Shenmue 4 Video 'Has Absolutely No Connection' to Developer Ys Net, and Now the Studio Is Threatening Legal Action as the Footage 'Misleads Viewers Into Believing Such Content Is Official'

Shenmue developer Ys Net has threatened ineligible enactment implicit a widely-circulated video designed to look similar leaked footage of Shenmue 4.

The footage popped up connected societal media past week and was promptly shared by galore websites, adjacent arsenic questions regarding the video's origins and authenticity swirled.

Now, Ys Net has released a connection to corroborate that the footage "has perfectly nary connection" to itself and uses the company's logo without permission. Additionally, Ys Net claimed that specified acts "may magnitude to trademark infringement and unfair competition" and truthful it was present preparing "appropriate measures" and exploring ineligible options.

While immoderate fans took the lengthy "Shenmue 4" clip arsenic excessively elaborate to beryllium fake, others pointed to a fistful of wonky animation effects and its fan-baiting communicative to suggest it was an elaborate instauration made by a instrumentality utilizing generative AI.

Just past month, IGN reported connected the progressively convincing AI-generated GTA 6 "leaks" that are racking up millions of views connected societal media, arsenic galore users simply instrumentality what they spot astatine look value.

While generative AI and deepfake exertion are thing new, the past fewer months person seen a caller procreation of tools specified arsenic Sora 2 and Google's Nano Banana Pro pump retired generated contented that's present progressively hard to separate from the existent thing. Last week's Shenmue 4 video is, seemingly, yet different illustration of this.

"Ys Net Inc. has confirmed that a video has been posted connected societal media which uses our institution logo without permission, falsely giving the content that it is an an authoritative 'Shenmue 4' related video produced by us," the institution wrote. "This video has perfectly nary transportation to Ys Net. Furthermore, astatine this time, Ys Net has not released immoderate trailers, footage oregon different promotional materials related to 'Shenmue 4.'

"We admit that the unauthorized usage of our logo, and immoderate enactment that misleads viewers into believing specified contented is official, constitutes a superior issues that whitethorn magnitude to trademark infringement and unfair competition. W are presently moving with applicable parties and preparing due measures, including imaginable ineligible action.

"We sincerely apologize to our fans and each related parties for immoderate disorder this whitethorn person caused. We volition proceed to guarantee the due and close dissemination of information, and we inquire for your knowing and cooperation."

As of now, it's chartless if a 4th large Shenmue crippled volition ever get made, though the franchise's hardcore fanbase surely anticipation it yet happens. Last year, a radical of fans paid to concisely rent a billboard successful New York's Times Square to item their hopes for a Shenmue 4. Alas, it's chartless if the stunt had overmuch impact.

Currently, Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki is moving connected an enhanced mentation of Shenmue 3, which wll spot the 2019 enactment escapade merchandise connected caller platforms with caller features and enhanced visuals. Suzuki told IGN successful 2023 that helium wants to make a 4th crippled yet but, pursuing the mediocre captious reception of the 3rd game, would look to marque it much accessible to caller fans.

"Rejoining Ryo Hazuki’s quest to avenge his begetter is exciting, but Shenmue 3 feels similar a crippled that has ignored the innovation and advancement of the past 20 years of video crippled development," IGN wrote successful our Shenmue 3 review, scoring the crippled 5/10.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social