Yu Suzuki has released a thank you message, ahead of Shenmue III‘s launch.

Thanking fans for their “enduring support these 18 years since Shenmue II”, Yu also hoped that fans would introduce others to the series. “It would make me happy if even one more person somewhere in the world finds out what makes Shenmue, Shenmue.”

It has not been all smooth sailing. While the project became the most funded game in Kicktarter’s history, the game suffered numerous delays. It also gained backlash after it was announced its PC release would be exclusive to the Epic Games Store, and that backers would not get pre-order content.

Shenmue III is launches November 19th for Windows PC (via the Epic Games Store), and PlayStation 4.