While I jumped in and donated to the Shenmue 3 KickStarter right when it was announced, the whole thing just left me with more questions. I think a lot of fans right now are just so excited (like myself) that most forgot to question some of the aspects of the campaign. I see lots of gaming journalist assuming lots of things, but let’s get some facts out of the way. While the gaming press is discussing Sony stating that they are giving Shenmue 3 ‘some funding‘, we don’t know who the publisher is going to be… till now at least.
We know that the PC version (which is getting a physical release) will be published by Shibuya Productions. That would mean that SEGA will not be publishing that version of the game, sadly. They did say that SEGA and Yu Suzuki have a good relationship, so much so that they are allowing Yu Suzuki to use all the elements he needs from the first two games to complete Shenmue 3.
One of the new gameplay systems that the Kickstarter is promoting is the use of scrolls, while the older games had them to learn moves it seems that Shenmue 3 is set to expand on that. Skill scrolls are still part of the fighting system but will also unlock mini-games, gambling and other side quests.
It has also been confirmed that Shenmue 3 will take place right after Shenmue 2‘s cliff hanger. Cédric Biscay has been confirmed to be in charge of the PC version.
[Source: NeoGAF]
Ad:Related posts:
Shenmue 3’s Kickstarter has been funded
Yu Suzuki will be on Reddit tomorrow answering all fan questions
Yu Suzuki’s Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Twitch Q&A: Looking into adding physical PS4 copies
Yu Suzuki’s Twitter Q&A: Check out our complete transcript
New Shenmue III trailer, less than 72 hours left in the campaign!
Thx george these are tve articles we need. We are on our way to 3.1 mil. And sony also confirmed its funding the game.
I do have a bit of a problem with the way Sony is approaching this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great that they’re supporting this, but they need to be transparent about how exactly they’re helping. Right now, the Kickstarter is not mentioning Sony’s involvement. In fact, the FAQ doesn’t exclude the possibility of the game being released on Xbox One or Wii U. And that’s odd. Sony must be getting something in return for their help.
I’ve seen some people state they they cancelled their pledge after learning from Sony’s funding, because they feel like the Kickstarter is just a marketing campaign, and that the “real” funding will be provided by Sony. I can certainly understand that. If Ys Net already know that they’ll be getting additional funding outside of Kickstarter, then they need to inform the backers. As long as they’re transparent about it, there’s no problem. That way there aren’t any unwelcome surprises later on. But right now, it doesn’t feel like they’re telling us everything we need to know.
Exactly what I was thinking. As usual, Sony being deceptive and secretive about things to try to generate hype or money in their favor and not being honest with people. It saddens me that one of my favorite game franchises has gotten tied up with these shady characters at Sony in any major way.
Why would they need to reveal their involvement again? Learning from Sony’s funding? It was announced on their E3 Conference, on stage, in front of the world. Of course they are involved, and are going to fund the game, get something out of it? that’s usually how it works, unless you want to give back all your pledge rewards after the funding end.
You ask why they need to reveal their involvement. I ask why they’re trying to hide it. Why is Sony not mentioned at all on the Kickstarter page? Yet we have several Sony representatives proudly proclaiming their involvement (although they’re reluctant to admit the financial involvement). Meanwhile Yu is staying quiet on the deal he made with Sony. Why the secrecy? I imagine they’re not comfortable talking about it because they want people to continue pledging towards the stretch goals. Because if Sony were to say “hey guys, we’re funding this game for $10 million”, then it ridicules the efforts from the backers and it can cause a lot of people to pull their pledge, because they feel their money wasn’t really needed as much as they were led to believe.
I can understand that some people don’t see a problem with this. But if you think what Kickstarter is meant for, then turning it into a preorder page to measure the popularity of a franchise is a very questionable thing to do. I don’t want to be negative about this, but someone needs to point this out. For a Kickstarter, transparency towards your backers is really important and leaving out “details” like this is not how you gain the trust from your community.
A lot of people have a lot of different ideas about what Kickstarter is meant for. All that really matters is that this fits within the Kickstarter terms of service. Anything beyond that is a matter of opinion.
As long as they dont include micro transactions for capsules im fine. I dont want the dlc problem in this one
The video has been taking down but Suzuki said also this about Sega:
“The relationship with Sega is still strong, as I work as an advisor”
People just love to complain. That kickstarter was necessary. It was the onlynway to prove
So will it be a Sega game at all? If not then all the cool Sega stuff like the capsule collectables and arcade classics will not be in it all, does Sega have any involvement at all?
Personally I just want the best game possible, the more money the better. If Kickstarter gets 6m, Sony gives 10m, SEGA allows their IP and various deals are struck with companies like Pepsi for vending machines then that’s great. If Sony revealed they were in for 10m now then people may be more reluctant to donate. Also kickstarter may be marketing. But for me as someone who has wanted Shenmue for 14 years it will be great to feel a little closer to the dev!
F U SEGA
Keep people waiting for 14 years
AND NOT POSTING ABOUT IT ON YOUR PAGES?
To help fans push the KS campaign?
WTFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Sega has nothing to do with the game, best get used to it, everyone.
Regardless, I couldn’t care less. Even if they have to replace the capsule toys with Playstation characters I wouldn’t care (though it’d be a bummer) I just am glad the game’s finally coming. I purchased a copy of the game and haven’t the slightest clue who’s funding the rest of it but I couldn’t care less.
Game’s coming, donate to the Kickstarter. People are removing their pledges? That’s ridiculous.
Oh and from the KS page;
“Q:Can you make an open world game for just $2 million?
A: No, we cannot make an open world game for $2 million. Shenmue will be produced using both the funds raised from the Kickstarter and through other funding sources already secured by Ys Net Inc. We are very sorry, but due to contractual obligations, details of outside investments will not be disclosed. “
MOO MOO COW.tm & all rights reserved.
3.2 mil is getting official. Now we get to expand the levels.
I imagine their involvement is probably much like a bank funding a business startup – usually they will say “We will give you X, but you must provide Y and Z yourself”.
Of course, shenmue is a very high risk game. I’d imagine Shibuya and Awesome-JApan are also funding the game.