In this series we translate Shenmue content from Weekly AM2, the official online magazine published by Sega's AM2 development team back in the day. These pages regularly featured news and information about the Shenmue series from the end of 1999 through to 2001 with the release of Shenmue II.
Vol. 11 celebrates various awards won by Shenmue in Dreamcast Magazine, including Best Game and Best Scenario. The Shenmue Original Sound Track double CD goes on sale, and a third "wallpaper" image is made available for download.
- Shenmue receives the Dreamcast Magazine Best Game Award!
- Announcement of a live performance by Mr. Mitsuyoshi!
- Shenmue Chapter 1: Yokosuka Original Sound Track set for release!
- [omitted] Exclusive stories about Out Trigger!
- Shenmue Wallpaper Download Service: Wallpaper #3
- Shenmue illustrations wanted
Shenmue Wins Dreamcast Magazine Best Game Award!
Shenmue secures the Best Game Award at the inaugural Dreamcast Magazine Grand Prix, emerging as the overall winner. The Dreamcast Magazine Grand Prix, organized by Dreamcast Magazine, determines the top Dreamcast titles released from November 27, 1998, to December 31, 1999, through reader votes.
Competing against 127 nominated titles across ten categories, Shenmue stood out, achieving excellent results in various sections and ultimately clinching the Grand Prize with a lead of more than double the points compared to the runner-up.
In celebration of this Best Game Award victory, Shenmue Game Director, Mr. Okayasu, shares a comment below. So without further ado...
Hello, everyone. I'm Okayasu, the game director for Shenmue. We've just received the Best Game Award at the Dreamcast Magazine Grand Prix. Thank you very much.
This award is especially meaningful to us as it's chosen by readers' votes. The entire staff is thrilled about it. Shenmue involved many new experiments during development, and it was a product of trial and error. Consequently, we were very curious about how users would perceive it, whether they would like it, and if they would be satisfied.
Receiving this kind of recognition is truly valuable for us, and it boosts our confidence for the future. Encouraged by this award, the Shenmue team and AM2 will strive to create even more interesting and amazing things. Thank you for your continued support.
Keiji Okayasu
Shenmue Game Director
22nd February, 2000
Previously worked on titles such as the Saturn version of Virtua Fighter 2. Rumors are circulating that he is already working on the next installment of Shenmue. Also actively involved in the creation of the Dreamcast version of Rent a Hero.
Shenmue Award Achievements:
- Best Game Award: 1st place
- Best Graphics Award: 2nd place
- Best Scenario Award: 1st place
- Best Music Award: 2nd place
- Best Network Utilization Award: 3rd place
- Best VMU Utilization Award: 6th place
- Best Character Award: 4th place (Nozomi Harasaki), 5th place (Ryo Hazuki), 16th place (Shenhua Ling)
- Best Package Art Award: 3rd place
- 1999 Major News Award: 1st place
These outstanding achievements were made possible thanks to all of your support. Thank you very much. Please continue to support Shenmue in the future!
Live Performance by Mitsuyoshi Confirmed!
When it comes to arcade shows, the customary finale is the annual live performance by the legendary Mitsuyoshi! He will, of course, be singing at the AOU2000 event too!
Mitsuyoshi, an iconic figure in the world of game sound, is known for composing one soundtrack after another for AM2 hit games such as Daytona USA and Virtua Fighter. This is a rare opportunity to hear his live performance, so you won't want to miss it. Mitsuyoshi's appearance is scheduled for around 16:30 to 17:00. The location, naturally, will be the Sega booth!
AOU2000 Amusement Expo
Date: February 26, 2000 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Makuhari Messe, Japan Convention Center, Halls 1, 2, 3
Admission Fee: Adults 1,500 yen, Elementary/Middle/High School Students 1,000 yen
Shenmue Chapter 1: Yokosuka Original Sound Track Release Confirmed
The long-awaited Shenmue Original Sound Track is finally being released! And it comes in a two-disc set! Selected from around 200 in-game songs, the soundtrack focuses on songs used in various events . The album features a total of 39 tracks, all sourced from the original high-quality music recordings, including 'A New Journey,' composed during the early stages of the game's development.
Now you can hold the sounds from numerous unforgettable scenes. Who knows, listening to this CD might even boost your productivity while studying or working!
Relive the excitement...
Product: Shenmue Chapter 1: Yokosuka Original Sound Track
Release Date: March 23rd, 2000
Distributor: Toshiba EMI
Catalog Number: TYCY-10034～5 (2-disc set)
Price: ¥3,200 (including tax)
First Press Limited Edition Bonus: Film frame cutout from the theatrical promo trailer
"Each track holds a special place in my heart, and they are all tunes that I personally cherish".
- From the liner notes by Yu Suzuki, Shenmue Director and Executive Producer
Disc One:
- Shenmue ~Sedge Tree~ / Original Version
- Shenhua ~Sedge Flower~ / Original Version
- Departure on a New Journey / Original Version
- A Predestined Encounter
- Christmas on Dobuita Street
- The Sadness I Carry on My Shoulders
- Cherry Blossom Wind Dance
- Nozomi's Confession
- Nozomi and Ryo
- Rain
- Daily Agony
- Parting Tears
- Sadness and Hope
- Dawn
- Setting Off
- Antiquity Tree
- Flower Girl
- Departure on a New Journey / Arranged by Y. Koshiro
- Shenmue ~Sedge Tree~ / Arranged by Y. Koshiro
- Shenhua ~Sedge Flower~ / Arranged by Y. Koshiro
Disc Two:
- Snowy Scenery
- Snowy Scenery ver.2
- Separated From Yokosuka
- Departure For Hope
- To Fly Vacantly, Like An Eagle
- Memories of Distant Days
- Memories of Distant Days ver.2
- The Place Where the Sun Sets
- The Place Where the Sun Sets ver.2
- Working Man
- Snack Linda Theme
- A Technique Passed Down
- Hip De Hop
- Revenge of a Sailor
- Nightmare
- Secret of a Warehouse
- Earth and Sea
- Wish...
- Wish... / Karaoke
* Note from Switch: these names above attempt to match the official English naming for tracks that were released online as part of the Shenmue I & II Sound Collection where possible.
Shenmue Wallpaper Download Service: Wallpaper #3
This time, the wallpaper feature Ryo and Nozomi. This image was especially created for the cover of the Dreamcast Magazine's Best Game Award-winning issue. The powerful expression of Ryo and the gentle look of Nozomi make for a fantastic wallpaper.
Note: This service is available only for use on computers. It cannot be accessed from Dreamcast or i-mode. Thank you for your understanding.
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| This week's wallpaper image |
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| The same image appeared on the cover of the Dreamcast Magazine (3rd March 2000 edition) |
Shenmue Illustrations Wanted
We are seeking illustrations for Shenmue. Outstanding works will be featured in Weekly AM2. We eagerly await heartfelt masterpieces from all the Shenmue fans.
Submission Guidelines
- For image data:
Please email the image data to webmaster@shenmue.com. Include your name, address, and phone number in the email. We accept formats: JPG, GIF, PSD, and the file size should not exceed 1MB.
(For those without email, you can send the data on a floppy disk or MO to the handwritten address mentioned below.)
- Handwritten submissions:
Clearly write your name, address, and phone number. Enclose your artwork and send it to the following address:
AM2 Department, Illustration Section
Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
1-2-12 Haneda, Ota-ku, Tokyo 144-8531
Note: Submitted documents and artworks will not be returned. Thank you for your understanding.
Source: archived page (Japanese)
Translated Weekly AM2 Series Archives on Phantom River Stone
2000
1999
I'm very surprised that Shenmue didn't win the first place for graphisms . Do you know which title won?
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting point! First place in the graphics category went to the fighting game SoulCalibur.
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