by Elevensixty » Wed Dec 13, 2017 3:46 pm
This is great news, but not really news- this is how games are made. Do you want Yu Suzuki sitting at a desk detailing characters for the next 10 years? No, you get a team of experienced pros to do the work, While the boss directs. This doesn't mean quality will suffer- its just hiring muscle, because they're at the point where work is ready to get done.
I think the scary part is the term "design"- it could sound like control of our beloved Shenmue is being handed to non-fans who are going to butcher it. ("Oh no, they're in India!" Look up your favorite games, movies- except for the smallest of projects, you'll see outsourcing. Also note they're in Seattle and I forget where else... also see their history- Nier, Metal Gear Solid V Phantom Pain, GTAV... no one complaining those games were ruined by outsourcing)
Giving control of Shenmue characters to strangers isn't what's happening. Do you think Yu Suzuki personally built every shoelace, detail, hair, even face of characters in Shenmue 1 & 2? No, but he built the world and characters right? The same process is happening here.
The compromises compared to 1 & 2 are in the resources like budget and in-house team- this is true. But working for us is technology being advanced, and the way I see it, community! The fan support and input IS making Shenmue 3 a living thing, a "more-than-just-a-game" experience. *fanboying intensifies*
Suzuki and team are making Shenmue 3, a good team has been hired, a good character model has been shown. Criticism I've seen about the project looks like people misunderstanding game development (along with some previous updates being kinda sloppy/not making it clear what phase of dev was going on/easy to misinterpret)
Can't wait to play 3 and support 4
Elevensixty has received a thanks from: VukBZ2005