Shenmue creator steps down at Sega

Yu Suzuki, designer behind OutRun, Virtua Fighter, and more, has vacated position of R&D creative officer; will stay with company in diminished capacity.

By 2003, Sega designer Yu Suzuki had already left a mark on the gaming industry worthy of induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame. Best known as the creator of the Virtua Fighter and Shenmue series, Suzuki was until that point a prodigiously successful developer, responsible for many of Sega's biggest franchises.

Virtua Fighter was among Suzuki's biggest successes.

Since the time of that AIAS honor, the designer has been out of the industry limelight, most recently appearing to promote Shenmue Online, the now-shelved massively multiplayer online role-playing game counterpart to his series of adventure games. So low was his profile that last year, Sega of America CEO Simon Jeffrey mistakenly told Gamasutra that Suzuki was no longer an employee of Sega at all.

Suzuki's retreat from the gaming world is apparently continuing, given that this week Sega parent company Sega Sammy announced that the designer has stepped down--the publisher used the word "retired"--from his position as a R&D creative officer with the company. However, he isn't departing Sega entirely.

A Sega of America representative confirmed for GameSpot that Suzuki will stay on with the publisher in a diminished capacity, continuing on as manager of the R&D department for Sega's AM Plus division. To date, AM Plus has released a pair of Japanese arcade games, the touch-screen fighter Psy Phi and the character-driven racer Sega Race TV.

Ferrari F355 was an eye-catching--but unforgiving--arcade driving game.

The early part of Suzuki's career was marked by a succession of arcade classics including Space Harrier, Afterburner, and OutRun. However, the developer grew more experimental in later years, devoting time to projects such as the Ferrari F355 Challenge arcade game. The monstrous machine was eye-catching, with three screens to provide players with better peripheral vision, but its laser-like focus on simulating driving a single model of car in painstaking detail limited its mass appeal.

Then there was the wildly ambitious Shenmue series. Although it attracted a hardcore fan base, the first two Shenmue installments were not commercially successful, and a planned third game in the series never materialized. Although it has been more than six years since the North American release of Shenmue II, rumors of a new third game in the series pop up from time to time.

For more on the creator's work, check out GameSpot's 2002 video review of Shenmue II for the Xbox:

235 Comments

  • Odnomiar

    Posted May 20, 2009 4:20 am PT

    I still remember the first time i played Shenmue, a highly influential title. I honestly beleive, if there was no shenmue, there'd be no fable. It deserves an ending. One day, we will have the answers to that, rather mystifying, conclusion.

  • ShenmueAddict

    Posted Apr 9, 2009 6:47 pm PT

    we waiting shenmue 3

  • melo_211

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 10:49 am PT

    As naive as it sounds....one day....one day...Shenmue 3.......one day...

  • SteelTiger360

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 1:04 am PT

    I hope the Shenmue series doesn't stay shelved or discontinued there's a lot of potential left in the story plus the MMO was a pretty good idea and a step up from that godawful matrix one (you know the one I'm talking about) .

    Though he did do some pretty promising work so its about time he did step down, with all the sad faces around here I wonder how Nintendo fans would react if Miyamoto ever retired.

  • Sanada_Sasarai

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 12:24 am PT

    well cya later Shenmue 3....:'(

    @damaster101 yes it is, im about to finish it again.... NOOOOO i will crush you lan di one day!!!!

  • Ohno_Kateh

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:37 pm PT

    Oh noes

  • LindBergh2007

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 4:13 pm PT

    garey017. Shenmue will never be brought by another publisher. SEGA isn't going to waste time selling it to another company that doesn't know what they're doing.

    Suzuki has stated that he hopes that there will be a finale of the Saga. But since he's retiring, someone else will have to produce the game for him. Also in more info about RingEdge and RingWide I've found, SEGA has said that they plan on offering the NEW arcade hardware to other 3rd party publishers much like Naomi which of course became Dreamcast. Which now fuels more fire on SEGA returning to the console market. Interesting enough the RingEdge and RingWide can actaully lower production and development costs on software. http://www.andriasang.com/e/articles/2009/02/20/sega_unveils_ring_arcade_boards

  • Slagar

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 3:43 pm PT

    It's really unfortunate the path Sega has gone down for many years now. It's still hard to accept the Sega of old is gone and never coming back.
    Take care Suzuki-san! Your work was truly inspirational, and has created fond memories for many people out there. To me, Shenmue was a dream fully realised, and it's a shame it will never see the completion it deserves.

  • valcrist09

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 10:28 am PT

    Shenmue 1 was amazing for its time.

  • kaziechameleon

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 7:30 am PT

    i'd love to see a franchise like shenmue reiterated in modern technology with decent voicework, the story is so compelling.

  • tidyspidey

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 5:59 am PT

    Nooooo!!! I have such unresolved Lan Di issues - one day he'll pay!!!

    Very sad day for Sega, but then at least he's still there, even if in a diminished capacity. One day Shenmue will return..... I hope

  • landisan

    Posted Apr 7, 2009 2:44 am PT

    I have been a huge Shenmue fan since it's release, and I am saddened today for yet another poor turn of events has occured to hinder my chances at getting revenge on Lan Di.

  • Swampthing

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    There's got to be more to the story. I'm getting an odd feeling that Suzuki was forced out.

  • ChiefFreeman

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 1:34 pm PT

    that's pretty sad when the Sega Pr guy didn't even know he still worked for the company. He seems to only be a figurehead at the company now, much like Miyamoto at Nintendo.

  • garey017

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 1:16 pm PT

    Lindbergh, I respectfully disagree. It's clear that Sega isn't going to do anything else with Shenmue. So if another publisher offered them $$$ for the rights to make Shenmue III, I don't think there's any way they'd turn it down. They'd really be losing nothing, and making $$.

  • LindBergh2007

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 12:20 pm PT

    garey017. Shenmue will never be brought by another publisher. SEGA isn't going to waste time selling it to another company that doesn't know what they're doing.

    Suzuki has stated that hee hopes that there will be a finale of the Saga. But since he's retiring, someone else will have to produce the game for him. Also in more info about RingEdge and RingWide I've found, SEGA has said that they plan on offering the NEW arcade hardware to other 3rd party publishers much like Naomi which of course became Dreamcast. Which now fuels more fire on SEGA returning to the console market. Interesting enough the RingEdge and RingWide can actaully lower production and development costs on software. http://www.andriasang.com/e/articles/2009/02/20/sega_unveils_ring_arcade_boards/

  • melo_211

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 11:50 am PT

    I will forever wait for Shenmue 3...the series is my favourite of all time...

    @damaster101 - Yes dude! It is! I was so happy when I found out it was, I bought it right away!

  • BigDaddy973

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 10:15 am PT

    I loved Shenmue, and the sequel was pretty good, but the original was outstanding!

  • Timoteus_X

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 10:13 am PT


    Is all I can say on the matter.

  • damaster101

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 10:09 am PT

    Man this means no shenmue 3 then right?Shenmue 2 was easily in my top 3 games for the original xbox but nevertheless thank you Suzuki for creating such a masterpiece.

    While i'm posting is shenmue 2 backwards compatible on xbox 360 because i might even go out my way to buy it.

  • garey017

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 9:18 am PT

    Shenmue fans: The nail in Shenmue III's coffin has been nailed for a long time now, this news isn't that devastating. Suzuki himself has been stringing us all along, saying "maybe someday", "it's possible", when he knew it would never happen. Suzuki is all abou the $$$. Maybe someday another developer will buy the rights from him and make Shenmue III. I guarantee that's what he's waiting for.

  • ConkerAndBerri2

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:48 am PT

    look. "However, he isn't departing Sega entirely." What could that mean?

  • SSBFan12

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:42 am PT

    So is there going to be anymore Virtua Fighter?

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:15 am PT

    jtthegame316

    don't blame the PS2 for the downfall the the DC.
    1. The could've ported the game to Ps2 intsead of just the XBox. Stupid move
    2. DC's games were the easiest to pirate. People prabobly pirated a lot of copies of Shenmue.
    couple of typical SEGA moves ruined the series, not fanboys

  • SimulationStim

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:14 am PT

    This spells doom for any chance at Shenmue 3. That sucks. Why do game companies insist on keep the good games down.

  • Jacky_Bryant

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:05 am PT

    He deserves better than how Sega has treated him. I hope he continues to work on games.

  • Malco_Vincenzo

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 8:04 am PT

    ah well buy Yakuza 1&2 for the Ps2. Storyline just as deep. Still would have liked to try shenmue

  • juraii

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 7:23 am PT

    I WANT SHENMUE BACK!

  • xbox4life76

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 7:12 am PT

    It won't be long till we see him and his games back on the market...

  • BloodMist

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 6:56 am PT

    God dammit...i miss the days when Sega made good games.This just puts another nail in the coffin for me.

  • gameweasl

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 6:19 am PT

    This sucks, we deserve to know the future of Shenmue...

    What really happened, Yu claims money and if thats the case this really sucks. It will never be finished...

  • Lazay727

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 6:06 am PT

    im thinkin bout playin shenmue right now in memory of his work.

  • -HCMF-

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 4:48 am PT

    sad. what a loss. hope he finds a new home and starts turning out the hits again.

  • Jonas_81

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 4:18 am PT

    It won't mean the end of any games.

    Yu Suzuki hasn't worked on Virtua Fighter since the first version of Virtua Fighter 4.

    Fact is, he hasn't really worked on any game that has actually been released (Psy-Phi was actually never released in arcades) for many, many years.

  • Hellisunreal

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 3:42 am PT

    This sucks! this may mean the end of the Virtua fighter & series of games made under his vision!!!

  • nicedude82

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 2:45 am PT

    this is really sad news...even me being a casual game follower knew he was....if he is leaving on his own, i respect his decision. But if he was pushed away into a dark corner office, then I am afraid, Sega can't stop chopping their own limbs.

  • Spider-Jim

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 2:09 am PT

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, SHENMUUUUUUE THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
    This is horrible news!!!

  • GameBeaten

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 1:43 am PT

    I really wish the Shenmue series would finish. I also need to find Shenmue II on Xbox.

  • Dark_sageX posted Apr 6, 2009 1:01 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Dark_sageX

    Posted Apr 6, 2009 1:01 am PT (hide)

    Will this be the end of Sonic the hedgehog?

  • beekayjay

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 9:59 pm PT

    this is somewhat sad and puzzling. There was a time that Yu Suzuki was often mentioned in the same breath as Miyamoto. Its sad that he just faded away.

  • Jaden_Arbiter

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 9:49 pm PT

    It's not as if Sega is contributing very much right now anyways outside of the Wii console universe, this really isn't that serious of a problem.

  • LinusBlue

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 8:26 pm PT

    so shenmue online is canceled?

  • raghraghragh

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:47 pm PT

    I guess Shenmue 3 will never be made.

  • nappan

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:46 pm PT

    Sega can't do a damned thing right. This is terrible, although as some have said, at least he can help to steer the ship. Ugh... so much for Shenmue.

  • Semaphore313

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 7:30 pm PT

    Hopefully he'll still have some influence.

  • lanmanna

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 6:57 pm PT

    That stinks. Wish him the best in his retirement.

    Hopefully this doesn't mean Sega won't stink up Virtua Fighter like they did series, Golden Axe, Sonic 06/Shadow, and numerous other games. I have faith that AM2 will always deliver though.

  • happy321

    Posted Apr 5, 2009 6:52 pm PT

    ugh this is awful. where is my shenmue 3?!?!

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