Image hints at possible XBLA Shenmue

By Kyle Orland Published 27 April, 2010

Is "Project Berkley II" for real?

Leaked images that appear to be from Microsoft's PartnerNet developer service suggest that Shenmue II may be heading to Xbox Live Arcade.

The source of the alleged leak is ImageShack user Xbox360Leaker, who previously posted supposed evidence of Jet Set Radio for XBLA.

In the images the title "Project Berkley II" is shown on Xbox360Leaker's Recent Games list, obscured by a bright red "Leak" watermark. The icon for the game is the disembodied head of Shenmue protagonist Ryu, leading to the rampant speculation you're reading right now.

SEGA has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The publisher recently announced plans to increase its focus on digital downloads, so the prospect of Dreamcast games appearing on PSN or Xbox Live Arcade is very real, even if there's a good deal of scepticism about the leaked images in question.

The picture also links to a YouTube channel showing what appears to be footage from pre-release Xbox Live versions of Hydro Thunder 2 and Zeno Clash.

A video of gameplay from the upcoming Xbox Live release The Secret of Monkey Island 2: Special Edition appears to have been taken down from the YouTube channel at the request of LucasArts, according to postings on the channel's comment thread.

Comments (49) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • YobRenoops #1 2 years ago

    Check GAF. This has been proved to be fake.

  • The_Inquisitor #2 2 years ago

    There have been so many fake Shenmue stories, just to piss with us. I've been stung so many times with this shit, I can't stand anyone who give these fuckers the time of day!

  • BigJonno #3 2 years ago

    All the fake Shenmue stories are made up by Sega execs while drunk and/or bored.

  • bad09 #4 2 years ago

    / smuggly turns on Dreamcast and plays Shenmue

  • metalangel #5 2 years ago

    *slaps* It's "Ryo"! Too much SSFIV for you!

  • rosshuts #6 2 years ago

    I really hope its not a fake as would be creaming in my pants right now knowing Shenmue is headed to XBLA!

  • Mugwum Verified Operations Director, Eurogamer Network #7 2 years ago

    "Check GAF. This has been proved to be fake."

    If you're talking about this thread I wouldn't say it's been "proved to be fake", but I've updated the story to mention that thread.

  • Deckard1 #8 2 years ago

    Do you know where I can find sailors?

  • schnide #9 2 years ago

    This would be a massive coup for Microsoft. I doubt it'd make that much money, but that's not always what it's about.

    Usually, but not always. Shenmue 1, 2 and then develop 3 please. Cheers.

  • Quak #10 2 years ago

    The Sega of today is just a shadow of the Sega of 10-15 years ago. You guys really think a new Shenmue would live up to your expectations?

    I personally think it best if the third game never sees the light of day* - that way my memories of the first two will remain intact.

    * Unless a developer/publisher who is still competent picks it up.

    Edit: Negative votes? Wow. Ok, so you'd all rather a Shenmue equivalent of Sonic Unleashed? Knock yourselves out then guys.
    Edited by Quak at 27/04/10 @ 10:52

  • Zomoniac #11 2 years ago

    This wouldn't make any sense anyway. The Xbox version of Shenmue 2 plays fine on 360, there'd be no reason to release via XBLA rather than the classic games on demand thingy.

  • Paperghost #12 2 years ago

    the big flaw in this for me is that the image calls it project berkley. that smacks of someone trying to hard to appeal to (and annoy) the hardcore fans. also: sega never called the second game "project berkley 2" at any stage, did they? they ditched that name when they renamed the first shenmue iirc, so why would the screenshot say berkley part 2?

    / neg rep for pointing out the ludicrousness of the image saying "project berkley 2"? okayyyyy....
    Edited by Paperghost at 27/04/10 @ 10:12

  • irve77 #13 2 years ago

    I agree with Zomoniac ... shenmue 2 works fine with xbox BC .. it's not like there is any work involved with releasing shenue 2 as an Originals title .. in fact until today i thought it was there already.

    It would make sense for them to release shenmue on XBLA

  • Zander #14 2 years ago

    Quak is right. Sega are just not up there with the best anymore.
    If Bioware made Shenmue 3 now that would be interesting!

  • owl #15 2 years ago

    i always thought that, since 3 will never be made, it would have been a nice idea for lan di to be a boss in yakuza. the storylines could kind of match-up and finally, justice would be served; lan di whacked with a bicycle.

  • JoeGBallad #16 2 years ago

    I find it a bit peculiar when folk bang on about how 'rubbish' sega is nowadays. Valkyria Chronicles and Yakuza 3 are my most played games on the playstation, and virtua fighter 5 is a regular fixture when my mates are over.

    Anyway, I'm taking this news with a pinch of salt, but there has been a lot of momentum growing on the shenmue revival train. Hopefully something will come of it and Ryo can finally leave his cave.

  • BBIAJ #17 2 years ago

    @Zomoniac:

    No it doesn't. There are no shadows or camera filters for a start...

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #18 2 years ago

    sega never called the second game "project berkley 2" at any stage, did they? they ditched that name when they renamed the first shenmue iirc, so why would the screenshot say berkley part 2?

    Lets apply logic, shall we?

    * Project Berkley was the first Shenmue.
    * The name was dropped for the second one
    * The second one works on Xbox 360 anyway, so could just be stuck on Games-on0demand
    * Xbox 360 would be the second platform for the first Shenmue game.

    Therefore, it would make sense that the downloadable title, if genuine, is a port of Shenmue 1. If it's popular, or for completist sake, Sega could subsequently release the sequel for zero development cost.

  • Ignatius_Cheese #19 2 years ago

    Fake image hints at something that will never happen. Ever.

    As this is the same guy who posted the JSR image, can we now assume that it is also fake and, as a result, he should be lynched?

    /lights torch

  • BBIAJ #20 2 years ago

    M$ dropped support of Xbox Originals GoD months ago.

  • Monkey_Puncher #21 2 years ago

    Shenmue is a game that's probably best left in the past anyway, it'll be so slow and unplayable these days.

  • Paperghost #22 2 years ago

    @Mentalist(air)

    still doesn't make much sense that they'd resurrect the obscure berkley name, given that it amounted to little more than a tech demo and a bunch of CG.
    Edited by Paperghost at 27/04/10 @ 10:22

  • Cadence #23 2 years ago

    "Shenmue is a game that's probably best left in the past anyway, it'll be so slow and unplayable these days."

    Burn the witch!

  • Setaro #24 2 years ago

    Even if they did put Shenmue II on XBL/PSN, you can guarantee it would be the fucking XBox version with the fucking godawful English dub. The DC version's Japanese with subtitles was perfect. After my DC died I got an xbox and found a copy of Shenmue II, but I couldn't even get off the dock without crying at the quality of the voice acting.
    Edited by Setaro at 27/04/10 @ 10:50

  • metalangel #25 2 years ago

    A modern Shenmue would make people who creamed their shorts over Heavy Rain explode.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #26 2 years ago

    I'm still amazed that Sega don't feel the franchise is something worth resurecting? Its by far and away their most requested game for a sequel.

  • OnlyMe #27 2 years ago

    It's not "The Secret of Monkey Island 2", bitches! I can't believe it's still being called that. It's "Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge"!

  • dr_faulk #28 2 years ago

    Isn't "Shenmue Arcade" an oxymoron?

  • actionfitz #29 2 years ago

    Shenmue was a cool and interesting idea at the time, but fucked if gonna run around in real time trying to do shit in a game only to be told a shop is closed and anyway its nearly my characters bedtime so run back across the town and tuck yourself in...
    again...

    ><

    Have the 1st two games for my dreamcast (you will be missed dear friend :/ ).
    gorgeous games at the time.

  • schnide #30 2 years ago

    @SpaceMidget75

    I don't think you should be that amazed. Shenmue never sold to many people outside of gaming hardcore, although admittedly there was much less of a casual market back then.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #31 2 years ago

    So did you miss the part where they fixed that in Shenmue 2 actionfitz?

    Way I see it, is if the Yakuza games work then so would a Shenmue 3.
    Edited by SpaceMidget75 at 27/04/10 @ 11:21

  • dr_faulk #32 2 years ago

    The thing that worries me most about another Shenmue is: what the hell was that floating god-damn mirror at the very end? Thanks for going all Lord of the Rings on us, Suzuki!

  • WinterSnowblind #33 2 years ago

    @Setaro
    The Japanese voice overs were hardly quality stuff either. Not being able to understand the language doesn't really make it any better. In my opinion, part of Shenmue's charm was the wonky voice acting, it made it seem like a poor dubbed Japanese movie.

    Unfortunately, this is clearly a fake.. Right off the bat I knew this was too good to be true and the photoshoped image on this one is terrible. Why would they use a cover name for the game, but use an image of Ryo for the game icon? And now it turns out JSR is fake too?

    Hopefully Sega has been listening to these comments and has seen the mass excitement over the prospect of these games coming.

  • Slipstream #34 2 years ago

    Space Miidget hit the nail on the head.

    The Yakuza series is a firmly grounded franchise when it comes down to it.
    Knowing its own content, characters and appeal.

    I really doubt that SEGA would be foolish enough to ruin the Shenmue franchise considering the tight following it has. Also, their recognition of the failing Sonic franchise, and their clear attempt at redemption with Sonic 4. (I'm refering to the Project Dangermouse Revelation, whenc it reached its conclusion, it was finally showing that Sega was listening to fans.)

  • harzo #35 2 years ago

    Hydro Thunder 2? Sign me up!

  • Oldtrusty77 #36 2 years ago

    Speaking as a guy who is just completing the third disc of Shenmue 1 for the first time, the idea of a XBLA/PSN remake of the second game would be cool, and maybe could stand as a way for Sega to properly gauge not just interest, but the willingness of consumers to hand over some cash. If the new Sonic title can be in downloadable chapters, and games like the Half-Life 2 episodes, why not Shenmue installments? I do agree with JoeGBallad further up the page though, Sega may not be making the massive games that they became famous for, but games like Yakuza 1, 2 and 3 and Valkyria Chronicles are just cracking and hard to fault in my mind.

  • Rorsch #37 2 years ago

    I have a dream... A dream that in the future, white people, and black people, can play shenmue III together!!!

  • Kilroy #38 2 years ago

    I played Shenmue 2 briefly, but couldn't really see the point. Why is Shenmue so great?

  • The-Bodybuilder #39 2 years ago

    Would it matter anyways?
    Even though I just got a DC, my copy of shenmue (1&2) will forever lay untouched. What's the point in playing it, if I know it has no conclusion? Without shenmue 3, the first 2 are just torture to me.

    I'm not gona go through this again. Shenmue is dead. If SEGA wanted to bring it back, it would have done so already. Nah, it's futile.

  • frankfurter209 #40 2 years ago

    @Kilroy

    There's so much to love in both games, but for me 80s era Japan and China (Shenmue 1 and 2 respectively) remains one of the most compelling game settings ever. Listening to the (amazing) music, working a job, talking to people (even if the acting is atrocious), there's some intangible satisfaction from "living" in those worlds.
    Edited by frankfurter209 at 27/04/10 @ 17:12

  • The-Bodybuilder #41 2 years ago

    @Kilroy
    Because your mum's a hoe.

  • The-Bodybuilder #42 2 years ago

    What people seem to forget when they refer to the bad voice-acting of shenmue is that it was the first game EVER where every single NPC had a voice, rather than just text.
    It's easy to take that for granted these days, what with games like the sexy Mass Effect and their brilliant voice-acting, but shenmue led the way.

  • Kilroy #43 2 years ago

    frankfurter209-> Hmm, might dig it up again, then.

    The Bodybuilder-> Well, her being an agricultural tool has resulted in me having a somewhat troubled childhood, so I guess everything is possible.

  • Sunyavadin #44 2 years ago

    Also - WOW at the level of ignorance on that gaf thread.

    I wouldn't trust anything anyone there says. Especially given how many of them are spouting blatant lies about games they clearly have never played or they'd know the claims they make about them are wrong.

    I'm too lazy to sign up there or I'd correct them on their inaccuracies about JSR and Shenmue on Dreamcast.

  • RobotRocker #45 2 years ago

    How much would it take Sega to get Yu Suzuki out of retirement anyway? There is a new Ferarri available after all...

  • devilmyarse #46 2 years ago

    While disappointing I still have both Shenmue games on my Dreamcast so I wouldn't have bought them anyway (especially since I have a VGA cable and can play them in crystal clear VGA mode).

    Just get the Yakuza games if you want shenmue-esque gameplay on modern consoles. The original games are quite cheap (if you can find Yakuza 2 of course it's a bit uncommon) and Yakuza 3 is ridiculously cheap right now.

    I wish they would conclude the bloody story, even if it was just a few webisodes or even a novel(la) or something.

  • Syrette #47 2 years ago

    Ban Monkey_Puncher and actionfitz please.

    How dare they talk negatively about the greatest media products ever created.

    How very dare they.

    /half serious

  • Abscido #48 2 years ago

    What people seem to forget when they refer to the bad voice-acting of shenmue is that it was the first game EVER where every single NPC had a voice, rather than just text.

    If you're trolling or being sarcastic you got me! :-D

    But just in case you aren't, what you say is wrong. :-P

  • sega #49 2 years ago

    This is fake - BUT there's gossip of both games being ported to the Wii. Shhh - don't be telling all these game sites, they'll post about anything.