If you consider yourself a SEGA fan, you should definitely know who the man above is. His name is Yu Suzuki – and he’s one of the key figures in history, not just for SEGA, but for the video game industry on the whole. You may not have even known it, but he’s worked on some of the best and most creative SEGA franchises, from Hang-On to Virtua Fighter to the much-loved Shenmue.
The man deserves a lot of respect, and this year at GDC, he’s going to get just that. From last week’s press release:
SEGA’S YU SUZUKI HONORED WITH 2011 GAME DEVELOPERS CHOICE PIONEER AWARD
Creator of Shenmue and Virtua Fighter Series to Be Recognized for Nearly Three Decades of Creative and Influential Career Achievements
TOKYO (February 11, 2011) – SEGA® Corporation is proud to announce that Yu Suzuki will be the recipient of the Pioneer Award, a Special Award presented as part of the 2011 Game Developers Choice Awards and one of the highest honors in video game development.
The Pioneer Award celebrates those individuals who developed a breakthrough technology, game concept, or gameplay design at a crucial juncture in video game history. Yu Suzuki will be accepting his award at the eleventh annual Choice Awards ceremony on March 2, 2011, during the Game Developers Conference 2011 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco.
Suzuki, currently a Special Advisor at SEGA® Corporation overseeing the company’s worldwide content strategy, joined SEGA in 1983 and has been one of SEGA’s leading video game creators for almost three decades. Suzuki is known for many industry firsts and genre-breaking games, including critically acclaimed and renowned game franchises such as Virtua Fighter™ and Shenmue™.
One of his earliest works was the first real-time simulation arcade racer Hang-On™ in 1985, followed by the immersive rail shooter Space Harrier™, which featured the first full color computer graphics in Japan, and the driving simulation Out Run™. With the aerial combat simulation After Burner™ and the racing game F355 Challenge™, Suzuki then delivered some of the world’s most celebrated games of all time. His internationally renowned 1993 creation Virtua Fighter spawned the 3-D fighting genre and has been recognized for its contribution in the fields of Art & Entertainment by the Smithsonian Institution.
In 1999, the release of the visually stunning Shenmue for the SEGA Dreamcast™ console marked the first console title for Suzuki. Shenmue would break new ground with its open-world 3D gameplay, its non-linear story and revolutionized the adventure game genre by giving players unprecedented control over the game’s character through Suzuki’s “FREE” (Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment) concept.
Until today Suzuki has been responsible for the creation of more than two dozen titles at SEGA. In 2003, he became the sixth person to be inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Science’s “Hall of Fame.”
Yu Suzuki will be on stage to receive the Pioneer Award at the eleventh annual Game Developers Choice Awards in San Francisco on March 2, 2011. In addition to receiving the coveted Pioneer Award, Suzuki will also be presenting a lecture during the main conference portion of the GDC at 10:30AM on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, discussing some of the landmark game titles that he has created over the past two decades.
For more information about the ceremony, please visit http://www.gamechoiceawards.com.
If you’ll be at GDC this year, we hope you’ll take part to wish him congratulations on this great award – one we think he most definitely deserves!
Congratulations, Suzuki-san! You’ve earned it.
Posted by RubyEclipse in
SEGA on 6:38:05PM Feb 14, 2011
Comment # 1
Yu Suzuki is THE MAN! Seriously, Virtua Fighter is the greatest fighting franchise of all time, now if only someone could convince him to make a VF game for 3DS, I could die happy.
Posted by Crystal Walters on February 14th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Comment # 2
After the 1up interview came out, I wrote a rather long quote from the article on a whiteboard in the lab. It was there until at least the new year. Him describing the earlier arcade work they did matches up so perfectly with what our program has been like. I kind of wish he could see what we’re doing up there and address some of the other students.
I’m not sure I can attend the conference session, but I will definitely see about the award ceremony. I can’t help but hope that somehow we’ll bump into each other down at the event…that seems unlikely though. Without saying anything too embarrassing, it’s hard for me to describe just how much admiration I have for what he’s done over the years. It runs a whole lot deeper than just simply being a fan of a few of his games.
Posted by S-T-H on February 14th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Comment # 3
Sweet, he definitely deserves the award. I’m a big fan of his games, Shenmue being one of my favorites, and you got to love Virtua Fighter
Posted by Garrett on February 14th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Comment # 4
He deserves it. More than anyone.
I wish Sega give him a better treatment and put in his hand the tools and the money to make another genre-breaking game or, why not, Shenmue 3.
Posted by IronicSonic on February 14th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Comment # 5
Congradulations to the best that has ever done it.
Posted by charode on February 14th, 2011 at 8:05 pm
Comment # 6
Sorry, I meant congratulations. Lol
Posted by charode on February 14th, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Comment # 7
Anyway, not as “alimn”, long time Shenmue, Virtua Fighter and Suzuki-SEGA fan, supporter but as a person with game design in major, I am gonna be there, however IT WOULD BE AWESOME if I can just see YS, and even saying hello to him! “I need some advice, tip and guide”, pleaseeee!Aron, SEGA, someone, some body, anybody?
AND Btw,
For your info, fans…
Suzuki san is busy with Shenmue Gai in Japan, but there are words about a possible western version called Shenmue World for facebook, so please support support! no matter what! Shenmue III will eventually see a day of light, I believe in SEGA!
For now, hope they re-release Shenmue I and II on Dreamcast Collection Vol 2, whenever they are about to announce it.
Posted by Alimn on February 14th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Comment # 8
Congrats !!
Posted by Gabrielle on February 14th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
Comment # 9
No one deserves it more than him, NO ONE!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS, Yu!!!!!
Posted by Carlos on February 14th, 2011 at 11:35 pm
Comment # 10
<3 Yu Suzuki for ever! Best game designer !
Posted by spin-dash on February 14th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
Comment # 11
Congratulation Yu Suzuki !! =DD
We want Shenmue, I’m still hoping the come back of Ryo Hazuki ! =(
I heard a Shenmue mobile in Japan but we want a SHENMUE 3 !! On playstation 3 ! We wait so long the next stories of Ryo…
Posted by Mike on February 15th, 2011 at 12:37 am
Comment # 12
Mr Suzuki, I’m a Game Developer and my Dream is to work with you! You inspired me! Thanks for your games!
Posted by Tano on February 15th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Comment # 13
To bad Sega don’t treat him with the respect he deserves.
Posted by Hanyx on February 15th, 2011 at 1:16 am
Comment # 14
SEGA must bring back Yu!
Posted by S.F on February 15th, 2011 at 2:04 am
Comment # 15
He is one of the greatest creators in the games industry.For everything you did today,and what will make even more,this award represents the recognition and respect due to his work and his genius.
I’m a fan of Sega,and I’m happy for him.I wish him much peace,health and prosperity in your personal life an his work.
Congratulations for this award is much deserved,is the truth and justice,by which he means to the Industry,for Sega,and for us fans.Thanks for your attention.
Posted by Marcelo on February 15th, 2011 at 2:32 am
Comment # 16
WOOOO Shenmue 3!!!!!
Posted by Dave on February 15th, 2011 at 3:48 am
Comment # 17
YIPPPIEEEEEE, i love this guy, mabey more than I should, I wrote a song called Thank YOU Suzuki-San, its a punk rock song about playing after burner, it even has the sega saturn boot up as the intro! this one always gets some kids in the crowed to go nuts.
http://www.myspace.com/rocks, im pretty sure its still on our playlist. Anyhow, this guy made games that are some of my greatest childhood memories.
I even have AM2 tattooed on my arm..
Posted by Scrappy Huntington on February 15th, 2011 at 3:48 am
Comment # 18
We NEED Shenmue III !!
Posted by Pawel on February 15th, 2011 at 3:54 am
Comment # 19
Yeah, that’s great news! Now if he only could do big projects again… Like Shenmue III
…
Posted by Simon on February 15th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Comment # 20
The free envirement of Shenmue is glorious
& the possibility to talk & grab things, none
other game comes close not even yakuza series
the fighting, the details long before HD makes it
almost perfect.
Posted by Alberto69 xboxino on February 15th, 2011 at 6:34 am
Comment # 21
Shenmue was the biggest landmark in my gaming history. I played Mario Bros and Sonic, Streets of Rage and so on but Shenmue really sat with me. It made me feel so involved, not just the game or the environment but the characters and the story, too. It’s probably a large percent of the reason I’m in Japan now.
Thank you for showing me a place, story and culture in a time when information wasn’t as easy to get.
Posted by joe on February 15th, 2011 at 9:18 am
Comment # 22
Somehow appropriate this year, the 25th anniversary of one of Yu Suzuki’s greatest titles, OutRun. I’m hoping that Sega sees fit to celebrate this anniversary with a Yu Suzuki Arcade collection on all modern platforms. I’d gladly pay money for a disc with arcade perfect renditions of OutRun, After Burner, Power Drift, Space Harrier, Hang-On, Enduro Racer etc. with a booklet containing artwork and an interview. How about it Sega?
Posted by KesMonkey on February 15th, 2011 at 10:46 am
Comment # 23
awesome He deserves it!
Posted by Bradkal on February 15th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Comment # 24
The mother of video games! Well deserved achievement!
Posted by DJ Fob Fresh on February 15th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Comment # 25
Congratulations! A well deserved award.
I hope this brings Shenmue 3 closer to be released.
Posted by PressPlay on February 15th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Comment # 26
Grats!! Shenmue 3 next please!
Posted by FeMonkey on February 15th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Comment # 27
for me shenmue the best game ever
Shenmue for xbox 360 please
thanks
Posted by Bgamer on February 15th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Comment # 28
Shenmue 3 please fo Xbox 360
and shenmue 1 and 2 for xbox live
shenmue is back
finally
and its the best game a played in my life
SHENMUE 3 please for xbox360
thanks
Posted by alienX on February 15th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Comment # 29
Shenmue 3. You can sell anything with the right marketing. Sega, what else do you really have up your sleeve? This is it.. You have slaughtered the Sonic series and rely on gimmicky crap to make a quick penny. Get back in the game with Shenmue 3. Market the game like they did with Fallout. Most people who played Fallout 3 hadn’t even heard of the others, but that didn’t stop the sales. You have to make the game easy for new people to jump into and feel connected. The task seems impossible but if they can make Duke Nukem appeal to a bunch of new generation gamers, what the hell are you waiting for? Market the hell out of Shenmue. You would have to sell it like heavy rain. Don’t focus the marketing on its fighting or the rpg elements. Focus on a story driven plot that leads people wanting more. I know it would be insanely hard to sell that game, you know what the biggest factor would be? Graphics. I’m by no means a graphic whore. I could care less. But, picture this as an add that comes on your tv. Commercial break from what ever show you’re watching. Screen slowly fades from black into a slightly cloudy sky, sun rays peaking through. Slowly the camera pans down, bringing the city skyline into view, people walking, people talking, a living, breathing city. As the camera pans further you can see a long road stretched ahead, camera still panning down you see a stray cat (or dog) aimlessly playing/walking at the side of the road. As the camera is about to hit the ground you see a foot hit the ground. A white sneaker. Black screen. Shenmue is written in tidily in the middle of the screen in its usual font. Then show the box’s for the game covers and release date. SIMPLE. People are curious, if the graphics are good enough, that will spark the attention of everyone. THAT IS IT. No flashy colors or crazy music, nothing. Just that. Keep it simple. Don’t over stimulate people. If that took off, do multiple adverts like that. Simple stuff, doesn’t have anything to do with the game. If there is anything beyond its time in the Shenmue series is its living cities. Imagine what you could do now. Focus on that. Draw people in. Nothing flashy, just keep it simple. Yes it would be one hell of a risk to throw money into that, but in North America and England, people would GO CRAZY.
Posted by T3E on February 15th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Comment # 30
I think the problem with SEGA is its not a united company its always a separeted company even now its always been SEGA west: America and Europe and then Japan another entity, the mother but not with a common goal, why not one company with one goal thats why they fail and thats why the marketing its not right its not agressive because the west doesnt have the backup from the mother. but anyway its one of the only true originals today so it doesnt matter hehe YU u are the best!!! YU you are SEGA bring it on!!!
Posted by PALY on February 15th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Comment # 31
Shenmue1&2 is the best game i have ever played!Except “3″ be announced at the RIGHT time.On the other hand,Yu come back and become New Virtua Fighter Director,there is ONLY hope for YOUR 3D-FTG series!
Posted by Just a fan on February 16th, 2011 at 7:56 am
Comment # 32
March 2? That’s the day before Fangmei’s birthday (Shenmue 2)!
Posted by TMartin3000 on February 16th, 2011 at 8:34 am
Comment # 33
Shenmue 3 for xbox 360 please
and to remeber the best game ever shenmue 1/2 for xbox life
thanks
Posted by alienX on February 16th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
Comment # 34
Congratulations, Suzuki – san!! You deserve it more than anyone else.
Posted by SEGA Dude on February 16th, 2011 at 9:55 pm
Comment # 35
Congratulations sir. But what should really be going on here is the RETURN of a new SEGA SYSTEM (all the money and adoration of the fans will be there). You are letting the other SYSTEMS reap you off (Sonic and others). The Dreamcast had everything but the DVD player in it. Maybe you should get with TurboGrafx 16 and/or Neo-Geo and work together to make a KILLER GAME SYSTEM (some games with rights still haven’t re-risen yet from those systems). Thanks for listening.
Posted by Jr on February 17th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Comment # 36
Congrats, we NEED a NEW SYSTEM from SEGA
Posted by Jr on February 17th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
Comment # 37
What the heck, Make Shenmue 3 thats all we want, heck i havent bought a damn game of segas since the dreamcast, You made a promise, keep your promise, make it, tired of waiting, Heck Mass Effect Trilogy will be done before shenmue, same wit alot of other trilogys, get it done. Congrats on the award, now get ur headout of ur own butts and do this series right.
Posted by Saga Studios on February 17th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Comment # 38
A new system from SEGA, my HOPE…
Posted by Ritcchelle on February 17th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Comment # 39
congrats but bring us shenmue 3 it’ll be the best game ever!!!
Posted by valaz on February 21st, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Comment # 40
Congratulations!! PLEASE let us all be at peace with SHENMUE III! I’ve waited over half my life to see the end of this game. PLEASEEEEEEEE!!!
シェンムー３、お願いしますぅー！！
Posted by KT on February 24th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Comment # 41
CONGRATS !!!! now he needs get on the other 10 shenmues that were suposed to follow the first two ….. I remember when he said that I have been waiting sooo long.. I guess since it was your fans that got you that award its your fans that are asking for another Shenmue . Im not the only one and I will probly die before there is another Shenmue is made and I could only dream of how awesome it would be , but thats all we get is dreams from the man who is too big for his britches
Posted by adam rogers on May 6th, 2011 at 3:51 am