[quote name='whoknows']Well the gangsta theme may be big in Japan, but it obviously isn't selling that well in the U.S.
And even if the games are put out every year doesn't mean they're rush jobs. They're quality every time. I personally just find the stories in the Yakuza games more interesting just because they're more involved.[/QUOTE]
True, the Japanese gangsta theme is big in Japan and not in the U.S. (U.S. has its own mass appeal gansta theme games in the form of GTA and its clones). Too bad Shenmue did not enjoy the same success over in Japan compares to Yakuza and it probably sold as many copies as Yakuza here in the State. So for Sega to compare which one will bring them more revenue, the choice is obvious.
Yakuza games are no where near unpolished compares to other annually released junky games, not by a long shot. However, that still doesn't hide the fact that the creator of Yakuza isn't as capable as Yu Suzuki in bringing the players into the game. Of course, that's just me and some of the Shenmue fans' opinion. The masses will think Yakuza's better based on the theme and environment/story the games are based on. In a discussion or argument, the mass apeal games always win because the majority favor them.
It's like another popular genre, action hack n slash, the mass marketed God of War series always takes crown but I for one doesn't fine it that fun and much prefer the technical gameplay and fast action of Ninja Gaiden series. Is God of War a bad game? No way, but my preference goes to Ninja Gaiden hands down. Natually, the majority disagree also because God of War series has mass appeal.
Same could be said about Dreamcast vs PS2. DC lost to PS2 based on mass appeal because DVD players were hitting the market and PS2 has that built-in, plus Sony's marketing power/$$$ was much greater than Sega's. Were games on DC sucked compares to PS2? Heck no and in fact, multiplatform games were actaully better on DC and it had much more original and unique games. We all know what happened to DC in the end. Mass appeal always win. The reality is often times, the niche market things are better than the mass market. Unfortunely, the masses would never know.