Entertainment
Shenmue 4 advertised on giant Times Square billboard… but there’s a catch-Adam Starkey-Entertainment – Metro
Shenmue has once again proven to have one of the most passionate fanbases in gaming, even if there also the most regularly disappointed.
You would’ve thought this would be more expensive to organise (Twitch)
Shenmue has once again proven to have one of the most passionate fanbases in gaming, even if there also the most regularly disappointed.
The future of Shenmue might be up in the air, but many hardcore fans are doing their utmost to will Shenmue 4 into existence.
After 14 years, Shenmue 3’s announcement in 2015 came as a surprise to even the most dedicated fan. The first two games, released on the Sega Dreamcast in 1999 and 2001, respectively, were both commercial failures despite positive reviews at the time.
The series developed a cult following which helped bring Shenmue 3 into existence 18 years later, via Kickstarter, but that sequel also underperformed sales-wise. While that would typically seal the deal on the series ever returning, Shenmue fans aren’t going down without a fight.
Shenmue fansite Shenmue Dojo hosts a livestream on the 4th of every month to campaign for a fourth entry in the series, and in the latest edition on May 4, they bought a 15 second advertisement in New York’s Times Square to help spur the movement.
While a billboard in Times Square is usually pretty expensive (around $500 for 20 plays of a 15-second ad), this is a specific screen which allows you to display 15 second clips for only $40 (£31).
The 18,000-square foot screen was launched in January last year by TSX Entertainment, and allows anyone to submit clips for use on the billboard. There are some limitations of course, with any clips featuring nudity, violence, offensive content or any ‘traditional advertising’ prohibited, but it’s otherwise an open platform for chaos.
Whether the video will actually help make Shenmue 4 a reality is another matter, but it’s a valiant effort nonetheless.
Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki has said he wants to make a fourth entry, but it depends on whether he can find a partner to get the project off the ground.
Speaking to Shenmue Dojo, in an interview last month, about the possibility of Shenmue 4, Suzuki said: ‘We’re not working on it right now. It is still in the planning stage.’
When asked what it would take to make Shenmue 4 a reality, he replied: ‘A partner.’
More Trending
There’s perhaps some hope Sega, who published the first two games, might consider partnering up to make a fourth entry happen.
Last year, the company announced plans to reboot a number of its classic franchises, including Crazy Taxi, Streets Of Rage, Golden Axe, and Jet Set Radio, so the nostalgia train could perhaps pick up Shenmue too at some point.
That might be an optimistic stretch though. Sega last acknowledged Shenmue back in 2018, when it released a HD remaster of the first two games.
Will Shenmue return, again? (Deep Silver)
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
MORE : Sega cuts 240 jobs at UK studios and sells Relic Entertainment
MORE : Sega vs. Capcom fighting game teased by former Sonic developer
MORE : Three more Sega classic remakes rumoured including Panzer Dragoon
Sign up to all the exclusive gaming content, latest releases before they’re seen on the site.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Entertainment – MetroRead More
