Q: Were there originally 16 chapters in the Shenmue saga or were there 11? please elaborate as to why some say 16 and some say 11.

A: It is 11 chapters, but with branched story line, it will be more than 11.

Q: At $5 million, exactly HOW open world will Shenmue 3 be, compared to Shenmue 1/2?

A: I’m expecting something similar to Dobuita in terms of scale.

Q: Will you be disappointed if the Kickstarter doesn’t raise $10mill for that ‘open world experience’?

A: No I won’t. I am grateful I have another chance for a new Shenmue. I will do everything I can within the budget.

Q: Will the Tiger scroll translated by Guizang in 1 be in 3?

A: Great idea! I will look into it.

Q: For Ryo Hazuki’s model and others, are you going to reuse models and generally assets from Shenmue 1 and Shenmue 2?

A: I don’t plan on recycling them, but will use the good parts as an reference.

Q: Would love to hear Mandarin voice acting alongside Japanese in Shenmue3. Could we make it stretch goal?

A: Thank you, it is under consideration.

Q: Why do you think Shenmue didn’t appeal to the mass audience back then? Would it need to be ‘modernized’ for today?

A: One reason may be there were so many new challenges. New challenges this time too. It’s the most important thing.

Q: Can we expect the return of lottery prize in Shenmue 3? May be the first prize can be a figure of Yu Suzuki!

A: Great idea. Thanks. I will need to think about something more appealing than a figure of me.

Q: Will you research latest tech in AI so you can include it in Shenmue 3 to make it a pioneering game like its predecessors?

A: Yes. I would like to take on some new challenge in terms of technology.

Q: Is there a possibility to film a production process for example motion capture or dubbing, during development of Shenmue 3?

A:Yes, we have it and I would like to feature it in an update.

Q: Will Coca Cola join the Party?

A: I’m considering collaborations with companies like Coca Cola.

Q: What’s the I.Q. score of Fukuhara-san?

A: Maybe something like 86?

Q: What can you tell me of the three blades?

A: Jobs using scissors, razor and knife- barber, cook, and sewer. Skills for jobs with steady demand in any era.

Q: My 10-year-old daughter wants to know if she’ll be able to use the phone at will in Shenmue 3 like she does in Shenmue 1.

A: Look forward to it. There will be many nostalgic scenes. Maybe a tin can telephone as well?

Q: If future installments of Shenmue become a possibility will we have the option to bring over save data from Shenmue 3?

A: I have not decided it yet.

Q: Can we expect epic fights like in Kowloon in Shenmue 2 and a similar battle fight system?

A: There is “Battle System Expanded” Stretch Goal. It will enhance the battles, better than Shenmue 2.

Q: Will we start Shenmue 3 with some items/skills/scrolls from Shenmue 1 + 2?

A: The platform is different, so unfortunately we can’t do it.

Q: Should we expect any Sega related stuff in Shenmue 3 like arcade games or toy capsules?

A: There is a possibility.

Q: Were there any gameplay elements for Shenmue 1 and 2 that had to be cut due to budget constraints?

A: Yes. I wanted the ramen noodles to get soggy and yucky, but couldn’t. I wanted to get that real.

Q: Will the “Shenmue Trial” be used for feedback to improve the game like Square Enix have with the Final Fantasy XV demo?

A: I would definitely want to get feedback, so I’m looking into how to put a system like that in place.

Q: Will there be official Kickstarter Shenmue 3 forums to discuss and give feedback throughout the development process?

A: I of course would like that and am looking into it.

Q: Will everything be voice acted the same way as 1 and 2? or will budget constraints not allow 100% VO all the time?

A: Full voice will be possible if we have enough funding.

Q: I was wondering did you get Ryo Hazuki name from Ryudo Uzaki that was a Japanese musician?

A: Nope.

Q: My question is why is not possible to use Shenmue Passport models for Shenmue 3?

A: I’m considering about adding some functions from Shenmue Passport.

Q: Can we expect custom clothing for Ryo Hazuki? It would be great feature to able to style Ryo Hazuki as we want.

A: There’s a feature on the $250 tier and up to change Ryo’s jacket. Other customizing under consideration.

Q: Why was the Dragon Mirror hidden under a cherry tree, a not-so-safe place like the basement?

A: Iwao [Hazuki] thought the place under Cherry blossom tree was safer.

Q: Where did Ryo get his bandaid?

A: It didn’t appear in Chp.1, but there was a martial arts event. The scar is from the final match.

Q: What is your favourite movie?

A: My favourite 3 are: The Hustler, Casablanca, Roman Holiday. I love Billiards, and I still play it sometimes.

Q: Will Shenmue 3 be compatible with the project Morpheus VR headset for the ultimate second life experience?

A: I feel that VR offers great possibilities.

Q: Will there be a pet dog in Shenmue 3?

A: Depends on the budget.

Q: Shenmue’s core plot is basically Hamlet. Are you a Shakespeare fan and has that been an influence?

A: Sorry, but I have not read Hamlet. I know Hamtaro though.

Q: I always wondered how Ryo , being Japanese, could communicate so easily in China. Can Ryo speak Chinese?

A: Let’s not go there…

Q: Suzuki-san, can you please tell us some little info about Shenhua that the fans don’t already know yet?

A: The Shenmue tree’s flower is named Shenhua. She is named after that flower.

Q: Will Ryo learn the value of forgiveness in Shenmue 3?

A: Please play Shenmue 3 for that answer!

Q: Do you have a rough idea how many people will be in the development team for Shenmue 3?

A: It will vary depending on the [Kickstarter] budget.

Q: Since relationships between characters will be more prominent, will we see something like a multiple choice conversation system?

A: I am thinking about a dialogue selection system.

Q: Please confirm that guns will never be a part of Shenmue gameplay, not for Ryo or any other playable character.

A: I am not thinking about including guns as a weapon at the moment.

Q: Will Ryo finally eat and perform other bodily functions?

A: I don’t have plan on implementing it for Shenmue 3.

Q: Why does Ryo have a Saturn under his TV in Shenmue 1, but no games? Was Iwao using the promise of a game for it to focus Ryo? :P

A: That sounds about right. Let’s go with that.

Q: Mr. Suzuki, what is your favorite music to listen to?

A: I like Jazz and Rock.