Yu Suzuki

Developer BIO

One can't tell the story of AM2 without talking about Yu Suzuki. AM2's star developer is one of the most highly-regarded visionaries in the industry. He joined Sega in 1983 as a programmer and producer, and two years later he created Hang-On, the first simulation arcade game. Hang-On was also the first arcade racing game to feature a fully interactive cabinet, with the player sitting on and controlling a replica motorcycle.

Suzuki has always tried to push the limits of arcade hardware, and was the first to develop a title using the cutting-edge Model 1 arcade board. With the Model 1, Suzuki began his first foray into the world of polygons, and the result was Virtua Racing. This F1 racing simulator was completely rendered in 3D, and allowed players to experience the action from four different camera angles.

Suzuki's next Model 1 masterpiece was the acclaimed Virtua Fighter. It was the very first 3D fighting game, and featured what is considered to be one of the deepest fighting engines ever. Virtua Fighter’s impact was such that it is housed in the Smithsonian Institution's Permanent Research Collection on Information Technology Innovation.

In 2000, Yu Suzuki released Shenmue, his first title for a home console. Five years in the making, Shenmue features a sweeping story, multiple gameplay elements, and an unprecedented level of detail. Shenmue also marks the start of a new genre, dubbed by Suzuki as FREE, or Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment.

Source: Selected articles from AM2 Official Website

http://www.sega.com/segascream/developers/post_amprofiles.jhtml?article=dev_am2

Websites

• Interview: Suzuki and Wright -- June 2002

Games Credited

Devastation (2003), HD Interactive
F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa (2002), Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd.
Virtua Fighter 4 (2002), SEGA Corporation
Eighteen Wheeler: American Pro Trucker (2001), SEGA of America, Inc.
Shenmue II (2001), SEGA Corporation
D-2 (1999), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Shenmue (1999), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Fighters Megamix (1997), SEGA of America, Inc.
Virtua Cop 2 (1996), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Daytona USA (1995), SEGA Europe Ltd.
Virtua Cop (1995), SEGA Enterprises Ltd.
Virtua Fighter (1995), SEGA of America, Inc.
Virtua Fighter 2 (1995), SEGA of America, Inc.