Shenmue 3 Crowdfunding Reopens

[Lizzy Finnegan]

Shenmue 3 Crowdfunding Reopens

YS Net is raising money for Shenmue III - again.

On June 16, Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to obtain funding for the long awaited third installment in the Shenmue franchise, making the announcement [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/conferences/e3-2015/14121-shenmue-3-kickstarter-announced-at-playstation-e3] during Sony's 2015 E3 conference. The campaign broke a record on day one when it became the fastest crowdfunded game to reach $1 million, and became fully funded just hours after it went live.

The most funded video game [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ysnet/shenmue-3/description] Kickstarter campaign of all time, raising $6,333,295 total and smashing its original $2 million goal. Despite more than tripling the original goal, the amount raised was far lower than the $10 million the team was hoping for.

In an effort to make up the difference, YS Net has set up a "Slacker Backer [http://shenmue.link/order/]" campaign for Shenmue III, with stretch goals detailed up to $11 million.

"This additional campaign comes as a response to all of the requests we have received asking for another opportunity to participate in the making of Shenmue III because either of a lack of payment options on Kickstarter, or just not having a chance to pledge before the campaign ended," the FAQ on the site reads. "While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper."

The new fundraising push could also impact the original target release.

"A rigorous budget and schedule has been worked out with our production team and we believe our target of 2017 holiday season is within reach," the FAQ explains. "That said, our goal is to make the best game possible (and one that the fans want!) so please understand the schedule may change as the project evolves. Frequent updates will be posted on the update page."


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[Scarim Coral]

Wait, the real target was $10 million and not $2 million??? Just how much money do they freaking need? Another whole lots of the "Shut up and take my money!" people?

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

As soon as this thing was announced by Sony at E3 I knew it would be a money grabbing scheme. Gamers are so fuckin' naive.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I'm sensing some disdain in your article, and it's really making you look bad. First off, Slacker Backer kits are pretty much the norm these days. So the dramatic pause before "again" is pretty unwarranted. And the comment about impacting the target release is completely at odds with what you quoted directly after. And if you'd been a bit more thorough in you're fact finding, you would have read the actual update, where you might have read the following:

The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st. While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper. The three month window was set to allow a long enough time to for everyone who wants to support Shenmue III to do so, but short enough to keep the release date on track.

So I suppose the Slacker Backer deal could delay the release, but that's pure speculation on your part, and about as meaningful as saying that a Suzuki getting a sprained ankle could delay the release. Both possibly true, but neither supported by any evidence.

 

[Scars Unseen]

As soon as this thing was announced by Sony at E3 I knew it would be a money grabbing scheme. Gamers are so fuckin' naive.

Your basis for that claim? So far, other than a rather poorly run Kickstarter, nothing Shenmue is doing is different than most other Kickstarters. For instance, you can also pledge more money to Bloodstained right now(in fact, I got the updates for that notification on the same day as Shenmue's Slacker Backer announcement).

 

[Lizzy Finnegan]

I'm sensing some disdain in your article, and it's really making you look bad. First off, Slacker Backer kits are pretty much the norm these days. So the dramatic pause before "again" is pretty unwarranted. And the comment about impacting the target release is completely at odds with what you quoted directly after. And if you'd been a bit more thorough in you're fact finding, you would have read the actual update, where you might have read the following:

The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st. While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper. The three month window was set to allow a long enough time to for everyone who wants to support Shenmue III to do so, but short enough to keep the release date on track.

So I suppose the Slacker Backer deal could delay the release, but that's pure speculation on your part, and about as meaningful as saying that a Suzuki getting a sprained ankle could delay the release. Both possibly true, but neither supported by any evidence.

Apologies if that's how you interpreted it, as that was not in the least how any of what I wrote was intended. The use of the word again was in order to establish that this is, in fact, not the first go at crowdfunding the game, for those unfamiliar with the original push. As for the potential delay, I intentionally used the word "could." The quote from the Backer page's FAQ section states that while they believe their target is within release, the schedule may change. I didn't write that quote, that is the information provided on the backer page. However, I assure you there is no disdain.

 

[Scars Unseen]

I'm sensing some disdain in your article, and it's really making you look bad. First off, Slacker Backer kits are pretty much the norm these days. So the dramatic pause before "again" is pretty unwarranted. And the comment about impacting the target release is completely at odds with what you quoted directly after. And if you'd been a bit more thorough in you're fact finding, you would have read the actual update, where you might have read the following:

The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st. While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper. The three month window was set to allow a long enough time to for everyone who wants to support Shenmue III to do so, but short enough to keep the release date on track.

So I suppose the Slacker Backer deal could delay the release, but that's pure speculation on your part, and about as meaningful as saying that a Suzuki getting a sprained ankle could delay the release. Both possibly true, but neither supported by any evidence.

Apologies if that's how you interpreted it, as that was not in the least how any of what I wrote was intended. The use of the word again was in order to establish that this is, in fact, not the first go at crowdfunding the game, for those unfamiliar with the original push. As for the potential delay, I intentionally used the word "could." The quote from the Backer page's FAQ section states that while they believe their target is within release, the schedule may change. I didn't write that quote, that is the information provided on the backer page. However, I assure you there is no disdain.

I appreciate the reply. I guess the thing is to be aware of the site we're on. The Escapist encourages acidic and saracstic writing styles when dealing with subjects they wish to criticize. So it's easy to see how putting a deliberate pause in a sentence that doesn't usually warrant one might be interpreted that way.

As for the delay issue, the text you quoted specifically says that any potential delays will be for ensuring quality, and the text I quoted specifically denies that the Slacker Backer period will delay the game's release. So the claim that the game could be delayed because of Slacker Backer is completely unsubstantiated.

 

[Lizzy Finnegan]

I'm sensing some disdain in your article, and it's really making you look bad. First off, Slacker Backer kits are pretty much the norm these days. So the dramatic pause before "again" is pretty unwarranted. And the comment about impacting the target release is completely at odds with what you quoted directly after. And if you'd been a bit more thorough in you're fact finding, you would have read the actual update, where you might have read the following:

The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st. While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper. The three month window was set to allow a long enough time to for everyone who wants to support Shenmue III to do so, but short enough to keep the release date on track.

So I suppose the Slacker Backer deal could delay the release, but that's pure speculation on your part, and about as meaningful as saying that a Suzuki getting a sprained ankle could delay the release. Both possibly true, but neither supported by any evidence.

Apologies if that's how you interpreted it, as that was not in the least how any of what I wrote was intended. The use of the word again was in order to establish that this is, in fact, not the first go at crowdfunding the game, for those unfamiliar with the original push. As for the potential delay, I intentionally used the word "could." The quote from the Backer page's FAQ section states that while they believe their target is within release, the schedule may change. I didn't write that quote, that is the information provided on the backer page. However, I assure you there is no disdain.

I appreciate the reply. I guess the thing is to be aware of the site we're on. The Escapist encourages acidic and saracstic writing styles when dealing with subjects they wish to criticize. So it's easy to see how putting a deliberate pause in a sentence that doesn't usually warrant one might be interpreted that way.

As for the delay issue, the text you quoted specifically says that any potential delays will be for ensuring quality, and the text I quoted specifically denies that the Slacker Backer period will delay the game's release. So the claim that the game could be delayed because of Slacker Backer is completely unsubstantiated.

I've never been encouraged to do that personally, and on Twitter (where it's appropriate to have an opinion, lol) I am actually defending this decision to an extent. People have waited a long time for this game and most wouldn't want to be short-changed, so if they want to attempt to collect more money, I can't complain. One year ago, this wasn't even a possibility.

With the delay, the statement of "the schedule may change as the project evolves" I took to be reflective of the stretch goals included - that amount of new content would certainly take time. Although, I understand it could be unclear, and as a result have reached out to them for more clarity on that point.

 

[D3s_ToD3s]

Wait, the real target was $10 million and not $2 million??? Just how much money do they freaking need? Another whole lots of the "Shut up and take my money!" people?

A seamless sandbox is a giant money sink.
Shen Mue 2 did cost circa 50 million $
And those were the days of clumsy animation, low poly models and so on.

Very interesting Video on this matter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnvy0yzgVWc

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

I really want this to succeed. Damnit, my fingers are crossed that nothing will go wrong. It does appear to be an honest labour of love that is also getting to grips with kickstarter funding. I'm cheering these guys on, yet backing kickstarter for a project that ultimately is aimed at bolstering my future entertainment feels a little vain, whereas I would feel less terrible using the money instead to entertain people. I dunno, maybe by throwing it at them. On fire.

 

[Ishigami]

I hope this fails hard and everyone loses their money and gets nothing to show for.
I?m also all for CIG going bankrupt and SC hitting the floor.

 

[TristanBelmont]

Welp

Fuck this

Just like with fucking Inafune

 

[John Markley]

I'm sensing some disdain in your article, and it's really making you look bad. First off, Slacker Backer kits are pretty much the norm these days. So the dramatic pause before "again" is pretty unwarranted. And the comment about impacting the target release is completely at odds with what you quoted directly after. And if you'd been a bit more thorough in you're fact finding, you would have read the actual update, where you might have read the following:

The Slacker Backer period will continue through December 31st. While the full game will be completed as promised with the use of the funding collected on Kickstarter, any additional funding collected here will go towards reaching the Stretch Goals to make the game even bigger and deeper. The three month window was set to allow a long enough time to for everyone who wants to support Shenmue III to do so, but short enough to keep the release date on track.

So I suppose the Slacker Backer deal could delay the release, but that's pure speculation on your part, and about as meaningful as saying that a Suzuki getting a sprained ankle could delay the release. Both possibly true, but neither supported by any evidence.

Apologies if that's how you interpreted it, as that was not in the least how any of what I wrote was intended. The use of the word again was in order to establish that this is, in fact, not the first go at crowdfunding the game, for those unfamiliar with the original push. As for the potential delay, I intentionally used the word "could." The quote from the Backer page's FAQ section states that while they believe their target is within release, the schedule may change. I didn't write that quote, that is the information provided on the backer page. However, I assure you there is no disdain.

I appreciate the reply. I guess the thing is to be aware of the site we're on. The Escapist encourages acidic and saracstic writing styles when dealing with subjects they wish to criticize. So it's easy to see how putting a deliberate pause in a sentence that doesn't usually warrant one might be interpreted that way.

As for the delay issue, the text you quoted specifically says that any potential delays will be for ensuring quality, and the text I quoted specifically denies that the Slacker Backer period will delay the game's release. So the claim that the game could be delayed because of Slacker Backer is completely unsubstantiated.

I've never been encouraged to do that personally, and on Twitter (where it's appropriate to have an opinion, lol) I am actually defending this decision to an extent. People have waited a long time for this game and most wouldn't want to be short-changed, so if they want to attempt to collect more money, I can't complain. One year ago, this wasn't even a possibility.

With the delay, the statement of "the schedule may change as the project evolves" I took to be reflective of the stretch goals included - that amount of new content would certainly take time. Although, I understand it could be unclear, and as a result have reached out to them for more clarity on that point.

Hate to do this here but have no idea what else to do. Lizzy, been trying to contact you but haven't been able to. Please reply if you see this, it's really important.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Welp

Fuck this

Just like with fucking Inafune

This, along with the news of Inafune delaying the demo to his backers, goes to show how shady some of these KS projects are.

Once again, what is your basis for this conclusion? This is standard Kickstarter stuff. Bloodstained is doing it. Pillars of Eternity did it. There is nothing happening here that doesn't happen with the majority of large successful projects.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Welp

Fuck this

Just like with fucking Inafune

This, along with the news of Inafune delaying the demo to his backers, goes to show how shady some of these KS projects are.

Once again, what is your basis for this conclusion? This is standard Kickstarter stuff. Bloodstained is doing it. Pillars of Eternity did it. There is nothing happening here that doesn't happen with the majority of large successful projects.

I suspect some people just need to find a reason to rage at the industry in general and will never be happy with anything. It shows a lack of the ability to compare one situation to another objectively, but rather a tendency to just lump all into one category and take a massive deuce on top of it.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Ah Scars Unseen, being KS's usual defender huh? I don't fucking care about Bloodstained or Pillars of Eternity. KS will continue to be a den for scammers and rip off artists like Inafune in my eyes!

Ah. WolvDragon, still trying to claim specific problems without evidence, and then invoking completely unrelated projects whose problems are completely unrelated in order to "back up" your claims, huh? I don't really care about your problem with Kickstarter. You can have that opinion if you want. I won't even tell you you're wrong for having it.

But get your facts straight before trying to paint specific projects as being especially offensive. Or at least just be honest and say "I don't like Kickstarter, and this doesn't convince me otherwise." I could respect that even if I didn't agree with it.

 

[Ricardo Lima]

This really is a fishy thing to do. To reopen a kickstarter that was funded and went 3 times over the goal. If the goal wasn't 2 million they should have made one that funded the game more realistically.

And its a bad habit of too many kickstarters to give release dates they cant meet.

 

[Dalrien]

I'm fairly happy that I didn't find myself too hyped for this. Investing In the "less successful" and temporary champion Bloodstained seemed like a safer bet than a previously budget breaking game.

No offense mean't. Just that the previous games In Shenmue cost so much, that I couldn't imagine any sort of crowdfunding being enough.