Shenmue Creator Considers a Prequel

Yu Suzuki, the creator of the Shenmue franchise, is considering developing a prequel to the series. In a conversation with IGN, Suzuki revealed that he seeks to expand the Shenmue audience and believes a prequel could be a potential solution, allowing new players to dive in without needing knowledge of the previous three instalments' narratives.

Additionally, Suzuki finds the idea of revisiting Dobuita, a district in Yokosuka featured in the first game, intriguing. He asserts that creating a modern graphic rendition of the Dobuita streets is worthwhile and does not necessarily entail making things bigger. A detailed version of Dobuita is appealing, particularly if it's not a remake but rather a prequel with an entirely new story.

Suzuki, however, hasn't definitively commented on whether this project will transpire, saying, "I can't go into too much detail at this time, but it's something I'm considering."

Shenmue debuted in 1999 on Dreamcast and was distinguished by its formidable open game world, allowing players to engage in a host of activities apart from the main storyline. The long-anticipated third instalment hit the market in 2019, primarily appealing to existing fans of the franchise.