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Sega: We ain't got no Yu Suzuki round these parts, stranger photo

Elusive game design legend Yu Suzuki has rarely been seen or heard from since the financial disaster that was Shenmue. Sega US CEO Simon Jeffery has confirmed that the famous creator, who was once regarded as Sega's answer to Shigeru Miyamoto, is no longer with the company.

"[Suzuki is] kind of his own man right now. Every now and again, he'll come up with an idea, and I don't think anything has come out of that yet," stated Jeffery. "He's not an employee anymore."

The last Jeffery heard of Yuzuki, he was working on "some online stuff" in China. Although he doesn't work in Sega, Shenmue fans might be pleased to know that he still works with it. 

"We're still working with [Suzuki]," confirmed the US CEO.  "We're still working with [Yuji] Naka. The Prope [Naka's new non-Sega studio] relationship exists. They're building content. Nothing's been released yet, but we still work with them."

Suzuki brought Sega such classics as Out Run, Virtua Fighter and Virtua Cop. It's good to see he's still keeping his hand in, but Sega could really do with some of the man's former inspiration these days.


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19 comments | showing # 1 to 19

The-Excel's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 06:08
The-Excel
Mm hmm.
kapshhh's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 06:26
kapshhh
I thought he was dead O_o
Swifty64's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 06:58
Swifty64
Come on Shenmue 3!
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 07:02
-PL-
It's a shame. Shenmue was a great game that didn't get the attention it deserved.
CountingConflict's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 07:17
CountingConflict
@PL

Agreed
Fat Ryu's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 07:28
Fat Ryu
Just started playing Shenmue 2 again. If there's no new one by the time I finish it, I quit erm... Shenmue!
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 07:30
Anus Mcphanus
I thought it was funny how he just disappeared. At least he'll still work on Sega games in the future.

Personally I'm more excited to hear Yuji Naka is still in the picture although Sega clearly should have brought him in to work on Sonic Unleashed. Here's hoping for Burning Rangers 2!
Snoopbob2006's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 07:43
Snoopbob2006
Shenmue III FTW

That boss of sega america is a fucking douche he doesnt have a clue
parrothead's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 08:04
parrothead
I agree Shenmue III for the Dreamcast would be great....or the PS3
casualweaponry's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 08:05
casualweaponry
Shenmue was really ahead of its time. Now that technology has caught up, it would be nice to see Shenmue 3.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 08:14
HarassmentPanda
I realize that Shenmue didn't sell well here, but it sure would be nice to give us the last chapter! Honestly, even if Sega loses money on the game, it would restore some confidence in the company for me. Lord knows they've made plenty of money on those terrible Sonic games that make me wish it was possible to abort a bunch of polygons.
killias2's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 08:33
killias2
Whatever happened to Sega? I mean.. say what you will about Nintendo.. but at least they make good first party games. Sega has basically fallen off the map.
-PL-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 08:35
-PL-
Shenmue would make an excellent Wii port, with its minigames and whatnot. I kinda just think most american gamers don't want to play as a japanese guy in a japanese town asking people about the day the rain turned to snow. Or sailors.
FunnyFarm's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 10:21
FunnyFarm
Shenmue as a Franchise is Doomed. Don't get me wrong they are Great games, but with the mess that it is currently SEGA, with Yu Suzuki not in direct control I just would not trust it to be a quality game.
Sueng's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 10:34
Sueng
The reason why the first two Shenmue games didn't quite make it as games was because Yu Suzuki was too preoccupied showing the details of a guy drinking a soda can. If he wanted to be more successful, he should've just allowed you to kick those little kids' asses with gumball machine toys.
Shinu's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 10:40
Shinu
Sega is becoming a non-first rate publisher. Their own games still have their merits, but honestly, they are falling off the map and not keeping their brand alive. I still <3 Sega, but maybe, it's time to move on. Sega needs a big change. Maybe they are making money and it works, I don't know. If not, they really, really need to start snorting common-sense powder.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 11:47
Justice
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 11:48
Justice
I thought he left ages ago?
bVork's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/12/2008 12:30
bVork
Yu Suzuki did leave ages ago, though that hasn't stopped him from doing games like the cancelled Psi-Phy and the much more recent (released this year) Burnout-meets-Outrun Sega RaceTV. This is a complete non-story.
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