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Re: The quest for offline Passport access

OK, I've posted up an article at Phantom River Stone with more details, including some simple instructions for patching your own image of the Shenmue Passport disc.

Blog post:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/08/shenmue-passport-unlocked-hack-to-skip.html

Have a play around with applying the patch, let me know if it works for you.

http://i.imgur.com/4wElCDAm.jpg
by Switch
Fri Aug 11, 2017 12:06 pm
 
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Re: Shenmue III @Gamescom '17 Discussion - Two Weeks Left

True that.

Anyway, my biggest concern isn't how much of the game we will see at Gamescom. Even if they don't show off all that much now, they'll end up doing it eventually, further down the road.
My concern is: what if, after 15 years of despair and then, after E3 2015's glorious news, the game looks like... crap? *Knock on wood*

For sure, I'm optimistic that it won't. The game is still in Yu Suzuki's hands, after all, and my conviction is that we'll be blown away and cry tears of joy.
But, just knowing that, theoretically , the game could look like crap (and I'm not just talking about graphics, but rather the game itself, overall) is a scary thought.

Coming from someone who has seen the game and who's jaw hitting the floor was captured in photographic form, I can absolutely assure you that's not the case at all. Far.... Far from it.
by Peter
Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:12 pm
 
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Phantom River Stone Articles [Updated Regularly]

This is an index of all articles published on the Phantom River Stone blog through to the archival of these old Shenmue Dojo forums at the end of July 2018 - visit the new forums for more. Enjoy!

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July 2018
https://i.imgur.com/qmvJAFls.png Examining the Warehouse Battle Scene
https://i.imgur.com/HvNXjkTs.png Shenmue Documentary Kickstarter Launched!
https://i.imgur.com/ST0gf44s.png SEGA's "Return to Dobuita Street" Video
https://i.imgur.com/HXdyjPDs.jpg The Changing Face of the Abe Store: Beta vs Release
https://i.imgur.com/v8Vo33Ys.png Yu Suzuki Selected as CEDEC 2018 Special Award Winner
https://i.imgur.com/3RAo10As.png Clouds, Smoke & Street Lights
https://i.imgur.com/2uwsgIBs.jpg Cédric Biscay Visits Yu Suzuki in Tokyo
https://i.imgur.com/zvrJWmns.png The "AI Battling" Stretch Goal
https://i.imgur.com/i6EfyBNs.png Leaving the Cave?
https://i.imgur.com/adAdkcms.png Shenmue I & II Release Date + Latest Details
https://i.imgur.com/HUnFwMls.png Shenmue I & II Rated by the ESRB

June 2018
https://i.imgur.com/tVWtsbUs.png Choubu Inn Floor Plans | Translation & Commentary
https://i.imgur.com/63Y0wXYs.png Shenmue III Backer Survey Information: Distilled
https://i.imgur.com/jhKqaoIs.png [Part 2/2] "15 Secrets of Shenmue" 1999 interview
https://i.imgur.com/hf9LT9ls.png Shenmue Premiere Blue Tri-fold Pamphlet (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/Ekr0DKBs.png The Announcement of Shenmue I & II | On-the-Ground Report
https://i.imgur.com/GgtFs84s.png iPhone/iPad: Guide to Downloading Kotodaman Outside Japan | Guest Post
https://i.imgur.com/82UpULos.png Android: Guide to Downloading Kotodaman Outside Japan
https://i.imgur.com/9ve85S3s.png Toshihiro Nagoshi on Yu Suzuki | Sega Fes Livestream
https://i.imgur.com/4wUEADks.png Shenmue I & II Announcement Video (with English Subtitles)
https://i.imgur.com/a5U1fzQs.png Shenmue Premiere Poster (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/LGoft7Ss.png Mystery Posters on Dobuita Street | Shenmue I
https://i.imgur.com/4cVGuQGs.png Phantom River Stone Gets Soupy
https://i.imgur.com/1Et43ZCs.png Trailer: Learn Japanese through Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/27yZvIms.png "Sukajan" Jackets on Dobuita Street | Tax-free for Shenmue Fans
https://i.imgur.com/DEGoso0s.png Tour of Dobuita Street in Under One Minute | Hyperlapse Video
https://i.imgur.com/RI4OxWgs.png Kickstarter Update #81: Shenmue III Release Window Moved to 2019

May 2018
https://i.imgur.com/vOHZFKNs.png Examining the New Shenmue 3 Images in the THQ Nordic Presentation
https://i.imgur.com/ZFEsAJHs.png Commentary: Shenhua's new voice actress | Kickstarter Update #82
https://i.imgur.com/thlOz0Zs.png Image of a Day's Worth of Shenmue 3 Script
https://i.imgur.com/MbkRSSn.jpg A Visit to the Forbidden City - Guest post by James Brown
https://i.imgur.com/v4bnOvf.jpg [Part 1/2] "15 Secrets of Shenmue" 1999 interview with Yu Suzuki | Translation
https://i.imgur.com/0M6Z0jr.jpg "Soft Launch" of Backer Survey Emails | Kickstarter Update #83
https://i.imgur.com/h9GitnZ.jpg Brief New Shenmue I & II footage from E3 2018
https://i.imgur.com/U74AhJF.jpg Patron's Choice Blog Topic for June
https://i.imgur.com/CJQPILx.jpg Japanese Lesson #1 (Video) | Learn Japanese Through Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/PuThaqps.png Shenmue Premiere Bag (1998) | Shenmue Merchandise

April 2018
https://i.imgur.com/5eoHZRXs.png Masaya Matsukaze Prepares to Reprise Role as Ryo Hazuki
https://i.imgur.com/LcAlMCys.png It's Really Happening! Shenmue I & II Coming to Modern Platforms in 2018
https://i.imgur.com/ADUfMyJs.png "HUGE announcement" to be made at SEGA FES
https://i.imgur.com/yRTsL4Js.png SEGA Fes 2018 English Schedule & Information | 14-15 April 2018
https://i.imgur.com/1ssI0r0s.png Shenmue 1 Start of Game Flowchart | Early Design Document Translation
https://i.imgur.com/vmDZhRJs.png New Series: Learning Japanese through Shenmue

March 2018
https://i.imgur.com/pdnBWxps.png Diorama of the You Arcade: Interview with its Creator
https://i.imgur.com/q3bD58ts.png A Survey of Red TVs in Shenmue | Guest Post
https://i.imgur.com/588g6HMs.png Erhu Concert by Ryuji Iuchi & Hiroko Suzuki
https://i.imgur.com/yn8zHKws.jpg Yu Suzuki's MAGIC Conference in English | Transcript & Video
https://i.imgur.com/7A1o0N0s.png Announcement: Phantom River Stone is on Patreon!
https://i.imgur.com/0QqWbD2s.png Be Credited in SEGA's Upcoming Mobile Game "Kotodaman"
https://i.imgur.com/SvqsR1Bs.png Promotional VMU Sticker Sheet | Shenmue Merchandise

February 2018
https://i.imgur.com/Gk9iXVKs.png 4 New Screenshots from MAGIC 2018 | Kickstarter Update #80
https://i.imgur.com/TgP8NRvs.png Recap: Yu Suzuki at MAGIC 2018
https://i.imgur.com/twbdze0s.png Shenmue 3 at MAGIC 2018: Schedule Summary
https://i.imgur.com/yCPgH6Ds.png Draw Result: Shenmue Guide Map Giveaway on Twitter
https://i.imgur.com/G2o1nKrs.png Interview with Shenmue 2 Designer: Norikazu Hirai | Translation
https://i.imgur.com/NJGp6oTs.png Ryo Hazuki Cameo Confirmed for SEGA's New Mobile Game
https://i.imgur.com/9HyQOFrs.png "Shenmue Gaiden: A Christmas Story" | Fanmade Visual Novel
https://i.imgur.com/1NvTUAhs.png The Old Red TV | Chinese Restaurants in Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/TOJMIces.png Help Ryo Hazuki Appear in SEGA's Mobile Game "Kotodaman"
https://i.imgur.com/vvijoSOs.png Hong Kong Diner | Translated Shenmue II Design Document
https://i.imgur.com/ArKJxqHs.png Shenmue Guide Map Giveaway on Twitter | Closes Feb 19th (JST)

January 2018
https://i.imgur.com/UBAG0W7s.jpg IGN Japan Interview with Cédric Biscay
https://i.imgur.com/1504Aa4s.png A Visit to Yokosuka After Snow | Photo Gallery
https://i.imgur.com/7a7KCu5s.png 1999 Shenmue Promo Leaflet
https://i.imgur.com/qqQQj8Fs.png Showcasing the Shenmue Guide Map | Video
https://i.imgur.com/H7e5LFcs.png Kickstarter Update #79: Shenmue III Conference at MAGIC 2018
https://i.imgur.com/y2EUvmSs.jpg Examining the 3 New Shenmue III Screenshots | MAGIC Press Conference
https://i.imgur.com/uM47HAOs.png Sakuragaoka Park in Real Life
https://i.imgur.com/fxiveVDs.png Sightings Near Dobuita That Made a Shenmue Fan Look Twice

December 2017
https://i.imgur.com/eNFjhFKs.png Ancient Game of “Go” Spotted in Shenmue
https://i.imgur.com/fQXsmxvs.png Yu Suzuki's Keyword for 2018: "Immersion" [Famitsu.com]
https://i.imgur.com/PkAqYQqs.png Yu Suzuki's End-Of-Year Comments to 4Gamer | Romance in Shenmue 3
https://i.imgur.com/u0nOoFrs.png Commentary on Kickstarter Update #78: "Then, Now and Tomorrow"
https://i.imgur.com/JnCfGThs.png Merry Christmas 2017 from PhantomRiverStone.com
https://i.imgur.com/eIXGJ8as.png Shenmue Master's Interview with Yu Suzuki | Gamescom 2017
https://i.imgur.com/wdnW4jXs.png Interview with Yokosuka City | The Story Behind the Shenmue Guide Map
https://i.imgur.com/hQaluzYs.png "Sacred Spot" Guide Map: Official English Version
https://i.imgur.com/QyP51EUs.png "Sacred Spot" Guide Map Translation: Road to Amihama
https://i.imgur.com/Io37TkRs.png Announcing: the Phantom River Stone Translation Service
https://i.imgur.com/60qWKZPs.png "Temple Maiden" Model & Lakshya Digital | Kickstarter Update #77
https://i.imgur.com/ZV4q6g0s.png Where is Amihama in Real Life? (Part 2/2) | Route Information Signs
https://i.imgur.com/HlPfB35s.png Cédric Plays Shenmue III: "So Cool"
https://i.imgur.com/JZgKOkos.png Download the Shenmue "Sacred Spot" Guide Map (Japanese)
https://i.imgur.com/G5lH1yTs.png Shenmue "Sacred Spot" Guide Map Announced

November 2017
https://i.imgur.com/ygVIZtps.png Where is Amihama in Real Life? (Part 1/2)
https://i.imgur.com/ysq0Gh4s.png Ryo spotted joy-riding through Dobuita
https://i.imgur.com/OJMDP9ds.png The Road to Amihama | Shenmue Realism
https://i.imgur.com/VY5IsLls.png The Bus to Amihama | Shenmue Realism
https://i.imgur.com/VY5IsLls.png Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 3: Translating the Last 3%
https://i.imgur.com/lOlXGgis.png Cédric Biscay in Tokyo | Photo

October 2017
https://i.imgur.com/38BKFq9s.png 2 New Additions to the Shenmue Community | Shenmue Blog & Shenmue Lounge
https://i.imgur.com/AAehVDUs.jpg Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 2: The Kogami Release
https://i.imgur.com/Op4FOivs.jpg Evolution of the Shenmue Undub Part 1: The Sm1th Release
https://i.imgur.com/cWaz3RTs.png Earning Money to Meet Ren | Shenmue 2 Flowchart #2 Translation
https://i.imgur.com/7p8o9xps.png Shenmue 2 Concept Sketch: "Wharf Near Langhuishan"

September 2017
https://i.imgur.com/i8wj36es.jpg Kickstarter Update #75: Face Animations & Subtitles Translation
https://i.imgur.com/CMU2qLws.png Gamescom 2017 Photo Report (from the Dojo's yuc02)

https://i.imgur.com/XKlIxUas.png SEGA Dreamcast: Collected Works Kickstarter | Shenmue Special Edition
https://i.imgur.com/BeFsywns.png YS Net Studio Visit by Koch Media with Blurry Dev Screenshot | Photos
https://i.imgur.com/M33Q5uls.png Zhu Yuan Da or Yuanda Zhu? | Character Names in Shenmue I vs II
https://i.imgur.com/j3jVQLis.png Shenmue 500K Interview with Yu Suzuki | Gamescom
https://i.imgur.com/hdhJToOs.png Recap: Shenmue III Japanese Media Interviews | Gamescom 2017
https://i.imgur.com/Sz3bFQgs.png Ryo's Arrival in Hong Kong | Shenmue II Design Document Translation
https://i.imgur.com/LO1mOJas.png "Easter Egg" Characters Discovered in Shenmue III Teaser
https://i.imgur.com/28lU7Yds.png The Shenmue Art Book - Characters Section | Shenmue Merchandise
https://i.imgur.com/Ita4TZSs.png The Shenmue Art Book: Overview of Contents
https://i.imgur.com/zD1Llf3s.png Yu Suzuki Interviewed by Shenmue Dojo
https://i.imgur.com/w8Q5HR0s.png Masaya Matsukaze Visits Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/XIsHZ6xs.png Famitsu Poll Results: Best All-Time Game

August 2017
http://i.imgur.com/fcyZoMBs.png Kickstarter Update #74: New Ryo Pics
http://i.imgur.com/oFyAxZLs.jpg Seven Interesting Details from the Shenmue III Teaser | Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/cH288IFs.png Video Interview with Cédric Biscay by Team Yu | Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/dm8i0iAs.jpg Translation: 4Gamer Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/w2ySYzqs.jpg Translation: Dengeki Online Interview with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/sCek1CHs.jpg Translation: GAME Watch Interview with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/1xOO0HZs.jpg Translation: Game*Spark Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/ZLKRROxs.jpg Translation: Famitsu Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/2DCAeE7s.jpg New Shenmue III Logo Designed by Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/s9TIzQBs.jpg Shenmue III Title Screen Image
http://i.imgur.com/061htQes.jpg New Shenmue III Character + Promo Screenshots
http://i.imgur.com/pYBUkOys.jpg Ryo & Shenhua Images on Famitsu.com
http://i.imgur.com/L8BGuiFs.jpg Yu Suzuki's Journey to Gamescom | Photo Selection
http://i.imgur.com/0Y53uBRs.png Shenmue III Video "The First Teaser"
http://i.imgur.com/520Cwq3s.jpg Close-up on the New Shenmue III Art
http://i.imgur.com/yvJB9n4s.jpg Global Publishing Partner Announced for Shenmue III
http://i.imgur.com/34RWUTAs.png Yu Suzuki's Meet & Greet Schedule at Gamescom
http://i.imgur.com/0eQ6QJ8s.jpg List of Ryo's Goals | Shenmue Passport Disc
http://i.imgur.com/HRwqCJes.jpg Shenmue Passport Unlocked! | Hack to Skip Dial-up Check
http://i.imgur.com/1o3nvyxs.jpg Two Dazzling Shenmue-Inspired Projects: a Rock Opera & a Fan Manga

July 2017
http://i.imgur.com/0vzaHjts.jpg Tai Chi in Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/nJsRGKLs.jpg Shenmue III at Gamescom 2017: What We Know So Far
http://i.imgur.com/1nOV5eUs.jpg Shenmue Telephone Cards | Shenmue Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/C5kWWnTs.jpg Vote Shenmue as Best All-Time Game! | Famitsu 1500th Edition Poll
http://i.imgur.com/HFeP8dAs.jpg How to Get to Dobuita Street | Dobuita Guide Series Part 1
http://i.imgur.com/dHynmPcs.png Comments on Kickstarter Update #69: August Event, Revised Logo & New Characters

June 2017
http://i.imgur.com/yfS73Nvs.png Guizhang Promo Clip Voiced by Eric Kelso
http://i.imgur.com/dsQvfQds.jpg Interview with Eric Kelso: Voice Actor for Ren, Guizhang & Fuku-san
http://i.imgur.com/FA4ta1Ms.png Eric Kelso Interview Coming Soon | Fuku-san Promo Clip
http://i.imgur.com/eSpxmHVs.png Eric Kelso Interview Coming Soon | Ren Promo Clip
http://i.imgur.com/JXYQatNs.jpg Submit Questions for our Interview with Eric Kelso [now closed]
http://i.imgur.com/EVFzD5Is.jpg Sealed What's Shenmue | Ebay Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/X1kVazYs.jpg Kickstarter Update #68: Shenmue III Rescheduled for 2018
http://i.imgur.com/eapK7Ois.jpg The Streets of Shenmue: Street Addresses | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/mt4BSD3s.png Results of Famitsu Poll: Action-Adventure Game Top 20 [June 2017]

May 2017
http://i.imgur.com/E8zNFPDs.jpg Comments on Kickstarter Update #67 | New Character Model & Absence from E3
http://i.imgur.com/bcak7Kts.jpg Sealed US Shenmue | Ebay Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/ucIOJUFs.jpg Shoes On... Shoes Off | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/dBWF9V8s.jpg Gio Corsi Visiting Yu in Tokyo [May 17, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/MqAatxNs.jpg The Meaning & Origin of "Dobuita" | Placenames
http://i.imgur.com/uz6KQl8s.jpg Comments on Kickstarter Update #66 [Yu-san on Story Building]

April 2017
http://i.imgur.com/6hRqzg4s.png Guide to Famitsu Poll: Best Action-Adventure Game [closes 8th May, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/guRxybQs.jpg Retro Games Exhibition: Sega Taikan Games | Photo Report
http://i.imgur.com/RACi6dEs.jpg Ryo and the Tiger-skin Pants | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/IrqlCqzs.jpg Fuku-san's Incredible Money Counting Skills | Video
http://i.imgur.com/4ouU0kos.jpg Yu Suzuki Interview for the Release of "SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3" | Famitsu]

March 2017
http://i.imgur.com/xrUGYHUs.jpg The Bamboo Fountain in the Hazuki's Garden | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/nQIB30Xs.jpg Anecdotes About Yu Suzuki From Yuji Naka | DenFamiNicoGamer [14 Feb, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/ACl0FlYs.jpg Shenmue Documentary Update Video | Chasing Shenmue: EP03
http://i.imgur.com/3F2klfBs.jpg Guide to SEGA Japan's Twitter Questionnaire [Closes March 26, 2017]
http://i.imgur.com/wcPwXEss.jpg The Naming of Phantom River Stone | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/2mmK343s.jpg Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #65 [Dev Room Progress Report Vol. 2]
http://i.imgur.com/mG6K4mUs.jpg Interview with Cédric Biscay at MAGIC 2017 | Famitsu.com [Mar 9, 2017]

February 2017
http://i.imgur.com/6KiiKFrs.jpg New Song "Winter Sunset" by Shenmue Composer Ryuji Iuchi
http://i.imgur.com/Cgp2vgCs.jpg "You should have come yesterday" | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/wVMLlZJs.jpg Rotary Phones & Milk Delivery | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/8Mgc1xHs.jpg How to View the Passenger Plane and Fighter Jet Cutscenes | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/0yWEWCIs.png Iwao Hazuki's China Visit | Diagram of Relationships & Timeline
http://i.imgur.com/6VEc2Yes.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 3 | DenFamiNicoGamer

January 2017
http://i.imgur.com/VZ9PVsAs.jpg "Gachinko Fishing" & "Washing Place" | Shenmue Document Translations
http://i.imgur.com/EU27OuMs.jpg Ryo & Ren Comedy Video with English Captions (2001)
http://i.imgur.com/PqSdIWus.jpg Yu Suzuki at the AM2 Summer Festival (2001) | Article Translation
http://i.imgur.com/vIGPSMms.jpg Tile-breaking Job | Early Shenmue Document Translation
http://i.imgur.com/PZWjXavs.png Shenmue Comic: Training in Guilin
http://i.imgur.com/0RUQb9Hs.jpg Kowloon Cut-scene Music: 65 Tracks | Shenmue II
http://i.imgur.com/YvN2RZjs.jpg Shenmue 3 Reward Dinner in San Francisco with Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/CFADrwrs.jpg Shenmue III Reward Upgrades Coming in Summer
http://i.imgur.com/8j6i3Szs.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 2 | DenFamiNicoGamer [26 Dec, 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/BVgZW6Xs.jpg "Shenmue Gaiden: Christmas Event" | New Fanmade Visual Novel
http://i.imgur.com/b1azRTNs.gif New Year's Illustration & Cultural Notes

December 2016
http://i.imgur.com/wWc7IWgs.jpg Yu Suzuki & Katsuhiro Harada Interview | Part 1 | DenFamiNicoGamer [26 Dec, 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/3dMiVTBs.jpg Yu Suzuki's New Year Resolution [Famitsu.com, Dec 29]
http://i.imgur.com/xr5QFaGs.jpg Yu Suzuki Comments on the Past & Coming Year [4Gamer.net, 28 Dec 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/gnO9bNOs.jpg Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #64 [Season’s Greetings!]
http://i.imgur.com/ubglJ2ls.jpg Winter Heating in Japan | Shenmue Realism
http://i.imgur.com/qOwmG9Bs.png Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #63 [Campaign and Progress Update]
http://i.imgur.com/nYb2Vjes.jpg Shenmue III "Pre-Orders" for PC Start Tomorrow (Dec 15, 2016)
http://i.imgur.com/exgJDORs.png "Let's Get Sweaty" | Translation Analysis
http://i.imgur.com/ag4zj5us.png Yu Suzuki Currently In California
http://i.imgur.com/5zWHSeWs.png Shenmue Campaign Timeline
http://i.imgur.com/IjeW1pXs.png Shenmue's Absence From PSX 2016
http://i.imgur.com/gk1HKhvs.png Yu Suzuki Interview Video (Subtitled) - Retro Games Expo 2016
http://i.imgur.com/bAbAulBs.png Thoughts on Kickstarter Update #62 [Yu Suzuki on the Music of Shenmue]

November 2016
http://i.imgur.com/9BM8AYWs.png Is Lan Di the Leader of the Chi You Men?
http://i.imgur.com/BlCr0Kns.jpg Lan Di Statue Photos (Exclusive Edition)
http://i.imgur.com/rgviLMts.jpg Shenmue Dojo Broadcast Special - 3 December, 2016
http://i.imgur.com/xJNJWIWs.png SEGA Online Poll Results & Video Recap
http://i.imgur.com/qhAiA9As.png Guide to the SEGA Japan Online Poll. [Now Closed]
http://i.imgur.com/Xn2vFoes.jpg Cédric Biscay hints at Shenmue III material for the PSX event
http://i.imgur.com/Jin2uvWs.png "It can't be... you... ?"
http://i.imgur.com/pnN7iUxs.png Top 200 Dreamcast Games Poll Results [DCJY 2016]
http://i.imgur.com/6f2w06Us.jpg Yu Suzuki Comments on Shenmue 3 - Nov 2 Famitsu interview

October 2016
http://i.imgur.com/4E8j5b9s.jpg Kickstarter Update #61: Halloween Greetings
http://i.imgur.com/Ujnkac3s.png Two Fan-made Shenmue Videos Not to Miss
http://i.imgur.com/AduBuT3s.png Map of Langhuishan - Shenmue 2 Unused Asset
http://i.imgur.com/hmdWTwcs.jpg Shenmue Realism: Yamanose Shrine
http://i.imgur.com/NrX84UHs.jpg "Especially Since You Bought Merchandise."
http://i.imgur.com/2FQiu2gs.png Ryo performing Victory Pose from Virtua Fighter
http://i.imgur.com/jGoYDoFs.jpg Shenmue 3 Dev Team Expanding! Leaflet Translation

September 2016
http://i.imgur.com/LpTFsAKs.jpg Kickstarter Update #60: Dinner in Japan Report
http://i.imgur.com/BIZyrmEs.png QTE Sound Collection
http://i.imgur.com/m4okNn6s.jpg Yu Suzuki Interview Translation (Retro Games Expo / 2016)
http://i.imgur.com/IfyMKHys.jpg The Cryptic Notes in Fukuhara-san's Room
http://i.imgur.com/M4EPqtHs.jpg New "Shenmue AM2" Podcast Series
http://i.imgur.com/EsuuvpWs.jpg Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Dinner Party in Japan
http://i.imgur.com/Rypgz9es.jpg Recent sightings of Yu Suzuki
http://i.imgur.com/h3pJ2bKs.jpg Yu Suzuki Arcade Games at Retro Games Exhibition in Saitama, Japan
http://i.imgur.com/raoDtKjs.jpg Cédric Biscay: No "big update" on Shenmue III for the near future
http://i.imgur.com/HFrPyUas.jpg Dorimaga Awards Part 2: Best Script (Dorimaga / March 2000)
http://i.imgur.com/1gOEjcOs.jpg Sega TGS 2016 Merchandise: the Ryo Marshmallow
http://i.imgur.com/0ktXJTps.jpg TGS 2016 & Shenmue Merchandise
http://i.imgur.com/mBOebs6s.jpg Shenmue Realism: Washing Machines
http://i.imgur.com/8w8RmTxs.jpg Shenmue Wins Best Dreamcast Title (Dorimaga article / March 2000)
http://i.imgur.com/DYH3Z2Ss.jpg "This..." Unnatural Utterances at the Tomato Convenience Store
http://i.imgur.com/vVIonJts.jpg Slacker Backer: update on the PC version reward

August 2016
http://i.imgur.com/iVesGfVs.jpg Kickstarter Update #59: observations
http://i.imgur.com/G5LuJZhs.jpg Kickstarter Update #59 - From the Dev Room
http://i.imgur.com/KNza7MLs.jpg A New Shenmue Blog is Launched
by Switch
Sun Aug 06, 2017 9:59 pm
 
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Re: Shenmue III @Gamescom '17 Discussion - Two Weeks Left

Well, this week will seem like an eternity...

I know it seems that way, right? If possible, everyone should take a few moments to try and enjoy this particular period of time and the uncertainty and anticipation of it. I wonder what it will be like when the game is revealed. I have a lot of hopes, a few worries. It truly is a time of wonder. Here we are, in it, right now - at perhaps the absolute apex of anticipation. It's a special time and some day, it will be as long ago as the DC days.
by Centrale
Mon Aug 14, 2017 5:48 pm
 
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New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

Image

Taken from the official YSNET press release which can be seen here:

http://www.ysnet-inc.jp/
by Peter
Thu Aug 17, 2017 3:26 am
 
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Re: Yakuza series

0 being set in the 80s made it feel completely fresh for me, the story is my favourite by far and although Kamurocho felt familiar it also felt like a different place due to the change of themes, atmosphere and layout to a certain extent. The changes in a lot of gameplay elements also contributed to it feeling like a fresh experience. I enjoyed 4 for branching out in to different characters while not focussing much on Kiryu who I had become bored with at that point, the changes it made to Kamurocho was enough to keep the location from feeling too familiar for me. As for 5 you don't spend much time in Kamurocho and it has some really cool moments but overall I enjoyed it less than 4 and especially 0 that has become my favourite in the series. Even though 5 is huge with lots of new places to see it felt like it dragged on a lot of the time, I still put something like 80 hours in to it though so I didn't find it be a bad game by no means.

I mainly play Yakuza for the atmosphere and story though so I'm probably willing to overlook at lot of things that could bother other people.
by south carmain
Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:17 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

O Rei do Frango Assado wrote: That logo looks like it was written by a right-handed person using their left hand.


Brilliant! :rotflmao:

Although it's really not that bad! Nowhere near as bad as the papyrus logo.
by iyapol
Thu Aug 17, 2017 4:42 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

The environments look great.
Everything else, no.
by Axm
Thu Aug 17, 2017 5:06 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

Its been a great journey.

Image
by ShenSun
Thu Aug 17, 2017 4:52 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release


Well, I was never one of those people and never understood those who said such things. Shenmue 1 and 2 were masterpieces and I expect it to keep that way. I'd rather have nothing at all, than having a manga, a novel or a shitty game just to say they finished the story.

Obviously, it sometimes still feels like a dream that Shenmue 3 is a reality. I had lost all hope many years ago and, as a gamer, Shenmue 3's announcement was the best videogame news I've ever had in my life. So I am grateful for it. Now, does this mean that I should be happy about everything they show us? No, if it looks like shit, it looks like shit.

Again, I'll hold my judgement until I see a more final version of the game and that too in motion. I know this is just work in progress material, not to mention they just did a simple photoshop of the characters on top of the background, with no lighting, shadows, or anything. That's why I'm not too worried yet, because this is simply not enough to know how the game will actually look like and I'm still optimistic that it will look great, so don't get me wrong about that.

Having said that, this is what we have now and this thread is about these pics that they just released, so we are talking about what we think about these pics. And Ryo and Shenhua look like shit in that pic. At least to me, they do. Again, they're certainly an improvement over the KS pitch video (especially Ryo), but that's not saying much. They still have a very long way to go. And I find it odd that, after all this time, they still haven't managed to make a better-looking Ryo than some stuff already made by fans at their homes.

Anyway, in just a few days, we'll have a much better idea of what the game, and, namely, the characters, will actually look like (though that too will still be work in progress).

Well said. After all these years, the Shenmue saga deserves better than this.
by ShenmueLegacy
Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:05 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

My quickly slapped-together "Shenmue 3 Ryo with Passsport hairstyle and less godawful oversaturation" pic :mrgreen:

Image
by Verderame
Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:02 am
 
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Re: New Ryo & Shenhua models from press release

Shenmue 3 Ryo's face with Passport Ryo's hairstyle and adjusted coloration comparison #2:

Image

So uhm...? This seems pretty good to me?
by Verderame
Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:27 pm
 
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Re: Shenmue III @Gamescom '17 Discussion - ONE WEEK LEFT

Yu is ready to go!

Edit: the restaurants in the background reveals he is at the Haneda airport terminal.

Tweet: "I'll be heading to Gamescom now".

Image
by Switch
Sun Aug 20, 2017 1:37 am
 
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Re: Fan-Edits & Tweaks of New Images Thread

http://i.imgur.com/UbpxXCe.jpg http://i.imgur.com/t4GUxbn.jpg

Sometimes, I wonder what I'm doing with my life.

Also, my fitty cents:
- The promo image looks like something a college student would do.
- Subsurface scattering skin shaders can be great, but S3's artist(s) seemed to have just found them and added that shit to everything. Plasticmens.
- Shenhua looks into your soul and finds emptiness, because she's dead and can't find things.
- Ryo was dipped in olive oil and came out a Filipino. Though, it does sort of "grow" on me as he looks off into the distance.
- Animations are great, but could probably look less floaty with more manual tweaking of the mocap data.
- I honestly thought the promo image was a shitpost or fanart...but at least the environments look pretty good despite the constant need to blow out all the colours with coloured lighting and mannequin Shenhua.
- I don't mind the old martial artist/fisherman guy in the teaser. If that's the look they're going for, hopefully Ryo and Shenhua get more treatments. The muscle man is pretty good, except the same SSS shader nonsense that makes him look like a doll.
- Highlights on eyes please.
- The logo is bad and whoever made it or accepted it should feel bad. Photoshop beveling? Da fuck?
- I wonder if this cartoon style is to make it easier to create NPCs. Shenhua, for example, looks like an NPC that you only want to talk to a couple of times before never seeing her again because she's too fucking creepy to want to hold a conversation with.
- Ryo doesn't look like in-game DC Ryo. DC Ryo is definitive Ryo for me and not the countless other renditions of him, which I'll never understand why Suzuki has kept on accepting. There has to be a way to update that model and still make it fit the new cartoon style, if production limitations are what's driving this look, fine, I'll accept it. I just think it can look a lot better and I really hope it does.
- I regret giving money to DayZ when I should have given it to S3.
by PseudoDev
Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:03 am
 
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Re: Kickstarter Update #73: New Progress Video!

Aww, so the new logo was hand-written by Yu Suzuki himself... Now I feel bad for not liking it and saying that it looks like it was written by a right-handed person's left hand. But it does, I won't lie.

Anyway, ever since the beginning that I've been seeing lots of people acting as if the logo is such a major issue. Really, an ugly logo is pretty much my very last concern about a video game.

It was designed by You Suzuki's left hand. :king:
by iyapol
Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:36 am
 
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New Screens + Note From Yu via Playstation Blog

Hello PlayStation fans! This is Yu Suzuki, director of Shenmue III.

It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since we debuted the game at Sony’s E3 2015 press conference. Since then, the team has been extremely busy developing the game in Tokyo, but now it’s time to come up for air.

To coincide with Gamescom 2017, we are happy to share the news that we have inked a publishing partnership with Deep Silver! From the early days on the project, the team at Deep Silver really impressed me with their deep passion for the series and their desire to work with us to deliver a proper sequel that all fans will love.

To celebrate the news, I would like to share with you a teaser video built from a small slice of an in-development build of the game . As you will see, the latest chapter in Ryo and Shenhua’s journey begins with a beautiful set piece in China. You’ll also see that we’re aiming to significantly upgrade the game’s visuals , and you may also notice a new character during that quick glimpse of our new battle gameplay…

I’m pleased to be able to offer a small peek into what we’ve been building thus far, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to show you more as we get closer to our 2018 release.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all those who have supported me and the team. I will continue to work hard to deliver the best possible realization of Shenmue III.

Yu Suzuki


https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/08/21/shenmue-iii-the-first-teaser/

http://i.imgur.com/g5yUqjb.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ufpkE9s.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/AbrZoIT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/6aBGfXn.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/QcbflbL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WalDXEv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/YLvset1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2HG6rvv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/LMB9IsH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OJWDQyo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aB0cIOJ.jpg

Ryo & Shenhua Character Models (High Resolutions)

http://i.imgur.com/TAjc0zl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XxbTunF.jpg
by Spaghetti
Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:55 am
 
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Game Watch Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom [Translated]

Game Watch published a very interesting interview with Suzuki-san, the interview took place during Gamescom 2017 and includes some really insightful and interesting information about Shenmue III, here's a short summary of it:


⋅  The released Shenmue III teaser footage is real-time in-game graphics.
⋅  All charterers models are temporary and subject to change.
⋅  Facial animations were initially implemented but have been removed about a month ago.
⋅  The teaser was especially made for Gamescom 2017, no further plans to show more of the game at this year's Gamescom or Tokyo Game Show. However, a full-scale promotion will take place next year.
⋅  Deep Silver will publish the game internationally, and they'll provide budget and promotional support. A publisher for Japan is to be decided.
⋅  Suzuki-san would like to continue the series in Shenmue IV if possible.
⋅  Suzuki-san is not interested in forcing the Shenmue story to complete in Shenmue III.
⋅  Shenmue III will take around 30 hours of gameplay to complete.
⋅  The fighting engine in Shenmue III is being built from scratch, and unlike Shenmue II it won't use the Virtua engine.
⋅  A system that allows phone calls with characters from Shenmue and Shenmue II is planned for Shenmue III.
⋅  Suzuki-san would like to bring as many voice actors from the previous games as possible, but some are retired now, he will audition a new voice actress for Shenhua.
⋅  OST from Shenmue and Shenmue II will probably be reused in Shenmue III.
⋅  The new partnership with Deep Silver is strong and it's aimed to improve the Shenmue III experience beyond what was initially planned on the Kickstarter.

Finally, Suzuki-san asks the fans to continue their support, and promises to do his best to make a good game out of Shenmue III.

I have a very strong feeling that 2018 will be the year of Shenmue ...

Update:
Switch has kindly translated the original interview

Here it is, a full translation of the GAME Watch interview. Enjoy!

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/08/game-watch-interview-with-yu-suzuki.html

http://i.imgur.com/sCek1CHl.jpg

by masterchan777
Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:03 pm
 
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Famitsu Interview w/ Yu Suzuki @Gamescom [Full Translation]

I've posted up a full translation of a Famitsu interview held yesterday with Yu Suzuki at Gamescom.

"Tortoises, ducks and frogs will be making an appearance!"

Link to interview:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/08/translationinterview-with-yu-suzuki.html

http://i.imgur.com/ZLKRROxl.jpg
by Switch
Wed Aug 23, 2017 3:14 am
 
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Game*Spark Interview with Yu Suzuki [Full Translation]

Here's a new article translation from Game*Spark Japan, interviewing Yu Suzuki and executive producer Hideaki Morishita.

I think it contains a lot of interesting insight. They speak about the fuss surrounding the teaser trailer despite the fact that many of the characters in the trailer are nowhere near their finished form.

Read the interview here:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/08/translation-interview-with-yu-suzuki.html

http://i.imgur.com/1xOO0HZl.jpg
by Switch
Wed Aug 23, 2017 12:05 pm
 
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Re: Game Watch Japan Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom 2017

I was working on the other interview translations yesterday, but I'm aiming to complete a full translation of this one today.
by Switch
Thu Aug 24, 2017 12:23 am
 
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Re: Yakuza series

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DICk2CZVYAA7ptC.jpg

"The Taiwanese PlayStation Store has leaked the announcement of Yakuza: Kiwami 2 for PlayStation 4 ahead of Sega’s Yakuza Studio New Titles Presentation on August 26.

According to the listing, the game, which is a remake of Yakuza 2, is built in the latest iteration of the Dragon Engine, which is used in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, and will launch in Taiwan on December 7.

Further details are expected to be announced on August 26."

Hahahahaha. BRING IT ON!!!! \:D/

Edit:

Nagoshi says there will be surprises at tomorrow's Yakuza Studio presentation, despite Kiwami 2 being leaked.
by Demonoroth
Fri Aug 25, 2017 4:50 am
 
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Re: Yakuza series

Survey about Ryu Ga Gotoku's Team's upcoming projects asking international audiences how interested they are in each (Kiwami 2, Fist of the North Star and Yakuza Online), show your interest here (it's the quickest survey ever, seriously, took 2 seconds for me to fill it in).

http://yakuza.sega.com/RGGStudioAnnouncementSurvey/

Nice little note afterwards, that sounds a bit positive to me.
Everybody fill it in!
by Henry Spencer
Sun Aug 27, 2017 2:00 pm
 
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Re: Shenmue III @Gamescom '17 Discussion - That's All, Folks

Here are the interesting bits of the multiplayer.it interview to Suzuki San.

Yu Suzuki: "My vision of the Shenmue universe and the way I see the characters have never changed.
To me, it's like not even one day has past [Since Shenmue 2 release]."

According to Yu Suzuki, it's still early to show a playable version of Shenmue 3 to the public.
Yu Suzuki: "More than half of the work has been done, but really I shouldn't tell you at what point we are in the development."
The partnership with Deep Silver will allow YsNet to focus on the development and work with better conditions but at the same time, the communication with media and the Kickstarter backers should be less transparent.

We had the opportunity to watch an extended version of the teaser (~3minutes). There were no dialogues o specific story related references. On the other hand, the video gives a good idea of the environments, characters and shows interactions with each others, like fights and side activities.

Following the feedback from the Community about the teaser, Suzuki San wanted to reassure the fans: "The characters shown in the teaser are temporary. We have just added a new facial animations system but the video we have prepared for the Gamescom was based on the previous version of the game."
Then, Yu Suzuki showed us a serie of 3D characters pictures, without texture but with a significantly higher complexity compared to the teaser models. "This is the quality level we are aiming to for the final version [of Shenmue 3]."

Of course, there are going to be a lot of extra activities. Mini-games and "hobbies": In the extended teaser, we saw Ryo practice punches on a cabinet looking like "Fighting Mania" or play pinball. Other classics like gashapons or forklift driving will not be forgotten. Lastly, news regarding the fighting system too: In the video, we saw a few QTE's not so different from the ones from the original Shenmue's, but Yu Suzuki claims that they are introducing some ideas to make the QTEs more modern and dynamic.

Source: http://multiplayer.it/articoli/187741-shenmue-iii-yu-suzuki-ci-racconta-della-grande-scommessa-di-shenmue-iii.html
by Kiske
Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:08 am
 
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Suzuki wants Sega to do HD + Pleased with JP game interest

http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/08/27/shenmue-3-interview-japanese-games-more/amp/

Just an interesting article which I don't seem to see posted elsewhere where it shows Yu's intentions of asking Sega himself for Shenmue 1 and 2 HD to happen. Yes he said this sort of thing in the past which means he's persistantly asking. Also in the article it says he is pleased with the Japanese games market being popular in the west as it was not always like that and he hopes with his game Shenmue 3 it can help it stay like that.
by sutoji
Mon Aug 28, 2017 5:12 am
 
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VG 24/7 interview with Yu

Didn't see a dedicated thread for this so...

Full interview:

https://www.vg247.com/2017/08/25/shenmue-3-open-world-dead-eyed-characters-shenmue-4/

The bit we've all come for:

The environments look fantastic, but there’s been a lot of chatter about the character models this week. What do you have to say to that? Are improvements coming?

You know, to be honest… the faces, they’ve not been properly deployed yet. [b]This is a behind-the-scenes story, but up until a point 2 months ago the face motion has been removed. The developer changed some structure to the bones of the character model, and this caused a problem. Because of the problem, we decided to stop working on face animation for now.

[Suzuki opens his laptop and brings up an internal, unreleased development video showing facial animation tests for Ryo and Shenhua. The animations look fairly decent, and certainly avoid the dead-eyed stares seen in the recent Shenmue footage or Andromeda-style exaggeration.]

This is still the sample model, the older one, but… this is a test. We’re going to make this even better. We’re incorporating about 11 different types of face motion, and we’re working towards that. That will be improved a lot.
by Spaghetti
Fri Aug 25, 2017 12:31 pm
 
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Dengeki and 4Gamer interviews quick translations

Hello guys,

2 new interviews have been posted on Japanese websites. Full translations will most likely be done by Switch I think, but I've decided to translate some stuff quickly on my free time.

Hope you'll like it !

https://s2.postimg.org/6be2u47rt/003.jpg

From Dengeki :

- Anticipated things (best 3) : 1. Continuation of the story, 2. Open World, 3. Forklifts

- Suzuki san thought at first that it'd be difficult to have something like an open world (because of the budget), but with the recent partnership with Deep Silver and development's improvements, he might be able to provide something that has the atmosphere of an open world. Volume of the 2nd area that we can see in the PV should be around 3 times bigger. That's also why they had to announce the delay, because the game's content has been improved and they need more time

- In the "Shenmue World", players can earn money through different ways like gambling, selling items (to a pawn shop for example) and purchase new moves (scrolls) to get stronger and beat a boss

- He's also talking about Shenmue's logo changes. "My father wrote Shenhua's kanji (莎花). And my mother worked on the "愛すべき友を持て" (Keep friends, those you love, close to you) calligraphy. However, I thought it'd be great if I could do it myself this time

https://s2.postimg.org/z2awk6dll/shenmue3_006_cs1w1_900x360.jpg

https://s2.postimg.org/6qty0vj2x/shenmue3_007_cs1w1_900x206.jpg

- Players who haven't played the first two games will have no problem playing the 3rd one. For Shenmue II, we added a 15 minutes movie of the first Shenmue so players could catch up, but this time we'll work on something more simple based on images and texts

https://s2.postimg.org/qmpxgf049/009.jpg

4Gamer :

Can you tell us why you decided to work with Deep Silver ?

- Suzuki san : We worked on the Kickstarter Campaign right after announcing the game and it was a success. However, it's difficult to do an open world with the budget we had, that's why we kept looking for a partner. They already worked with Sega in the past and they were a recommandation from people I trust

- About improvements, Suzuki san is providing an example. For the 2nd city we are going to visit in the game, they planned around 50 to 60 NPC, but now, this number could reach 200

- Shenmue III will start 6 hours after the end of Shenmue II

Other things are mostly stuff we already know like the phone calls etc.

Original links :

Dengeki

http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/001/580/1580312/

4Gamer

http://www.4gamer.net/games/305/G030593/20170824023/

That's it for now. Have a nice day !
by DEVILLE_David
Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:32 am
 
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Re: Dengeki and 4Gamer interviews quick translations

The full translation of the 4Gamer interview is now also up on the Phantom River Stone blog (together with his interview with Dengeki Online).

Interview link:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/0 ... uzuki.html

Image
by Switch
Sat Aug 26, 2017 9:57 am
 
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Re: Yakuza series

Alright, big day for Yakuza (related) announcements. The best parts of the live stream have now been posted on the official Yakuza YouTube page.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 we already know about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpXgE8Iqgho

But also, Yakuza Online, something for smartphones and PC apparently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9xn1PNNK_Q

The suprise though is a Fist of the North Star game running on the Yakuza 6 engine!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBRkpUvWc2Y
by Kintor
Sat Aug 26, 2017 8:08 am
 
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Re: Phantom River Stone blog (Index of Articles)

Translation of the 4Gamer interview with Yu Suzuki is now up!

Image 4Gamer Interview with Yu Suzuki @Gamescom
by Switch
Sat Aug 26, 2017 9:59 am
 
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Re: Random Shenmue III Thoughts

It's this question that perplexes me most. Like you, I personally don't think Suzuki will seriously go into that. However, I think some acknowledgment is necessary. China in the 1980's, while not what it is today, wasn't also a country that exposed to the world economy yet. That came the decade after, one which I remember greatly. Thus, it'd make sense to use mainland China's reality to craft Shenmue III in the same, semi-realistic fashion the first two games were.
It would actually be great if the dev team can depict 80s China authentically, but I think it is likely beyond their capability. And Japanese market is too accustomed to their Orientalist stereotypes for Chinese people, like odangos and qipao etc.

The economic reform and opening-up of China started since 1978, and 80s was probably the most liberal period in its contemporary history. People got exposed to "Capitalist" products and ideas, and the government implemented significantly less censorship on medias compare to now. The indie film scene was prosperous, with a lot of topics that can't be touched nowadays. Chinese rock musics started during this time, and many earliest songs have political undertones. It was also the height of modern Chinese poems, with poets like Bei Dao and Gu Cheng etc, and poetry writing was really popular among college students. Ultimately all this cultural shift and liberty lead to June Fourth Incident.

Many Chinese people first came into contact with animes and Japanese video games during 80s, and China-Japan relationship was pretty good during this time, whether at the state level or civilian level. It was probably one of the reasons Suzuki choose this setting.
by qwerty3w
Fri Sep 01, 2017 11:27 pm
 
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Shenmue Dojo interview with Yu Suzuki (Gamescom 2017)

https://68.media.tumblr.com/c76cd8e09ccbe5c284a877f39c982a54/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco1_400.jpg

At the Gamescom 2017 event, we were very lucky to have a quick interview with Shenmue 3 director Yu Suzuki. Unfortunately, over the 3 days available with Suzuki-san, it was very hard to secure an interview with the team due to the general media already having pre-booked all of the time slots available with Suzuki-san through their new publishing partner, Koch Media. But thanks to a few people behind the scenes (especially the community's own Shenmue Ambassador Ali Novin!), we were able to be squeezed in for some quick interviews at the end of the final day, and got to experience the Deep Silver media area! (and rub shoulders with other developers in the area. 5 points to who can guess the developer in the chequed shirt.) Possibly a happy accident, but quite hilarious that Shenmue 3 was allocated Wareho...errr room number .08!

https://68.media.tumblr.com/e10f0bec5012af5650278ed6617f3ea1/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco2_500.jpg

For this interview, we are unbelievably thankful, as both Suzuki-san and Harry-san were understandably extremely tired, and in light of that, our time with them was very short. Despite having upwards of 20+ questions prepared, i only had time to ask a very short number so apologies in advance that i did not get an opportunity to ask a lot of gameplay based questions. I didnt get to that stage, and before i was out of the "introductory" questions stage, it was time to wrap up the interview! Either way, its always an honour to be in the company of Suzuki-san, and we are so grateful for his time at Gamescom. Enjoy :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SD. So hello Suzuki-san. Welcome to Germany! Have you been to Germany before? Have you been to Gamescom before?

YS. It’s my first Gamescom, but however, for Germany, I don’t remember… 2 or 3… around 3 times. I have a feeling the number grows with each interview (laughs)! It’s around 5 times… I think. Although, just before when you asked the question, I said twice! But I think 5 times is the right number.

SD. So we know you are in Cologne for Shenmue, but I know you have a love for art and architecture. Do you have any plans to do any sight-seeing whilst you are here?

YS. On the day we arrived, or maybe the day after, I went to see the Dom (Cathedral). It’s splendid! I also walked around the Old Town. Yes, it was amazing. It was more impressive than the Tokyo Tower (laughs). I am joking! But it was amazing. I could say amazing over and over.


https://68.media.tumblr.com/d9b32515d8c7f5ffadb78bf509d9ff0c/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco3_500.jpg

SD. We are at Gamescom for Shenmue 3. But I have to ask, why Gamescom? We just had E3, and Gamescom is a little bit after, so did it just feel right?

YS. The reason for the timing was that I wanted to make the announcement in conjunction with the forming of the contract with Deep Silver. The agreement, to put it simply, was not ready in time for E3.

SD. Ok, so I just want to bring it back a bit, to the Kickstarter update where you announced that you had to delay the game. How hard was that decision, and were you worried about disappointing the backers?

YS. Hmmm, yes of course. I was most concerned about the backers. At the time, we had already made progress in our partnership talks with Deep Silver. So for us, being able to aim for something above what had been the plan with the original Kickstarter, it would have been extremely difficult to implement an open world with the initial plan we had at the time of the Kickstarter. So I continued to look for a partner after that. I really wanted to create an open world somehow. So I kept searching, and eventually we were able to form a partnership with Deep Silver which enabled us to upwardly revise the plan.
So at that time, I took into account what we would be able to achieve with Deep Silver. I felt positive we would be able to achieve a “scaled-up” Shenmue 3. If conditions improved after forming a partnership with Deep Silver, we would be able to expand our plans. That would bring along with it more tasks to complete, and I hoped to announce the good news to everyone along with the schedule change. But at that point the contract with Deep Silver hasn’t been finalized, so I wasn’t able to mention it. That was the situation.

https://68.media.tumblr.com/02ed8d4d4c19b506b54b42ccf5da6441/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco4_500.jpg

SD. In the same video, you mentioned “new technologies, possibilities and new expressions” for Shenmue 3. Could you tell us more about those, and have they changed what you originally thought Shenmue 3 would be like?

YS. We have a complete set of basic shaders, although these need to be tuned for Shenmue. But having a full set of basic shaders is one of its (Unreal 4 Engine) advantages. Also it’s an engine designed for games, so there are all sorts of libraries for 3D games. So when you’re at the prototype/building stage, it’s very quick and efficient. That’s another benefit.
With Shenmue 1 and 2, my program forms the base, so I understand all parts of the program. However this time, the innermost working are a “black box” so I can’t obtain a full understanding of every part, and that can sometimes be a problem. From an overall perspective, it’s a really marvellous engine, especially when it’s used by multiple people. For example, we take the case of 30 or 40 people, or more, are developing the game simultaneously. It can handle management and so on, and do things like analysing the workload, rendering load, CPU usage and various others. Product management has also been made easier too, so overall, I think it’s a superb engine.


SD. I’m glad you mentioned shaders because I remember a conversation we once had about how important the colours of Shenmue were important to you. How difficult has it been to achieve the “look” and “colour” of Shenmue with Unreal 4?

YS. The basic attractive colours in Unreal 4 are formed with High Dynamic Range, and there is a wide range of colours from light to dark which can produce images where you can really feel the light and shade. This was the key deciding factor for my selection of the Unreal Engine. For me, the light and the shade are the most important part. For Shenmue, there are 2 things which are necessary to add. The next stage is there has to be a feeling of humidity. Shenmue has to have a slightly “wet” feeling to it. A damp kind of feeling in the air. I don’t mean actual rain, but the air should have a kind of moist feeling to it.
It’s difficult to achieve this with the standard Unreal 4 shaders, so I think we will have to write our own. The Shenmue teaser we have shown has achieved that look of “wetness” I think. We have now reached the second step. We are not yet at the third stage, but that will be images that you can smell. For example, in China they may chop up a pig like this, and then, without storing it in a refrigerator, sell it under the hot sun. It has that kind of raw stink, and that’s something I think we managed to achieve in Shenmue 2. Shenmue 3 will also be going onto this stage next. A “smell shader”, or a “stinky shader”! (laughs).

https://68.media.tumblr.com/9d51b582086d5bd4cb64552253c54f48/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco5_400.jpg

SD. I have a lot of questions to ask, but I know time is very short, so I will ask my final question. With being president of your own company, you have hired new staff members to work on Shenmue 3. How does it feel to pass on all those years of knowledge and experience to young new developers? Have you had any difficulties managing a team like this?

YS. Well not all of our staff are young, there is someone who is 50 years old… all ages really. But management is the most difficult part. They have entered the company going through interviews, and it’s hard to get to know someone properly at the interview stage. So after that process it turns out there are some people who speak extremely little, for example, so yes it can be pretty difficult. Various strategies are needed in order for each person’s performance level to reach 100%, and that’s the part that’s most difficult. I would prefer to lose myself in the creative work, but quite a bit of time is used up on management.

SD. Suzuki-san, thank you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


...and in the blink of an eye, it was all over! Apologies again that we could not have had more time to ask more questions, but there maybe more inverviews coming out from the Shenmue Online Community in the near future with lots more questions so stay tuned for that! ;-)

But before we left, as always, we had to surprise Suzuki-san with a gift! Thanks to a fantastic idea from 500k owner Aaron Barstow, we decided to try and somehow put Suzuki-san into one of his favourite bands, Van Halen. So working together, we came up with the idea of having an artist design an image of the band members but also insert Yu Suzuki in amongst them! After contacting one of our contributors to the Instagram page, @r_wuying, he understood the concept, and very quickly came though with an awesome piece of work!

https://68.media.tumblr.com/0909930dd8da47c5b51aaf4011880926/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco6_400.jpg

Of course, we couldnt give Suzuki-san an image on a PC, so we had it framed and brought it to Germany to present it to him from all of the Shenmue Community, for which he was extremely surprised and thankful (as always!)

https://68.media.tumblr.com/2e40913861ed15c10f8431df35f79231/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco7_500.jpg

https://68.media.tumblr.com/5d4165cea5becd3cdfd3c367fa97797f/tumblr_ovog4lS9W61vilcqco1_400.jpg

My Gamescom experience was one i will always remember, and i have to say thank you to so many people including David and Kenji from Shenmue Master, Aaron and James from 500K/Team Yu, Silvia from 500k, Chao from the community and of course Ali Novin for all his hard work behind the scenes to make the interview happen. On a personal note, it was fantastic to meet long time Dojo members YS, Snoopbob, B-Ren and Bluemue at the event too!! Its a shame we couldnt have all spent more time together! Also, of course how could I forget (which I did :oops: ) the amazing Switch for being on point with translating duties as always!

But with that, another event has ended, and the long journey continues! See you all again soon :D

https://68.media.tumblr.com/b234f70ac010c1b6abbdc429c3014c6e/tumblr_ovoeetc4Sy1vilcqco8_500.jpg
by Peter
Sat Sep 02, 2017 7:53 pm
 
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Re: What are you currently playing?

^Character is mute, but it is implied you say things from time to time.

I dunno how the game is at the higher levels, but the game is ok for a casual player since there doesn't really appear to be a rush to get the best items. You definitely can experience the world on your own, though. The game has tough boss battles but they are never anything you can't do on your own. Even mini bosses in the FATES (random world events) you can tackle on your own, but it'll take a while.

Aren't people singing its story's praises all the time because it's a good story for an MMO, when, in fact, we can get much better by sticking to single-player RPGs? Or is the story really that good, amongst the best in the entire FF series?

Its good for a MMO. By that I mean it presents you with stories that you can kinda care about. In most MMOs I just take quests and ignore what NPCs have to say, but in this game I often find myself reading the text because every area has its own thing going on. The main story gives you a reason for you to be in the locations you are in, while most MMOs just allow you to travel to other locations and then feed you a half-assed story when you get there. The story is nowhere near as good as a single player game, though.

Also, despite being an MMO, just how Final Fantasy is it? And does it have wonderful music, as expected from FF?

The music is classic final fantasy music. As soon as you star the game you are greeted with that classic final fantasy menu music, and you will continue to hear familiar sounds throughout the game. You will hear more ambient sounds than music outside of cities, though.

Do we have to pay real-life money to have cool stuff, like cool mounts and armors and outifts and such? Or can they be obtained by fair means, in-game? And, if so, does that require hundreds of hours of grinding?

There is a cash shop, but it is only for cosmetic stuff. Havent really looked much into it, though, since I am still on the trial. You do have to pay a monthly fee for the game, though.

How's the community, overall, towards a guy like me, starting the game only in late 2017 and with very little MMO experience? Are they all elitist cunts, or a generally friendly bunch?

I literally only talked to two people in game. First one being a dude who was following me around because he thought I was a bot, and another one who kept sending me tells but I couldn't respond since that is disabled on the trial. They do have a mentor/mentee system where an experienced player can guide you through a dungeon, and from what I read, the mentors generally try to be helpful.


The storytelling is way better than KOTOR
Way better than KOTOR? Or way better than SWTOR?

Jesus if the story is better than KOTOR/KOTOR 2 than FF 14 has a more compelling story than Tactics. :shock:

Oops, meant SWTOR. I say it is better because in SWTOR you were thrusted to super special ultra demi-god status pretty quickly. In FFXIV you still feel like a trainee for a while. Then when your teachers start saying you are good around level 30, you become a bitch again when you have to learn your new job.

Moving onto super special chosen one demi-god status quickly is cool and all in a single player game, but it just doesn't feel right in a MMO where everyone else is doing the same thing.
by Mr. Frozen
Sat Sep 09, 2017 5:58 am
 
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Shenmue III - ALL THE FACTS AND INFORMATION (THUS FAR)

Hello, everyone. I know we already have the brilliant Shenmue 3 Kickstarter News/Information/Multimedia Archive thread, but I thought it would be a good idea to have a compendium of all the facts, information, and everything we currently know about the game in one easy-to-read contained thread. Perhaps the mods would like to consider this as a sticky?

Please feel free to add everything and anything you can that is relevant (as well as suggestions on how to improve the thread), and I'll update the original post whenever I can :)

(Some of the following information can be considered as spoilers, so read at your own risk.)

---

Story

- Yu Suzuki describes the game as "a kung-fu adventure that takes place in China" [1]

- The game's "key points," according to Yu Suzuki, are "romance, characters' life and martial arts." Where romance is concerned, Yu Suzuki would like to portray the differences between how men and women think [4] [39]

- According to Yu Suzuki, Shenmue III will begin from Chapter Six of the story's eleven planned chapters , and will "mark the end of this story," but will not be the end of the story . In a 2018 interview with GamersFlag, Yu Suzuki stated, "the end will be open for a sequel," suggesting Shenmue III might end on a cliffhanger [33]

- Shenmue III 's story begins the day after the conclusion of Shenmue II [9]

- Ryo, while still angry and thirsty for revenge, will grow and mature a lot throughout the game. Those he meets along the way, particularly where martial arts is concerned, will be largely responsible for this [5]

- The meaning behind the "He shall appear from a far eastern land across the sea..." prologue poem, as well as Ryo and Shenhua's roles in the prophecy , will finally be revealed [1]

- Yu Suzuki has stated he would like to keep Shenhua as "a mysterious character" [38]

- Ryo will not return home to Japan in Shenmue III [17]

- The game will explore and highlight the differences between Japanese and Chinese culture , particularly the way in which Ryo behaves in a foreign land having come from a different background, and how he and Shenhua interact with each other [8]

- Confirmed fighting styles (thus far) include: Hazuki style jujitsu (Ryo) , Fist-Dagger Mantis style (Niao Sun) , Nanquan (a master located in Choubu), and Bajiquan (Ryo and various characters throughout the game) [9]

Characters

- Confirmed important characters (thus far): Ryo Hazuki , Shenhua , Lan Di , Ren , Niao Sun , Chai , Shenhua's adoptive father, and two unnamed "main bosses"

- Confirmed minor characters (thus far): Ming Ming and unnamed minor characters such as an extremely muscular rival to Ryo (described as "a middle-level boss" who "uses an unusual style of martial arts") , the owner of Choubu's Bird Dance Hostel , the temple/shrine maiden of the Hall of Name Tags (described as "a tomboy, boyish type") , a young girl Ryo will befriend , an assistant who will play a role similar to that of Fangmei , a master of Nanquan , and an "eccentric" and "really powerful" martial arts master with "a humorous personality" [6] [9] [36]

- Nozomi , Guizhang , Ine-san , Joy , Fuku-san , Goro , and "other characters" from the two previous games are also confirmed , albeit in the form of telephone calls through the 'World of Telecom' service [6] [9] [16]

- There will be "four main bosses," according to Yu Suzuki. Lan Di and Niao Sun are the only named bosses at present, the latter of whom has been described as "extremely beautiful and sexy, but cruel." The only information pertaining to the two remaining main bosses is that one of them is "[a] strategist using more cunning than head-on fighting" [39]

Locations

- Confirmed areas (thus far): Bailu Village , Choubu , and Baisha [6]

- Bailu Village ( 白鹿村 , which translates as 'White Deer' ) is the starting area of Shenmue III and, where the player was only able to experience just a tiny fraction of the village, was also where Shenmue II ended, though the entire village will now be fully open and explorable . According to Shenhua, who lives in a hut on the very outskirts of the village, Bailu Village is home to around fifty inhabitants . Due to the village's proximity to water, players will be able to fish there . The initial quests here will start Ryo and Shenhua off on their journey

- Choubu ( 鸟舞 , which translates as 'Bird Dance' ), a riverside village situated on the banks of the Li River , will be the game's equivalent to Dobuita or Wan Chai , featuring numerous shops, stalls, amusements, hotels, shrines, temples, dwellings, and other buildings. Choubu resembles Kowloon in terms of its density and verticality . Choubu will contain approximately two-hundred NPCs (which is over three times that which was originally planned), one of whom is a master of Nanquan . Choubu has been described as the most Shenmue -esque location in the game [9] [17]

- Baisha ( 白沙 , which translates as 'White Sand' ) is a village, notable for its numerous tulous, which is home to the Guilin branch of the Chi You Men. Baisha will see a number of new gameplay systems introduced to players, including "a siege game reminiscent of the Warring Kingdoms," which will presumably see the player defending allies from external attacks and engaging in battle with enemies attempting to gain control of the village's buildings, as well as an infiltration mission into the Chi You Men's branch (presumably on a mission to rescue Shenhua's imprisoned adoptive father). It is also during this infiltration mission the player will take advantage of the new 'Character Perspective System' , allowing the player to swap between Ryo, Shenhua, and Ren, utilising each character's unique traits and abilities to achieve their goal

- Some of the specific landmarks and establishments that have been revealed are the Lake of the Lantern Bugs , the Temple of the Blooming Flower , the Bird Dance Hostel , and the Hall of Name Tags [13] [30] [31] [32]

Gameplay

- Shenmue III contains around thirty hours of gameplay [3] [9]

- The 'Technique Scroll System' , one of the game's confirmed new mechanics, consists of move scrolls comprised of three unique types - Normal, Advanced, and Arcane - the latter two of which are managed by a skill tree-like system, which fills as you learn new moves , and require a certain amount to be accumulated before use [9] [16]

- The 'Character Perspective System' , the second of the game's confirmed new mechanics, gives the player the ability to change the character they're playing as - with each character having their own distinct personalities, choices, and approach to the situation at hand - in order to complete their objective. Ryo's approach is that of fighting ; Ren's is that of using a weapon ; and Shenhua's is non-violent and tactical . This mechanic will feature in a single event [17]

- The 'Rapport System' , the third of the game's confirmed new mechanics, will see Ryo and Shenhua's relationship vary depending on the player's actions towards, and interactions with , her, therefore affecting how cooperative and/or warm/cold she is in return , dictated by two underlying systems: the 'Affinity Rating' and 'Cooperative Quest' [17]

- 'A.I. Battling' , the fourth of the game's confirmed new mechanics, will allow players to "unleash the perfect technique in response to the opponent's positioning and distance," meaning the technique will, upon activation, hand control over to an A.I. which will decide the best course of action instead of requiring calculated inputs from the player. The system is "for players who are not used to fighting games or for those who want a full immersion battle experience" [19]

- NPCs will be more akin to those featured in Shenmue II , meaning their scripting won't be as detailed, nor will their personalities be as unique as those in the original game, though other aspects about them will see improvement (e.g., cosmetic detail and facial expressions) [38]

- Regarding controls, Yu Suzuki has stated he is currently in two minds about how they will function; on one hand, he would like to "keep a similar configuration to the original game," but realises times have long since changed and is therefore considering more contemporary schemes [10] [12]

- In order to make the combat system simpler and visually different from the series' previous entries, a "Variable Speed" system is being incorporated into FREE battles. Specific details have not been revealed, but Yu Suzuki describes it as "new and fun" [11]

- Ryo will now be able to attack multiple opponents at once (a primitive version of this could be found in the first two games, in which the Ryo was able to grapple an opponent and kick away surrounding enemies) and perform combos in FREE battles [26]

- QTEs will return in a more modernised, dynamic fashion . The possibility of using specific sounds and colours to associate with inputs , as opposed to displaying the button itself on-screen, is under consideration [9]

- Training areas might be making a return for the first time since the first game [38]

- Progression of time will be "about the same system as the first two Shenmue ." This means one in-game hour is equivalent to four real-world minutes; one in-game day is equivalent to one real-world hour [34]

- There will be events in which a bear and a deer must be saved

- Regarding the size of the game world , Yu Suzuki states it will be "even richer" than the series' previous entries. Choubu, on its own, has been greatly expanded , by at least five times its originally planned size [4]

- A trademark of the series, attention to detail and interactivity (as well as examples of more subtle detail such as gestures and cultural dress style) will be in abundance [9]

- As was the case with the previous games, Ryo will return to his place of rest at 11:30pm . In Bailu Village this will be Shenhua's house , and in Choubu it will be the player's hostel of choice . Baisha's place of rest is currently unknown, though one can assume it will be in one of the tulous

- Regarding loading screens/times , Yu Suzuki has stated that, "[players will] start in a large area which will require some initial loading, but compared to before the loading situation will be much better. It's much faster now," possibly suggesting exterior-to-interior (and vice versa) loading will be seamless [10]

- For the very first time in the series, players will be able to change Ryo's outfit (and maybe even remove his bandage ) [17]

- The notebook will return, and has been updated with coloured divider tabs [17] [25]

- Forklifts will return in one form or another [9] [38]

- Capsule toys from the first two games will be returning, though it is currently unknown whether brand new capsule toys from SEGA franchises will be introduced. Those who pledged for the $700 tier of the Kickstarter campaign will have a 2D illustration of their face featured inside a small glass block , whereas those who pledged for the $1200 tier will have a Chibi-style representation of themselves featured as a fully-modelled capsule toy , as part of new in-game capsule toy collections [13] [17]

- Fortune-telling has been confirmed

- Purchasable move scrolls will be returning [23] [24]

- Arcade cabinets will be returning. So far, Excite QTE and Fighting Mania -like cabinets, as well as pinball machines, whack-a-mole, and a punch-ball boxing machine , have been seen [17] [25] [41]

- Lucky Hit will be returning [6]

- A turtle racing mini-game has been confirmed [1]

- A fishing mini-game has been confirmed [9]

- Many of the new mini-games will be more meaningful and connected to the game's world and progression [9] [26]

- Part-time jobs will be returning. Although wood chopping is the only confirmed job thus far , the presence of a warehouse in Choubu and Lucky Hit suggests job opportunities, too [9] [35]

- Ryo can earn money through various other means, including gambling and selling items (e.g. capsule toys and fish he has caught) [9] [17]

- Wild animals such as tortoises, ducks, and frogs can be found in certain areas. Chickens, dogs, cats, turtles, hens, pigeons, and "many more" can be found throughout the world, too, and there might even be the opportunity to care for a pet in a similar fashion to the kitten from the first game [2] [9]

General

- The game has a tentative release date of 2019 for PlayStation 4 and PC [27]

- In order to appeal to veterans of the series, Shenmue III will be comprised of 30% contemporary ideas/influences and 70% 'classic' Shenmue themes [12]

- The game will feature a short recap covering the events of the first two games for those who are new to the series. Flashbacks using scenes from the first two games will also occur throughout the story; Yu Suzuki is even considering making some of them playable , but is currently "undecided" [9] [11]

- Like its predecessors, Shenmue III will have a bad ending should players not manage to complete the game by a certain in-game date [40]

- Memories will play an important part in Shenmue III . One such example is that of an NPC who will recount a prior event , giving Ryo (and, by extension, the player) a more tangible, visual idea of what occurred before working to fit the pieces together [11]

- Save data from the first two games will not be able to be carried over into Shenmue III

- As of December 2017, almost all of the English voice actors for the main characters have been cast , with casting set to continue in early 2018 [8]

- Yu Suzuki would like to bring back as many of the series' past voice actors as possible. Shenhua (and Wong , if he features in the game) will have a new English voice actress due to Akasha Scholen's retirement [3] [9]

- Corey Marshall and Masaya Matsukaze will reprise their roles as the English and Japanese voices of Ryo Hazuki, respectively [28] [29]

- In a Dreamcast Ultimate interview published on 11/09/2017 , Corey Marshall stated he has been in contact with Yu Suzuki's team and his voice work will begin "soon." In March 2018, Marshall revealed he will begin to record his lines at the end of May [15] [37]

- Yu Suzuki would like to include both the English and Japanese dubs in each respective version, but is currently unsure whether it will be possible [17]

- Key members from the series' original development team are working on the game, including writer Masahiro Yoshimoto , character designer Kenji Miyawaki , composer Ryuji Iuchi , and programmer Takeshi Hirai [13]

- Shenmue III is being built in Unreal Engine 4 , which the team intend to push to its maximum potential , as opposed to the Virtua Fighter engine utilised by the first two games , due to the engine's ease with prototyping, efficiency, and its appropriate colour palette. As a result, the fighting engine is being built from scratch . Yu Suzuki is especially impressed with how far the capabilities of the engine have exceeded his expectations, particularly where graphical quality is concerned [3] [9] [10] [14] [16]

- Dynamic weather will be returning, and will be considerably improved over the previous games. "The lighting of sunsets and sunrises will be really beautiful," according to Yu Suzuki [39]

- Shenmue III utilises motion and magnetic capture technology for its animations, the former of which will be used in the most important action scenes [4]

- Yu Suzuki hopes players will really feel the visuals ; from the humidity in the air to the smell of the surroundings , complemented by the game's new art style [9] [14]

- According to Yu Suzuki, "The assets from [the first two games] will get a lot of use"

- As of early September 2017, map modelling and asset creation is at around 70% completion , whereas the lighting system is very close to completion [9] [16]

- Indian game development studio Lakshya Digital (whose past projects include titles such as Uncharted 2: Among Thieves , Bloodborne , Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , WWE 2K16 , and Just Cause 3 ) will be taking care of much of the game's character art development . Yu Suzuki is very happy with what he has seen so far [13]

- The OST will consist of unused/returning tracks from the original games (of which just 20% were used in the aforementioned) and possibly some new material [3] [9]

- Shenmue III will feature numerous easter eggs [1]

- Yu Suzuki is considering the possibility of a Tomato Mart in the town of Choubu [7]

- DLC is planned , but no further details have been revealed [9]

- Shenmue III will have no online options, though no specifics were given as to the extent to what is considered 'online'

Business-related

- Following its reveal at E3 2015 on June 15th, Shenmue III was successfully funded on Kickstarter , reaching its initial goal of $2 million in a record eight hours and forty-three minutes, eventually ending in July with a total of $6.333 million (the most-funded video game project and sixth-most-funded overall on Kickstarter) pledged by 69,320 backers [18]

- As of July 23rd, 2018 , funding is at $7.063 million (pledged by 78,953 backers ) thanks to the Slacker Backer campaign [19] [42]

- Shenmue III will be published in PAL and NA regions by Deep Silver , who will be providing additional budget and promotional support, allowing greater budgetary stability and flexibility, as well as enabling Yu Suzuki to greatly expand upon, and truly realise, his vision and hire more freelancers for the project. (The game's publisher in Japan is currently unknown. ) Originally thought to be published by Sony , the latter's role has been clarified as providing support , while SEGA's role is limited to providing the IP and production materials from the series' previous entries [3] [9] [10] [12] [16]

- Contrary to popular belief and misinformation, poor research, and flat-out lies spread by the gaming press, Shibuya Productions is the main investor in Shenmue III , having invested an undisclosed amount in the project, and has a much greater role than Sony . (In fact, SEGA / YSnet / Shibuya Productions formed the agreement to use the Shenmue licence before Sony was ever involved ) [20] [21] [22]

System specs

(Placeholder and subject to change.)

Minimum:

OS: Windows 7x64, Windows 8x64, Windows 10x64 (64-bit OS Required)
Processor: Intel Core i5-4460 (3.40 GHz) or better; Quad-core or better
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti or better (DirectX 11 card & VRAM 2GB Required)
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband internet connection
Storage: 100 GB available space
Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Additional Info: Requires Steam Client to activate.

---

UPDATES LOG:

25/06/2018: Miscellaneous changes and updated the slacker backer pledge total

23/04/2018: Updated with information from previous interviews and talks, and separated information about characters into its own section

18/04/2018: Updated with information from a 2016 DualShockers interview

15/04/2018: Updated with new information from SEGASaturno's MAGIC interview

17/03/2018: Updated with new information from MAGIC 2018 and added more citations for older information

14/01/2018: Added citations to the majority of the facts. Incomplete, but this will be taken care of

23/12/2017: Updated with new information from Shenmue Master's Gamescom interview

16/12/2017: Updated with new information about the temple maiden and made some miscellaneous changes

28/11/2017: Updated the Slacker Backer amount

14/10/2017: Updated with new information from the Shenmue Master recap

28/09/2017: Updated with new information from the latest M! Games Magazine interview

27/09/2017: Updated with new information from the latest Official PlayStation Magazine interview

25/09/2017: Cleaned things up, updated the backer amount/count, and added more information

21/09/2017: Moved information about locations into their own category and added lots of miscellaneous information

17/09/2017: Included Corey Marshall's comments about voice work beginning soon as well as other little tid-bits

12/09/2017: Cleaned things up a bit and elaborated on some information

11/09/2017: Separated 'Story/gameplay' into separate sections and added some more information from the Fok!, Gamona, and Shenmue500k interviews

09/09/2017: Added some more information from the Eurogamer interview

03/09/2017: Cleaned things up a bit

28/08/2017: Added some more information from the Multiplayer.it interview

27/08/2017: Categorised the information so everything doesn't read as one long list

26/08/2017: Added and corrected some information in light of revelations from Gamescom 2017

20/12/2016: Added some more information, including Shenhua's adoptive father to the confirmed characters list, Nanquan as one of the confirmed fighting styles, and an update to the funding date
[***RESERVED***]
by ShenGCH
Fri May 20, 2016 4:31 am
 
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"Zhu Yuan Da" or "Yuanda Zhu"? | Character Names in S1 vs S2

The latest post on Phantom River Stone looks into the difference in the naming of certain characters between the first and second Shenmue games when playing the English versions, and how these relate to the native ordering in Japan & China.

https://i.imgur.com/DrOwE3pl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wfgJtU0l.jpg

Read the analysis here:

http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/09/zhu-yuan-da-or-yuanda-zhu-characters.html
by Switch
Mon Sep 18, 2017 5:46 am
 
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Gamescom 2017: The Shenmue Master's Recap

https://i.imgur.com/2LwRfgP.jpg

Prior to the upcoming publishing of their interview with Yu Suzuki, Trent and Shendream from Shenmuemaster.fr have written a recap of what we learnt from the Gamescom event, divided into the following parts:

Deep Silver: The Origins and Nature of the Partnership
The Different Interviews With Yu Suzuki At Gamescom
An "Open World" Game With Enhanced Content
The Gamescom Teaser
MOCAP or Motion Capture
The Story's Main Themes
The Environment
New Characters
QTE And Fights
Mini Games And Part Time Jobs
The Current State Of The Development
The Shenmue III Staff
The Connection With The Shenmue I and Shenmue II Stories
Game Lifespan
Music And Dubbing
Start Menu And Shenmue Logo
Demo Trial And DLC
HD Remasters
Miscellaneous
Conclusion

You can read my humble translation of it here:
http://shenmuemaster.fr/page.php?cat=shenmue3&page=gamescom-2017-the-recap
by Yokosuka
Fri Oct 13, 2017 2:13 pm
 
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Re: Random Shenmue III Thoughts

It's Bailu Village. Those pics surfaced around 15 years ago IIRC. The basic consensus is that Shenmue II on Dreamcast was originally developed to include it, but was probably cut to give Shenmue II a clearer ending.
No it isn't. It's Miao Village, which we also have loading screens for. The pics came from Shenmue.com in one of the "blog" posts there, and they were of the area cut out between Languishan and meeting Shenhua. It's the explanation as for why the scenery suddenly changes between two areas when you're on the path at the beginning of Disc 4.

Someone mentioned recently, in the last month I think, that this was even talked about in one of the video interviews posted during the Shenmue 3 kickstarter. That video explicitly confirmed that the screenshots were from the cut area.

He starts talking about it at 2 minutes 15 seconds into this video:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ysnet/shenmue-3/posts/1278225
by Sappharad
Wed Dec 06, 2017 8:45 pm
 
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Re: Update #77: New Character & Lakshya Digital

I'm 100% sure Suzuki said in an interview maybe a year or two ago that they were going to outsource the character modeling. I can't remember where or when it was but I know he said it. So outsourcing isn't a sudden thing, it's been planned for quite a while.

EDIT- Higher res image here. Thanks to Switch and Spaghetti!

https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUFJ6OxgjYY/WjEWmQvmHNI/AAAAAAAAD5w/mh3CXmjvgOIfRN5-oPgFQN492JeSqvCCwCLcBGAs/s1600/mik_20171129_01thryv.jpg
by KidMarine
Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:04 pm
 
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Re: Update #77: New Character & Lakshya Digital

Also, from my crappy phone screen the temple looks like it says 堂札社千

Tangzha Community Temple? Thousand Tangzha Building? I dunno. Haha.
That actually should be read right to left: 千社札堂 (Qian she zha tang).
...
EDIT: OK, now that I've seen that higher-res pic (thanks!), I changed my mind and now think that is a 札, after all, like ShenmueTree said.
So, Scroll Hall of a Thousand Sacrifices.*

*I'm sure there's a more elegant way to translate it. English isn't my mother tongue.
Just to add to this, this word actually also exists in Japanese (as you mentioned it refers to the tags - for wont of a better word - with the names of worshippers that are put up in temples). So a more functional translation could simply be "Hall of Name Tags".
https://i.imgur.com/gswjhdZm.jpg
Of special interest is that getting your own name tag is part of the $800 reward tier. So if you have backed at that level you should be able to enter this building and find your own tag!
https://i.imgur.com/4lpZPIsm.png

Here's a link to my commentary post on this update at the Phantom River Stone blog:
http://www.phantomriverstone.com/2017/12/temple-maiden-model-lakshya-digital.html
by Switch
Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:27 pm
 
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Re: Update #77: New Character & Lakshya Digital

As a matter of fact, there isn't such a word in Chinese, hence why I was trying to wrap my head around the meaning.
Ah, that's interesting. I assumed the writing (and the costume, customs) would exist in Chinese.

I mentioned here in the forums before how Shenmue 2's street and shop signs would use some Japanese kanji variants not used in China, and that I hoped that Yu Suzuki would be more meticulous in that regard, in Shenmue 3. Now, we're already seeing a temple with Japanese words, Chinese architecture and a Shinto assistant... This isn't encouraging, but best to wait until we see more. Maybe I'm just missing something, or maybe there will be a good explanation for this.
Hm, yes while it's hard to draw a conclusion with the in-progress material, I also hope that Chinese customs, signage and so on is represented as authentically as possible.
by Switch
Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:19 pm
 
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Re: Update #77: New Character & Lakshya Digital

First of all, I think the screenshot looks great. Their choice of outsourcing to Lakshya is fine with me.
This does make me think, though... Not only does that temple, which does have Chinese architecture, have Japanese writing (albeit in kanji), and seems to be dedicated to a Japanese custom, but that girl does indeed seem to be dressed as a Shinto shrine assistant...
I mentioned here in the forums before how Shenmue 2's street and shop signs would use some Japanese kanji variants not used in China, and that I hoped that Yu Suzuki would be more meticulous in that regard, in Shenmue 3. Now, we're already seeing a temple with Japanese words, Chinese architecture and a Shinto assistant... This isn't encouraging, but best to wait until we see more. Maybe I'm just missing something, or maybe there will be a good explanation for this.
Is it possible the Japanese is for localization purposes, similar to why some signs also had English on them in Shenmue 1 & 2? At least, that seems reasonable to me. Perhaps it would be something they could change with an actual Chinese localization if they do more than just translate subtitles?

I wouldn't be surprised if the temple person was Japanese too. I mean, Izumi was also Japanese so why not add more random Japanese people in there?
I was just thinking, she could indeed be Japanese. Not only that, but what if that's actually a Shinto shrine? It doesn't look like one, but many mosques in China, for instance, have Chinese traditional architecture and don't really stand out from any other traditional-style constructions, until you go inside and see all the Islamic art, Arabic writing and prayer halls.
The thing is, there has been a sizeable Islamic community in China for hundreds of years (most notably, the Hui and, more recently, the Uyghurs), but I've never heard of Japanese people in China (that do exist, obviously) feeling the need for Shinto shrines. Shintoism is uniquely Japanese and doesn't really exist anywhere else, as far as I know, so the only people who would feel the need for a Shinto shrine would be the Japanese.
Now, I've travelled a lot around China, from the biggest cities to the most remote places and never have I've seen a Shinto shrine there. I just did a quick (definitely not thorough) Baidu search and, apparently, the only Shinto shrines built in China were built during the Japanese occupation, during the Second World War. Pretty much all of them (or even all of them) have been demolished or converted into something else. It goes without saying that such shrines didn't exactly bring happy memories to the Chinese.The area around Guilin was indeed occupied by the Japanese, but I don't really see a fully-functioning, happy-feeling Shinto shrine existing there in 1987.
So, when all's said and done, I doubt that's a Shinto shrine, but who knows? It's a videogame, liberties are always taken.

As for that sign being done for localization purposes, that's always a possibility, but I think it's unlikely. I mean, Shenmue 1 and 2 did have some English signage, because there is English signage in Japan, what with English being today's "international language", plus, it gives out an exotic, hip feel to things (for the Japanese). Still, most things in the game are written in Japanese, just like real Japanese streets. As for Hong Kong in Shenmue 2, the presence of English writing is only natural, what with it being a British colony.
Again, I just feel that they are being careless, unfortunately. I mean, there really was no reason for them to use Japanese kanji variants in Hong Kong street signs, yet they were there.
I've said this before, in a game famous for its attention to detail, this kind of stuff becomes immersion-breaking, not to mention that it's very odd that they got careless in such a visible aspect of the game, when, for instance, they actually went to the trouble of getting real-world weather data for Yokosuka, among other things.
Anyway, let's wait and see. It's too early to jump into conclusions regarding Shenmue 3.

Changing the subject, that temple's setting kinda reminds me of Black Dragon Pool (黑龙潭) in Yunnan Province's Lijiang, in southwest China:
http://image.sciencenet.cn/album/201212/06/205217xbacu6a116xgn6vn.jpg

nice view
by shmoozip
Thu Dec 14, 2017 9:38 am
 
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Yu Suzuki will be at Magic Monaco 2018

Yu Suzuki will attend MAGIC Monaco 2018, "in order to share with you the latest cool stuff regarding Shenmue III"

https://twitter.com/MagicMonaco/status/ ... 0133443585

24th Feb! That's not too long away at all!
by sutoji
Fri Dec 15, 2017 8:15 am
 
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Yokosuka tourist map

Update: the English version of the map can now be downloaded as a PDF from the Yokosuka City website: http://www.cocoyoko.net/news/shenmue.html


The official Shenmue-themed tourist guide pamphlet that was announced at the start of the month is currently only available in Japanese, with an official English version on its way.

For those who can't wait, an English fan translation of one of the maps & accompanying notes has been carried out on the Phantom River Stone blog.

https://i.imgur.com/pbQmA06l.jpg

The post also contains real-life photos of the gantry crane and the warehouses that served as inspiration for the Shenmue harbor area.

View the translations and full-size images at the Phantom River Stone blog.
by Switch
Sat Dec 16, 2017 7:56 pm
 
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Yu Suzuki interview (Gamescom 2017) by Shenmue Master

phpBB [video]
by Ziming
Fri Dec 22, 2017 3:43 pm
 
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