A whirlwind of speculation has engulfed the gaming community with the release of a video purportedly showcasing Shenmue 4. What seemed to be a leaked teaser quickly gained traction on social media, but its authenticity remains hotly contested. The video, adorned with the official logo of Ys Net, has prompted a stern response from the developer, raising questions about the origins of the footage and the implications of its circulation.
Controversy Surrounding Alleged Shenmue 4 Footage
The enigmatic video emerged on social platforms, captivating audiences and spawning widespread debate. Though some viewers regarded the clip as too polished to dismiss, others cited dubious animation quirks as evidence of a fan-made creation, possibly orchestrated with advanced generative AI tools. In response, Ys Net issued a statement affirming that the footage is “absolutely no connection” to the company and that the unauthorized use of its logo could constitute trademark infringement. Legal steps, as the company declared, are under consideration.
Breaking News ‼️
A trailer for Shenmue IV appears to have been leaked from Sega. It is not yet verified by Sega but it seems to be real. pic.twitter.com/GMOlFFgCuw
— SuperSisi (@SuperSisi) December 5, 2025
The Role of AI in Gaming Hoaxes
Generative AI and deepfake advancements have blurred the lines between reality and fabrication in gaming media. Reports suggest that similar AI-generated content, like the notorious “GTA 6 leaks”, continue to amass views due to their convincing nature. This trend underscores the challenges faced by both developers and fans in discerning authentic content from sophisticated fabrications. Last week’s Shenmue 4 video serves as the latest instance of this phenomenon, highlighting the escalating sophistication of AI-generated media.
“Ys Net Inc. has confirmed that a video has been posted on social media which uses our company logo without permission, falsely giving the impression that it is an official ‘Shenmue 4’ related video produced by us,” the company wrote. “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.’
We recognize that the unauthorized use of our logo, and any act that misleads viewers into believing such content is official, constitutes a serious issues that may amount to trademark infringement and unfair competition. We are currently working with relevant parties and preparing appropriate measures, including potential legal action.
We sincerely apologize to our fans and all related parties for any confusion this may have caused. We will continue to ensure the proper and accurate dissemination of information, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.”
While the future of a fourth installment in the Shenmue series remains uncertain, dedicated fans continue to express their desire for its development. Last year, a passionate group even rented a billboard in Times Square, New York, to campaign for Shenmue 4. Meanwhile, series creator Yu Suzuki is focused on enhancing Shenmue 3, aiming to bring the 2019 action-adventure to new platforms with modern upgrades. Suzuki has expressed a desire to eventually develop Shenmue 4, with hopes of making it more accessible to new audiences.
“Rejoining Ryo Hazuki’s quest to avenge his father is exciting, but Shenmue 3 feels like a game that has ignored the innovation and progress of the last 20 years of video game development,” according to a review, scoring the game 5/10.