Shenmue 3 Publishing Rights Transfers From Deep Silver To Inin Games

Key Takeaways

Ownership of Shenmue 3 has transferred to Inin Games from Deep Silver.
Inin Games hints at ushering Shenmue 3 into a new phase.
This change may pave the way for future Shenmue games.

Released in 2019 on consoles and PC, Shenmue 3 revived the franchise, though the brand has remained silent since. Could there be more Shenmue content for fans in the future? While we can’t answer that for now, it is heavily hinted at in the ownership transference for Shenmue 3.

YS Net, the indie studio founded by Shenmue franchise creator Yu Suzuki after his departure from SEGA in 2008, made the announcement. The letter mentions how Shenmue 3’s publishing rights will transfer from Deep Silver to Inin Games.

Shenmue 3’s New Publishing Partner Is Sheperding It Into Its “Next Phase”

The press release does hold an interesting line, as it mentions how Inin Games is “excited” to shepherd Shenmue 3 “into its next phase.”

Shenmue 3 Battle Rally DLC Lets You Play as Other Characters

The Battle Rally DLC for Shenmue 3 introduces a brand new racing mode and lets you play as multiple characters.

Does this mean we’re getting new Shenmue 3 content? Or perhaps this alludes to the game being ported to more platforms in the future? While nothing has been announced, this could certainly pave the way for more Shenmue games in the future, which is something Yu Suzuki has mentioned before that he’s keen on doing.

While the Shenmue franchise might not seem like a big deal these days, as there are countless open-world games available, the game made waves when it was released way back in 1999 for SEGA’s Dreamcast console. Not only did it feature breathtaking visuals back then, but the franchise is often credited as the first and original open-world city video game, given Grand Theft Auto 3 wasn’t released until much later in 2001.

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As for Shenmue 3, it’s the direct sequel to Shenmue 2, which was also released on Dreamcast in September 2001. Since SEGA’s exit from the console hardware industry, the franchise has remained dormant for close to 15 years until Yu Suzuki announced its development at E3 in June 2015.

The third entry in the franchise would then be released four years later in November 2019, and generally received favorable reviews. Speaking of which, our review mentions its “antiquated design choices” though notes its charm, and how it’s a promise fulfilled by Yu Suzuki to Shenmue fans.

Will we see more Shenmue in the future? Perhaps, but at the very least, the franchise is active once again.