According to All Games Beta, game developer Yu Suzuki is considering crowdfunding a third installment of his wildly popular and forward-thinking Shenmue game franchise. If he goes through with the plan, it may join the growing list of video game projects that have raised large amounts of cash on crowdfunding platforms.
For those unfamiliar, here is a brief description of the original game, via Wikipedia…
Shenmue is a 1999 open-world adventure video game developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega for the Dreamcast, produced and directed by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki coined a genre title, “FREE” (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment), for the game, based on the interactivity and freedom he wanted to give to the player. Suzuki intended to achieve this by simulating aspects of real life through the game, such as the day/night/sleep system, real time variable weather effects (unheard of in a game of this kind at the time), fully voiced non-player characters with their own daily schedules, quick time events, and various other interactive elements such as vending machines, arcades, and convenience stores.
Shenmue was one of the first games to capitalize on the extended capabilities of the Sega Dreamcast console in the late 90’s. The game was critically acclaimed but sales were a bit light. Nevertheless, it went on to become a cult classic. That cult classic status may make it perfectly suited for a crowdfunding raise. We’ll be watching to see if Suzuki decides to turn to the crowd.
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