In line with the release of Shibuya Productions' "Shenmue 3" later this year, it is revealed that the title's director Keiji Okayasu has returned to work on it once more.

Okayasu has become part of the title's developing team, Kickstarter has learned. As per the publication, the game director has been attached from the initial phases of development of the forthcoming action-adventure game, following his works on the game's predecessor "Shenmue 2." Okayasu reportedly left the title's second installment when it was 70 percent complete.

It is further revealed that Okayasu was tapped by "Shenmue" creator Yu Suzuki to work on the forthcoming title, while the former was serving as a head of a minor Japanese development firm.

In a statement, as cited by Game Spot, Okayasu said that he had just recently joined the team and he thought that he would be another fan waiting excitedly for its release. But then, he got to once again be part of the team.

For the game producer and director, he wanted to help finish the game and do it for the fans' satisfaction, adding that the goal is to make the title interesting for games who had played its predecessors, as well as to those who would be experiencing "Shenmue" for the first time.

According to Game Rant, "Shenmue 3" was a surprise reveal at Sony's press conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3 205 event. As per the publication, it was unexpected, as its predecessor was released 14 years ago, despite overflowing support from fans.

Shibuya Productions' "Shenmue" is set to be released in December 2017.