.
I'd like to credit Esppiral for telling me that All Stars models can be ripped and ReeceKun for showing the tools needed to make it. Actually, I have this:
http://imgur.com/NOHUs23.jpg
- Tue Aug 25, 2015 6:33 am
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Re: Shenmue Collections & Merchandise
Hi everyone!
I've been following this web and forums a long time ago, but I never writed any contribution before... I'm from Barcelona (Catalonia) and on my 34 years old I'm actually feeling like a child trying to manage the excitement for the new Shenmue III !! \:D/ \:D/ \:D/
Thank you all who helped to make it real trough kickstarter! I'm so glad of my 300€ pledge!! :king:
Well, I think that is the reason I finally decided to post something...
I've seen amazing collections of Shenmue merchandise on this forum that made me sooo jelaous! =D> =D> =D> and I'm very proud of mine and would be great to share it with you!
I don't use to post in forums and I have readed the faqs to try to do it well... sorry if I make something wrong... here we go!!
A general view:
http://i.imgur.com/432vV3O.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lNltpeZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Iu7eBRB.jpg
Guides and magazines:
http://i.imgur.com/DrLjP6G.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wDPc18r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ww5hWkc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/C5cieRn.jpg
Versions of game,OST and others:
http://i.imgur.com/Fb6mECs.jpg
Versions of the movie (official and none, and the gang edition)
http://i.imgur.com/s0zmZsT.jpg
Soundtrack cds, with christmas edition and notebooks:
http://i.imgur.com/prQbNDP.jpg
Some stuff!
http://i.imgur.com/6dPkSKm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LgBQvMP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ehqN64D.jpg
The Wristwatch!!! 8) 8) 8)
http://i.imgur.com/2vr3eXb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FcBoLtb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LPeTq7q.jpg
Great plastic dosiers:
http://i.imgur.com/f5dqpXl.jpg
Fan made!
http://i.imgur.com/1rrNOlI.jpg
I love this!
http://i.imgur.com/VFcZuFH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cIO2tU1.jpg
Phonecards collection!
http://i.imgur.com/sCF20u6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pHimohr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/51MshIO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j9lxtaB.jpg
Cool statues catallogue:
http://i.imgur.com/RsXX89i.jpg
Some advertisings (... ethnic super tanned Ryo??! :roll: )
http://i.imgur.com/wPkEaOr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qoq892E.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/73DcCu7.jpg
As you can see, I have some duplicated articles... sometimes I think of sell it throug paypal or something, but I never find enough free time!
Well guys... I hope that you have enjoyed this the same way I've enjoyed watching your collections!!
I know some important stuff is missing (ryo limited statue and forklift sega racing specially for me) but my actual family issues doesn't allow me to spend all the needed money and time... #-o
See you guys! And remember... Keep friends... those you love... close to you...
PD:
Sorry for my errors writting in english...!
I've been following this web and forums a long time ago, but I never writed any contribution before... I'm from Barcelona (Catalonia) and on my 34 years old I'm actually feeling like a child trying to manage the excitement for the new Shenmue III !! \:D/ \:D/ \:D/
Thank you all who helped to make it real trough kickstarter! I'm so glad of my 300€ pledge!! :king:
Well, I think that is the reason I finally decided to post something...
I've seen amazing collections of Shenmue merchandise on this forum that made me sooo jelaous! =D> =D> =D> and I'm very proud of mine and would be great to share it with you!
I don't use to post in forums and I have readed the faqs to try to do it well... sorry if I make something wrong... here we go!!
A general view:
http://i.imgur.com/432vV3O.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lNltpeZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Iu7eBRB.jpg
Guides and magazines:
http://i.imgur.com/DrLjP6G.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wDPc18r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ww5hWkc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/C5cieRn.jpg
Versions of game,OST and others:
http://i.imgur.com/Fb6mECs.jpg
Versions of the movie (official and none, and the gang edition)
http://i.imgur.com/s0zmZsT.jpg
Soundtrack cds, with christmas edition and notebooks:
http://i.imgur.com/prQbNDP.jpg
Some stuff!
http://i.imgur.com/6dPkSKm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LgBQvMP.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ehqN64D.jpg
The Wristwatch!!! 8) 8) 8)
http://i.imgur.com/2vr3eXb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FcBoLtb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LPeTq7q.jpg
Great plastic dosiers:
http://i.imgur.com/f5dqpXl.jpg
Fan made!
http://i.imgur.com/1rrNOlI.jpg
I love this!
http://i.imgur.com/VFcZuFH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/cIO2tU1.jpg
Phonecards collection!
http://i.imgur.com/sCF20u6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pHimohr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/51MshIO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j9lxtaB.jpg
Cool statues catallogue:
http://i.imgur.com/RsXX89i.jpg
Some advertisings (... ethnic super tanned Ryo??! :roll: )
http://i.imgur.com/wPkEaOr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qoq892E.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/73DcCu7.jpg
As you can see, I have some duplicated articles... sometimes I think of sell it throug paypal or something, but I never find enough free time!
Well guys... I hope that you have enjoyed this the same way I've enjoyed watching your collections!!
I know some important stuff is missing (ryo limited statue and forklift sega racing specially for me) but my actual family issues doesn't allow me to spend all the needed money and time... #-o
See you guys! And remember... Keep friends... those you love... close to you...
PD:
Sorry for my errors writting in english...!
- Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:42 pm
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Re: Translation requests here!
Curious as to what these say from the Wan Chai martial arts school, are they the same sayings as in the Hazuki Dojo? Does any of the "clear as a polished mirror" quotation?
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/11907135_10100569647294422_6873269718195502944_o.jpg
At least a couple of them are seen elsewhere:
1. 泰然自若 - "Always maintain composure and presence of mind". This is the same as the one in Ryo's father's room.
2. 道可道非常道 - "The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way" (the first line of the Tao Te Ching). I haven't seen it anywhere else in the game.
2015/9/5 update: Kiyuu noted it is also found in the Hazuki Dojo. The game subtitles translate it as "Principles cannot be expressed only by words".
2015/11/5 update: I also found this scroll displayed in one of the shops on Dragon Street, along with a scroll that has a variation with a similar meaning: 名可名也 非恒名也.
3. 天龍地友 - "Heaven, Dragon, Earth, Comrades". Seen on the paper about the Chawan Sign.
Since I was digging around anyway, a couple of others from the Hazuki Dojo are:
不撓不屈 - "Be ever unyielding" (Ryo's father's room)
and of course...
明鏡止水 - "Keep your mind as clean as a polished mirror" (Fuku-san's room)
https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/11907135_10100569647294422_6873269718195502944_o.jpg
At least a couple of them are seen elsewhere:
1. 泰然自若 - "Always maintain composure and presence of mind". This is the same as the one in Ryo's father's room.
2. 道可道非常道 - "The Way that can be told of is not an unvarying way" (the first line of the Tao Te Ching). I haven't seen it anywhere else in the game.
2015/9/5 update: Kiyuu noted it is also found in the Hazuki Dojo. The game subtitles translate it as "Principles cannot be expressed only by words".
2015/11/5 update: I also found this scroll displayed in one of the shops on Dragon Street, along with a scroll that has a variation with a similar meaning: 名可名也 非恒名也.
3. 天龍地友 - "Heaven, Dragon, Earth, Comrades". Seen on the paper about the Chawan Sign.
Since I was digging around anyway, a couple of others from the Hazuki Dojo are:
不撓不屈 - "Be ever unyielding" (Ryo's father's room)
and of course...
明鏡止水 - "Keep your mind as clean as a polished mirror" (Fuku-san's room)
- Wed Aug 26, 2015 3:09 am
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Re: Translation requests here!
Thank you so much for all of your effort, Switch. Your domain in the language is... awesome.
You're welcome!
By the way, I've recently come across this stack of old (Japanese) Dreamcast Magazine scans online at retrocdn.net , and looking through them there are a heap of Shenmue-related interviews and articles going back to the time of Project Berkley.
I'm planning to work through the translations of these articles as time allows. They may give some insight into how Shenmue I & II were developed and put together. At least, it will give us something to read while we wait for Shenmue III.
You're welcome!
By the way, I've recently come across this stack of old (Japanese) Dreamcast Magazine scans online at retrocdn.net , and looking through them there are a heap of Shenmue-related interviews and articles going back to the time of Project Berkley.
I'm planning to work through the translations of these articles as time allows. They may give some insight into how Shenmue I & II were developed and put together. At least, it will give us something to read while we wait for Shenmue III.
- Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:51 am
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Re: All stars transformed models (FBX)
Ok. The pack is finally done. PM me if you want it.
I don't have shown all the models that come inside so feel free to post more pictures.
I don't have shown all the models that come inside so feel free to post more pictures.
- Fri Aug 28, 2015 2:23 pm
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Amazing Acts of Kindness from Strangers
So has this thing ever happened to you? The kind of moment when a stranger unexpectedly helps you out in an everyday situation or just does something really helpful or awesome for you without expecting anything in return.
I think they probably just do it because they're awesome people but when it happens, those people totally make my day. The kind of experience which at least parly restores your faith in humanity.
Here's an example which happened to me once:
1. I was at this metal concert once, standing in a crowd of something like 40k people. I don't know what exactly happened but suddenly my throat went really dry and I had to cough very hard. I was there with a friend who was just getting us a new round of drinks, so I was alone at that moment. A guy who was moshing with some other guys stopped and tapped me on the shoulder from behind saying "Are you OK, dude? Can I help you?" The cough went out and I told him I was fine and thanked him.
How cool was that? And it gets better: A couple of minutes later the cough came back and that time, two college girls standing next two me asked me if I needed help. I first thought they were scared of me puking on them, so I said "Don't worry ladies, I'm not drunk, I'm not gonna puke. I'm driving today," to which they replied "Nooooo, we didn't mean it that way! We just wanna make sure you're OK." A few minutes later again, my friend came back with a water for me and a beer for himself. After a few sips of water I was fine again. But still, within five minutes or so, I had three complete strangers offering to help me out. After the show, while driving back home, I told my friend about what happened while he was getting drinks and we were both moved by how kind-hearted some people are.
What are some of your experiences whith strangers which were awesome?
I think they probably just do it because they're awesome people but when it happens, those people totally make my day. The kind of experience which at least parly restores your faith in humanity.
Here's an example which happened to me once:
1. I was at this metal concert once, standing in a crowd of something like 40k people. I don't know what exactly happened but suddenly my throat went really dry and I had to cough very hard. I was there with a friend who was just getting us a new round of drinks, so I was alone at that moment. A guy who was moshing with some other guys stopped and tapped me on the shoulder from behind saying "Are you OK, dude? Can I help you?" The cough went out and I told him I was fine and thanked him.
How cool was that? And it gets better: A couple of minutes later the cough came back and that time, two college girls standing next two me asked me if I needed help. I first thought they were scared of me puking on them, so I said "Don't worry ladies, I'm not drunk, I'm not gonna puke. I'm driving today," to which they replied "Nooooo, we didn't mean it that way! We just wanna make sure you're OK." A few minutes later again, my friend came back with a water for me and a beer for himself. After a few sips of water I was fine again. But still, within five minutes or so, I had three complete strangers offering to help me out. After the show, while driving back home, I told my friend about what happened while he was getting drinks and we were both moved by how kind-hearted some people are.
What are some of your experiences whith strangers which were awesome?
- Thu Sep 03, 2015 4:46 pm
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What sort of indie staff can we expect ?
Key figures :
$4 000 000 Kickstarter budget at least allowed to the development ($4.5m at most)
$100 000 average wage to pay ($4180 average monthly wage in Japan according the OCDE 2012 list x 24 months of development)
$4m/$0.1 = 40 permanent workers at the very least
Notes :
- I consider in my calculation that the private budget is intended to pay the potential extras like licensing, rentals, motion capture, dubbing, material, outsources, publishing, orchestra, etc.
- I consider that the Paypal budget is only a spare wheel to anticipate the possible delays as Yu seems not to care.
- It's a very rough & straight calculation, it acts like if the duration of contract would be 2 years for everyone. Infact, one programmer can work only 6 months while another can be involved during the whole 2-years project. So the number of 40 workers may increase rather easily.
- sub-teams expected : quests, events, free battle, mini games, scenario, planners, graphic design artists, music/sound artists + Sony support team
Reminder :
In comparison with Shenmue Dreamcast ( http://segaretro.org/Shenmue#Production_Credits )
- No Shenmue Saturn cost
- No Shenmue Passport cost
- No "Promotion & Publicity" team cost (role assigned to Sony)
- No R&D teams cost
- Mainly no artworks cost
Comparable projects :
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
If you have some other interesting facts, please share or correct me.
$4 000 000 Kickstarter budget at least allowed to the development ($4.5m at most)
$100 000 average wage to pay ($4180 average monthly wage in Japan according the OCDE 2012 list x 24 months of development)
$4m/$0.1 = 40 permanent workers at the very least
Notes :
- I consider in my calculation that the private budget is intended to pay the potential extras like licensing, rentals, motion capture, dubbing, material, outsources, publishing, orchestra, etc.
- I consider that the Paypal budget is only a spare wheel to anticipate the possible delays as Yu seems not to care.
- It's a very rough & straight calculation, it acts like if the duration of contract would be 2 years for everyone. Infact, one programmer can work only 6 months while another can be involved during the whole 2-years project. So the number of 40 workers may increase rather easily.
- sub-teams expected : quests, events, free battle, mini games, scenario, planners, graphic design artists, music/sound artists + Sony support team
Reminder :
In comparison with Shenmue Dreamcast ( http://segaretro.org/Shenmue#Production_Credits )
- No Shenmue Saturn cost
- No Shenmue Passport cost
- No "Promotion & Publicity" team cost (role assigned to Sony)
- No R&D teams cost
- Mainly no artworks cost
Comparable projects :
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Kingdom Come: Deliverance
If you have some other interesting facts, please share or correct me.
- Thu Sep 03, 2015 8:58 pm
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Re: Translation requests here!
Thanks for the support! 
I'm glad to help the Shenmue community leap over that language barrier.
I'm glad to help the Shenmue community leap over that language barrier.
- Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:42 pm
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Re: TGS 2015 - Too Early?
fittersau wrote:Amir wrote:DEVILLE_David wrote: My life is complete !
The badge is from Gachapon tho.... Spent more than 1000 yen and nothing *grrrrrr*
"Maybe I should get another..."
;)
lol
That's what I did and finally got it ! woot !
- Fri Sep 18, 2015 4:59 am
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Re: TGS 2015 - Too Early?
You're the man David. 
Medium is perfect.
Medium is perfect.
- Sat Sep 19, 2015 7:43 am
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Re: We should really push for full voice acting
The best way to push for full voice acting is to promote the PayPal campaign during the window we have imho. They've said it is contingent upon funding, and that's the only tool we have.
This will be a game with a very limited budget. There is a finite amount of content they will be able to create. If it's a choice between a larger world and more things to actually do in game, and voice acting where text would convey the same information but just less cinematically, then I would prefer they do the latter personally. I don't want a smaller game world and less content just so we can have voice acting.
But if we want to have our cake and eat it, too... we need to raise more funds.
This will be a game with a very limited budget. There is a finite amount of content they will be able to create. If it's a choice between a larger world and more things to actually do in game, and voice acting where text would convey the same information but just less cinematically, then I would prefer they do the latter personally. I don't want a smaller game world and less content just so we can have voice acting.
But if we want to have our cake and eat it, too... we need to raise more funds.
- Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:48 am
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Re: We should really push for full voice acting
Allways assumed full voice acting was a given, specially with all the translation languages made avaiable through the kickstarter stretch goals.
Exactly! Nice to find out it’s not.
…Here’s a question.
Why couldn’t those loveable f*cktards make this into a clear stretch goal?
(and no…not at the $11M tier)
This. I think it should have been in there. But then again, the budget for the VA has to go along with the scale of the game so maybe they don't even know how much voicing they will need yet.
Honestly, I would have preferred them to make the game Japanese voices only. Forget about English voices, save half of the voice budget and use that money for a full-fledged Japanese voice over. Then put English and the other languages as subtitles.
It worked perfectly fine for Shenmue 2 PAL on DC, it worked for some of the Yakuza games. They saved a lot of localization costs just by dumping English VA.
With all that said, keep in mind that Ys Net probably won't step down from either English VA or any of the subs. Especially not with a Frenchman in charge of the games financials. :lol:
Exactly! Nice to find out it’s not.
…Here’s a question.
Why couldn’t those loveable f*cktards make this into a clear stretch goal?
(and no…not at the $11M tier)
This. I think it should have been in there. But then again, the budget for the VA has to go along with the scale of the game so maybe they don't even know how much voicing they will need yet.
Honestly, I would have preferred them to make the game Japanese voices only. Forget about English voices, save half of the voice budget and use that money for a full-fledged Japanese voice over. Then put English and the other languages as subtitles.
It worked perfectly fine for Shenmue 2 PAL on DC, it worked for some of the Yakuza games. They saved a lot of localization costs just by dumping English VA.
With all that said, keep in mind that Ys Net probably won't step down from either English VA or any of the subs. Especially not with a Frenchman in charge of the games financials. :lol:
- Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:34 pm
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Re: Do you think you'll die before S3 release?
I think some die hard 'Muers have already died since the release of S2. Including the man, who recorded this here video. One of the best Shenmue piano videos. Makes me sad to think about him not having lived to see S3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN4QFpKauq0
We should all be grateful to be alive and maybe when we play Shenmue 3 I hope that sometimes we will keep in mind that there are some fellow 'Muers who didn't live to see that lifetime dream come true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN4QFpKauq0
We should all be grateful to be alive and maybe when we play Shenmue 3 I hope that sometimes we will keep in mind that there are some fellow 'Muers who didn't live to see that lifetime dream come true.
- Sun Sep 20, 2015 5:15 pm
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Re: When Sega inevitably announces the HD remasters...
Sega is non-existant anymore, the fact is, if they stopped making the Sonic, and to a lesser extant, Yakuza, no one would even of Sega these days.
Sega is not a developer anymore, all the skilled developers they have ever had, left long ago, and all they are, is some publisher that doesn't release stuff out side of Japan.
Sega might "own" ATLUS, but that's not the same thing as being considered the ones that create the games. It's also very obfious when Sega doesn't create somes, because X game doesn't suck to no end.
Do you know what Sega's idea of trying to revitalize/cash in on the Shenmue series is? A crappy mobile game(what a joke), and merchandise.
Do you not realize that the structure of Sega, is exactly the same as Konami, the only, and I mean the only thing different between the two, is they aren't assholes about it+they aren't about to leave a industry, just because their gambling machines make more money(they're completely different industries, It's beyond retarded to leave one industry if It's still profitable, just because another industry you're already a part of, is more profitable. As dumb as Sega is, I suppose we can be atleast thankful they aren't as dumb as Konami)
You may not have notice it but Sega today is a larger and more powerful organisation then it has ever been. Granted, the structure of Sega is vastly changed from the Dreamcast days but such things are inevitable, given the rapidly changing world that we live in. Regardless, Sega has been able to survive and even thrive despite the great difficulties affecting the global economy and the game's industry in particular. Where everything from Pachinko gambling machines to children toys all contribute to Sega's bottom line, in addition to the numerous AAA video games that Sega continues to create.
As a matter of course this means that Sega has also had to reorganise and expand its in house development teams. Some teams have been consolidated, others have been greatly expanded, while entirely new teams have joined Sega thanks to numerous acquisitions. The end result is that Sega has numerous elite developers all over the world able to make games to cater to the tastes of local audiences. Sega’s Japanese teams make games like Yakuza (for consoles) and Chain Chronicle (for mobile platforms). Sega’s Western teams make franchise like Total War (for consoles) and Sonic Runners (for mobile platforms). All of which bring Sega both prestige and profits.
Looking towards the future Sega will continue to expand the company’s reach by acquiring new development teams wherever possible. Under Sega’s oversight Atlus will soar to new heights, Persona 5 will bring the whole Persona franchise into the mainstream where it can stand toe to toe with the likes of Final Fantasy. This is just the latest of Sega’s successful acquisitions and it certainly won’t be the last. With time these new development teams added to Sega will also make Sega games, just as is the case with Atlus now. As is a perfectly reasonable and natural part of a how a major organisation, like Sega, actually functions.
As for the Shenmue franchise, merchandise has and always will play a significant part in its success and ultimate survival. The strong sales of merchandise will also help to determine the viability of a franchise, paving the way for new games, depending on how well that merchandise is received by its target audience. Suffice to say, the presence of Shenmue merchandise at this year’s TGS is welcome news indeed. We may not have Shenmue 1 and 2 HD yet but more Shenmue merchandise always bodes well. The sale of this merchandise, along with all the other Shenmue merchandise we’ve seen in recent years, helps to encourage further support from Sega in the near future.
Sega is not a developer anymore, all the skilled developers they have ever had, left long ago, and all they are, is some publisher that doesn't release stuff out side of Japan.
Sega might "own" ATLUS, but that's not the same thing as being considered the ones that create the games. It's also very obfious when Sega doesn't create somes, because X game doesn't suck to no end.
Do you know what Sega's idea of trying to revitalize/cash in on the Shenmue series is? A crappy mobile game(what a joke), and merchandise.
Do you not realize that the structure of Sega, is exactly the same as Konami, the only, and I mean the only thing different between the two, is they aren't assholes about it+they aren't about to leave a industry, just because their gambling machines make more money(they're completely different industries, It's beyond retarded to leave one industry if It's still profitable, just because another industry you're already a part of, is more profitable. As dumb as Sega is, I suppose we can be atleast thankful they aren't as dumb as Konami)
You may not have notice it but Sega today is a larger and more powerful organisation then it has ever been. Granted, the structure of Sega is vastly changed from the Dreamcast days but such things are inevitable, given the rapidly changing world that we live in. Regardless, Sega has been able to survive and even thrive despite the great difficulties affecting the global economy and the game's industry in particular. Where everything from Pachinko gambling machines to children toys all contribute to Sega's bottom line, in addition to the numerous AAA video games that Sega continues to create.
As a matter of course this means that Sega has also had to reorganise and expand its in house development teams. Some teams have been consolidated, others have been greatly expanded, while entirely new teams have joined Sega thanks to numerous acquisitions. The end result is that Sega has numerous elite developers all over the world able to make games to cater to the tastes of local audiences. Sega’s Japanese teams make games like Yakuza (for consoles) and Chain Chronicle (for mobile platforms). Sega’s Western teams make franchise like Total War (for consoles) and Sonic Runners (for mobile platforms). All of which bring Sega both prestige and profits.
Looking towards the future Sega will continue to expand the company’s reach by acquiring new development teams wherever possible. Under Sega’s oversight Atlus will soar to new heights, Persona 5 will bring the whole Persona franchise into the mainstream where it can stand toe to toe with the likes of Final Fantasy. This is just the latest of Sega’s successful acquisitions and it certainly won’t be the last. With time these new development teams added to Sega will also make Sega games, just as is the case with Atlus now. As is a perfectly reasonable and natural part of a how a major organisation, like Sega, actually functions.
As for the Shenmue franchise, merchandise has and always will play a significant part in its success and ultimate survival. The strong sales of merchandise will also help to determine the viability of a franchise, paving the way for new games, depending on how well that merchandise is received by its target audience. Suffice to say, the presence of Shenmue merchandise at this year’s TGS is welcome news indeed. We may not have Shenmue 1 and 2 HD yet but more Shenmue merchandise always bodes well. The sale of this merchandise, along with all the other Shenmue merchandise we’ve seen in recent years, helps to encourage further support from Sega in the near future.
- Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:19 am
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Re: Can Nobuo Uematsu compete with the Classical greats?
He will never get the recognition he deserves, just because most of his compositions are focused on the videogame industry, it is as sad as it sounds...
My fave compositions from him are To Zanarkand (FFX) A Return Indeed (LO) and most of the Blue Dragon Soundtrack.
He was my inspiration to start learning piano on my own, I did this ( A return indeed) cover some time ago, I love that song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syhIoz7fDJQ
Shitty/old/ cheap keyboard sound, sorry xD
My fave compositions from him are To Zanarkand (FFX) A Return Indeed (LO) and most of the Blue Dragon Soundtrack.
He was my inspiration to start learning piano on my own, I did this ( A return indeed) cover some time ago, I love that song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syhIoz7fDJQ
Shitty/old/ cheap keyboard sound, sorry xD
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 2:32 pm
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Thanking Sony
It might only be my perception, but I feel that not enough people on these boards are giving Sony the credit they deserve. Sony actually saved Shenmue. They're much more than a valued partner here, they were the driving force behind all of this. If it wasn't for them, Shenmue III would not be happening.
They listened to fans demanding Shenmue III and Yakuza 5 during their "Building the List" campaign, first announcing a western release of Yakuza 5 at PlayStation Experience in 2014, which was then followed by the most unlikely thing: The Shenmue III Kickstarter at E3 2015.
Many of you still seem to be looking to SEGA for further Shenmue stuff. The thing is, without Sony's involvement, they won't lift a finger. They didn't support Shenmue during the past decade (you'd have to be quite the fanboy to claim otherwise, and I know some of you do and thus probably are), and they won't be starting to do so anytime soon. If you want Shenmue I&II HD, Sony are the ones to ask. Maybe we'll hear something about it at Sony's Paris Games Week conference in about a month. If you're glad about Shenmue III, which is most likely the case, Sony are the ones to thank.
Concerning SEGA's involvement, if it can be called that: Yes, they gave Yu the license. But why shouldn't they. All they had to do was say "Alright. Part of the profits in late 2017 to this bank account please: ...". They had no plans to do anything with it. Now they're allowing Yu to do something with it, which is as passive as it gets, while (most likely) still making a (small?) profit off it. I doubt that license came totally free.
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure if an HD collection gets announced, it will be on one of Sony's stages. Sony's motivation behind all of this is obvious, of course. Shining as the most gamer/fan/consumer-friendly console manufacturer out there. Having much desired stuff for the hardcore audience on their system. And it works for me. The stuff they support is great. And it's more than great that they brought Shenmue III to life after all these years. They deserve our praise for it. So do Cedric Biscay and Shibuya Productions of course. So does Yu Suzuki. So do the guys at Neilo. But they are getting their praise on these boards, they are getting lots and lots of it. I feel Sony doesn't, even though they deserve it arguably the most for making it all possible. So let me conclude by saying:
THANK YOU SONY. :heart:
FOR MAKING SHENMUE III REALITY.
They listened to fans demanding Shenmue III and Yakuza 5 during their "Building the List" campaign, first announcing a western release of Yakuza 5 at PlayStation Experience in 2014, which was then followed by the most unlikely thing: The Shenmue III Kickstarter at E3 2015.
Many of you still seem to be looking to SEGA for further Shenmue stuff. The thing is, without Sony's involvement, they won't lift a finger. They didn't support Shenmue during the past decade (you'd have to be quite the fanboy to claim otherwise, and I know some of you do and thus probably are), and they won't be starting to do so anytime soon. If you want Shenmue I&II HD, Sony are the ones to ask. Maybe we'll hear something about it at Sony's Paris Games Week conference in about a month. If you're glad about Shenmue III, which is most likely the case, Sony are the ones to thank.
Concerning SEGA's involvement, if it can be called that: Yes, they gave Yu the license. But why shouldn't they. All they had to do was say "Alright. Part of the profits in late 2017 to this bank account please: ...". They had no plans to do anything with it. Now they're allowing Yu to do something with it, which is as passive as it gets, while (most likely) still making a (small?) profit off it. I doubt that license came totally free.
I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure if an HD collection gets announced, it will be on one of Sony's stages. Sony's motivation behind all of this is obvious, of course. Shining as the most gamer/fan/consumer-friendly console manufacturer out there. Having much desired stuff for the hardcore audience on their system. And it works for me. The stuff they support is great. And it's more than great that they brought Shenmue III to life after all these years. They deserve our praise for it. So do Cedric Biscay and Shibuya Productions of course. So does Yu Suzuki. So do the guys at Neilo. But they are getting their praise on these boards, they are getting lots and lots of it. I feel Sony doesn't, even though they deserve it arguably the most for making it all possible. So let me conclude by saying:
THANK YOU SONY. :heart:
FOR MAKING SHENMUE III REALITY.
- Tue Sep 22, 2015 11:54 am
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Interview with the Lead Tester for NTSC Shenmue 1 at Sega
EDIT: INTERVIEW IS UP!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LzGRZrt8Ng&feature=youtu.be
Hi all,
I am meeting with Mike Rhinehart tomorrow here in New York City.
Mike was the lead tester for Shenmue 1 who is currently selling the beta prototypes online.
Please place any questions here you may have for him.
He is listed in this block of credits:
Sega of America Dreamcast, Inc.
U.S. Executive in Charge: Shinobu Toyoda
Localization Coordination: Jin Shimazaki, Osamu Shibamiya
Producer: Jason Kuo
Dialogue Editors: Jason Kuo, Christopher Lucich
Director Promotions: Heather Kashner
Product Manager: Robert Alvarez
Product Marketing Specialist: Dennis Lee
Director Product Marketing: John Golden
Public Relations: Heather Hawkins
Director Event Planning: Kathleen Joyce
Creative Services: Angela Santos
Lead Tester: Michael Rhinehart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LzGRZrt8Ng&feature=youtu.be
Hi all,
I am meeting with Mike Rhinehart tomorrow here in New York City.
Mike was the lead tester for Shenmue 1 who is currently selling the beta prototypes online.
Please place any questions here you may have for him.
He is listed in this block of credits:
Sega of America Dreamcast, Inc.
U.S. Executive in Charge: Shinobu Toyoda
Localization Coordination: Jin Shimazaki, Osamu Shibamiya
Producer: Jason Kuo
Dialogue Editors: Jason Kuo, Christopher Lucich
Director Promotions: Heather Kashner
Product Manager: Robert Alvarez
Product Marketing Specialist: Dennis Lee
Director Product Marketing: John Golden
Public Relations: Heather Hawkins
Director Event Planning: Kathleen Joyce
Creative Services: Angela Santos
Lead Tester: Michael Rhinehart
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:07 pm
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Shenmue Video Archive
Shenmue Videos (English)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC38057D9B1A7E953
Shenmue Videos (English): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC38057D9B1A7E953
Shenmue Videos (Japanese)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5D819C6F41C2B4A4
Shenmue Videos (Japanese): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5D819C6F41C2B4A4
Interviews | Trailers | Promos | Retro Footage
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOMn2ijJRJPFKk7AXotcBQKXcYU5DLgVP
Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOMn2ijJRJPFKk7AXotcBQKXcYU5DLgVP
Reviews & Retrospectives
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2DB3B2B2F6BD2C2
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2DB3B2B2F6BD2C2
Shenmue Saturn | Project Berkley | What's Shenmue
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6C3CEE910876223E
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6C3CEE910876223E
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC38057D9B1A7E953
Shenmue Videos (English): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC38057D9B1A7E953
Shenmue Videos (Japanese)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5D819C6F41C2B4A4
Shenmue Videos (Japanese): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5D819C6F41C2B4A4
Interviews | Trailers | Promos | Retro Footage
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOMn2ijJRJPFKk7AXotcBQKXcYU5DLgVP
Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOMn2ijJRJPFKk7AXotcBQKXcYU5DLgVP
Reviews & Retrospectives
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2DB3B2B2F6BD2C2
Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2DB3B2B2F6BD2C2
Shenmue Saturn | Project Berkley | What's Shenmue
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6C3CEE910876223E
Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6C3CEE910876223E
- Fri May 10, 2013 6:38 pm
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Re: DualShockers' upcoming Yu Suzuki Interview
Yokosuka wrote: I'm waiting for the David's interview before asking new questions.
Back in France and working on it.
Some questions fans asked were declined so I did my best with what I had left.
More to come soon !
- Fri Oct 02, 2015 5:44 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
Oh. I didn't read the Kuchera article. My mind becomes immediately blank when I see that name.
- Mon Oct 05, 2015 12:35 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
You should care because the negative press could impact the game sales.
Honestly, nobody who reads these kinds of things is going to play Shenmue anyway. Next to nobody reads Polygon, and those that do would rather complain about CIS white male privilege in video games on the Internet than actually play a video game.
Honestly, nobody who reads these kinds of things is going to play Shenmue anyway. Next to nobody reads Polygon, and those that do would rather complain about CIS white male privilege in video games on the Internet than actually play a video game.
- Tue Oct 06, 2015 5:20 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
I remember Cédric saying the Kickstarter lost around 2 million dollars as well.
WHAT ?????
Journalist : What was your reaction to the problems embroiling the funding of the project, due to the clumsy statements of Andrew House (chief of Sony Computer Entertainment), and the reaction of certain journalists and players?
Cédric Biscay : It annoyed me because people forget that this game has never been able to be developed in the last 14 years, and so it's clear that the Kickstarter campaign played a vital role in its funding. I think that the media's desire to create buzz around this issue will strain our campaign by at least $2m. I don't have any words for the minority of journalists who seem to sometimes forget their duty to provide information by writing about their interpretations rather than facts. We know that to sell as much as we can we need to create a sensational game. Saying that Shenmue 3 is great and that it should be funded isn't going against the consensus, and so probably not interesting enough for them.
The people who have taken the time to read the statements and the official pages have all the information at their disposal. To put it clearly, without Kickstarter, Shenmue 3 would never have seen the light of day, and so the campaign is exactly what you're entitled to expect from participatory funding. Luckily, the Shenmue community is extraordinary and in the end I'm very happy with the campaign, especially from a human perspective. Most people understand that I committed Shibuya Productions to making Shenmue 3 so that the series could be brought back to life despite the risks that this entails. The thousands of thank-you messages I've received since E3 validate this approach and push us to keep on going.
https://www.reddit.com/r/translator/comments/3de0mh/french_english_video_game_article_about_shenmue/
WHAT ?????
Journalist : What was your reaction to the problems embroiling the funding of the project, due to the clumsy statements of Andrew House (chief of Sony Computer Entertainment), and the reaction of certain journalists and players?
Cédric Biscay : It annoyed me because people forget that this game has never been able to be developed in the last 14 years, and so it's clear that the Kickstarter campaign played a vital role in its funding. I think that the media's desire to create buzz around this issue will strain our campaign by at least $2m. I don't have any words for the minority of journalists who seem to sometimes forget their duty to provide information by writing about their interpretations rather than facts. We know that to sell as much as we can we need to create a sensational game. Saying that Shenmue 3 is great and that it should be funded isn't going against the consensus, and so probably not interesting enough for them.
The people who have taken the time to read the statements and the official pages have all the information at their disposal. To put it clearly, without Kickstarter, Shenmue 3 would never have seen the light of day, and so the campaign is exactly what you're entitled to expect from participatory funding. Luckily, the Shenmue community is extraordinary and in the end I'm very happy with the campaign, especially from a human perspective. Most people understand that I committed Shibuya Productions to making Shenmue 3 so that the series could be brought back to life despite the risks that this entails. The thousands of thank-you messages I've received since E3 validate this approach and push us to keep on going.
https://www.reddit.com/r/translator/comments/3de0mh/french_english_video_game_article_about_shenmue/
- Tue Oct 06, 2015 6:13 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
It's funny how they are called polygon but only have one angle.
- Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:43 am
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Re: Sega Planning "String of High Quality PC Ports" - Gamesp
He continued: "Sega in the '90s was known for its brand, but after that, we've lost trust, and we're left with nothing but reputation ... We'd like to win back the trust and become a brand once again."
Enough talk...
- Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:38 pm
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Sega Planning "String of High Quality PC Ports" - Gamespot.
Interesting article from Gamespot here. We can hope they see sense and just man up and release S1 S2 lol.
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-p ... 0-6431226/
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-p ... 0-6431226/
- Wed Oct 07, 2015 3:52 pm
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Shenhua fan art Speed painting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df0fad-U28E
Shenhua Fan Art speed painting I created on my Nintendo Wii u Art academy home studio app! came out exactly how I wanted it to and am proud of this piece. took about 3 hours to complete. the full hd image is in my online art portfolio @ RyoHD.carbonmade.com hope you all enjoy!
Shenhua Fan Art speed painting I created on my Nintendo Wii u Art academy home studio app! came out exactly how I wanted it to and am proud of this piece. took about 3 hours to complete. the full hd image is in my online art portfolio @ RyoHD.carbonmade.com hope you all enjoy!
- Sun Oct 11, 2015 10:33 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
Oh yea, lets not forget any company that flies reviewers out to these reviewer events, if that's not bribing(as well as another form of controlling the outcome of a reviewers reviews) in of its self, I don't know what is.
Yeah, paid travels, paid meals, many gifts like free games, collector's editions and even a complete gaming PCs with the game installed for the reviewers, and of course, ads on the websites, that not only can be used like a bribe, but are always under the pressure of being pulled out.
Sure, no website gets money directly from the publishers to give them good reviews, that would be retarded, not even gangsters did things like that. But, we've seen so many situations where incredibly boring AAA games get glowing reviews though, most of the times with no disclosure of anything, and with a big contrast to the actual gamers opinions, that it's not even a question anymore that gaming media is not trustworthy. Don't even need to mention the controversies, like the Gamespot reviewer being fired for a bad review too, among others.
Yeah, paid travels, paid meals, many gifts like free games, collector's editions and even a complete gaming PCs with the game installed for the reviewers, and of course, ads on the websites, that not only can be used like a bribe, but are always under the pressure of being pulled out.
Sure, no website gets money directly from the publishers to give them good reviews, that would be retarded, not even gangsters did things like that. But, we've seen so many situations where incredibly boring AAA games get glowing reviews though, most of the times with no disclosure of anything, and with a big contrast to the actual gamers opinions, that it's not even a question anymore that gaming media is not trustworthy. Don't even need to mention the controversies, like the Gamespot reviewer being fired for a bad review too, among others.
- Fri Oct 16, 2015 5:46 pm
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Re: When Sega inevitably announces the HD remasters...
Yeah, I sincerely doubt they are going to fork over pay, allow him intimate insight into the development process, and then publicize it, all just to stop him from releasing a (truly beautiful) fan project when they could have (or SEGA could have) simply issued a C&D, flagged his YT for copyright, and been done with it.
Could it maybe be a case of two birds one stone? Possibly. But it seems more likely they felt (given their limited budget and need to be selective with hires) the project would legitimately benefit from his presence. Which is awesome.
So much cynicism despite being a fanbase that literally achieved the impossible on a miraculous level. :/
Could it maybe be a case of two birds one stone? Possibly. But it seems more likely they felt (given their limited budget and need to be selective with hires) the project would legitimately benefit from his presence. Which is awesome.
So much cynicism despite being a fanbase that literally achieved the impossible on a miraculous level. :/
- Sun Oct 18, 2015 9:47 pm
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Re: Yu Suzuki's interview : A New Shenmue
On a scale of 1-10, how spoilerific is the spoiler? (still haven't clicked on on it yet)
2/10
It's about the number and the name of the main bosses of the game. And we learnt nothing (as long as you followed the interviews at the E3). The today's Dualshocker interview releases the same info but did not use a spoiler on their side. I'm still grateful to David for having taken no risk for all the fans.
Now you know why I took my time and kept waiting for Yu Suzuki's approval before publishing anything.
I am not sure how DS handed their ITW, but in Japan, you have to show some respect and this time, I didn't feel like posting right away without getting the green light. I once screwed up with the Paypal release date and will do my best to never let something like that happen again.
When you're doing an interview, you always get info that you cannot publish and even tho that's the most rewarding part, it's also the most difficult one because you have to avoid posting spoilers.
I can't thank you all enough for your support and feedback, really appreciated. My goal was to provide new info and even tho I had to do it on my own, with my own budget, I have no regret, it was fantastic.
Next one should happen during Magic Monaco but many people will try to interview Yu Suzuki and I might not have as much time as I had in Japan.
I am waiting for Paypal's campaign to end and I'll probably ask the fans if they want to bring some questions to the table again, just like this time.
Thank you very much for reading the interview. That's by far, my best reward. ;-)
2/10
It's about the number and the name of the main bosses of the game. And we learnt nothing (as long as you followed the interviews at the E3). The today's Dualshocker interview releases the same info but did not use a spoiler on their side. I'm still grateful to David for having taken no risk for all the fans.
Now you know why I took my time and kept waiting for Yu Suzuki's approval before publishing anything.
I am not sure how DS handed their ITW, but in Japan, you have to show some respect and this time, I didn't feel like posting right away without getting the green light. I once screwed up with the Paypal release date and will do my best to never let something like that happen again.
When you're doing an interview, you always get info that you cannot publish and even tho that's the most rewarding part, it's also the most difficult one because you have to avoid posting spoilers.
I can't thank you all enough for your support and feedback, really appreciated. My goal was to provide new info and even tho I had to do it on my own, with my own budget, I have no regret, it was fantastic.
Next one should happen during Magic Monaco but many people will try to interview Yu Suzuki and I might not have as much time as I had in Japan.
I am waiting for Paypal's campaign to end and I'll probably ask the fans if they want to bring some questions to the table again, just like this time.
Thank you very much for reading the interview. That's by far, my best reward. ;-)
- Tue Oct 20, 2015 7:19 pm
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Yu Suzuki's interview : A New Shenmue
Hello guys,
As promised, I've received Yu Suzuki's approval to publish it, so here it is !
Meeting Yu Suzuki in Japan once again was awesome. I had the opportunity to meet with the development team and saw some footage and can say that Shenmue is definetly in good hands.
This interview do not contain major spoilers, however, DO NOT read the question/answer #14 if you do not wish to know about Shenmue III's bosses.
Enough said, here you go !
English version / 英語版 :
PDF version : coming soon
Yu Suzuki's interview : A New Shenmue (2015)
1) David : Hello Yu Suzuki. Today is September 14th and 2 months have passed since the end of the Kickstarter's campaign. Could you tell us how you've felt during the campaign ?
Yu Suzuki : Many people asked me how it was during E3 so I'd rather talk about what happened after that, the development and so on. That's what is the most interesting to me. The game's budget has been decided with the Kickstarter and we're working on it accordingly. We're currently testing the Unreal Engine 4.
http://s20.postimg.org/3q8adrch9/image.jpg
2) David : 14 years have passed since the release of Shenmue II. If you had to think about it, was there anything that could have been improved in the previous games ?
Yu Suzuki : When I was making Shenmue II, my goal was to make it better than the first one. Of course, there are many things that could have been better. If I had to provide an example, that'd be the use of time. How long you had to wait until the next event.
In Shenmue Yokosuka, the player had no other choice but to wait until the next event occured. The concept was to add many different features for the player to enjoy while waiting for the said rendezvous. After the first Shenmue was done, people provided their feedback and many of them were frustrated having to wait, that's why I've decided to add the « Skip Time » feature in Shenmue II. By using it, you could skip time and jump to the next scene.
3) David : During the trailer of Shenmue Online, we could see Shenhua summoning a Phoenix to fight Lan Di. Is it linked to the original story of Shenmue ?
Yu Suzuki : This is a story I made up specially for Shenmue Online. So no, It has no link to the original story.
http://s20.postimg.org/v4nf1xkvh/image.jpg
I would like to ask you some questions regarding Shenmue III and the Kickstarter campaign if you don't mind.
4) David : You've planned to add scenes from the first 2 games « Story Digest » in Shenmue III to describe the story. Are you going to use the previous games original scenes or do you plan to recreate them under the Unreal Engine 4 ? Is there any chance you're going to add Chapter 2 « the boat » in it ?
Yu Suzuki : The boat chapter won't be added. Regarding the « Story Digest » we're thinking about the best way to add it.
5) David : A fan has made a suggestion and wanted you to hear it. Is it possible for Ryo to hold a camera and take some pictures that the player could save in the inventory ?
Yu Suzuki : Ryo holding a camera doesn't match with his style and the way he is. However, the fact that the «player» himself is taking the pictures sounds like a nice idea. To be honest, I already thought about it before, so if that's possible, I would like to make this possibility happen.
6) David : In your previous interviews, you've mentioned that Shenmue III's size would be around the size of Shenmue's Dobuita. Each village will be around the same size as Dobuita or where you talking about the full game ?
Yu Suzuki : I want to make Choubu as large as Dobuita. Now, about the remaining villages, we're thinking about it.
http://s20.postimg.org/ua0vfwd0t/image.jpg
7) David : Characters will be linked to Ryo through the « Rapport System ». But is it going to change the main story and why not, make some of the characters disappear at some point ?
Yu Suzuki : This system has been built for Ryo and Shenhua. We are thinking about the possibility to make it work with other characters but that's undecided. Regarding the impact that it's going to have on the story and the game itself, that is currently under experimentation.
8 ) David : The exclusive Kickstarter content « S3World telecom» will provide the possibility to call some characters of the previous games. But are the conversations going to be limited to some lines only or will they offer some variations ?
Yu Suzuki : No, It won't be limited to a single conversation.
9) David : The Stretch Goals «AI Battling», «Ragdoll Reaction» and «High Ground Battle System» have yet to be reached, but is there anything we could learn about these Stretch Goals ?
Yu Suzuki : Some of you may know what the Ragdoll physics is. If you release the strength of the body, it becomes like a doll, that's not really natural. That's why we're working on the «Motion Blending», adding some resistance to the muscles for example, to obtain realistic moves.
In a Virtua Fighter scene, patterns were determined by the Motion Capture, but with the Ragdoll physics, moves won't repeat over and over. If you get into something (like a wall) the reaction won't be the same. In fact, I'd like to combine the «Ragdoll Physics», the «Motion Blending» and «IK Constraint» to make the NPC and battle's reactions as real as possible.
Regarding the «AI Battling» Stretch Goal, if I had to explain this simply, that'd be, for example, when you're hitting the punch button of your pad to hit your opponent. A jab when he's close, to hit him when he's away from you and to move to hit him when he's even more far away. I would like to create a system that is taking account of the distance, conditions and the position of your rival. During normal fights, if you push a button, your character will use the same move over and over without considering your current situation. I don't really like that and would like to use the «AI Battling» to add some variations to the movements depending on your current state.
And finally, the «High Ground Battle System», is the interactivity with the surrounding environment. I want to create and add strategy and realism to the battles. For example, throwing your opponent on a barrel and making it break or hitting a wall and making it fall like a wave on your enemy. I'd like to create more complex battles using the UE4's physical phenomenon.
David : These features were not available in the first two games right ?
Yu Suzuki : To say the truth, I've already used it. You could see something like that during the «70 Man Battle». But these techniques were used 14 years ago and I am sure that the result will be more interesting if we use the actual technology.
10) David : Is Shenhua going to be with Ryo all the time or is Ryo going to be on his own from time to time as well ?
Yu Suzuki : Both. Moments where Ryo will be on his own and some where Shenhua will stand by his side.
http://s20.postimg.org/6lldkmgh9/image.jpg
11) David : Just like in Shenmue I and II, is it going to be possibile to grab the items around us and examine them ?
Yu Suzuki : I would like to make it.
12) David : Some people would like to know more about the Paypal campaign and its rewards. Is there anything you can tell us ?
Yu Suzuki : The campaign will start on September 17th. With Kickstarter, people were limited to one reward, but this time, they will be able to add other rewards. Also, I'd like Japanese users to browse this page, all details will be in Japanese. The remaining Stretch Goals are also a part of this campaign and if we reach them, as promised, they will be made. I am counting on you !
13) David : Niao Sun has been presented during the first Shenmue events but is only appearing for the first time in Shenmue III. Why did you show her so soon during the promotion of the game ? Is there a special reason behind this ?
Yu Suzuki : There's no real reason. She was attractive and I liked her, that's why I wanted to show this character to all of you as soon as possible !
http://s20.postimg.org/jr0vqqact/image.jpg
14) David : Looking at the development's schedule, 4 big bosses will be added to the game. Have you decided to cut some parts of the story and add the 4 main Chiyoumen bosses ?
Yu Suzuki : All I can tell you is that you're going to face Niao Sun of course, and also Lan Di !
http://s20.postimg.org/40fsx3r3h/image.jpg
15) David : Many players would like to have the possibility to switch between the Japanese and English voices. Do you plan to add such a feature in Shenmue III ?
Yu Suzuki : We are considering the possibility to switch between English and Japanese voices. So, many people would like Japanese voices and English subtitles ? I will probably start a poll about this to see what people are looking forward to.
Here is the last question !
16) David : Any special message that you'd like to say to the fans and why not, people who never played Shenmue until today ?
Yu Suzuki : My message towards the fans :
Thank to all of you who have been waiting for the last 14 years. I will bring with Shenmue III a new way to play and many things that were not in the first two games. I am aware that many of you are expecting Shenmue III to be the same as the first games but as a game creator, I am always challenging myself and I'd be very happy if the fans appreciated Shenmue III. Thank you for welcoming the new Shenmue !
Now the message toward players who never experienced Shenmue before :
I am developing it in the best possible way to make sure that you are going to enjoy the experience even though you have never played the first Shenmue. So even if you have no idea what the Shenmue I and II were, please do not hesitate to try it out please !
http://s20.postimg.org/ja248r8x9/DSC_0563.jpg
The interview is now over. I would like to say thank you to Yu Suzuki who allowed me to do this interview. A huge thanks to all the people working at YsNet, for their warm welcome and kindness.
I'd also like to say thank you to Cédric Biscay, french co-producer of Shenmue III. I had the opportunity to meet him and I can tell you that he's really motivated and he loves Shenmue as much as we all do ! Shenmue III is in good hands and I am really looking forward to it !
My next interview should happen during the Magic Monaco in February 2016.
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed the answers.
©David DE VILLE
**********
Japanese version / 日本語版 ：
鈴木裕さんのインタビュー : 新しいシェンムーへ
1) ダビッド ： 鈴木さん、こんにちは。本日、インタビューを行わせていただくことになり、ありがとうございます。宜しくお願い致します。それでは、はじめましょう。シェンムーⅢのKickstarterのキャンペーンが終了してから、二ヶ月ぐらい経過しました。よろしければ、キャンペーンの間の印象を教えて頂けませんか。
鈴木氏 ： 皆さんに良く聞かれたのはショーの期間中の印象でしたので、その代わりにE3（ロサンゼルスで行われるゲームショー）が終わったあとや開発について話したいと思います。バジェットが決まったので、そのバジェットに合わせてゲームのフローに従って、現在はUE4のテストに入っています。
http://s20.postimg.org/3q8adrch9/image.jpg
2) ダビッド ： シェンムーⅡが発売されてから１４年が経過しました。今、思い浮かべると、シェンムーⅠとⅡには改善点があったと思いますか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーⅡを作るときはシェンムーⅠを改善して作ったので、もちろん改善点が沢山ありました。一つの例を挙げると、待ち合わせの時間です。シェンムーⅠでは待ち合わせの時間までただ待つことしか出来ませんでした。なので、シェンムーⅠでは待ち合わせの時間までに遊ぶ要素を沢山入れてあります。待っている時間に違うことをやって欲しいというのがシェンムーⅠのコンセプトでした。シェンムーⅠが終わったらそこに対してストレスが溜まると言うプレイヤーの声が高かったのでシェンムーⅡでは待つシステムを入れることに決めました。その時間まで待つというシステムを使うと、その時間と場所にジャンプすることが出来るようになりました。
3) ダビッド ： シェンムーオンラインのトレーラーでは藍帝（らんてい）は龍を、シェンファは鳳凰を召喚して戦っているシーンがありました。このシーンはシェンムーのメインストーリーと繋がっているのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーオンラインのために作った外伝なので、オリジナルストーリーと繋がっていません。
http://s20.postimg.org/v4nf1xkvh/image.jpg
4) ダビッド ： まだ、シェンムーをやったことがないプレイヤーにストーリーを分かってもらうために、シェンムーⅢにシェンムーＩ＆Ⅱのストーリーダイジェストコンテンツが追加される予定があります。
それは、昔の動画（シェンムーThe Movie)か、あるいはUnreal Engine 4でリニューアルしたもので追加されるのでしょうか。そして、カットされた「二章 船」の動画版を追加されますか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムー「二章 船」 は追加されません。ストーリーダイジェストに関してはどの形がいいかどうか検討中です。
5） ダビッド ： シェンムーファンからのアイデアを聞いたので、お伝えさせていただきます。シェンムーⅢの涼がカメラを持って、写真を撮って、アルバムに保存できるシステムというアイデアでしたが、いかがでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 涼がカメラを持つというと、ちょっと彼のイメージに合わないと思います。プレイヤーの方が写真を撮ったらいいと思っています。写真の機能が使えるのは以前からやりたいと考えていたので、出来ればやりたいです。
6） ダビッド ： 以前、他のインタビューを受けていたときに、鈴木さんはシェンムーⅢの世界のサイズはシェンムーのどぶ板と同じぐらいになると言いましたが、それは全部のエリアですか。それとも一つずつの村がどぶ板と同じぐらいのサイズになるということでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ：鳥舞をどぶ板くらいの大きさにしたいと思っています。他の村については検討中です。
http://s20.postimg.org/ua0vfwd0t/image.jpg
7） ダビッド ： 今回は好感度システムによって涼が他のキャラクターと繋がっていることは変わりますが、そのシステムでストーリーの変更や仲が悪いと仲間と会えなくなってしまう設定がありますか。
鈴木氏 ： 好感度システムは涼とシェンファーに向けて作ったシステムです。他のキャラに使うかどうかは検討中です。ストーリーやゲーム進行にどれくらいの影響を与えるかどうかは現在実験中です。
8） ダビッド ： キックスターター限定の国際テレホンカードで前作で出てきたキャラクターに連絡することが可能ですが、出来る会話が一つ限りなのか又はバリエーションがたくさんあるのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 : 会話は一つ限りではないです。
9） ダビッド ： 「ラグドールリアクション」や「ＡＩバトル」や「ハイグランドバトルシステム」というストレッチゴールはまだ達成していませんが、それについて詳しく説明してくださいませんか。
鈴木氏 ： 皆さんはご存知かもしれませんが、ラグドール物理演算というのがあって、人体の力を抜くと人形みたいなものになって、キャラクターがだらんとしてしまいます。これだけでやると動きが不自然になってしまいます。
そのため、これにモーションブレンディングしたり、例えば筋肉の抵抗（コンストレイン）を加えると、よりリアルな動きが出ます。バーチャファイターで攻撃をされるシーンはモーションキャプチャーで撮ったシーンでパターン化されていますが、ラグドールというのはそのときの地形やぶつかったときの動きを繰り返さないので、実際はラグドール、モーションブレンディング、ＩＫコンストレインを上手く組み合わせてバトルのリアクション・・・例えばNPCのリアクションをもっとリアルにしたいです。
AIバトルというのは、例えば簡単にいうとパンチのボタンだったら、相手が近かったらジャブ、相手が少し離れていたらストレート、もっと離れていたら移動してストレートというふうに相手との位置や距離や状況に応じて,自動的にバトルの技が出来るようにAIでコントロールしたいです。普通のバトルというのはコマンドを押せばそのコマンドの技が出るという風になっているので、その技が状況に合っていなくても出てしまいます。それは良くないなと考えているので、状況に合った技をだすためにAIでコントロールしたいと思っています。
ハイグランドバトルシステム は、キャラクターの周りのものを使って、バトルに臨場感と戦略を加えて作りたいと思っています。例えば、敵を投げたらドラム缶が崩れてきて敵をやっつけるとか、闘おうとしているときに壁を叩いたら波のように崩れてきたり・・・UE4の物理現象を連鎖させて、より複雑で楽しいバトルを作りたいと思っています。演算を使ってやりたいなと思っています。
ダビッド ： シェンムーⅠ・Ⅱではやっていなかったシステムですね？
鈴木氏 ： ちょっとやっていました。７０人バトルのときにドラム缶が崩れてきたりとか… ですが、あれは14年前の技術でやった表現なので、現在の技術でやったらもっと楽しいものになると思います。
10） ダビッド ： シェンムーⅢではシェンファがシェンムーIIと同じように常に涼と一緒にいるのか、彼が一人になることが多くなるのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 彼女と一緒にいるときもありますし、一人になるときもあります。
http://s20.postimg.org/6lldkmgh9/image.jpg
11) ダビッド ： シェンムーとシェンムーⅡでアイテムを細かく観察することが出来ましたが、シェンムーⅢでも同じような動作が出来ますか。
鈴木氏 ： 出来るようにしたいです。
12) ダビッド ： Kickstarterのキャンペーン終了後、更に支援したい方がPaypalで支援出来るシステムが発表されました。それについての詳細を説明して頂けますか。
鈴木氏 ： ９月１７日からPaypalを開始対応しています。Kickstarterでは１個しか買えなかったのですが、今回は追加の購入が出来ますし、あとは特に日本のユーザーが日本語で申し込むことが出来ますので是非ページを見に来て下さい。基本的にはストレッチゴールにも対応していますので追加金額でストレッチゴールをクリアすると約束している部分が実現出来ます。皆さん、宜しくお願いします。
13) ダビッド ： 鳥隼（ちょうじゅん）は昔からプロモーションキャラクターとして使用されていて、シェンムーⅢから登場することになりましたが、どうして１４年前からそのキャラクターを紹介されましたか。特別な理由がありますか。
鈴木氏 ： 特別な理由がありません。キャラクターが魅力的だったので、僕がそのキャラクターが好きで、早く皆さんに見せたかったからです。
http://s20.postimg.org/jr0vqqact/image.jpg
14) ダビッド ： 開発の構成によって、シェンムーIIIでは4つのボスがいるということが分かってきました。つまりストーリーを短くして、四天王（らんてい、こうてい、えんてい、げんてい）を含めることにしましたか。
鈴木氏 ： 一つだけのことを言います。四天王の藍帝(蒼龍) と炎帝（鳥隼）が出てきます。
http://s20.postimg.org/40fsx3r3h/image.jpg
15) ダビッド ： 日本語と英語音声を選択するオプションが欲しい方が多いそうです。このような選択肢をシェンムーⅢに追加するつもりでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 日本語版と英語版の音声切り替えが可能かどうか検討してみます。海外では日本語音声で英語字幕が欲しい人が多いですか。出来たら、一回アンケートを取ってみたいですね。
それでは、最後の質問です。
16) ダビッド ： シェンムーファンや又はシェンムーを初めてプレイする方々に伝えたい特別なメッセージがありましたら、どうぞ。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーファンの皆さんについては１４年間ぐらい待ってくれて、本当にありがとうございます。シェンムーⅢではシェンムーI＆Ⅱにない、新しい遊びをチャレンジしようと思っています。シェンムーI＆IIとか全く同じ遊びを期待している人がいるかもしれませんが、鈴木裕は常に新しいことにチャレンジするクリエイターだと思って、シェンムーⅢを応援してくれると嬉しいです。新しいシェンムーを応援して下さい。
はじめて遊ぶ人については、シェンムーIとⅡを遊んでなくても、知らなくても楽しく遊べるように、シェンムーⅢを作る予定です。はじめてのプレイでも、シェンムーの良さが伝わるようなゲームになるので、是非遊んでみてください。
http://s20.postimg.org/ja248r8x9/DSC_0563.jpg
インタビューを読んで下さった皆さん、ありがとうございます。鈴木裕さんとYSNETのスタッフの皆さんにも大変感謝しております。
シェンムーIIIは２０１７年１２月末に発売予定です。興味がある方は是非、シェンムーIIIの公式サイトのページをご覧下さい。
http://shenmue.link/
予約購入のページはこちらです。
http://shenmue.link/order_jp/
As promised, I've received Yu Suzuki's approval to publish it, so here it is !
Meeting Yu Suzuki in Japan once again was awesome. I had the opportunity to meet with the development team and saw some footage and can say that Shenmue is definetly in good hands.
This interview do not contain major spoilers, however, DO NOT read the question/answer #14 if you do not wish to know about Shenmue III's bosses.
Enough said, here you go !
English version / 英語版 :
PDF version : coming soon
Yu Suzuki's interview : A New Shenmue (2015)
1) David : Hello Yu Suzuki. Today is September 14th and 2 months have passed since the end of the Kickstarter's campaign. Could you tell us how you've felt during the campaign ?
Yu Suzuki : Many people asked me how it was during E3 so I'd rather talk about what happened after that, the development and so on. That's what is the most interesting to me. The game's budget has been decided with the Kickstarter and we're working on it accordingly. We're currently testing the Unreal Engine 4.
http://s20.postimg.org/3q8adrch9/image.jpg
2) David : 14 years have passed since the release of Shenmue II. If you had to think about it, was there anything that could have been improved in the previous games ?
Yu Suzuki : When I was making Shenmue II, my goal was to make it better than the first one. Of course, there are many things that could have been better. If I had to provide an example, that'd be the use of time. How long you had to wait until the next event.
In Shenmue Yokosuka, the player had no other choice but to wait until the next event occured. The concept was to add many different features for the player to enjoy while waiting for the said rendezvous. After the first Shenmue was done, people provided their feedback and many of them were frustrated having to wait, that's why I've decided to add the « Skip Time » feature in Shenmue II. By using it, you could skip time and jump to the next scene.
3) David : During the trailer of Shenmue Online, we could see Shenhua summoning a Phoenix to fight Lan Di. Is it linked to the original story of Shenmue ?
Yu Suzuki : This is a story I made up specially for Shenmue Online. So no, It has no link to the original story.
http://s20.postimg.org/v4nf1xkvh/image.jpg
I would like to ask you some questions regarding Shenmue III and the Kickstarter campaign if you don't mind.
4) David : You've planned to add scenes from the first 2 games « Story Digest » in Shenmue III to describe the story. Are you going to use the previous games original scenes or do you plan to recreate them under the Unreal Engine 4 ? Is there any chance you're going to add Chapter 2 « the boat » in it ?
Yu Suzuki : The boat chapter won't be added. Regarding the « Story Digest » we're thinking about the best way to add it.
5) David : A fan has made a suggestion and wanted you to hear it. Is it possible for Ryo to hold a camera and take some pictures that the player could save in the inventory ?
Yu Suzuki : Ryo holding a camera doesn't match with his style and the way he is. However, the fact that the «player» himself is taking the pictures sounds like a nice idea. To be honest, I already thought about it before, so if that's possible, I would like to make this possibility happen.
6) David : In your previous interviews, you've mentioned that Shenmue III's size would be around the size of Shenmue's Dobuita. Each village will be around the same size as Dobuita or where you talking about the full game ?
Yu Suzuki : I want to make Choubu as large as Dobuita. Now, about the remaining villages, we're thinking about it.
http://s20.postimg.org/ua0vfwd0t/image.jpg
7) David : Characters will be linked to Ryo through the « Rapport System ». But is it going to change the main story and why not, make some of the characters disappear at some point ?
Yu Suzuki : This system has been built for Ryo and Shenhua. We are thinking about the possibility to make it work with other characters but that's undecided. Regarding the impact that it's going to have on the story and the game itself, that is currently under experimentation.
8 ) David : The exclusive Kickstarter content « S3World telecom» will provide the possibility to call some characters of the previous games. But are the conversations going to be limited to some lines only or will they offer some variations ?
Yu Suzuki : No, It won't be limited to a single conversation.
9) David : The Stretch Goals «AI Battling», «Ragdoll Reaction» and «High Ground Battle System» have yet to be reached, but is there anything we could learn about these Stretch Goals ?
Yu Suzuki : Some of you may know what the Ragdoll physics is. If you release the strength of the body, it becomes like a doll, that's not really natural. That's why we're working on the «Motion Blending», adding some resistance to the muscles for example, to obtain realistic moves.
In a Virtua Fighter scene, patterns were determined by the Motion Capture, but with the Ragdoll physics, moves won't repeat over and over. If you get into something (like a wall) the reaction won't be the same. In fact, I'd like to combine the «Ragdoll Physics», the «Motion Blending» and «IK Constraint» to make the NPC and battle's reactions as real as possible.
Regarding the «AI Battling» Stretch Goal, if I had to explain this simply, that'd be, for example, when you're hitting the punch button of your pad to hit your opponent. A jab when he's close, to hit him when he's away from you and to move to hit him when he's even more far away. I would like to create a system that is taking account of the distance, conditions and the position of your rival. During normal fights, if you push a button, your character will use the same move over and over without considering your current situation. I don't really like that and would like to use the «AI Battling» to add some variations to the movements depending on your current state.
And finally, the «High Ground Battle System», is the interactivity with the surrounding environment. I want to create and add strategy and realism to the battles. For example, throwing your opponent on a barrel and making it break or hitting a wall and making it fall like a wave on your enemy. I'd like to create more complex battles using the UE4's physical phenomenon.
David : These features were not available in the first two games right ?
Yu Suzuki : To say the truth, I've already used it. You could see something like that during the «70 Man Battle». But these techniques were used 14 years ago and I am sure that the result will be more interesting if we use the actual technology.
10) David : Is Shenhua going to be with Ryo all the time or is Ryo going to be on his own from time to time as well ?
Yu Suzuki : Both. Moments where Ryo will be on his own and some where Shenhua will stand by his side.
http://s20.postimg.org/6lldkmgh9/image.jpg
11) David : Just like in Shenmue I and II, is it going to be possibile to grab the items around us and examine them ?
Yu Suzuki : I would like to make it.
12) David : Some people would like to know more about the Paypal campaign and its rewards. Is there anything you can tell us ?
Yu Suzuki : The campaign will start on September 17th. With Kickstarter, people were limited to one reward, but this time, they will be able to add other rewards. Also, I'd like Japanese users to browse this page, all details will be in Japanese. The remaining Stretch Goals are also a part of this campaign and if we reach them, as promised, they will be made. I am counting on you !
13) David : Niao Sun has been presented during the first Shenmue events but is only appearing for the first time in Shenmue III. Why did you show her so soon during the promotion of the game ? Is there a special reason behind this ?
Yu Suzuki : There's no real reason. She was attractive and I liked her, that's why I wanted to show this character to all of you as soon as possible !
http://s20.postimg.org/jr0vqqact/image.jpg
14) David : Looking at the development's schedule, 4 big bosses will be added to the game. Have you decided to cut some parts of the story and add the 4 main Chiyoumen bosses ?
Yu Suzuki : All I can tell you is that you're going to face Niao Sun of course, and also Lan Di !
http://s20.postimg.org/40fsx3r3h/image.jpg
15) David : Many players would like to have the possibility to switch between the Japanese and English voices. Do you plan to add such a feature in Shenmue III ?
Yu Suzuki : We are considering the possibility to switch between English and Japanese voices. So, many people would like Japanese voices and English subtitles ? I will probably start a poll about this to see what people are looking forward to.
Here is the last question !
16) David : Any special message that you'd like to say to the fans and why not, people who never played Shenmue until today ?
Yu Suzuki : My message towards the fans :
Thank to all of you who have been waiting for the last 14 years. I will bring with Shenmue III a new way to play and many things that were not in the first two games. I am aware that many of you are expecting Shenmue III to be the same as the first games but as a game creator, I am always challenging myself and I'd be very happy if the fans appreciated Shenmue III. Thank you for welcoming the new Shenmue !
Now the message toward players who never experienced Shenmue before :
I am developing it in the best possible way to make sure that you are going to enjoy the experience even though you have never played the first Shenmue. So even if you have no idea what the Shenmue I and II were, please do not hesitate to try it out please !
http://s20.postimg.org/ja248r8x9/DSC_0563.jpg
The interview is now over. I would like to say thank you to Yu Suzuki who allowed me to do this interview. A huge thanks to all the people working at YsNet, for their warm welcome and kindness.
I'd also like to say thank you to Cédric Biscay, french co-producer of Shenmue III. I had the opportunity to meet him and I can tell you that he's really motivated and he loves Shenmue as much as we all do ! Shenmue III is in good hands and I am really looking forward to it !
My next interview should happen during the Magic Monaco in February 2016.
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed the answers.
©David DE VILLE
**********
Japanese version / 日本語版 ：
鈴木裕さんのインタビュー : 新しいシェンムーへ
1) ダビッド ： 鈴木さん、こんにちは。本日、インタビューを行わせていただくことになり、ありがとうございます。宜しくお願い致します。それでは、はじめましょう。シェンムーⅢのKickstarterのキャンペーンが終了してから、二ヶ月ぐらい経過しました。よろしければ、キャンペーンの間の印象を教えて頂けませんか。
鈴木氏 ： 皆さんに良く聞かれたのはショーの期間中の印象でしたので、その代わりにE3（ロサンゼルスで行われるゲームショー）が終わったあとや開発について話したいと思います。バジェットが決まったので、そのバジェットに合わせてゲームのフローに従って、現在はUE4のテストに入っています。
http://s20.postimg.org/3q8adrch9/image.jpg
2) ダビッド ： シェンムーⅡが発売されてから１４年が経過しました。今、思い浮かべると、シェンムーⅠとⅡには改善点があったと思いますか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーⅡを作るときはシェンムーⅠを改善して作ったので、もちろん改善点が沢山ありました。一つの例を挙げると、待ち合わせの時間です。シェンムーⅠでは待ち合わせの時間までただ待つことしか出来ませんでした。なので、シェンムーⅠでは待ち合わせの時間までに遊ぶ要素を沢山入れてあります。待っている時間に違うことをやって欲しいというのがシェンムーⅠのコンセプトでした。シェンムーⅠが終わったらそこに対してストレスが溜まると言うプレイヤーの声が高かったのでシェンムーⅡでは待つシステムを入れることに決めました。その時間まで待つというシステムを使うと、その時間と場所にジャンプすることが出来るようになりました。
3) ダビッド ： シェンムーオンラインのトレーラーでは藍帝（らんてい）は龍を、シェンファは鳳凰を召喚して戦っているシーンがありました。このシーンはシェンムーのメインストーリーと繋がっているのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーオンラインのために作った外伝なので、オリジナルストーリーと繋がっていません。
http://s20.postimg.org/v4nf1xkvh/image.jpg
4) ダビッド ： まだ、シェンムーをやったことがないプレイヤーにストーリーを分かってもらうために、シェンムーⅢにシェンムーＩ＆Ⅱのストーリーダイジェストコンテンツが追加される予定があります。
それは、昔の動画（シェンムーThe Movie)か、あるいはUnreal Engine 4でリニューアルしたもので追加されるのでしょうか。そして、カットされた「二章 船」の動画版を追加されますか。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムー「二章 船」 は追加されません。ストーリーダイジェストに関してはどの形がいいかどうか検討中です。
5） ダビッド ： シェンムーファンからのアイデアを聞いたので、お伝えさせていただきます。シェンムーⅢの涼がカメラを持って、写真を撮って、アルバムに保存できるシステムというアイデアでしたが、いかがでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 涼がカメラを持つというと、ちょっと彼のイメージに合わないと思います。プレイヤーの方が写真を撮ったらいいと思っています。写真の機能が使えるのは以前からやりたいと考えていたので、出来ればやりたいです。
6） ダビッド ： 以前、他のインタビューを受けていたときに、鈴木さんはシェンムーⅢの世界のサイズはシェンムーのどぶ板と同じぐらいになると言いましたが、それは全部のエリアですか。それとも一つずつの村がどぶ板と同じぐらいのサイズになるということでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ：鳥舞をどぶ板くらいの大きさにしたいと思っています。他の村については検討中です。
http://s20.postimg.org/ua0vfwd0t/image.jpg
7） ダビッド ： 今回は好感度システムによって涼が他のキャラクターと繋がっていることは変わりますが、そのシステムでストーリーの変更や仲が悪いと仲間と会えなくなってしまう設定がありますか。
鈴木氏 ： 好感度システムは涼とシェンファーに向けて作ったシステムです。他のキャラに使うかどうかは検討中です。ストーリーやゲーム進行にどれくらいの影響を与えるかどうかは現在実験中です。
8） ダビッド ： キックスターター限定の国際テレホンカードで前作で出てきたキャラクターに連絡することが可能ですが、出来る会話が一つ限りなのか又はバリエーションがたくさんあるのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 : 会話は一つ限りではないです。
9） ダビッド ： 「ラグドールリアクション」や「ＡＩバトル」や「ハイグランドバトルシステム」というストレッチゴールはまだ達成していませんが、それについて詳しく説明してくださいませんか。
鈴木氏 ： 皆さんはご存知かもしれませんが、ラグドール物理演算というのがあって、人体の力を抜くと人形みたいなものになって、キャラクターがだらんとしてしまいます。これだけでやると動きが不自然になってしまいます。
そのため、これにモーションブレンディングしたり、例えば筋肉の抵抗（コンストレイン）を加えると、よりリアルな動きが出ます。バーチャファイターで攻撃をされるシーンはモーションキャプチャーで撮ったシーンでパターン化されていますが、ラグドールというのはそのときの地形やぶつかったときの動きを繰り返さないので、実際はラグドール、モーションブレンディング、ＩＫコンストレインを上手く組み合わせてバトルのリアクション・・・例えばNPCのリアクションをもっとリアルにしたいです。
AIバトルというのは、例えば簡単にいうとパンチのボタンだったら、相手が近かったらジャブ、相手が少し離れていたらストレート、もっと離れていたら移動してストレートというふうに相手との位置や距離や状況に応じて,自動的にバトルの技が出来るようにAIでコントロールしたいです。普通のバトルというのはコマンドを押せばそのコマンドの技が出るという風になっているので、その技が状況に合っていなくても出てしまいます。それは良くないなと考えているので、状況に合った技をだすためにAIでコントロールしたいと思っています。
ハイグランドバトルシステム は、キャラクターの周りのものを使って、バトルに臨場感と戦略を加えて作りたいと思っています。例えば、敵を投げたらドラム缶が崩れてきて敵をやっつけるとか、闘おうとしているときに壁を叩いたら波のように崩れてきたり・・・UE4の物理現象を連鎖させて、より複雑で楽しいバトルを作りたいと思っています。演算を使ってやりたいなと思っています。
ダビッド ： シェンムーⅠ・Ⅱではやっていなかったシステムですね？
鈴木氏 ： ちょっとやっていました。７０人バトルのときにドラム缶が崩れてきたりとか… ですが、あれは14年前の技術でやった表現なので、現在の技術でやったらもっと楽しいものになると思います。
10） ダビッド ： シェンムーⅢではシェンファがシェンムーIIと同じように常に涼と一緒にいるのか、彼が一人になることが多くなるのでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 彼女と一緒にいるときもありますし、一人になるときもあります。
http://s20.postimg.org/6lldkmgh9/image.jpg
11) ダビッド ： シェンムーとシェンムーⅡでアイテムを細かく観察することが出来ましたが、シェンムーⅢでも同じような動作が出来ますか。
鈴木氏 ： 出来るようにしたいです。
12) ダビッド ： Kickstarterのキャンペーン終了後、更に支援したい方がPaypalで支援出来るシステムが発表されました。それについての詳細を説明して頂けますか。
鈴木氏 ： ９月１７日からPaypalを開始対応しています。Kickstarterでは１個しか買えなかったのですが、今回は追加の購入が出来ますし、あとは特に日本のユーザーが日本語で申し込むことが出来ますので是非ページを見に来て下さい。基本的にはストレッチゴールにも対応していますので追加金額でストレッチゴールをクリアすると約束している部分が実現出来ます。皆さん、宜しくお願いします。
13) ダビッド ： 鳥隼（ちょうじゅん）は昔からプロモーションキャラクターとして使用されていて、シェンムーⅢから登場することになりましたが、どうして１４年前からそのキャラクターを紹介されましたか。特別な理由がありますか。
鈴木氏 ： 特別な理由がありません。キャラクターが魅力的だったので、僕がそのキャラクターが好きで、早く皆さんに見せたかったからです。
http://s20.postimg.org/jr0vqqact/image.jpg
14) ダビッド ： 開発の構成によって、シェンムーIIIでは4つのボスがいるということが分かってきました。つまりストーリーを短くして、四天王（らんてい、こうてい、えんてい、げんてい）を含めることにしましたか。
鈴木氏 ： 一つだけのことを言います。四天王の藍帝(蒼龍) と炎帝（鳥隼）が出てきます。
http://s20.postimg.org/40fsx3r3h/image.jpg
15) ダビッド ： 日本語と英語音声を選択するオプションが欲しい方が多いそうです。このような選択肢をシェンムーⅢに追加するつもりでしょうか。
鈴木氏 ： 日本語版と英語版の音声切り替えが可能かどうか検討してみます。海外では日本語音声で英語字幕が欲しい人が多いですか。出来たら、一回アンケートを取ってみたいですね。
それでは、最後の質問です。
16) ダビッド ： シェンムーファンや又はシェンムーを初めてプレイする方々に伝えたい特別なメッセージがありましたら、どうぞ。
鈴木氏 ： シェンムーファンの皆さんについては１４年間ぐらい待ってくれて、本当にありがとうございます。シェンムーⅢではシェンムーI＆Ⅱにない、新しい遊びをチャレンジしようと思っています。シェンムーI＆IIとか全く同じ遊びを期待している人がいるかもしれませんが、鈴木裕は常に新しいことにチャレンジするクリエイターだと思って、シェンムーⅢを応援してくれると嬉しいです。新しいシェンムーを応援して下さい。
はじめて遊ぶ人については、シェンムーIとⅡを遊んでなくても、知らなくても楽しく遊べるように、シェンムーⅢを作る予定です。はじめてのプレイでも、シェンムーの良さが伝わるようなゲームになるので、是非遊んでみてください。
http://s20.postimg.org/ja248r8x9/DSC_0563.jpg
インタビューを読んで下さった皆さん、ありがとうございます。鈴木裕さんとYSNETのスタッフの皆さんにも大変感謝しております。
シェンムーIIIは２０１７年１２月末に発売予定です。興味がある方は是非、シェンムーIIIの公式サイトのページをご覧下さい。
http://shenmue.link/
予約購入のページはこちらです。
http://shenmue.link/order_jp/
- Tue Oct 20, 2015 2:29 pm
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Re: Shenmue 3 can't promise 60fps but can promise sexy girls
This is exactly why I've been through double-check and approval from YsNet. I didn't want journalists to grab some parts and turn these into false rumors or clickbaits. 
Glad they quickly posted on Twitter that the Xbox thing was not true !
Glad they quickly posted on Twitter that the Xbox thing was not true !
- Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:43 pm
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Re: Shenmue 3 can't promise 60fps but can promise sexy girls
James Brown wrote: Does anyone know if Yu has promised a guaranteed 60 fps on those sexy cute girls boobies tho?
No but I heard Niao Sun will be a DLC character for DOAX3 sometime next year...
*Waits for Gamespot to make a new article stating this as fact*
- Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:46 pm
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Shenmue 3 can't promise 60fps but can promise sexy girls
Shenmue 3 can't promise 60fps but can promise 'cute' and 'sexy' girls
Series creator Yu Suzuki has said that he can’t promise 60fps performance in Shenmue 3, although he seems he can guarantee that its female characters will be sexually attractive.
“For the moment, I’m thinking about 30 frames per second,” he told DualShockers when asked about the game’s PS4 framerate. “60 might be too difficult, but I’m not sure yet.”
However, while Suzuki cannot confirm how the game will appear technically, he is ensuring that visually it will tick certain boxes.
“They are being improved,” he replied when asking about changes to early character model prototypes. “The person who originally created Shenhua, is collaborating with us on her character. Thanks to him, Shenhua is looking a lot cuter.
“There will be many new characters. There are the four main bosses. There will be Lan Di from the previous games, and two more fighters. The fourth, on the other hand is a strategist, and she will using more cunning than head on fighting. She is an extremely beautiful and sexy, but cruel woman.”
And then when asked about romance in the game, the developer added: “Yes, it will be an important topic in Shenmue III, and I will try to portray the differences in how men and women think in the game.”
Suzuki then went on to admit that he himself isn’t really a gamer.
“I don’t really play other games, because if you play games it’s too easy to be influenced by them, and even if it is unintentional, one ends up losing their originality. On the other hand, I’m watching movies,” he admitted.
The difference in approach to both female representation and wider equality issues between Eastern and Western game developers is not only widening but increasingly being brought into focus.
While games such as Metal Gear Solid, Tekken, Tomodachi Life and Dead or Alive find themselves clashing with modern Western values, American and European developers such as Blizzard, EA, Ubisoft and NetherRealm have openly adopted a more balanced approach to gender representation and sexual orientation, no doubt spurred by the efforts of vocal critics such as Anita Sarkeesian.
Last month UK industry veteran Andy Payne said that there was no longer any excuse for the sector’s inequality blind spot. And Japanese companies should not go completely without praise, with Sony and Square Enix in particular making some very positive moves in the right direction.
It was revealed yesterday that the Western release of Wii U title Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water will ditch the skimpy costumes found in the Japanese release in favour of less revealing Nintendo-themed clothing.
Source : MCVUK
Series creator Yu Suzuki has said that he can’t promise 60fps performance in Shenmue 3, although he seems he can guarantee that its female characters will be sexually attractive.
“For the moment, I’m thinking about 30 frames per second,” he told DualShockers when asked about the game’s PS4 framerate. “60 might be too difficult, but I’m not sure yet.”
However, while Suzuki cannot confirm how the game will appear technically, he is ensuring that visually it will tick certain boxes.
“They are being improved,” he replied when asking about changes to early character model prototypes. “The person who originally created Shenhua, is collaborating with us on her character. Thanks to him, Shenhua is looking a lot cuter.
“There will be many new characters. There are the four main bosses. There will be Lan Di from the previous games, and two more fighters. The fourth, on the other hand is a strategist, and she will using more cunning than head on fighting. She is an extremely beautiful and sexy, but cruel woman.”
And then when asked about romance in the game, the developer added: “Yes, it will be an important topic in Shenmue III, and I will try to portray the differences in how men and women think in the game.”
Suzuki then went on to admit that he himself isn’t really a gamer.
“I don’t really play other games, because if you play games it’s too easy to be influenced by them, and even if it is unintentional, one ends up losing their originality. On the other hand, I’m watching movies,” he admitted.
The difference in approach to both female representation and wider equality issues between Eastern and Western game developers is not only widening but increasingly being brought into focus.
While games such as Metal Gear Solid, Tekken, Tomodachi Life and Dead or Alive find themselves clashing with modern Western values, American and European developers such as Blizzard, EA, Ubisoft and NetherRealm have openly adopted a more balanced approach to gender representation and sexual orientation, no doubt spurred by the efforts of vocal critics such as Anita Sarkeesian.
Last month UK industry veteran Andy Payne said that there was no longer any excuse for the sector’s inequality blind spot. And Japanese companies should not go completely without praise, with Sony and Square Enix in particular making some very positive moves in the right direction.
It was revealed yesterday that the Western release of Wii U title Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water will ditch the skimpy costumes found in the Japanese release in favour of less revealing Nintendo-themed clothing.
Source : MCVUK
- Thu Oct 22, 2015 4:15 pm
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
Even without the bribery gaming journalism is too dependent on the big gaming companies to be able to give objective reviews. The fact that they depend so much on advertisement revenue from the same companies they do reviews for in addition to the fact that to stay competitive reviewers need to be able to receive games early meaning that being able to review the game itself becomes a bargaining chip, all this makes professional gaming journalism incredibly untrustworthy in general.
- Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:45 am
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Re: Shenmue 1 and 2 widescreen hacks Dreamcast
Can someone provide me a widescreen code for the Shenmue Undub by Kogami? I also need the enable code.
GDI download
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/24ydxz ... ndub%20GDI
GDI download
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/24ydxz ... ndub%20GDI
- Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:32 am
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Re: Shenmue 1 and 2 widescreen hacks Dreamcast
Anthony817 wrote: Esppiral, if and when you do get it working, could you please show some video of it?
Done, this is the prologue
I'll post a short gameplay soon, still uploading to youtube.
- Fri Oct 23, 2015 7:53 am
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Re: Shenmue 3 is 10% complete! (re: dev cycle)
They had to announce a release date before they had any idea what the scope of the game was going to be, or how many staff they'd be able to employ. December 2017 gives us a general focal point but we'd be wise to consider it a loose suggestion at best.
- Thu Oct 22, 2015 8:30 am
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Re: "I Could Do With A Bit More Money" Yu Interview @Eurogam
This is the highest caliber indie game of all time, or am I wrong ?
- Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:29 pm
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ShenmueDojo.net