Publishing Rights for Shenmue III transferred to ININ Games
November 21, 2024 – ININ and YSNET are thrilled to announce that the publishing rights for the legendary iconic game Shenmue III are officially transferred to ININ Games.
Following the previous collaboration on Air Twister, this will deepen the relationship with the legendary creator Yu Suzuki and his team. Known for our commitment to celebrating beloved titles and bringing them to new platforms, ININ Games is excited to shepherd Shenmue III into its next phase.
This exciting transfer coincides with two momentous milestones: the 25th anniversary of the Shenmue series and the 5th anniversary of Shenmue III. Since its debut, Shenmue has captivated fans worldwide with its groundbreaking storytelling, immersive open-world gameplay, and its legacy as a pioneer in video game history. Shenmue III continues this tradition, keeping the spirit of the saga alive for a new generation of players.
We at ININ Games are honored to carry the Shenmue torch forward during such a significant moment in the series' history. As we reflect on two decades of innovation and passion, we remain dedicated to preserving and sharing the journey of Ryo Hazuki with both long-time fans and newcomers.
With this transfer, the story of Shenmue is far from over. We have exciting plans to celebrate these anniversaries, ensuring that this beloved series continues to thrive and inspire. Keep an eye out for upcoming announcements as we unveil our vision for the next phase of Shenmue's legacy.
Now that Shenmue is in the hands of ININ, which is a very active company, we are optimistic that we will see more from this groundbreaking franchise. - SDGT Entertainment
Play as Ryo Hazuki, an 18-year-old Japanese martial artist hellbent on avenging his father’s death.
In this third installment of the epic Shenmue series, Ryo seeks to solve the mystery behind the Phoenix Mirror, an artifact sought after by his father’s killer. His journey takes him to an immersive representation of rural China, brimming with activity and surrounded by beautiful landscapes.
Ryo’s adventure leads him to towns and mountain villages where he can further his training, try his hand at gambling, play arcade games, and work part-time jobs while investigating those who know truth behind the Phoenix Mirror.
The fact that Shenmue 3 has officially been released... is surreal. I remember buying Shenmue 1... day 1 with my friend, nearly two decades ago. TWO... DECADES... AGO. (Holy crap!)
It was a ground breaking sleeper hit that I still love to this day, and even though I wish 1 + 2 were included with 3... I can't wait to play the 3rd installment and catch some serious flashbacks via this new entry. By the way, it was really cool to meet so many people from the IAAPA Expo. IAAPA is short for International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
I won't complain about this game specifically, but... Nintendo (since the Wii) tends to be the platform to get a second wind out of previously released games. There are some games there, especially from first party... and they're undeniable but all the re-releases are underwhelming. I won't say its because the games suck, but buying new(er) consoles just to backtrack is... not exactly something I look forward too. I may sound like a hypocrite after pushing for Shenmue 1 & 2 to make a return, but that was in light of Shenmue 3 and holding onto the hope that the first two could be remade. In addition, Shenmue 1 on the Sega Dreamcast allowed for you to pick up in part 2 where you left off.
So... put that together and it spells out my desire to have the saves be usable in Shenmue 3. Other consoles aren't free of re-releases, I just notice it more on Nintendo since the Wii. If you're going to re-release... add something to make the replay worth it. Granted, not everyone has pleased every single re-released game, but... it wouldn't affect them in the negative to get more out of the deal as a result of supporting the second wind game.
OlliOlli: Switch Stance Brings the Legendary Skate Series to Nintendo Switch™ on Feb. 14
AMSTERDAM and LONDON – Jan. 8, 2019 –It’s been a while since genre-defining skate-em-up OlliOllifirst tickled the thumbs of trick-hungry gamers. After multiple successful releases on various platforms, board lords Roll7 and sprained-ankle amateurs Good Shepherd Entertainment are here to announce the forthcoming launch of OlliOlli: Switch Stance on Nintendo Switch™ on Feb. 14, 2019.
With an almost embarrassing 75 awards and nominations under its belt, including BAFTA Best Sports Title 2015, the franchise is pulling out all the stops for its Nintendo Switch debut. OlliOlli: Switch Stance includes not only OlliOlli but also OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood, living up to the maxim that more is always more.
OlliOlli’s 2D side-scrolling world, straightforward controls and rapid-fire gameplay have found perhaps their greatest home yet on Nintendo Switch. OlliOlli: Switch Stance combines addictive die-and-retry gameplay with hundreds of air-defying tricks and grinds, cunningly crafted levels and challenges, plus fan favorites like Spots Mode, Daily Grind and an unlockable RAD Mode. Take command of the Joy-Con, land those sweet tricks, and bathe your ears in a soundtrack of exquisite electronic head music.
If for some bizarre reason (alien abduction, prolonged coma, meat sweats, etc.) you’ve never played an OlliOlli game,OlliOlli: Switch Stanceis your chance to right that wrong. It's also the perfect Valentine's Day gift for your partner who wish they’d learned to skate when they were kids but now realize it’s far too late. Rub it in.
There are questions surrounding Shenmue 3 and will it be interesting or relevant enough to succeed, but... I think it will work out. There is enough variety out right now gaining enough appreciation in gaming to the point that... I feel Shenmue 3 will be just fine. Also, you can argue about the QTEs (aka Quick Time Events) if you'd like, but... think about it... it's not something that went away with Shenmue, there are more recent games like "Rise of the Tomb Raider" that have them.
Even if i'm a big fan of Shenmue, I can still take a realistic look at the franchise. I don't see the third installment being a game that will feel out dated, but it's not being served up to be outdated... it will merely bring what's known and appreciated in the franchise. Going back to the variety though, I do give credit to indie developers for maintaining the variety in gaming. Shenmue isn't just a left field gaming trying to grab the interest of gamer's with an abstract title either, it's a new installment to a sleeper hit that met unfair circumstances. So for what it's worth, I hope that the lack of restrictions allow it to fly... so much so that it makes Shenmue 1 & 2 worthy of remakes.
Some of you may think... WTF?!, but if we can have some sort of cool incorporation of Shenmue 1 & 2 that gets the audience up to speed... then i'd be cool with the game being released a bit later than the release date. I feel left out in the cold after finishing the 1st installment, so to play part 3... there would be a void if the gap isn't bridged. It would still be more satisfying (for me) to start over with 1 and working my way to part 3 with my stats intact, because I can't transfer my data from my Sega Dreamcast to PC... which is a major sigh.
Anyway check out the developer reports below and... game on!
So... Ys Net... the developer of Shenmue (and it's pending third installment), is allowing their initial backers the opportunity to make them look bad (not only to those considered "Slacker Backers" but also others who agree with us that this is wrong). Why? I'll tell you why, because they allowed a select minority of the initial backers deny secondary backers... rewards.
Are backers not going after the same unified results of this game seeing the light of day? Don't have a PayPal if their support doesn't matter as much as the initial backers to the point that you allow the initial backers to take a crap in a bag so that you can dump it on the heads of other supporters. That is disrespectful and shows a lack of appreciation for the support that people are giving which could be hard earned money they are giving because they believe in Shenmue... and feels that it should be able to rise from the ashes.
It may sound like I am taking things to another level, but you have to think about it. What if you need the support of someone in the future that you've dumped crap on? If you don't want them to have those rewards, give them a different set, but don't crap on the supporters, and further more no one should call them "Slackers" because you don't know what they probably were going through at the time.
That's basically saying w/ a cold ungrateful heart: Thanks for the money... slacker! (IMO)
I mean... can you imagine giving someone something and they diss you? The hell is that?
If someone had to feed their family, pay the bills, make sure that they could get to work or cover tuition or... any number of things... I would commend them for not being crazy enough to back a game prior to supporting. So don't damage your reputation, and never let a small group of people dictate what you should do for others.
Ys Net openly admits to breaking a promise: Considering the strong response from those of you who felt that the Exclusive Rewards should remain exclusive for the Kickstarter, those Exclusive Rewards will not be made available on the PayPal page as originally promised. Think about this though... If the PayPal supporters aren't going to benefit from the Kickstarter exclusives, why add those PayPal collected funds to the Kickstarter total for the game's development? If you are reading this thinking... "Because it benefits everyone if more Area Stretch Goals get unlocked", I would say, "That's very true, and since its benefiting everyone via Kickstarter... the rewards should be obtainable by everyone also or... simply create separate ones for them". Be creative, not cruel with supporters Yu Suzuki. What is the definition of a "Scam"?
SQUAREENIX AND CRYSTAL DYNAMICS ANNOUNCE RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER RELEASE DATE FOR WINDOWS 10 AND STEAM
Award Winning and Critically Acclaimed Adventure Coming to PCs on January 28th
REDWOOD CITY (January 5, 2016) - Following Rise of the Tomb Raider’s highly successful release exclusively for Xbox One and Xbox 360, SquareEnix® today announced that the game will be available for Windows 10 and Steam on January 28, 2016.
Bringing the game’s thrilling narrative and perilous environments to PC in stunning new detail, developers Crystal Dynamics® and Nixxes Software added numerous features, including Windows 10 support and 4K resolution. Rise of the Tomb Raider® was nominated for Best Action/Adventure for The Game Awards and follows the critically acclaimed, award-winning Tomb Raider®.
“The PC release of Rise of the Tomb Raider continues the positive momentum from our highly successful partnership and collaboration with Microsoft for the launch on Xbox One and Xbox 360,” said Scot Amos co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics.
“PC players are a passionate, devoted audience and we know they’ll embrace the version created for their systems,” said Ron Rosenberg, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics.
After uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia to find the secret of immortality before a ruthless organization known as Trinity. Lara must use her wits and survival skills, form new alliances, and ultimately embrace her destiny as the Tomb Raider. Experience high-octane action moments, conquer beautifully hostile environments, engage in brutal guerilla combat, and explore awe-inspiring deadly tombs in the evolution of survival action. In “Rise of the Tomb Raider,” Lara becomes more than a survivor as she embarks on her first Tomb Raiding expedition.
The PC version of Rise of the Tomb Raider will be available as a digital download via Steam®, the Windows Store, Amazon™, the SquareEnix e-store and other major retailers – both in-store and online. Standard edition pricing is $59.99. The Digital Deluxe edition is $89.99 and includes a Season Pass to nearly all current and future DLC.
A Collector’s Edition, which includes the Digital Deluxe version of the game, a 12-inch Lara Croft® statue, replicas of Lara’s journal and jade necklace, and a steel case, will also be available from the SquareEnix e-store for $149.99.
This doesn't exactly relate to gaming, but Square-Enix is making
moves like Nintendo and partnering up for the unexpected.
LIGHTNING BECOMES A FASHION ICON IN LOUIS VUITTON’S “SERIES 4” CAMPAIGN
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 5, 2015) - The heroine of FINAL FANTASY® XIII, Lightning, will make an appearance in the global campaign of Louis Vuitton’s spring-summer 2016 collection, “Series 4.”
This collaboration between the world famous fashion brand Louis Vuitton and Lightning, the strong and determined heroine of FINAL FANTASY XIII, has been made a reality, with Lightning being the perfect model to express the themes explored by the Louis Vuitton Women’s Collection “Series 4.”
This collaboration embodies the shared values cherished by both Louis Vuitton and FINAL FANTASY; to preserve our traditions while constantly seeking out new and revolutionary ideas in order to deliver products of world-class quality. Under this philosophy we aim to bring a new value and new experiences to the world.
As the model for the “Series 4,” Lightning will appear on various magazine advertisements starting from the January 2016 issue and will also star in promotional videos for the campaign.
Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuttion’s Artistic Director of Women's collections, commented, “It’s clear that the virtual aesthetic of video games is predominant in this collection. If we push the reflection about heroines, or what might constitute the nature of a woman whose actions can be so courageous that she becomes superior and iconic, it becomes obvious that a virtual entity integrates with the founding principles of the Maison. Lightning is the perfect avatar for a global, heroic woman and for a world where social networks and communications are now seamlessly woven into our life. She is also the symbol of new pictorial processes. How can you create an image that goes beyond the classic principles of photography and design? Lightning heralds a new era of expression.”
“The stunning new look of Lightning including her poses and character in action was fully produced by Louis Vuitton,” said Tetsuya Nomura, the character designer of Lightning. ”Additionally, thanks to the Visual Works team, they were able to produce brilliant work under a tight schedule. This collaboration is not just a promotion of a game, and it is a great honor that the character herself received an offer from a world famous brand. As a result of this collaboration, this has infused new breath into the character, Lightning.”
Speaking of Square-Enix... there will be quite a bit of content rolling out, as we release review after review of Square-Enix games. By the way... another episode of "Drama'N'Drablands" is coming this Friday. Game on! ;)