Back when Shenmue launched for the Dreamcast in 1999, the concept of QTEs was brand new. Yu Suzuki's pioneering 80s adventure for the first time ever required you to be paying attention during cut-scenes: a flailing fist, a falling pot, a slippery road – button prompts would appear on screen and require inputs lest the sequence branch in an unwanted direction and send you hurtling towards a game over screen.
But in the years since, the mechanic has lost its lustre. Tapping triggers to open chests in God of War or punch rocks in Resident Evil 5 have left many rolling their eyes, and the system that was once lauded now serves as a source of irritation. So will it return in Shenmue III? The answer, according to an interview with the director posted by Red Bull, is a resounding yes. "I believe that it is a fundamental technique that allows a broad range of players to actively participate in the dramatic performances of a game," he said.
The good news is that the legendary developer is looking to elevate the format: "I would like to take up the challenge of creating the next evolution of the QTE," he hinted cryptically. There's no word on which direction Ys Net will take, but Suzuki-san did clarify elsewhere in the interview that production is progressing well and that protagonist Ryo Hazuki's arc won't conclude in the all-new instalment.
"I'm afraid that the story will not be concluded with Shenmue III," he said. "After thinking it through, we decided that forcing a conclusion in Shenmue III would only make the story feel rushed and compromise the game as a whole. I hope that we can make Shenmue III a success so that fans will be excited for a further instalment."
[source redbull.com]
Comments (17)
It's a shame he doesn't want to just conclude it here. Yeah of course I'd love unlimited Shenmue games... But this was a reprieve and a chance to give the fans the ending they deserve. We're not guaranteed Shenmue 4 by any stretch.
Oh Yu
@SamcroUK I think he's right not to rush it. I'd rather it never end than be hurried to a conclusion personally.
@SamcroUK but he's had the whole story in his head for years, cutting it short and pushing the conclusion through a small budget installment would be wrong
Nice. I am playing through the first Shenmue and the QTEs are annoying. I feel the window is way too short, specially considering you have both the d pad and the face buttons to keep track of.
Regarding the story, I am worried if there is no Shenmue 4 but I don't want him to rush it. That's one of the franchise's selling points.
"After thinking it through, we decided that forcing a conclusion in Shenmue III would only make the story feel rushed and compromise the game as a whole. I hope that we can make Shenmue III a success so that fans will be excited for a further instalment."
to be honest they are DAMN lucky that the third game is even getting made so to NOT finish it in this instalment is a big risk that may not pay off
and i understand that if it was rushed and cut then it would be disappointing but when the whole future of the franchise is still in question maybe it's better to finish it when you know you can
no one likes being left on a cliffhanger
Since I've never played any game of this series, I'll hoping they include the first two as ports
@NomNom
The Kickstarter promised the cinematics of 1 and 2, but ports of the games themselves would depend on Sega.
@NomNom I'm almost certain that Sony will help Sega port the first 2 over onto PS4 as it'll be in there interest. It's just a question of when cos I'd imagine they would want to release it before Shenmue 3.
@get2sammyb 100% agree, the man is a legend, and this is his personal pet project. I trust his instinct if he says this isn't the end of the story.
@FullbringIchigo Well the future of the franchise has been in question before, and he probably thought he would never be able to finish it. I think he has a story to tell, and it requires more than what he can fit into this game. Hopefully enough fans help out to ensure the conclusion of the story.
I'd like to think QTE's have been around since the days of Space Ace and Dragon's Lair
@AXEL314 Fair point. I feel like Shenmue popularised the "modern" QTE, though.
I loved the first one on the Dreamcast (I still have it) but I never got the second one
I hope they re-release the first two on current consoles too so I can play all 3
Dont like the idea of playing the third without knowing the second ..
@SonyInfinity so do i but it's been what 15 years since the last game, that's half my life waiting for one game and i'm not sure i'm willing to wait for another 15 years for the next one
Still got Shenmue 1 and 2 on Dreamcast, and still love them. So, so excited for this. Thankfully, a lifetime of being a Sega fanboy has given me the patience of a saint, so I'm quite happy for Yu to take his time crafting a worthy successor (and hopefully, further games).
Road Avenger (megaCD) is the best QTE game there is
Honestly I get stuck thinking about this from time to time, QTE's are super shallow interactions but at the same time sometimes you're just trying to set the scene and want the players full attention. I liked the depth of quantic dreams QTE sections stick swiveling and paced button combos etc.
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