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One can't tell the story of AM2 without talking about Yu Suzuki. AM2's star developer is one of the most highly-regarded visionaries in the industry. He joined Sega in 1983 as a programmer and producer, and two years later he created Hang-On, the first simulation arcade game. Hang-On was also the first arcade racing game to feature a fully interactive cabinet, with the player sitting on and controlling a replica motorcycle.
Suzuki has always tried to push the limits of arcade hardware, and was the first to develop a title using the cutting-edge Model 1 arcade board. With the Model 1, Suzuki began his first foray into the world of polygons, and the result was Virtua Racing. This F1 racing simulator was completely rendered in 3D, and allowed players to experience the action from four different camera angles.
Suzuki's next Model 1 masterpiece was the acclaimed Virtua Fighter. It was the very first 3D fighting game, and featured what is considered to be one of the deepest fighting engines ever. Virtua Fighter's impact was such that it is housed in the Smithsonian Institution's Permanent Research Collection on Information Technology Innovation.
In 2000, Yu Suzuki released Shenmue, his first title for a home console. Five years in the making, Shenmue features a sweeping story, multiple gameplay elements, and an unprecedented level of detail. Shenmue also marks the start of a new genre, dubbed by Suzuki as FREE, or Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment.
While Suzuki's games are the most prominent, they are not the only games AM2 has produced. The group has rocked arcades with titles like Daytona USA, Virtua Cop, Virtua Striker, and Fighting Vipers. AM2 is also responsible for Dreamcast versions of their arcade hits Outtrigger and 18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker.
2002 saw the release of perhaps AM2's most hotly-anticipated title -- Virtua Fighter 4. The fourth version of the fighting legend not only dominated arcades, but was a huge success on the home front thanks to an excellent PlayStation 2 version.
Software Highlights from Credited Titles
Yu Suzuki 's first video game work that SPOnG is aware of is the 1985 title, "Hang On" (Arcade) as Executive Producer. Of the titles listing Yu within the credits , "Virtua Fighter 3tb" (Dreamcast), "Shenmue 2" (Dreamcast), "Shenmue" (Dreamcast), "18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker" (Dreamcast), "Daytona USA 2001" (Dreamcast) has been a best selling title.
Yu's most recent involvement was as Executive Producer on the 2003 release "Virtua Fighter 4 Evolution" (PS2).
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