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[C.Dark.DN]

Sounds pretty much like SFV, sans Kickstarter. I wonder if Sega is also supplying funds.
Pretty ironic to see Shenmue 3 having a high chance becoming a reality, while Mega Man Legends 3 died a dogs death.

kick starter plserino

 

[oldergamer]

Did the original game have a lot of QuickTime events? Just thinking how that wouldn't translate well to today.

 

[Pseudo judo]

yes! Yu Suzuki you sly! you should have continued to try to find a new publisher after 14 years instead of taking Sony's evil deal! Where is your integrity! What about those poor shenmue fans who only had a Xbox One and cant buy a PS4 or play it on PC for religious reasons...

What a stupid post.

Starting the game with Kick Starter funding and later transitioning to be supported by a publisher is not unusual for Kick Starter projects. Yu Suzuki, clearly, didn't have faith in the fan base being there.

I said I'm buying it on PC. Your lack of reading comprehension led you to that lame attempt at humor snd it was unnecessary. Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

 

[Chariot]

What a stupid post.

Starting the game with Kick Starter funding and later transitioning to be supported by a publisher is not unusual for Kick Starter projects. Yu Suzuki, clearly, didn't have faith in the fan base being there.

I said I'm buying it on PC. Your lack of reading comprehension led you to that lame attempt at humor snd it was unnecessary. Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

No, Yu Suzuki tried to find a publisher, but none of those had faith in the fans, even Sony. But they gave him a way to show them that faith. You are helping Yu Suzuki showing Sony that they can trust the faith.

 

[R_thanatos]

The only thing that is slightly odd about this arrangement is that if Sony are supporting it then why are they not publishing it at first-party on PS4 with a physical release? It's not an issue for me since I'm happy with digital but I know a lot of people still want a boxed version.

I think people realised that with kickstarter , you kinda need PC or else it's very hard to get funds ( amplitude managed but it was very close ).

 

[Journey]

So you prefer no game?

We prefer transparency; this should've been clear from the start, not to mention that Sony has plenty of money to invest and will capitalize immensely from this, especially since it's console exclusive, heck that makes it worse, companies have to pay for this sort of privilege.

 

[Hendrick's]

Adam Boyes made it very clear that Sony isn't funding the entire game. They're supportive of it, and want to help it happen, but it would have taken a long time to put together the resources needed to make the game because as a business they would have to do research and make justifications. Instead Yu Suzuki wanted to go ahead with a Kickstarter and they gave him the best platform to make the announcement. The project is moving forward because the Kickstarter is successful. Sony is providing funding and marketing support for the project, but this isn't their project.

Succinct outline of the situation.

 

[Poop!]

What a stupid post.

Starting the game with Kick Starter funding and later transitioning to be supported by a publisher is not unusual for Kick Starter projects. Yu Suzuki, clearly, didn't have faith in the fan base being there.

I said I'm buying it on PC. Your lack of reading comprehension led you to that lame attempt at humor snd it was unnecessary. Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

It was only Shenmue 2 was on the Xbox, it included a version of "Shenmovie" when was a recap of the first. Also, because of the legal rights of the Xbox version the Dreamcast version of Shenmue 2 in the US was scrapped even though it was done. It was released in PAL only.

 

[PeskyToaster]

Lol, it absolutely does not. Investors invest with expectations of getting richer. People kickstart to get a game cheaper. Devs responsibilities are to investors first. Different expectations. Different experiences.

People invest to get something more down the road. Kickstarter investors want the rewards, "normal" investors want more money and control to ensure that they get money. If the Kickstarter rewards were a percentage of the profits or something like that it wouldn't be much different. You just get to see what everybody's piece of the pie is now. The idea behind Kickstarter is to give the public a chance to become the investors in the properties they care about so the developers/product makers are theoretically answering to people who actually care about the end product rather than an ends to more money.

 

[R_thanatos]

We prefer transparency; this should've been clear from the start, not to mention that Sony has plenty of money to invest and will capitalize immensely from this, especially since it's console exclusive, heck that makes it worse, companies have to pay for this sort of privilege.

1) that transparency arrived less than 24 hours after the initial reveal
2) sony is actually funding a part of the game, how are they not paying ?

 

[Mobius and pet octopus]

I wonder though. Wouldn't it be a full exclusive and announced as such if they were fully footing the bill ? I really believe that this kickstarter isn't only to gather reception from people but also building the game.

The last Shenmue cost 70million... 2 million is a drop in the bucket. The only conclusion is that this funding wasn't entirely necessary for development.

I'm sure microsoft is applauding their ability to charge a product this early in development.

I don't think the significance of a PC release means much in this regard. It isn't like the team has zero say on release platforms and likely did not want to release solely on consoles.

 

[GameSeeker]

Adam Boyes made it very clear that Sony isn't funding the entire game. They're supportive of it, and want to help it happen, but it would have taken a long time to put together the resources needed to make the game because as a business they would have to do research and make justifications. Instead Yu Suzuki wanted to go ahead with a Kickstarter and they gave him the best platform to make the announcement. The project is moving forward because the Kickstarter is successful. Sony is providing funding and marketing support for the project, but this isn't their project.

Well said. This needs to be quoted a 100 times in this thread.

The folks complaining have no facts, logic, or basis for their complaints. Sony is the good guy in this story. It's fantastic that the Shenmue fans are supporting the kickstarter in droves and making a long held dream come through.

 

[SocksAndShoes]

We prefer transparency; this should've been clear from the start, not to mention that Sony has plenty of money to invest and will capitalize immensely from this, especially since it's console exclusive, heck that makes it worse, companies have to pay for this sort of privilege.

It absolutely was. They walked the creator of the franchise out on stage during their E3 presentation. He didn't walk out during any other presentation.

I honestly don't know how anybody thought that Sony didn't have at least some modicum of involvement. It's mind blowing to me that people think the wool has been pulled over their eyes somehow. Absolutely mind blowing.

 

[Aceofspades]

Thank you Sony for reviving Shenmue 3

 

[orient]

After 14 years and against all odds, Shenmue III is announced and people are complaining about..transparency?...and a publisher wanting to gauge interest?

If you don't like it then don't back it, but don't try and peddle your moralising, pessimistic attitudes as if they've got any merit. Find the next thing to pop your hate-stiffy over, because there's no downside to this. Shenmue III baby. And thus the saga...begins.

 

[Dennis]

Sony helps resurrect long dead much beloved franchise. Gaffers get mad.

 

[fantomena]

If Shenmue 3 represent an abuse to revive older franchise I want a lot more of this abuse.

 

[Mr Git]

Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

This statement is iffy. Firstly you're segregating people by consoles, many people own more than one. It then appears you're mad that previous port begging doesn't equate to something over a decade later? Many people (including Playstation owners) didn't beg for Shenmue because they were available on the Dreamcast - only the second game was ported to the Xbox.

 

[Sez]

Sony helps resurrect long dead much beloved franchise. Gaffers get mad.

I don't get why people put too much attention to this "mad gaffers". Even if they say the opposite, i'm quite sure they never wanted Shenmue 3 in the first place.

Now, this Kickstarter idea is great and everybody who wants an old sequel, remake or remaster should support it, it does not matter if you like Shenmue or not.

I read a lot comments like "why X company dont make this" "this will earn money". When you study finances you learn that risk plays a very important role in decisions.Why would you invest in an asset with 50% of risk if you can invest in one with 5%? And if you want to invest in the asset with the higher risk, then it needs a higher investment return.

This type of co-funding (or like paying for the game before it gets done) helps a lot to minimize risks, making it viable to invest in all sort of projects. The success of this KS will determine if more games get done this way, games that we all thought death or impossible to make.

Please ignore haters, go to the KS and support the game, and spread the word with everybody who wants an old sequel/remake/remaster.

 

[dragonbane]

People also need to consider that Sony won't own the Shenmue IP or anything else, so right now there is nothing in for them long term after Shenmue 3. It only makes sense they would be more apprehensive to throw millions at a project like this vs. a new IP they own entirely or a small indie project.

 

[Corto]

What a stupid post.

Starting the game with Kick Starter funding and later transitioning to be supported by a publisher is not unusual for Kick Starter projects. Yu Suzuki, clearly, didn't have faith in the fan base being there.

I said I'm buying it on PC. Your lack of reading comprehension led you to that lame attempt at humor snd it was unnecessary. Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

Shenmue 1 wasn't released on Xbox. Only its sequel.

 

[Sulik2]

Use the Kickstarter to get the whale money, then fund the game like normal for Sony. Kickstarter needs to start changing its policies to make this sort of behaviour unallowed.

 

[Audioboxer]

Adam Boyes made it very clear that Sony isn't funding the entire game. They're supportive of it, and want to help it happen, but it would have taken a long time to put together the resources needed to make the game because as a business they would have to do research and make justifications. Instead Yu Suzuki wanted to go ahead with a Kickstarter and they gave him the best platform to make the announcement. The project is moving forward because the Kickstarter is successful. Sony is providing funding and marketing support for the project, but this isn't their project.

Duckroll on a roll.

A duck roll? Tasty.

 

[mattp]

Adam Boyes made it very clear that Sony isn't funding the entire game. They're supportive of it, and want to help it happen, but it would have taken a long time to put together the resources needed to make the game because as a business they would have to do research and make justifications. Instead Yu Suzuki wanted to go ahead with a Kickstarter and they gave him the best platform to make the announcement. The project is moving forward because the Kickstarter is successful. Sony is providing funding and marketing support for the project, but this isn't their project.

thank you

 

[SocksAndShoes]

Use the Kickstarter to get the whale money, then fund the game like normal for Sony. Kickstarter needs to start changing its policies to make this sort of behaviour unallowed.

Why? Nobody is forcing people to donate.

 

[kenjigreat]

People still mad? Cool story...GAF is disgusting sometimes.

Well, I hope someone comes along and abuses me with Wizardry, Silent Hills and other great neglected franchises. I have so much money to be ripped out of my hands

I honestly don't get why people are mad .

I would love for Franchises I LOVE that haven't had a sequel in years to have a sequel .

*Cough* KOTOR *Cough*.

No TOR DOES NOT COUNT.

 

[Curufinwe]

Use the Kickstarter to get the whale money, then fund the game like normal for Sony. Kickstarter needs to start changing its policies to make this sort of behaviour unallowed.

They don't and they won't.

 

[Cave Johnson]

Use the Kickstarter to get the whale money, then fund the game like normal for Sony. Kickstarter needs to start changing its policies to make this sort of behaviour unallowed.

Oh come on. We wouldn't have a PC version if that was the case. This isn't a Bayonetta 2 situation.

 

[Akronis]

So you prefer no game?

Why is this the go-to response whenever someone doesn't prefer that console manufacturers fund games? Why can't we prefer funding from a third-party so everyone can play it instead?

But no, of course not, that guy must just want the game to not exist instead.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

I look at it is like this:

Shenmue 3 has been looking for publishers and a method of funding for years. Obviously no one has taken to the plate, probably as, "No one remembers Shenmue," "It's only wanted from a vocal minority," "Financial loss," etc.

Sony heard the fans, but like many others probably was hesitant to put millions of dollars here, so to prove investment, it's asked for fans to "Put their money where their mouth is," which is probably the only way Shenmue 3 was going to show there were people who'd actually buy the thing rather than taking a blind risk worth millions of dollars.

Fans gets the game for a cheaper-than-retail price and get to be involved in active development and feedback of the game, as well as get goodies. Yu gets to have data that fans will support Shenmue and gets a platform to interact with his core fan base more closely. Sony gets sales date and 'proof' of worth to be able to put some funding into it.

There literally is no lose here for anyone involved, they're even being transparent of this fact in less than 24 hours since the Kickstarter launched, no money has been taken yet and there's plenty of weeks to think on it and let people who want to be part be part. The only people that are upset are those that want to be upset or take issue asking, "What's the point, this feels slimey," not knowing the purpose of the term "Kickstarter" and not understanding why Sony, 'couldn't just fund it themselves.' It's not couldn't here, it's wouldn't, because there is very slim chance this game will sell like hotcakes, and they know that, this is likely going to be coming up as a loss for them, BUT it allows something fans really want to happen, and allows fans to both be more directly involved AND put their money where their mouth is to support and prove there's interest, while getting goodies and lower prices for those who want them and want to support.

This wouldn't work with every game, but it makes sense for Shenmue 3, and if they didn't do it this way, then it'd probably wouldn't happen. It's also probably the smartest way to tackle, "Shenmue 3", honestly, rather than making it hush-hush anyways. Shenmue 3 is happening because of fan demand, so get the fans involved, and those involved can help leave feedback and relay stuff directly to the creators and the team, as well as answer questions the team wants to know about going forward with the fans.

If it's popular enough to insert into their E3 conference- where every minute is extremely valuable to make the best use of that stage- then it's popular enough to not have to resort to plugging a Kickstarter for it.

The real value of having Shenmue in the conference is to show that Sony has the pulse of the enthusiasts.

 

[I_R_ Patch]

Well this was a cert.

Anyhoo................



SHENMUE 3 FINALLY !

HYPE LEVEL RISING !

BLACKOUT BUNKER BEING PREPPED !

BODY AM READY !

PS4 JUSTIFIED ON THIS ALONE !

BRING IT !

 

[John Bender]

Why is this the go-to response whenever someone doesn't prefer that console manufacturers fund games? Why can't we prefer funding from a third-party so everyone can play it instead?

But no, of course not, that guy must just want the game to not exist instead.

Because there was no "3rd Party" who would fund/back it.

 

[mckmas8808]

Jesus Christ, people will bitch and complain about anything. You're getting the game less than retail after waiting almost 15 years for it. There's nothing shady about this, you voted with your wallet which carries more weight than stupid internet polls or general interest. As much as we like to see Sony "making dreams come true" in this situation, it's a business at the end of the day. You wanted it and you got the game for less than $30 instead of retail.

THIS!


Why complain about getting a game 50% off through Kickstarter?

 

[Audioboxer]

Why is this the go-to response whenever someone doesn't prefer that console manufacturers fund games? Why can't we prefer funding from a third-party so everyone can play it instead?

But no, of course not, that guy must just want the game to not exist instead.

Because sometimes 3rd parties refuse to fund something, like this, so it does come down to get the game or don't.

It's not as if Shenmue has only been in limbo a year or two, its not been touched by anyone for years and years. 3rd parties, notably Sega, have had plenty of time to take on the project.

So the alternative that some of you may be longing for doesn't exist, its had its time to and no one wanted to take it up.

 

[DXB-KNIGHT]

If so then kickstarter wasn't needed in the first place

 

[hohoXD123]

This could have started off as a pure Kickstarter development project and found a 3rd party publisher willing to fund it and put it on PC, Xbox One and PS4.

The the kick starter campaign to gauge gamer interest is bs. Anyone in this forum could've guessed the outcome to a Kick Starter campaign for Shenmue 3. "The fastest to 2 million for a video game Kick Starter", no shit Sherlock.

The Kick Starter could've been for 20 million and it would've found the funding.

No matter, ill be getting it on PC and I'm definitely grateful for that.

Why are you so confident about this? $20 million is an insane amount to raise through kickstarter, and even that may not be enough. If it failed to reach its targets it wouldn't have exactly looked great to publishers, not that investing in the game was a great idea in the first place, plus the large figure may have turned many people off.

 

[Akronis]

Because there was no "3rd Party" who would fund/back it.

I said prefer. I understand the reality of this particular situation and that most games require funding that Microsoft or Sony would provide.

It's more of an off-topic complaint that whenever someone voices concern over console manufacturers funding games, a bunch of other people just respond with "OH CLEARLY YOU JUST WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THE GAME?"

Happened in the P.T. thread as well.

EDIT: I now realize that this post was poorly timed considered all the mudslinging from both sides here.

 

[Kikujiro]

What a stupid post.

Starting the game with Kick Starter funding and later transitioning to be supported by a publisher is not unusual for Kick Starter projects. Yu Suzuki, clearly, didn't have faith in the fan base being there.

I said I'm buying it on PC. Your lack of reading comprehension led you to that lame attempt at humor snd it was unnecessary. Simple fact is, unlike Playstation owners, Xbox owners begged for Shenmue and were rewarded with Shenmue 1&2 on the OG Xbox. It would be nice if 3 was there also.

Your post is stupid and you should at least check your facts before posting false informations.
Only the second one released on XBox and nobody begged for it, MS screwed the Dreamcast owners in the US by buying the exclusivity of Shenmue 2 and because of that Shenmue 2 was never released on the Dreamcast in the US. It was a giant dick move.

 

[mave198]

Sony tries to please the fans and they get shitted on.

The stupidity in this thread is beyond just being salty.

 

[Cave Johnson]

If it's popular enough to insert into their E3 conference- where every minute is extremely valuable to make the best use of that stage- then it's popular enough to not have to resort to plugging a Kickstarter for it.

The real value of having Shenmue in the conference is to show that Sony has the pulse of the enthusiasts.

What nonsense. Since when does a game have to be "popular" in order to make it into the E3 stage? Or did you forget the indie montage from Sony years ago - something that even the developers did not expect to happen.

 

[shinra-bansho]

Everyone can play it...

 

[test_account]

The last Shenmue cost 70million... 2 million is a drop in the bucket. The only conclusion is that this funding wasn't entirely necessary for development.

I'm sure microsoft is applauding their ability to charge a product this early in development.

I don't think the significance of a PC release means much in this regard. It isn't like the team has zero say on release platforms and likely did not want to release solely on consoles.

Its not a question about needing the money in many of these cases though, its more a question about risking money. Many games dont get localized for example, eventhough that the companies clearly have the money to do it. Nintendo could easily afford to localize Mother 3 just to take one example of a sought after game, but they wont do it. They dont do it because they dont think its worth it.

Microsoft announced the early access program for Xbox One at this E3.

 

[DAREALGUMMY]

I was close to selling my soul for Shenmue 3. I ain't mad.

 

[dark10x]

The last Shenmue cost 70million... 2 million is a drop in the bucket. The only conclusion is that this funding wasn't entirely necessary for development.

I think they could do a new Shenmue for less.

I'd imagine a lot of Shenmue's cost was tied up in figuring out how to actually do the game. They coded an engine for Saturn which was scrapped and then started fresh on Dreamcast. The types of support systems and tools available today allow for much faster iteration and development.

Trying to make a modern game using the techniques employed during Shenmue's original creation would require so much more money and time. It would be damn near impossible, I feel.

Game creation is much more optimized and streamlined today. Of course, the sheer amount of stuff that needs to be made eats up a lot of resources but the level of detail is so far beyond stuff like Shenmue.

Not to say it would be cheap but I don't think the cost of Shenmue really means anything anymore due to its very difficult development cycle.

 

[test_account]

Why is this the go-to response whenever someone doesn't prefer that console manufacturers fund games? Why can't we prefer funding from a third-party so everyone can play it instead?

But no, of course not, that guy must just want the game to not exist instead.

True, but the question is if any other 3rd party were standing in line to publish Shenmue 3. I dont think that there was any fighting between publishers to publish Shenmue 3 and Sony fought their way through and won the rights to it. I think the notion is that if Sony hadnt done this regarding Shenmue 3, no one else would have, and the game wouldnt have been made.

 

[motorised mallard]

Because there was no "3rd Party" who would fund/back it.

"Then it doesn't deserve to be made!" /s

Haven't read the whole 60+ pages, so forgive my ignorance if this has been up already.

Was there a situation similiar to Grim Fandango, I remember something like this but I might be wrong so please correct me if this wasn't the case with Grim Fandango, where the IP rights had to be bought/negotiated for the creators in order to make the game?

 

[Figboy79]

If Kickstarter is the new form of petitions for developers to get impossible games made, then I'm all for it.

What if Microsoft funded the rest of development for Mega Man Legends 3 after Capcom started a Kickstarter for it? Even though it would suck that the game would more than likely only be on Xbox platforms, I'd be pleased as punches to see a game previously dead finally come out.

I'm not the hugest Shenmue fan (I only played a little of Shenmue 1 on my Dreamcast, but it didn't grab me), but I'm incredibly happy that the fans of the series are finally getting a third part. This is one of those crazy moments when the gaming industry is listening to fan outcry, and the Kickstarter + Sony funding seemed to be the only way to get this thing off the ground for you guys.

Some people really are, "For every silver lining, there's a dark cloud." It's amazing.

The game is also coming to PC, so that's really cool too.

 

[mckmas8808]

It's the lesser of two evils for me.

It's either, these games don't exist at all since many publishers only seem to care about mobile or they use this method.

I'm not sure why you seem to care - you don't have to put any money up front. If it works out then you get the game without investment - if not, no loss to you. What's the problem?

He's upset that it's not coming out on the Xbox One.

 

[Steve Youngblood]

I said prefer. I understand the reality of this particular situation and that most games require funding that Microsoft or Sony would provide.

It's more of an off-topic complaint that whenever someone voices concern over console manufacturers funding games, a bunch of other people just respond with "OH CLEARLY YOU JUST WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE THE GAME?"

Happened in the P.T. thread as well.

EDIT: I now realize that this post was poorly timed considered all the mudslinging from both sides here.

I think it's fair to prefer more options to play a game. It would be awesome if this was PS4/PC/Xbox One on day one so that everyone could check it out wherever they prefer to game. Depending on what kind of technical demands the game has, I'd probably open it up further to say that it'd be great if last gen was included. Hell, port it to DC so I can have a complete trilogy there! (I promise that I'm not trying to be snarky there. That is a little facetious, but I'm mostly being sincere).

The main issue I have -- and it's an issue that I have with a lot of topics -- is that it's impossible to separate the circumstances of individual examples like this from the broader console wars for many, many people. And garbage posts exists from both sides. An example of a garbage post critical of the move would just be lazily calling out a strawman to say something like "Oh, this is ok, but I bet everyone would be losing their shit if MS had done this." An example of a garbage post defensive of this move would be the people calling out salty haters when there are in fact people that just -- even if they haven't formulated a complete argument as to why -- have genuine reservations about how they perceive the role of Kickstarter in game development as it relates to this game. "Bet you'd be ok with this if MS was involved" is just as much a crap post as the other strawman variation I cited.

Honestly, to some extent, I do think that there's a conversation worth having about both crowdfunding AND first party funding. But it's always just so difficult to have that conversation in the midst of emotions being charged when we are right in the midst of the big story happening. For my own part, my stance is borne out of trying to keep things simple. I'm not a lawyer and I don't really like engaging in rhetorical battles where there's a ton of technical minutiae to wade through and semantic distinctions being cited everywhere. We're in the early days (relatively speaking) of crowdfunding. I'm mostly ok with how it's being used, and am content to take a wait and see approach in terms of the slippery slope concerns. I've always taken a stance that first party investment is ok and have never been interested in trying to ascertain which exclusives are obtained legitimately and which are so-called dirty moneyhats.

 

[based]

I can see the potential issue but at the end of the day it's Shenmue III. I'm really not concerned by the business practices as long as it gets released.