British novelty politician Count Binface has directed a public appeal to Sega, urging the company to provide an update on the development of Shenmue 4. The satirical candidate, known for his distinctive trash can helmet and unconventional policy proposals, suggested that the UK government might nationalize Sega if progress on the game remains stagnant.
Count Binface, whose real name is Jonathan David Harvey, is a candidate in UK elections and recently faced off against Nigel Farage. Despite his political commitments, he has taken time to address the concerns of Shenmue fans, expressing their desire for news on the sequel.
"I need to say a galactic 'hello' to Sega on behalf of the Shenmue fans," Count Binface stated in a clip. "Now, I'm not just saying 'hello,' Sega. I've got a little bone to pick with you, because the fans would like to campaign for an update from you, Sega, about Shenmue 4."
He highlighted the unresolved cliffhanger from Shenmue 3 and mused about the potential nationalization of Sega, drawing a parallel with his past proposal to nationalize the singer Adele. "What do you say? Shall we harness the power of the Shenmue to ensure that there is no delay with updates ever again?" he questioned, also reminiscing about rebooting Sega World in London's Trocadero and bringing back classic Sonic the Hedgehog.
This is not the first time Count Binface has shown an interest in London's Trocadero; his 2021 mayoral manifesto included plans to restore it as a "truly top-notch video arcade." However, the video message regarding Sega was shared by the Shenmue Dojo fan site and has not appeared on Count Binface's official social media, leading to speculation that it may have been an "op," possibly related to his Cameo page where he offers personalized video messages.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the political maneuver, Count Binface is voicing a sentiment shared by many. Shenmue 3 was released seven years ago, concluding on a cliffhanger. While a purported Shenmue 4 trailer surfaced in 2025, it was later revealed to be fake, and no official development news has emerged since. While an edict from Count Binface is unlikely to guarantee an update, his intervention adds a peculiar but vocal element to the ongoing fan campaign for Shenmue 4.