It seems there’s still a glimmer of hope for Shenmue fans. Speaking at a GDC 2011 session today, franchise creator Yu Suzuki said Sega would ‘probably’ let him make a third installment, further stating that the prospect is “simply a problem of budget,” according to a Gamasutra report.

Budget concerns indeed. The original Shenmue — part of a planned trilogy, released on Dreamcast in 1999, still stands as one of gaming’s most expensive productions.

Suzuki stepped down as R&D creative officer of Sega’s AM Plus division in 2009, taking on a more managerial position.

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