Sega lose Shenmue trademark due to inactivity

[Asura]

I suppose it was always going to happen:

http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/19/sega-loses-shenmue-trademark-after-failing-to-use-it-report/

Apparently Sega have lost the brand's trademark status due to inactivity.

[sj33]

They should have actually released the HD re-releases of Shenmue 1 and 2 that they confirmed were completed, but just chose to not release. They could have kept the trademark then.

[Dogg Thang]

Did they use the Shenmue name and logo when featuring Ryo in Sonic Racing?

[PaTaito]

They should have actually released the HD re-releases of Shenmue 1 and 2 that they confirmed were completed, but just chose to not release. They could have kept the trademark then.

Yeah, makes me think they were telling porkies.

[wakka]

Yu Suzuki should acquire it and Kickstart Shenmue III. Lol.

[Dogg Thang]

If this is true, they haven't lost the IP. Just the trademark protection on Shenmue. It doesn't mean anyone else can make a Shenmue game but it would mean that someone could release a game with Shenmue as the title or part of the title and Sega would have a harder time fighting it (yet still probably could).

[S3M]

Yeah, makes me think they were telling porkies.

No it's true, but Yu Suzuki was not a popular person at Sega after spending $100 million on one game, which many of Sega feel cost then the Dreamcast.

[nakamura]

I will laugh if they start a kickstarter and it fails!

[speedlolita]

As if that would happen..

Unless they needed millions and millions.. lol

[nakamura]

Well, surely to.bring it in line with modern blockbusters it has no chance. Could work as an indie game.

[wakka]

Making a Shenmue game with modern technology would cost much more than the original games did. But just imagine those 1080p (720p on Bone) forklifts.

[fishbowlhead]

No it's true, but Yu Suzuki was not a popular person at Sega after spending $100 million on one game, which many of Sega feel cost then the Dreamcast.

All the more reason to get high deff re makes out on newer gen consoles to make up some more money. Upgrade the graphics, update the ratio, sort the controls out, leave the rest and a decent price tag to apeal to impulse buyers.

[DANGEROUS-3]

I've got a feeling Shenmue III will finaly be announced this year as a PS4 exclusive.

Yu is doing a Shenmue talk next month at GDC about the creation of the first game (with a PS4 architect translating) and the word on the street that is that Sony are open to the idea of funding the game in exchange for console exclusivity. Plus there has been a ton of Shenmue noise recently. If Sony pull this off and announce the game, they'll be running away with the gen already. As an xbox gamer, Shenmue III is the only game that'd make me buy a PS4.

[Guts]

All the more reason to get high deff re makes out on newer gen consoles to make up some more money. Upgrade the graphics, update the ratio, sort the controls out, leave the rest and a decent price tag to apeal to impulse buyers.

Sadly, they would probably lose even more money with the HD remakes.

[Profit]

They need to ditch the name Shenmue to reach a better audience. Something cheesy like "Dragon Revenge"...etc