The game director of Shenmue 1, Keiji Okayasu, has joined the production team of the upcoming, long-awaited Shenmue 3. Okayasu was also sub-director of Shenmue 2.

The announcement was made in the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter, which has raised over $6.3 million thanks to almost 70k backers. “What I personally want to stress for my part, is what makes Shenmue, Shenmue. The game has an utterly unique atmosphere, and I want that all to be breathed in,” stated Okayasu. “As you play along, you feel the ambiance, the milieu, from place to place, getting that full sensory experience.”

The third Shenmue is supposed to release in December 2017 on PS4 and PC, but it’s still early in development.