During a Q&A session at GDC Yu Suzuki, creator of the critically acclaimed Shenmue series, was candidly asked by an audience member “when will Shenmue 3 be released?” Suzuki responded “Well, I want to make it,” he continued “about 200 people will buy it, I think. But funding is an issue.” He then went on to discuss the conception and financing of the original Shenmue, citing the $70 million cost of the title that SEGA tout as an embellishment and joking it was “only $47 million… Well, maybe I shouldn’t say only.” Getting back on topic he stated “probably Sega will let me make it. I think. It’s simply a problem of budget.”
Thanks to Gamasutra for the info.