Source: http://www.pushsquare.com/10753/sony-should-stump-up-the-cash-for-shenmue-iii/
A recent interview with SEGA in Japanese gaming publication, Famitsu, hinted that the company are curious to dole out the Shenmue franchise to any buying platform-holder. In fact, the translation hints that the company would be willing to develop the elusive final installment in the acclaimed franchise exclusively so long as a party such as Sony funded the project. Sony, we say get on the phone.
Not just because Shenmue is a revered franchise, but because it fits the Playstation-ethos. A creative, story-driven game, aimed at a specific niche. Like Sony’s other adventure-driven project, Heavy Rain, Shenmue is a gaming environment where the often-mundane becomes essential to the atmosphere. Shenmue feels Playstation.
Given SEGA’s appeal to the platform-holders regarding funding – we say two words: Yakuza engine. Given the similarities of the franchises, development costs for Shenmue III could be greatly reduced with the license of the Yakuza backend – an engine which has already been optimised for Playstation 3 development.
At this point there are thousands of gamers around the world who would pick-up new hardware to play Shenmue III. The first two games were commercial failures, and it’s unlikely a third installment would rectify that. But in terms of further strengthening a catalogue of games, Sony’s Playstation 3 exclusives lineup would be greatly bolstered by Shenmue III sitting in between the likes of Yakuza and Heavy Rain.
We guess that’s Sony’s call though.
