Ys Net Reveals Shenmue 3 Test Screenshots, Development Moving to Map Testing

In a new Kickstarter update from Ys Net about Shenmue 3, the developer revealed that the story and scenarios are now out of the planning stage, three months into development. Next up, Ys Net has to get the people, places, and things fitting together in a world with proper dimension, space, and scale to keep the essence of a Shenmue game.

Currently, the major work being done in Shenmue 3 is the map testing, which will define the different areas to make sure they aren’t too big or too small. Ys Net adds:

This consists of looking at the layout of a certain space, and experimenting to make necessary alterations. For example, an outside area may feel too open. That space may be reduced by 20%, and the number of people there increased from 10 to 16, to affect the proper consistency and density of the area.

In some new test screenshots (see gallery below) released today, Ys Net showed a couple battle screens taken at an angle to avoid spoilers as much as possible. Objects in the screens are being used as place holders, like the men in black suits, and Ryo is an older model, with backgrounds and buildings still being worked on.

“The development team is in high spirits now that we have reached this stage where we are finally able to start testing,” Ys Net says. “The studio has become quite the lively place as of late, even on Saturdays for some of us! We look forward to your continued support!”

Shenmue 3 is scheduled for release in December 2017 on PlayStation 4 and PC.

[Source: Kickstarter]