Count Binface Is Making A Campaign Promise That Every Sega Fan Can Get Behind

Count Binface, a British novelty politician known for wearing a trash can on his head while running in elections, has made an unconventional campaign promise: convincing Sega to produce Shenmue 4 and reopen the West End Arcade. Running as an independent candidate for the Clacton Member of Parliament seat against Reform UK’s Nigel Farage, Binface shared a video addressing Sega fans directly, stating: “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. They can’t leave you guys on another cliffhanger for years.”

The candidate humorously suggested that if Sega doesn’t comply, the UK government might nationalize the company—fitting with his signature style of absurdist platform promises including banning loud snacks from movie theaters and capping croissant prices at £1.

Shenmue fans have been waiting years for news on the franchise’s future. Shenmue 3 was released in 2019 following a successful Kickstarter campaign and support from publisher Deep Silver. The game ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the narrative unresolved and fans eager for a continuation. While Binface’s campaign promise is likely made in jest, it has generated attention from the gaming community, giving voice to long-standing fan demands for series progression. Despite his novelty status, Binface has become more prominent than ever, now positioned as a visible challenger to a major political figure during the UK’s election season.

Sources

• Count Binface Is Making A Campaign Promise That Every Sega Fan Can Get Behind
• Shenmue Fans Get Count Binface — a Man Dressed as a Trash Can Who’s Going Up Against Nigel Farage in a UK Election — to Call on Sega to Make Shenmue 4
• Count Binface threatens to nationalize Sega if it doesn’t come across with a Shenmue 4 update
• A British joke political candidate is calling for Sega to release the next game in a legendary series