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Sega - AM2 Projects, Sega Rally Sequels?
Thanks to Kikizo for running a series of articles on Sega, including an unconfirmed list of the AM2 studio's output for 2003, and new information about the state of Sega Rally 3. The AM2 list includes both Virtua Fighter Quest (working title) for Gamecube and Outrun 2 for arcade, both due later in 2003. Interestingly, the Outrun sequel is marked as running on the Xbox-based Chihiro arcade board, which powered the arcade version of Crazy Taxi 3, meaning an Xbox conversion would be very straightforward if this is true. Finally, as well as a separate story touching on the possible existence of Fighting Vipers 3, Kikizo claim Sega Rally 3 has been "..completely finished since January this year", but remains unreleased in arcades (and unannounced for PS2) because of "licensing issues", presumably with cars.
It's okay. I'm sure Mr. Suzuki has the same ADD-like symptoms as Ryo.
"I must finish Shenmue 3. Ooh look, darts. I think I'll play for a while. One game, 100 yen. I think I'll try it."
*5 hours later*
"Hm...it's getting late. Perhaps I should return home for the night."
*Suzuki-san heads back to the house*
*The next morning*
"I must finish Shenmue 3. Nozomi!"
"Yes Suzuki?"
"Nozomi. On that day."
"That day?"
"Did you happen to see a black car?"
"A black car?"
"Yes, a black car on that day."
"Oh, you mean the day of the incident?"
"Yes."
"Now that you mention it, I do sorta remember a black car."
"You do? Nozomi, what can you tell me about the black car, from the day of the incident?"
"Yes, it splashed mud all over me and was speeding really fast."
"YOU FARKING BITCH! YOU BARELY REMEMBER A SPEEDING BLACK CAR THAT ALMOST KILLED YOU AND SPLASHED MUD ON-....I mean...oh, thank you very much."
"Ryo-I mean...Suzuki. Please don't press yourself too hard."
"I won't. See ya!"
*Leaves*
"I must finish Shenmue 3. Ooh, is that a capsule toy?!"
Etc., etc., etc. =P
And yeah, I'm joking, because I'd really like to see Shenmue 3+ as well. While the series has its faults, it is definately worthy of any gamer's library space. And after such an incredible ending in Shenmue 2 (I'm referring to the chapter with the rooftop scene, not "real" ending in the cave), I'd be quite bummed if Sega/AM2/Suzuki didn't finish the series.
On a side note, I'm still kicking myself for not letting Mr. Suzuki know of my support for Shenmue when I ran into him on the E3 show floor (he spent quite a bit of time wandering the floor, something that can't be said for most of the "game gods"). I did get a picture with him, but failing to mention it was definitely one of my regrets from the show.
Shenmue has 16 CHAPTERS, yes, but was never intended to be 16-games long. The first game covers the first chapter, and Shenmue II covers (I believe) chapters 3-5 (chapter 2 supposedly takes place on the boat to Hong Kong (between the two games), which includes a fight between Ryo and Chai. An unlockable comic in Shenmue II fills that gap.
There's no official word on how many games the series will (or should/should have) span, but most interviews hint at at least 5 or 6 games. I just hope that if Mr. Suzuki plans on finishing the series, it isn't rushed to completion in one last game, simply to cut Sega/AM2's losses on the game (it sold a decent amount, but not really enough to cover development costs).
And I think you meant that it was made for the Sega Saturn, which is what it was originally developed for. And frankly, it looked DAMN good for a Saturn game, but the same could also be said of the DC version (and XBOX port of the 2nd game). Its also worth noting that the first game was originally supposed to cover the events of both Shenmue and Shenmue II. The Saturn video shows everything from Iwao's murder all the way to meeting Shenhua in the forest at the end of the second game.
*Still kicking myself for not mentioning Shenmue to Suzuki-san at E3* =P