Shenmue Dojo

I remember the day this was announced - Aug 2004, I believe - and what a strange day that was. Not a peep on Shenmue III, but here's a PC MMO that may only be released in China and Korea? It was incredibly frustrating, but I couldn't help but find the idea intriguing - if, perhaps, Shenmue was more popular than it was, without a stalled main storyline, thus warranting enough interest in an MMO spinoff...

Was the game ever officially canceled, even? Just seemed to slowly fade away into nothingness

I remember the excitement, and confusion. People were not caring about the online, and convinced this was more or less Shenmue 3. Or that it was a combination of both. It was very strange. It would have helped if it looked tacky or shit, but those promo trailed at the time looked immense. Lan Di controlling the Chiyou dragon, Shenhua in her original concept outfit summoning a flaming phoenix. Xiuying, Ren and Wong looking proper amazing, and a return to the top of a city based skyscraper. Fans, including myself churning out fake Shenmue 3 trailers which still made contextual sense from a story standpoint....

Aahh good times.

Not sure how well known it is, but there's also this footage showing off the combat system in greater depth (including PvP):

Yup, that was from TGS 2004. The combat looked subpar, but I would've loved to wander around the world of Shenmue with all of you folks.

i never really understood how shenmue online would continue the story of shenmue or ryo. anyone know how it would tie in?

redline wrote: i never really understood how shenmue online would continue the story of shenmue or ryo. anyone know how it would tie in?

It was a spin-off dude, so no continuation of story, just using the Shenmue world to create a Chinese mmo.

Looks nice. In those years I would have even got time for an MMO

Absolutely! I'd have played Shenmue Online back in the day. I always said that in a perfect world, III and Online both existing, with Online being non canon to the main story, would have been amazing.

How are MMO games doing nowdays? I remember they were huge 10-15 years ago... now I have no clue.

I quite liked Yakuza's clan creator game, and am happy to see it return in Kiwami 2. I think they could easily make a Shenmue themed version. I would have liked to see how SHenmue Gai was initially going to turn out, too. Too bad we never got to see it past a few updates before it shut down.

feedback for shenmue online ranged from downright hostile opposition to curiosity and support.

I remember some were very opposed because of the direction that shenmue online was taking the series with firebolts and lightning and that there were concerns the game would never make it to the west or the money being wasted that could have gone towards development of the third game.

on the other hand, I do recall some support as it was believed some exposure could eventually lead to the development of the third game and some interested in how to create an account in the west.

I really wish the time spent on the game could have gone towards shenmue III but still interesting to see some new assets that gave a better idea of Yu Suzukis vision.