YS Net has issued a formal statement clarifying that a widely shared video claiming to showcase Shenmue 4 is entirely unofficial and uses the studio’s branding without permission. The four-minute clip appeared online recently and quickly ignited speculation among fans, but the developer has now confirmed that the footage has no connection to any ongoing or future Shenmue project. The studio stressed that it has not released any trailers, gameplay materials, or promotional assets for a fourth installment.
In its message on X, the company stated that the video falsely presented itself as an official Shenmue 4 production and that its use of the YS Net logo was unauthorized. The statement continued, “This video has absolutely no connection to YS NET. Furthermore, at this time, YS NET has not released any trailers, footage, or other promotional materials related to Shenmue 4.” The studio described the misuse of its branding as a serious concern that could constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition. YS Net added that it is preparing appropriate measures, including potential legal action, and apologized to fans for any confusion caused by the situation.
The video in question appeared to depict protagonist Ryo Hazuki participating in activities reminiscent of Shenmue III, including dishwashing, arcade minigames, and cooperative combat sequences. A title card at the end claimed a 2026 release for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Although the clip initially sparked debate, viewers soon identified telltale inconsistencies such as background warping and irregular character details, signs often associated with AI-generated footage or elaborate fan creations. These discrepancies led most of the community to conclude that the video was not authentic even before YS Net’s clarification.
Shenmue remains one of the medium’s most distinctive action-adventure series. Created by Yu Suzuki, the franchise pioneered large-scale real-time simulation and the Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment system, establishing a model for open-world design. The series follows Ryo Hazuki’s pursuit of answers after his father’s death, beginning with the original Dreamcast release in 1999. While the early titles struggled commercially, the property developed a passionate following that eventually drove the crowdfunding of Shenmue III in 2019 for PlayStation 4 and PC.
With YS Net now formally debunking the video, the studio has made clear that any future updates regarding Shenmue 4 will come directly from official channels. The team reaffirmed its commitment to transparent communication and asked fans for continued understanding as it addresses the unauthorized use of its intellectual property.
