So just as Sega announces the release of the last Dreamcast game in Japan (Under Defeat) and one of the few remaining online game servers (F355 Challenge) is shut down, it seems that the final end of the Dreamcast is upon us... Or is it? Over at Shenmue Dojo, a curious event has been discovered. The online features of Shenmue have suddenly been reactivated despite being offline for nearly four years. Is this the resurrection of the Dreamcast, laying the groundwork for Shenmue Online or Shenmue III or is merely the result of some generous souls over at Sega giving the remaining Shenmue fanboys and girls a little treat? Curiouser and curiouser... Full story: http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/ Forum discussion: http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=663282
Great news! :icon_bigg Thanks to Sakuragaoka, LanDC and Kiyuu of Shenmue Dojo all the info has been confirmed, is great to see the Passport coming back. The update for the US Passport version began 22/02/06 and 3 days after they updated the PAL and JP versions. I ask myself if this update means something in relation to the saga.
Perhaps they're trying to garner new intrest in the series as a way to hype Shenmue III on a next gen console (most probably 360?) Speaking of Shenume actually just finished part I on the Dreamcast for the first time last week. Very impressive, can't wait to get into II.
No way. Sega has learned that putting out even fantastic games (Shenmue I & II, Orta, Jet Set Radio/Future, and anything else they released on DC/XBox) on hardware that has a shitty userbase is wasted money. If they don't put this out on the PS3, then they are as dumb as everyone says.
Just read elsewhere this is a hoax, apparently someone bought the domain and updated it making it look this way :/
Roll on Shenmue Online... http://www.kikizo.com/viewer/vidview_games.asp?games/shenmueonline_sep04/kikizo.com-shenmue_online_directfeed_trailer.wmv
The success of Ryu Ga Gotoku ought to give Sega the hint that the PS2 or PS3 would be the way to go if another Shenmue is ever released. The games are even reasonably similar to a certain extent, so they could drag in new players to the series. "Hey, did you see that new game by Sega that's coming out soon? It's like that awesome yakuza game from last year!"
Ps3 would be powerful enough, but you got to think of the user base and cost. If it is real low then sega is shooting themsleves in the foot like they did with the deal to have it exclusive on xbox. Though you never know, microsoft could be trying to throw a deal their way.
Up until recently, I would have said that, sadly, Shenmue III would have seen light of day on the Xbox 360 only (boo!) However, with the lack of success of the Xbox Shenmue II and (hopefully) the success of Ryu Ga Gotoku (or Yakuza as it will be over here) will fuel the desire for Shenmue III on the PS3. I'm still intrigued about that Kikizo article that claimed that Shenmue III will actually be a compilation of Shenmue I, II and III, with I and II redone for next-gen. That would be awesome, though probably too awesome to be the truth sadly.
