| Yu Suzuki | |
| |
| Profile | |
| Country | Japan |
| Birthday | June 10, 1958 |
| Job | Game producer |
Yu Suzuki (鈴木 裕, Suzuki Yū) is a Japanese game designer. As director of Sega's AM2 development group, he produced several successful games, including Space Harrier, Hang On, OutRun, Afterburner, Virtua Racing, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Cop, Ferrari F355 Challenge, and Shenmue.
Overview
He spent most of his career with Sega, particularly the Sega AM2 division. Often referred to as Sega's answer to Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, he has been responsible for the creation of many of Sega's most important games.
During the mid-to-late-1980s, he created Super Scaler arcade games that popularized pseudo-3D gaming with sprite-scaling graphics as well as motion-controlled arcade cabinets, including racing video games such as Hang-On, Out Run and Power Drift as well as third-person rail shooters such as Space Harrier and After Burner. During the early-mid-1990s, he created Sega Model arcade games that popularized and advanced polygonal 3D graphics and gameplay, including Virtua Racing, the Virtua Fighter series of fighting games, the texture-filtered racing game Daytona USA, and the Virtua Cop series of light gun shooters.
In the late 1990s, he created the racing simulation F355 Challenge, and the critically acclaimed Shenmue series for the Dreamcast, which was a major step forward for 3D open world gameplay. During the early-mid-2000s, he create several more arcade hits such as Virtua Fighter 4 and OutRun 2 while working on experimental titles such as the cancelled touchscreen fighting game Psy-Phi, but has been mostly inactive since then.
Career
Suzuki joined Sega in 1983 as a programmer. His and AM2's efforts culminated into the game Hang-On, released in 1985.
Suzuki and AM2 soon followed with the pseudo-3D third-person shooter game Space Harrier in 1985. The game introduced a true analog flight stick for movement,[1] with the ability to register movement in any direction as well as measure the degree of push, which could move the player character at different speeds depending on how far the stick is pushed in a certain direction.[2] It also featured cockpit-shaped video game arcade cabinet that moved in the direction the player moved the joystick. Its success established Suzuki as the leading arcade game designer at the time.[1]
In 1992, they released the 3D Formula 1 racer Virtua Racing, which was considered the most realistic-looking arcade game on the market at the time of its release.
In 1993, Suzuki created Virtua Fighter, the first 3D fighting game. Next Generation, in 1995, stated Virtua Fighter "epitomizes Suzuki's skill of finding the perfect blend of state-of-the-art technology with solid gameplay".[3] Also in 1993, he debuted the Sega Model 2 with Daytona USA, which featured the use of texture mapping with texture filtering, producing graphics that were, according to IGN, "light-years ahead of anything anyone had seen."[4]
In 1994, he created Virtua Fighter 2, which featured filtered, texture-mapped characters. Suzuki noted that the game's texture-mapping technology was limited to the military and cost millions, which his AM2 team acquired and used to create a much cheaper affordable graphics chip for the Model 2 that could be mass-produced. Virtua Fighter 2 was also known for its character animations, which were produced using motion capture technology that had previously never been used by the game industry.[5] The same year, he created Virtua Cop, which broke new ground by popularizing the use of 3D graphics in shooter games.
Suzuki's Shenmue, released for the [segaretro.org/Sega_Dreamcast Dreamcast] in 1999, gave rise to a new style of 3D open world adventure games.
In 2003, Yu Suzuki, along with Hiroshi Kataoka, produced sequels for OutRun and Virtua Cop, entitled OutRun 2 and Virtua Cop 3, respectively.
He began working on Psy-Phi, a dodgeball-style one-on-one fighting game using touchscreen controls. After a location test in 2005, its full release was cancelled shortly afterwards.
In June 2015, he launched Shenmue III as a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which was successfully funded within eight hours, setting a crowdfunding record. It is set for release in 2018.
Gameography
1980s
| Year | Title | Platform | Genre | Director | Designer | Producer | Other role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Champion Boxing | SG-1000 | Sport (Boxing) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Programmer |
| 1985 | Champion Pro Wrestling | SG-1000 | Sports (Wrestling) | ✔ | — | ✔ | |
| Hang-On | Sega Hang-On | Racing (Motorbike) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Space Harrier | Sega Space Harrier | Rail Shooter (Third-Person Shooter) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Special Thanks | |
| Hang-On | Sega Master System | Racing (Motorbike) | ✔ | — | — | ||
| 1986 | OutRun | Sega OutRun | Racing (Street Racer) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Enduro Racer | Sega Space Harrier | Dirt Racing (Motorbike) | ✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Space Harrier | Sega Master System | Rail Shooter (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | — | — | Special Thanks (as Yu) | |
| 1987 | Super Hang-On | Sega OutRun | Racing (Motorbike) | — | — | ✔ | |
| After Burner | Sega X Board | Flight Sim (Third-Person Rail Shooter) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| After Burner II | Sega X Board | Flight Sim (Third-Person Rail Shooter) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| 1988 | Power Drift | Sega Y Board | Racing (Kart Racer) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Dynamite Dux | Sega System 16 | Beat 'Em Up / Run & Gun Shooter |
— | — | ✔ | ||
| 1989 | Turbo OutRun | Sega OutRun | Racing (Street Racer) |
— | — | ✔ | Special Thanks (as Yu) |
1990s
| Year | Title | Platform | Genre | Director | Designer | Producer | Other role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | G-LOC: Air Battle | Sega Y Board | Flight Sim (Combat Flight Sim) |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| GP Rider | Sega X Board | Racing (Motorbike) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 1991 | Strike Fighter | Sega Y Board | Flight Sim (Combat Flight Sim) |
— | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Rent-A-Hero | Sega Mega Drive | Role-Playing Game (Action RPG) |
— | — | ✔ | ||
| F1 Exhaust Note | Sega System 32 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Soreike Kokology | Sega System 32 | — | — | ✔ | |||
| Sword of Vermilion | Sega Mega Drive | Role-Playing Game | — | ✔ | — | Special Thanks | |
| 1992 | Virtua Racing | Sega Model 1 | Racing | ✔ | — | ✔ | Chief Programmer |
| 1993 | GP Rider | Sega Game Gear | Racing (Motorbike) | — | — | ✔ | |
| F1 Super Lap | Sega System 32 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Fighter | Sega Model 1 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Formula | Sega Model 1 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Burning Rival | Sega System 32 | Fighting (2D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Soreike Kokology 2 | Sega System 32 | — | — | ✔ | |||
| Daytona USA | Sega Model 2 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 1994 | Space Harrier | Sega 32X | Rail Shooter (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | ✔ | — | |
| Virtua Fighter | Sega Saturn | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | Special Thanks | |
| Virtua Fighter 2 | Sega Model 2 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | Supervisor | |
| Desert Tank | Sega Model 2 | Vehicle Combat Sim (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Cop | Sega Model 2 | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | ✔ | ✔ | Supervisor | |
| 1995 | After Burner | Sega 32X | Flight Sim (Third-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | ✔ | — | |
| Daytona USA | Sega Saturn | Racing | — | — | ✔ | Special Thanks | |
| Virtua Fighter | Sega 32X | Fighting (3D) | — | — | — | Special Thanks | |
| Virtua Fighter Remix | Sega ST-V Sega Saturn |
Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Fighter 2 | Sega Saturn | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Striker | Sega Model 2 | Sports (Football) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Fighting Vipers | Sega Model 2 | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Cop | Sega Saturn | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | — | Supervisor, Creator | |
| Virtua Cop 2 | Sega Model 2 | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | ✔ | Supervisor | |
| 1996 | Virtua Fighter 2 | Sega Mega Drive | Fighting (3D) | — | — | — | Supervisor |
| Virtua Cop 2 | Sega Saturn | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | ✔ | Supervisor, Creator | |
| Fighting Vipers | Sega Saturn | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Sonic the Fighters | Sega Model 2 | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Fighter 3 | Sega Model 3 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Fighter Kids | Sega ST-V | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Fighter Kids | Sega Saturn | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | Creator, Special Thanks | |
| Fighters Megamix | Sega Saturn | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Scud Race | Sega Model 3 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | Special Thanks | |
| 1997 | Virtua Cop | PC | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | — | Supervisor |
| Virtua Fighter 2 | PC | Fighting (3D) | — | — | — | Supervisor | |
| Virtua Cop 2 | PC | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | — | Supervisor | |
| Virtua Fighter 3: Team Battle | Sega Model 3 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Striker 2 | Sega Model 3 | Sports (Football) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Digital Dance Mix Vol.1 Namie Amuro | Sega Saturn | Music Game (Rhythm Game) |
— | — | ✔ | ||
| All Japan Pro-Wrestling Featuring Virtua | Sega ST-V Sega Saturn |
Sports (Wrestling) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 1998 | Virtua Cop 1-2 Pack | Sega Saturn | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | — | Creator |
| Virtua Fighter 3: Team Battle | Dreamcast | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | Creator | |
| Fighting Vipers 2 | Sega Model 3 | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Striker 2 '98 | Sega Model 3 | Sports (Football) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Daytona USA 2 | Sega Model 3 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| Daytona USA 2: Power Edition | Sega Model 3 | Racing | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 1999 | Ferrari F355 Challenge | Sega NAOMI Multiboard | Racing (Simulation) | ✔ | — | ✔ | |
| D-2 | Dreamcast | Survival Horror (First-Person Shooter) |
— | — | — | Special Thanks | |
| What's Shenmue | Dreamcast | Action-Adventure (Open World) |
✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Shenmue | Dreamcast | Action-Adventure (Open World) |
✔ | — | ✔ | Writer | |
| Outtrigger | Sega NAOMI | First-Person Shooter / Third-Person Shooter |
— | — | ✔ | ||
| 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker | Sega NAOMI | Racing | — | — | ✔ |
2000s
| Year | Title | Platform | Genre | Director | Designer | Producer | Other role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Virtua Cop 2 | Dreamcast | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | ✔ | Supervisor |
| Ferrari F355 Challenge | Dreamcast | Racing (Simulation) |
✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker | Dreamcast | Racing | — | — | — | Special Thanks | |
| 2001 | Yu Suzuki Game Works Vol. 1 | Dreamcast | Compilation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Fighting Vipers 2 | Dreamcast | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| F355 Challenge 2 | Sega NAOMI Multiboard | Racing (Simulation) | ✔ | — | — | ||
| Shenmue II | Dreamcast | Action-Adventure (Open World) |
✔ | — | ✔ | Writer | |
| Virtua Fighter 4 | Sega NAOMI 2 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | Executive Producer, Executive Director | |
| 2002 | Shenmue II | Xbox | Action-Adventure (Open World) |
✔ | — | ✔ | Executive Producer |
| Virtua Fighter 4 | PS2 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | Executive Director | |
| Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution | Sega NAOMI 2 | Fighting (3D) | ✔ | — | ✔ | ||
| Virtua Cop: Elite Edition | PS2 | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | ✔ | ✔ | Creator, Supervisor | |
| Ferrari F355 Challenge | PS2 | Racing (Simulation) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 2003 | Propeller Arena | Dreamcast (leaked online) |
Flight Sim (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | — | ✔ | Executive Director |
| Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution | PS2 | Fighting (3D) | — | — | — | Executive Director | |
| Devastation | PC | First-Person Shooter | — | — | — | Special Thanks | |
| Virtua Cop 3 | Sega Chihiro | Light Gun Shooter (First-Person Rail Shooter) |
— | — | — | Executive Director, Executive Producer | |
| OutRun 2 | Sega Chihiro | Racing (Street Racer) |
— | — | ✔ | Executive Producer | |
| Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 4: Space Harrier | PS2 | Rail Shooter (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | — | — | Executive Supervisor | |
| 2004 | Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 8: Virtua Racing -FlatOut- | PS2 | Racing | — | — | — | Executive Supervisor |
| Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 10: After Burner II | PS2 | Flight Sim (Third-Person Shooter) |
— | — | — | ||
| Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 13: OutRun | PS2 | Racing (Street Racer) |
— | — | — | ||
| Virtua Fighter 4: Final Tuned | Sega NAOMI 2 | Fighting (3D) | — | — | ✔ | ||
| 2005 | Psy-Phi | Sega Lindbergh | Fighting (Third-Person) |
✔ | — | ✔ | Concept |
| Pure Breed | Cancelled | RPG (MMORPG) |
— | — | — | Concept | |
| 2006 | Shenmue Online | PC (cancelled) | RPG (MMORPG) |
✔ | — | ✔ | |
| 2008 | Sega Race TV | Sega Lindbergh | Racing (Arcade) |
✔ | — | ✔ | Executive Producer |
2010s
| Year | Title | Platform | Genre | Director | Designer | Producer | Other role(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Shenmue City | Mobage | RPG (Social) |
✔ | — | — | |
| Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing | PS3 Xbox 360 Wii DS PC iOS Sega RingWide |
Racing (Kart Racer) |
— | — | — | Creative Officer, Special Thanks | |
| 2011 | Virtua Fighter: Cool Champ | iPhone | Card Battle | ✔ | — | — | |
| 2012 | Shooting Wars | iPhone | ✔ | — | — | ||
| 2013 | Bullet Pirates | Android iPhone |
✔ | — | — | ||
| 2014 | Virtua Fighter Fever Combo | iPhone Android |
Card Battle | ✔ | — | — | |
| 2017 | Shenmue III | 4 PS4 PC |
Action-Adventure (Open World) |
✔ | — | ✔ |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-07-07-space-harrier-retrospective
- ↑ Space Harrier Retrospective (Page 2), IGN
- ↑ http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/virtuafighter/virtuafighter.htm
- ↑ IGN Presents the History of SEGA: Reap What You Sow, IGN
- ↑ http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/228512/Yu_Suzuki_recalls_using_military_tech_to_make_Virtua_Fighter_2.php
External links
| Virtua Fighter Series | |
| Main Series | Virtua Fighter (Remix) • 2 • 3 • 4 (Evolution, Final Tuned) • 5 (R, Final Showdown, Ultimate Showdown) |
| Related Games | Virtua Fighter Animation • Virtua Fighter Kids • Virtua Fighter CG Portrait Series • GG Portrait • Fighters Megamix • Virtua Fighter 10th Anniversary • Virtua Quest |
| Characters | Akira Yuki • Pai Chan • Lau Chan • Wolf Hawkfield • Jeffry McWild • Kage-Maru • Sarah Bryant • Jacky Bryant • Dural • Siba • Shun Di • Lion Rafale • Aoi Umenokoji • Taka‑Arashi • Lei‑Fei • Vanessa Lewis • Brad Burns • Goh Hinogami • Eileen • El Blaze • Jean Kujo |
| Other Media | Virtua Fighter (comic book) • Virtua Fighter (anime) |