Shenmue developer Ys Internet has threatened authorized motion over a widely-circulated video designed to appear like leaked footage of Shenmue 4.
The footage popped up on social media final week and was promptly shared by quite a few web sites, even as questions relating to the video’s origins and authenticity swirled.
Now, Ys Internet has launched a statement to affirm that the footage “has completely no connection” to itself and makes use of the firm’s emblem with out permission. Moreover, Ys Internet claimed that such acts “might quantity to trademark infringement and unfair competitors” and subsequently it was now getting ready “acceptable measures” and exploring authorized choices.
Breaking Information ‼️
A trailer for Shenmue IV seems to have been leaked from Sega. It isn’t but verified by Sega but it surely appears to be actual. pic.twitter.com/GMOlFFgCuw
— SuperSisi (@SuperSisi) December 5, 2025
Whereas some followers took the prolonged “Shenmue 4” clip as too elaborate to be faux, others pointed to a handful of wonky animation results and its fan-baiting story to recommend it was an elaborate creation made by a fan utilizing generative AI.
Simply final month, IGN reported on the more and more convincing AI-generated GTA 6 “leaks” which are racking up hundreds of thousands of views on social media, as many customers merely take what they see at face worth.
Whereas generative AI and deepfake expertise are nothing new, the previous few months have seen a recent technology of instruments such as Sora 2 and Google’s Nano Banana Professional pump out generated content material that is now more and more troublesome to distinguish from the actual factor. Final week’s Shenmue 4 video is, seemingly, one more instance of this.
“Ys Internet Inc. has confirmed {that a} video has been posted on social media which makes use of our firm emblem with out permission, falsely giving the impression that it’s an an official ‘Shenmue 4’ associated video produced by us,” the firm wrote. “This video has completely no connection to Ys Internet. Moreover, presently, Ys Internet has not launched any trailers, footage or different promotional supplies associated to ‘Shenmue 4.’
“We acknowledge that the unauthorized use of our emblem, and any act that misleads viewers into believing such content material is official, constitutes a critical points which will quantity to trademark infringement and unfair competitors. W are at present working with related events and getting ready acceptable measures, together with potential authorized motion.
“We sincerely apologize to our followers and all associated events for any confusion this will have triggered. We are going to proceed to guarantee the correct and correct dissemination of data, and we ask on your understanding and cooperation.”
As of now, it is unknown if a fourth main Shenmue recreation will ever get made, although the franchise’s hardcore fanbase definitely hope it will definitely occurs. Final 12 months, a bunch of followers paid to briefly hire a billboard in New York’s Occasions Sq. to spotlight their hopes for a Shenmue 4. Alas, it is unknown if the stunt had a lot affect.
Presently, Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki is engaged on an enhanced model of Shenmue 3, which wll see the 2019 motion journey launch on new platforms with new options and enhanced visuals. Suzuki advised IGN in 2023 that he needs to create a fourth recreation ultimately however, following the poor vital reception of the third recreation, would look to make it extra accessible to new followers.
“Rejoining Ryo Hazuki’s quest to avenge his father is thrilling, however Shenmue 3 appears like a recreation that has ignored the innovation and progress of the final 20 years of online game growth,” IGN wrote in our Shenmue 3 evaluation, scoring the recreation 5/10.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You’ll be able to attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky (*4*)