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.

Shenmue is not the most popular franchise, so I doubt they will. But it is likely Sega would make it ps3 exclusive due to the yakuza engine they have already.

No they shouldn't. Why should they spend money on something they are guaranteed to lose money on. Hell, Shenmue has never even been on a Playstation platform.

Sony won't.. nobody will, really. It's a lose-lose situation. Pay and lose money, or don't and lose the game.

Sony would probably do it seeing their exclusive relationship in Japan with Sega on the Yakuza franchise. I don't know how much Sega expects to make from this game though, even if Sony partially funded it.

Sony would probably do it seeing their exclusive relationship in Japan with Sega on the Yakuza franchise. I don't know how much Sega expects to make from this game though, even if Sony partially funded it. This would be a very strong title for Sony to fund though. They tend not to care as much about one particular games sales, but games as a whole.

Yeah It would bolster the lineup for sony and increase sales by a small margin but I would not expect more than 300k sales of this game. So depending on the budget for the game id say go for it Sony.

c'mon Sony , do it, if Yakuza games are successful, Shenmue 3 can do it.
i don't think the 3rd game will be commercial failure like TC said , it could be, but back in the dreamcast era, gamers weren't familiar with this kind of games, now many gamers are willing to buy a game just for its story...etc.
plzzzz Sony do it.

Well thing is that not a single Shenmue game was ever released on a Sony console, they should port the first two Dreamcast versions first, shouldn't be that hard. I played the first and loved it but I never played the second...

If the "Dreamcast on PSN" is something that actually happens, then I could see Sony/Sega working on Shenmue III.