Interview With Raidon04, the Shenmue 3 Facebook campaign starter.

SEGA has expressed a willingness to resurrect the Shenmue series, but only if they can get an exclusivity deal. Although Shenmue 1 and 2 are highly praised, the games didn’t sell as well as SEGA hoped.

What’s interesting about the Shenmue franchise is how passionately the fans have been campaigning to let SEGA know that they demand a third installment. There are several campaigns out there, but one of the more dynamic ones is the Shenmue III Facebook campaign.

These 3,681 fans have made their own trailers, promos, and have done a few hilarious stunts to get SEGA’s attention. The group has been around for over 4 years. (I need a fact check on that >.>)

I got a chance to ask Raidon04, the founder, a few questions regarding the latest tease from SEGA.
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GamerBabel: Ok, so Sega has just announced that it would make a Shenmue III. Naturally, fans everywhere are rejoicing with renewed hope.

How do you feel about the big news of SEGA actively trying to find funds for a new Shenmue installment?

Raidon04: Well having actively campaigned for the release for quite some time, I have become rather skeptical of any indefinite news coming from SEGA. Over the past few years SEGA has commented on Shenmue on the possibility of a new sequel a few times. The campaign has been rigorous and non-conceding with many members contacting SEGA to enquire directly. Any news from SEGA has always been of obscurity with no definite response. This news can be taken with optimism or indeed it can be received like a Red Herring, I try and retain the former.

GamerBabel: With over 3,600 members and a bunch of different initiatives taken over the years, how much influence do you think your specific group had in this turnaround? Does SEGA know the name of Raidon04?

Raidon04: I think the group has been rather effective in spreading a reminiscence, thus rekindling peoples' minds of the pleasures of the game. Both this group and a few other smaller Shenmue campaigns have been proactive in taking different initiatives to pressure Sega to look back on the Shenmue saga. Some of the campaigns have been rather comedic and fun such as the 'show sega the money' scheme which asked fans to photograph themselves composed in Shenmue-like character outfits with their money showing willingness of purchase. Whilst other schemes ranged from toy-capsule mailing to SEGA as well as emails. We have heard responses from SEGA, with as always; obscurity. The group continues to grow and creates further popularity upon the net thus ever increasing the probability of that golden question being brought upon in SEGA interviews. So I do believe in the group's effectiveness. SEGA has received contact from me and have returned the favour. Other prominent former and current employees of SEGA have also been contacted and returned the gesture including famously the voice actors of Shenmue but no definite answer has been answered in any queries from myself. What has been clear although is the willingness of the voice actors to reprise their roles.

GamerBabel: When you started this campaign, did you expect the kind of response you have gotten from people?

Raidon04: I had faith in the group’s effectiveness of course. Although skepticism was an occasional issue due to financial failings of the games but I did not let that perturb me in establishing the group and advertising the campaign accordingly. The online petition, which has been in circulation for the last few years, was testament to the popularity of the game due to the copious amount of signatures, which at the time had a total of around 20,000.

GamerBabel: In general, are you impressed with the gamer community's ability to mobilize and bring about change in the world?

Raidon04: (laughs) Yes I do believe that the gaming community has a very influential amount of control. The video game industry has opened many new avenues within education, employment and has affected culture, journalism and the Entertainment Industry as a whole. I think the amount of opportunities and pleasure that such has established is indeed a good thing, but like most things in life; 'Too much of a good thing can be bad'. As long as the industry does not become too excessive, as the larger it will become the more regulation will be incorporated.

GamerBabel: Any extra thoughts you'd like to share with us?

Raidon04: I have always viewed games not merely as an engrossing entertainment, but as an aesthetic creation. Many games in the industry are beautiful creations of art with resplendent graphics, exquisite music and effulgent story lines. I think too many people play games merely for the enjoyment of the self whilst overlooking the aptitude of artistry put in the game. I think recognizing and appreciating the game forms even more captivation, and its something we should all do more as gamers.

GamerBabel: Thanks, for your time Raidon, and best of luck with the campaign.

I couldn’t agree more with Raidon’s responses, and his campaign is a shining example of what the gamer community can be/achieve.

Sadly, SEGA’s wavering stance on Shenmue has led to many fans becoming skeptical, but all of us still hope to take on the role of Ryo Hazuki and continue the adventure!

For the original article, click here.

That’s all for this post. Keep an eye out for the next one ;D