Shen Mue delayed

[10.01.99] » Gamers, forklift operators sigh as Santa Yuzuki's gift misses 20th century.

   In a move surprising everyone living in the oxygen- and media-deprived mountain heights of Shangri La, Shen Mue has once again been delayed. The first clues that Shen Mue would be delayed from its announced October 28th release date surfaced in the form of a missing playable demo at the recent Tokyo Game Show. That absence was joined by Sega of Japan's recent media push for the extra, non-game "Shen Mue Passport" omake disc. The GIA's Magic 8-ball says, "Signs point to delay." Sources in Japan have confirmed with an official announcement of the delay.

   Instead of October 28th, Shen Mue is now expected to arrive sometime in the Spring of 2000. As the keystone title in Sega's forthcoming Japanese lineup, missing the critical Christmas season may very well spell disaster.

   As one of Sega's marquee Dreamcast titles, Shen Mue, if ever released, is set to revolutionize the way gamers everywhere view forklift operation. GIA spoke to the man on the street about Yu Suzuki's forthcoming blue-collar masterpiece. "While I am looking forward to the game, I don't feel that the forklift driving in Shen Mue really displays the amount of skill that is required to drive one," said 7th-dan black belt forklift operator Dave Zdyrko. "There's nothing more exciting and dangerous than driving a forklift," he added, deftly moving a box of biohazardous waste from one side of the room to the other. Drew Cosner offered another opinion. "I wish you could drive an ice cream truck for money," he opined. "Forklifts suck." We tossed Drew a copy of Ice Cream Truck Driver, quickly placating him.

   Yu Suzuki, the children of the 21st century await your gift! Why must you taunt us with your shifting release dates? We await your fully reactive entertainment with open eyes!