Shenmue I’s game director returns for Shenmue III

Shenmue III is slowly coming together and fans such as myself savor at every new piece of news that comes out. YS Net recently published a brand new update, announcing that Shenmue I‘s Game Director is coming back for Shenmue III.

Keiji Okayasu worked on Shenmue since its early stages on the Saturn and left when Shenmue II was around 70% complete. The Kickstarter update is accompanied by a video, which you can check out above. You can read an excerpt of that interview below.

“I have just recently joined the team. I thought I would be another fan waiting excitedly for the release, but as it is, I get to once again be a part of the team. Of course I want to help finish the game, and do it so the fans will be satisfied. That means making it interesting for everyone who played I and II, and everyone who will be experiencing Shenmue for the first time.

“What I personally want to stress for my part, is what makes Shenmue, Shenmue. The game has an utterly unique atmosphere, and I want that all to be breathed in. As you play along, you feel the ambiance, the milieu, from place to place, getting that full sensory experience. It is about that natural… atmosphere, as best as I can call it, because Shenmue is a game where that is so important. With Shenmue III, that aspect will not be disregarded, and I will keep it alive and well as we continue development.”

[Via Kickstarter]