The Shenmue 3 Kickstarter appears to have stalled. Time to announce other platforms?

Funding for Shenmue 3 on Kickstarter got off to a record-breaking start, soaring past its $2 million target. However, interest appears to have stalled, with only $31,074 pledged yesterday.

Ys Net boss and Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki has said he wants $10 million if his dream of a true open world Shenmue is to be realised. At the current rate only a further $700,000 would be raised, leaving the project on $4.3 million.

[Rimeskeem]

Or it could be Sony reaching a deal and funding the project to make it exclusive. Just throwing out the idea.

[ratrace]

id throw that idea out too

[Nirvana31591]

Oh man this article is a whole another level of port begging. Why the hell would they release a game on xbox where every Japanese game to date has flopped?

Maybe if Ryo had a gun.....

[Loktai]

@Nirvana31591

I laughed... so true.

[Insomnia_84]

^"Maybe if Ryo had a gun"^

LOL

[TheRedButterfly]

@1.1.1

"Why the hell would they release a game on xbox"

Hmmm...... Maybe because the game has only ever had a place on Dreamcast and on Xbox? The fact that Sony is swooping in there to fund a franchise they ignored for the past 14 years is quite strange indeed. In fact, if there's anyone that SHOULD get the game, it'd be Xbox.

But hey, it's a Japanese game, so screw Xbox fans... Same with Resident Evil. Same with Sonic. Same with Final Fantasy. Same with Lost Odyssey. Same with Blue Dragon. Same with Dead Or Alive. Same with Ninja Gaiden. Same with Dark Souls. Same with all those games.

Oh wait.

The Japanese games that don't sell well on Xbox platforms (were they on there in the first place) are the Hyperneptunia(s) and the Naruto(s) and the Bleach(es) and the One Piece(s) of gaming. Y'know, the BEST types of games to ever come out of Japan... /s

[MadLad]

And what would that possibly have to do with a crowd-funding project slowing down?
The thing is still up. Anyone interested in it can still pledge.

[UltraNova]

All these conspiracy theories that exploded all over the internet the past few days about Sony's 'shady' involvement surely had to avert a lot of people from pledging.

Personally I hope Sony funds the game, its the only way Suzuki can have as much money and creative freedom as he wants to make Shemnue 3 the game all fans crave.

[MysticStrummer]

"All these conspiracy theories that exploded all over the internet the past few days about Sony's 'shady' involvement surely had to avert a lot of people from pledging."

Bingo. If it has stalled or slowed down, that is undoubtedly a factor.

[DarkSniper]

N4rc,

Your comment was a hate filled, personal attack at Dark Sniper. Please take some time to review N4G forum rules and guidelines in the comments tab.

-Offensive language, name calling and personal attacks on other members

Lets keep this discussion on topic about Shenmue III and its exclusivity to the PlayStation 4 Home Enterainment Terminal.

Enjoy a disagree and -1 bubble for your troubles.

$niper

[Thatguy-310]

Exactly!! The funding was going to stop at some point. People are just so hurt that Sony is going to pick it up. This will stay a ps4/pc exclusive get over it.

[star_lancer]

@Dark Sniper

It was the Dreamcast & Xbox audience that made Shenmue popular - so popular that PS4 fans are now dying to get in on the game. If Xbox fans are not intelligent, why are PS fans trying so hard to be like them?

Your comment was a hate filled personal attack against an entire group of gamers, and was rightfully marked.

[n4rc]

Darksniper..

Don't want to be called arrogant? Don't make arrogant comments and refer to yourself in the 3rd person to boot..

Jackass.. Mark me again.. Worth it.. Lol

[GameForever]

It has another 21 days to raise money.

[Ratty]

And it already reached its goal so no problem really.

[Sly-Lupin]

And even if it didn't reach the goal, who cares? Sony is funding the game for way, way, way more than the Kickstarter would ever raise.

[cfc78]

Not likely to happen unless Yu Suzuki changes his demands on Shenmue 3 and in an earlyer article it was said Sony/other companys held talks and none could reach an agreement so unless things change its down to kick starter alone at this point.(hopefully he reaches his goal)

[harrisk954]

Sony is partially funding it, as previously confirmed....

And how is it "stalled" when it has 45,046 backers and has raised $3,599,372 so far with 21 days to go??

Talk about a clickbait article!

[callahan09]

It's almost as if the writer has never seen a KS campaign before. This is how they always go. The first days are huge, then the 20 or so days in the middle are the "doldrums" and raise very little money because those who like to pledge early have already pledged and those who like to pledge late won't pledge until the end. Then the last couple of days (the very last day especially) usually do as much or more money as the first few days. Quite a few KS's I've backed have more than doubled the first 25-ish days total in the last 2 days.

[jerethdagryphon]

Yea pledged for a boradgame it was at 50k with 2 days to go i pledged and during the last 2 days 600 newbacked added 20k to the total so a game that wanted 8k got 70 and had a craptop of strechgoals added even at the last minites so alsmost 30percent jump in 2. Days

[Magicite]

Maybe it won't be AAA title, but its still gonna be Shenmue 3 made by Yu Suzuki and that's all that matters.

[wsoutlaw87]

Every kickstarter has the same trend, but hey, lets over react and write an article. In its last couple of days it will raise a ton.

[nyobzoo]

Every Kickstarter project does this. It get's most of the funding from the beginning and towards the end of the campaign.

[Neonridr]

yes but money is stalled completely at this point. They only got $7,500 yesterday.

Take a game like Bloodstained. The lowest day it ever had was $32,000 and that game went on to do 5.5 million

[Griever]

But isnt Sony funding it according to you guys so money stalling does not matters, right? Can you guys please make up your mind? Is this a genuine kickstarter that needs people's support or is it funded by Sony anyway? When the kickstarter gets money from people, we get articles that they are being deceived and the game is being funded by Sony. When kickstarter slows down, we get articles that they should announce other platforms to attract more backers. If Sony is funding it then why would other platforms be announced? It seems to me that everyone is out to just hate this game no matter what happens. They are not satisfied either way! If people back the kickstarter; it is a problem and if they do not; it is a problem still.

You people are killing this game!! You do not care about the game! You did not play the first and second games when they were launched! You do not care for the completion of the story! Most of you were little kids in elementary schools back in 1999! Yet here we have every Xbox fan concern trolling!

[Neonridr]

@Griever - I have no clue if Sony is putting up the rest of the money. I could care less, I don't even want to play this game.. :P

Shenmue does not interest me to the least.

I own a PS4, not an XB1 by the way.

[IIFloodyII]

They got $31,074 yesterday.

[Neonridr]

@llFloodyll - you are right, lol. When I read the kicktraq data I was reading todays numbers.. lol

my bad. Well that is much better then right? ;)

[Griever]

So you just got caught with spreading false numbers and also admit to having no interest in this game. So WTH are you doing here spreading negative information!? I cant think of any PS4 owner who would try to sabotage this game in this way so it is hard to believe you have one. If all of that isnt trolling then I do not know what is. Please just leave this game alone and let others enjoy it. Go play whatever you like.

[Neonridr]

I wasn't spreading false numbers.. just a day off, relax Griever. I am happy for the people who really want this game. I merely said that I am not interested in it. Doesn't mean that I can't comment on this article, especially when I see people who are coming up with these ridiculous theories that people are secretly sabotaging the kickstarter. News flash, if the game is successful and people want it, the kickstarter will reflect that. If it is slowing down dramatically, that is because interest is waning, not because people are saying bad things about the game.

[wsoutlaw87]

You made a whole lot of comments for not caring.

[Killustrious]

To be honest, I'm just tired of seeing articles about the kickstarter or people on this site commenting about how "shady" it all seems... who cares?? We're getting Shenmue 3, if you were a fan of the first two games in the series you're just happy that this game is actually even happening.

Can we just like... stop talking about this kickstarter until it's actually done or something? This is getting a bit old and ridiculous the amount of articles on it everyday on this site.

[MadLad]

"To be honest, I'm just tired of seeing articles about the kickstarter or people on this site commenting about how "shady" it all seems... who cares?? We're getting Shenmue 3"

They are taking advantage of a system, and setting a precedent in doing so.
This is a crowd funding system, mainly used for smaller projects to acquire the funding needed to get up off the ground.
It was a means to create something when all other avenues failed, or at least compromised the integrity of the project.

I am not okay with it being used by big business in gauging just where they should invest their money.

Some may agree. Some may disagree. At the end of the day, I don't quite care. At the end of the day this is nothing more than a big corporation abusing a system in place for the smaller guy. To say I find that disagreeable is an understatement. I don't care who the company in question is; it's all the same to me.

[Sniperwithacause]

You say that it has mainly been used for smaller developers to fund their games? That's what it still is doing with this case. No rules saying that how Sony decided to handle this was in any way law breaking. If the rich want to use this type of way to fund projects so be it. Blame the fools who contribute not the ones asking for the money.

The funding site is for anyone who cares to use it. Not just for indies or small time companies.

[MadLad]

@Snipe

If you honestly believe that, with the game being presented at the Sony conference itself, then so be it.
Sony is handling the bulk, if not all of the marketing. And that's if you believe they won't also have a hand in development, everything said and done. They did make a point to acquire console exclusivity with this one. The marketing, if nothing else, and is true with any high profile case, is going to come in more than the development in the first place. This is a Sony game. I don't care how you choose to look at it.

And I am entirely blaming the fools who are funding it, trust me. That's the point of my being as vocal on the issue as I am.
Though I would less call them fools, more just blame them for contributing to the abuse of a system that's primarily only there in the first place as a counter to the actions of big business. But let's let them ruin the crowd-funding system as well now by introducing the AAA factor into it as well.

I don't care that this is Sony, nor even that this is Shenmue. Kickstarter was not meant to be used as big business' investment tool. You simply not caring doesn't change that, though I am done speaking on the matter. People will do as they please. Doesn't matter that they are setting a precedent that could potentially hurt the service in the future. At least on part of the smaller developer. I mean, we did get Shenmue 3 out of the deal right? lol. I mean, that's obviously all that matters. And because Sony.

@Neo

Keep missing the point then. I'm not going to sit and regurgitate my stance just in hopes that people finally agree with me. All the while not even wrapping their head around the real issue here.

[Neo_Zeed]

It's not about big companies and little devs. It's about games getting made. Would you rather games not get made?

[Neonridr]

@Neo - so are you going to be ok with EA or Ubisoft going to Kickstarter to garner interest in a game and raise 5 million bucks just so they don't have to put that money in themselves?

It's setting a precedent for a terrible business strategy.

[4Sh0w]

@Neo Zeed
But wouldn't the game "get made" if Sony paid for proper development of Shenmue3, like every other exclusive deal?

I don't understand why sony gets a free pass here, all this "gauge interest" stuff is BS, especially since Im constantly told sony isnt afraid to take risks every other time they announce an exclusive. Its not like Shenmue3 is some vague unknown property or indie game. Had Sony just done what a big corporation does when they want to bring over a 3rd party exclusive for their fans then none of these questions would be asked.

[Spotie]

How the hell is this abusing any system? You act as if this is doing OTHER than what you claim it's for: a means to create something when all other avenues failed.

Why else do you think it's taken so long to even get to this point?

And stop making it seem like Sony is behind this: they're tagging along. Yu Suzuki went to kickstarter to get the game made, before Sony was ever involved. He wanted most of the game to be funded that way, so that there'd be no big publishers involved, and he'd have more control. Sony then came along and said, "Hey, if people really support this, we'll pitch in to get it on PS4. And we'll also help market it. Hell, we know Shenmue is a big talking point, so we'll give you the stage at our E3 presentation."

And now, somehow, you guys have it in your head that Sony is using this to avoid directly funding the game themselves and instead push the cost off onto gamers. Which I don't get.

[gangsta_red]

@Spotie

It's amazing how Sony can do no wrong with you. SFV wouldn't have been made without Sony and now Sony is "just" tagging along for the ride with Shenmue 3.

"He wanted most of the game to be funded that way, so that there'd be no big publishers involved, and he'd have more control. Sony then came along and said,..."

Which pretty much makes the whole "more control" pointless if what you are saying is true. More assumptions and defense for Sony.

No matter how you spin this, if this was such a requested game from fans that even Sony themselves on stage said then why didn't Sony just put the money for development themselves. Why are you and other constantly making excuses saying it was to gauge consumer interest? Especially when they already know who and what type of crowd is interested in this game.

[DigitalRaptor]

Not only is SlapHappyJesus making BROAD and false accusations about this whole scenario, but we also have a clueless person Gangsta_red joining the conversation to carry on his merry crusade to pick random arguments with Sony fans, but will never ever ever ever ever have anything bad to say about Xbox trolls on Sony articles. Why is that?

Let's go for this Gangsta, if you think (as a self-proclaimed non-Shenmue fan) you know what you're talking about.

Yu Suzuki has OPENLY stated that he wants to make this independently, and the Kickstarter names the independent studio YSnet at the developer. Stop asking why Sony won't fund the entire game, when we know that they're not. Luckily in this industry, people have friends. Suzuki has been wanting to make and plan a Kickstarter for Shenmue for years. Go and read his interviews, if you have the time to care enough to argue about a game you have no idea about, then you have time to inform yourself. Don't go about calling people assuming when the facts are out there, but you're too focused on calling out Sony fans on a regular basis to even notice them.

Mark Cerny is the man's good friend, who he confided in about the Kickstarter. Shuhei is also a friend of both and was made aware of the Kickstarter. As the words were uttered by Boyes at E3 "this is very much THEIR project but we wanted to announce it on OUR stage". It was PR for Sony and a favour to a friend who's only real wish in this industry is to conclude his life's work independent of publisher control - Two birds, one stone - plain and simple.
---

"Especially when they already know who and what type of crowd is interested in this game."

I'm crying with laughter right now. You're not a Shenmue fan, you don't understand it. You don't even bloody care. You just want to be a part of a conversation that wraps Sony in controversy whether the facts are correct or not. Yet, you think that a game that has been in limbo for 14 years was "understood" by publishers. If it was, it would have been funded by them years ago.

Ultimately, SlapHappy is claiming that a game that is made by an independent developer, and mostly funded by an independent developer and its die hard fans is a "Sony game". He's angry and blaming fans for supporting an independent project. He's angry for people backing a game simply because Sony is attached to it via E3, and has agreed to make the PS4 version possible and market it on that platform. A Kickstarter campaign is to KICK-START(!) a project into development and secure its future. $2 million does that and allows them to begin developing the game on PC. Without $2 million, there would not even be a game, let alone Sony supporting a PS4 version in various ways. Sony is not even providing the funds for the PS4 version yet because it's not even in full development yet. It's not even being marketed yet because it's not on the market yet. You talk about "assumptions" - why aren't you questioning SlapHappy for his reactionary misinformation?

And FYI, I'm extremely disappointed that Sony wasn't transparent about the situation on the E3 stage, knowing what we know now. It only served to cause more confusion when that idiot Ben Kuchera reported falsely on it and then, the damage is done. Then we have people feasting on a buffet of inaccuracies and s---ing out their own fallacies based on the misinformation, either to stir the pot, or because they don't know any better.

[Thatguy-310]

What I dont get is if the people that actually donated don't mind about the kickstarter then why are people who aren't putting money forward complaining about it? All this negative hate that has come out against the title is clearly because it's only coming to PC/PS4.

[showtimefolks]

As long as we get shenmue 3 I could careless which other consoles ut will release on. But I they don't have a large enough team. I hope we get shenmue 3

[Fin_The_Human]

People like you are the reason why we have DLC and timed exclusives.

What if other companied like EA, UniSoft and Square follow Sony and start using kick starter as a means to gauge if they should invest in game or not...kickstarter purpose was to help small developers reach there goal.

Sony is a billion dollar company why don't they just pay to make the game?

[joeorc]

Those saying its only made for developer's to reach a goal, is missing the point of kickstarter!

https://www.kickstarter.com...

Again , no.. Its not just for indies, or small companies and their ideas..its for everyone!

You and others I really do think are; missing the whole point of kickstarter.

Kickstarter is not about how much money you have or do not have, or how cash rich your company is or may not be. Read through kickstarter's hello page.

[Fin_The_Human]

Joe what was the point of your comment?

Please explain why Sony cannot fully fund this game just like how they funded SFV.

[Ultraplayerxp]

People buy SFV.

Shenmue is a proven financial liability (source: history)

Businesses don't usually last when it loses money.

[iceman06]

@Fin...the answer is very simple...because Yu Suzuki wanted to go the kickstarter route and Sony was happy to be one of the many partners. Not too difficult to understand. Just like Sony didn't fully fund No Man's Sky or any of the other 3rd party indies that they partnered with.

[JeffGUNZ]

I agree man. I think it's asinine for anyone to do this.

"Hey, why don't you give me some money to fund this game. Then, when it's all done you go and pay me another $60 for it"

Are we not funding these companies when we buy games?

[showtimefolks]

Fin

What did I say that was supporting Sony or any other company. I said I hope we get shenmue 3 and I don't care if it comes to other consoles. I am not one of those gamers who get some extra pleasure because a game is exclusive

Also I hope we get shenmue 1 and 2 in hd collection or hd remaster

And just for you:

As much as I love shenmue it's one of the biggest flops in gaming so even if Sony is a billion dollar company, that doesn't mean they should just throw that money away

Sony will still help more than any of us, they gave this game major e3 conference time. So they are supporting it, now this is the time for us to put our money where our mouth is

I am not against the idea of companies trying to see what sort of interest their game will get. By that I mean old IP's that the publishers are considering doing a reboot

[Spotie]

@JeffGunz: It's... you... I'm trying really hard not to call you names, but you're just making that SO difficult right now.

You DO realize that $29 gets you the full game, right? You understand that's how many, MANY kickstarter games work, don't you?

[starrman1985]

I would love Microsoft to help too, having both Sony and MS onboard would ensure a fantastic Shenmue!

[Indigon]

Why not. It doesn't have to remain an exclusive as far as I'm concerned. If it will get the kickstarter running again I say let's go for it. It will also give Xbox gamers a slice of Shenmue goodness.

[bumnut]

Shenmue 2 was on Xbox, would be disappointing if 3 doesn't make it

[Fin_The_Human]

Do you really think Sony is going to put money into this game and not get some kind of incentive like Time Exclusive.

[starrman1985]

Exactly, It's quite clear there is a huge want for this game as proven by the incredible amount of money raised via the kickstarter. If both Sony and MS contributed to the funding and got the game multi-platform it would be a huge win for gamers. There are still passionate Shenmue fans with Xbox One consoles!

My concern currently is if Sony only fund marketing and advertising then they wont have enough money to make it what it deserves to be. As much as I want to see the story continue, I have very very fond memories of Shenmue so would hate for an underfunded version to come out just to continue the story. I would rather keep the memory of what it was!

[2cents]

I agree.

Considering Shenmue was a Dreamcast game, then an Xbox game then everyone's game. It only makes sense that all gamers get to play it if they want to.

Going down the kick-starter route is only a good idea if it is indeed multiplatform. If it is a 'Sony Thing' then I find it insulting that they want our money to fund its development.

Bring it to all and the funds will come.

[Ocsta]

Excitement dies down. That's life.

[Neo_Zeed]

The problem isn't lack of excitement or platform. The problem is idiots telling people "Don't back Shenmue because Sony is funding it". The haters have damaged the campaign with undue controversy.

@slaphappy You're the one injecting conspiracy with your "they are abusing kickstarter" BS. The point of Kickstarter is getting things made.

[MadLad]

Or, you know, they are experiencing the slowdown seen in just about every large Kickstarter project.
The majority of the funding comes through in the beginning, and then near the end. It's just how things work.

Let's not try to inject some sort of conspiracy into it.

[TwoForce]

Slappy, I understand it's easy not to accept. And of course, you don't need to care about this. Small developer and big companies are two things can make people really scare. Sometimes, some people can use wisely and other don't. You want this project failed then go ahead. But that doesn't change anything, because the reality is the world of conflict, people will fight for everything matter. Like I said, you have rights to be angry, other people have right to believe. Making a risk is a scary one.

[IamTylerDurden1]

I meant this as a reply to SlaphappyJesus -

If Shenmue is such a massive big business project then why hasn't anyone funded it? Obviously this was the avenue that was necessary, any publisher in the world could've funded it, u think only Sony secretly knew Sazuki wanted to make it? U think other publishers didn't know?

U make it sound like big projects aren't allowed to use kickstarter, how about P Cars, Broken Age, Bloodstained, Mighty No Nine. U had the father of Castlevania and the father of Mega Man asking for funding, is that wrong too? Deep Silver picked up Mighty No Nine but didn't they get over 4 mill on kickstarter? Sometimes these projects need a kick in the pants b4 publishers realize it's a worth while investment. Your view on kickstarter is snobbish and smug, the reality is we wouldn't get Shenmue III if it didn't go on kickstarter. Now if Sony came out and put Herman Hulst from GG on stage and asked fans to donate for Killzone 4, well that's different story.

Kickstarter is an avenue for fans to fund and purchase something they otherwise would not be able to get. It's up to the ppl if they want to fund it. There is no "taking advantage" the ppl aren't forced to pledge anything. This wasn't a Sony 1st party dude, get over it. Ask ms to fund the game then, why did Sony HAVE TO fund this game? If anything Sony put Shenmue III on a huge stage and breathed life and enthusiasm into the game. I for one am glad.

[MasterCornholio]

Some people like Slappy want the project to fail just because Sony helped them out at e3.

Pretty shameful in my opinion when people wish the failure of the game just because it made a huge impact at Sonys conference.

[Outthink_The_Room]

It's not about wanting this to fail because it's Sony.

The fact is, Yu could have gone through Kickstarter himself, then gone into an early access program, without any platform exclusivity and shadyness.

They could continuously add more content as people go and play it. The people who backed on Kickstarter could have been granted a copy of the early access version for $20. When it hits early access on Steam, XB1 and PS4, it could be $30.

And over time, as more content rolls out, the game becomes built based on both Kickstarter and Early Access, without any drama and any platform exclusivity deals made before it even launches.

This isn't a hard concept to understand why a game, that's "supposedly independent" is being pushed by a single platform holder. That's not even close to being an independent project, which coincidentally we keep hearing that PR spin about.

[MasterCornholio]

@Outthink

When did they confirm the XB1 version?

Link?

Thank you.

:)

[MasterCornholio]

@Outthink

Im not the one with the attitude problem here.

"My god, you idiots on forums refuse to read anything more than 140 characters. Stick to Twitter sweetie, because apparently discussions that require logic and paragraphs don't seem to work for you."

Its pretty shameful that you resort to insulting me when I didn't disrespect you at all. Im just not going to bother with rude people like you. Your comments are not worth reading in the first place if your just going to come at me with that attitude.

Better go to another site if you just want to attack people this way.

[Neonridr]

Bloodstained, Mighty No. 9, etc aren't made by studios like Sony, EA, Ubisoft. Companies with millions at their disposal. These are guys who might have worked for larger companies in the past, venturing off on their own to make their vision become a reality.

Completely different than a company who is clearly being backed by Sony to ask for money from the public.

[Spotie]

Neither is Shenmue. It's not being made by Sony, and there's ONLY Sony backing because of kickstarter backing. Had the kickstarter failed, Sony would do not a damn thing.

This shit is SO obvious. It's evident in everything that every person involved has said. Which is why it's unfathomable to me that you can sit there, among many others, and write comment after comment of completely off-base bullshit like it's established fact.

[IamTylerDurden1]

Wth ru talking about? Everybody has a publisher right? Sony ISN'T MAKING THE GAME, they are publishing it not "making it". They aren't even fully funding it, this is an independent developer whom Sony decided if the interest is there they will help with marketing ect. The reason exclusivity is bc Sony is throwing down money to market and help it along, they aren't making it nor are they fully funding it, u know ms could've stepped up and fully funded the project.

Deep Silver is publishing Mighty No Nine, typically developers have publishers and sometimes those publishers get exclusivity, 2nd party studios do this. Shenmue is not being made by a Sony 1st party, ppl act like it is. Ppl have it twisted. Shenmue isn't a massive AAA game being made by Sony. U think P Cars 2's only avenue is kickstarter now? With the success of the 1st game they do not need kickstarter yet ppl give them a pass.

Truth is ppl who dislike Sony use this as an excuse to sling mud, look at post history for many of these ppl. Sony is helping Shenmue III become a reality, without them Shenmue III wouldn't exist or would be an iphone game yet ppl hate on them?

[Viryu]

My guess is it will end somewhere around 5m if it doesn't stop completely. The initial rush was insane, but I guess people who wanted to donate, and those who would have done it by the end, have already did so.

[deadfrag]

Why support if i can buy at release for the same price.No my money is safer in my wallet,im already sadned by supporting Star Citizen,i have an account and a pledge on an Origin 325A package with lifetime insurance and a bunch of goodies that i really would like to sell it ,and forget i have spend money in that game!

[Shazz]

A 4 million start for any game raised by fans is nothing to be sneezed at, Sony could easily fund the other 6 million

[Spid3r6]

Just FYI Shemue cost around 45 yo 50 million to make. Will Sony be able to make a jump. I think Sony has to much money invested in other projects so they are gauging still.

[SaveFerris]

Without a crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter, the chance of a sequel to Shenmue II would've remained a pipedream to Yu Suzuki and the fans of the series. The two games didn't sell as well as expected and Sega wasn't going to fund another game. The kickstarter is a way of gauging interest in the title and unlike a survey, fans of the games can 'put their money where their mouth is' to help this sequel to a cult favourite series become a reality.
$10M isn't going to be enough to make a game like Shenmue, but the developers must have secured finance from other sources. Maybe having Sony on board can help with securing more funding?
IMO Sony was smart to partner with Yu Suzuki for marketing the PS4 version. I doubt Sony would've fully funded Shenmue III because of the cost and risk associated, and knowing that the title was not much of a success in the past. This way they can reap the rewards if it is a success and lose little if it fails.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

So is it possible what we are seeing is a reflection of the markets interest? As in the IP has a strong vocal fanbase but is limited and beyond that it's interest level is fairly low with gamers outside of the circle?

[mogwaii]

Stuff this game, let it go, most overrated game ever.

[Neonridr]

I find it funny how the campaign isn't slowing down because everyone who was really interested in the game has pledged already. No, No, it's the Xbox fanboys that are hurt who are damaging the campaign. Give me a break. What a load of BS. Ever think that maybe there aren't millions upon millions of people that give a damn about Shenmue regardless of what platform it has been on?

And to those who are saying that it's only natural for a campaign to stall during the middle, yes that is partially true. However let's take a look at the most successful video game campaign run on kickstarter which just recently ended, Bloodstained. During it's run the lowest it ever pulled in was $32,000 - Shenmue's lowest is $7,500.

Bloodstained had achievements, stretch goals, interaction from the developers... Shenmue has nothing at this point. There is no carrot to dangle in front of people to ask them to pledge more.. It's just not being handled that well right now, they based all their assumptions off of nostalgia alone.

[No_Pantaloons]

Kickstarters always get a flood of donations at the start and end, this is not unexpected at all. Who still doesn't know this?!

[D-riders]

Im confused I thought 2 million was what was needed right now.

[MasterCornholio]

True.

https://www.kickstarter.com...

But as you can see the more they receive the more they can add. The game will get made but it can always have more added to it.

[cfc78]

2 million for the game to live

2.5 million Shenmue 1 and 2 flashback scenes will be added

10 million for Yu Suzukis dream to become a reality

[masa2009]

This is proof that it only takes a few vocal fans over the internet to make it look that an IP is bigger than it is.

[iTechHeads]

Dude, the game needed $2Million to be made.
It's at nearly double its goal right now at $3.6m with 23 days to go.

And this is all really hardcore Shenmue fans who are willing to fund it. Once it releases to the public the more "casual" fans will buy it. So yeah, Shenmue is a pretty big IP for a niche franchise that's been dormant for years and never sold much to begin with.

[masa2009]

4 millions is nothing in today's gaming industry. You can't make a game like this for 2 millions or even 4.
Even the originals in the 90s cost far more than that and back then games were routinely made for a couple millions.

They knew that all along. They are just banking on nostalgia to milk as much money as possible from the diehard fans and minimize the investment risks by their real backers from the business community, who are going to provide the bulk of the money.

[JeffGUNZ]

@masa2009

This guy gets it.

[iTechHeads]

Isn't Sony funding this, at least partially? They wouldn't fund an XB1 version.

[Dark_Overlord]

Only reason I haven't backed yet is I want a physical PS4 version, I know a lot of other people who won't back due to the same issue.

I may eventually cave and back a physical PC version but as of now I'm not sure.

:)

[ghostface9]

Yea it should come to x1 its ridiculous there going to make it ps4 and pc exclusive if sony isnt going to fully back it. #freeshenmue3

[chuckyj1]

First off why $ony wont fully finically back the game and make it a $ony exclusive should raise some flags... If Suzuki is only looking for $10 Million off Kick-starter even a company like Sony could easily afford that... $ony could have offered to buy out the kick starter requested cash for an exclusive agreement....

$ony doesn't want Shenmue 3 exclusive and I don't blame them. It's not like Shenmue 1 or 2 exactly flew off the store shelves...

[Eidolon]

I can never connect to this website, anyone else have that issue? I have TimeWarner RR.

[Keregan]

It's going to be a nice little indie game for the approx 32 000 fans it has worldwide pfffffft

[JoeDaniel]

Apparently some people don't know this is a game being partially produced/funded by Sony... sorry Xbox fans lol

[JeffGUNZ]

The first Shenmue sold 1.2 million copies.

The second Shenmue globally was approximately 320,000 copies.

The game wasn't terrible but it's not the second coming either. What is going to happen when this game does come and it's "eh" at best? I never heard ANYONE on the internet begging for Shenmue 3 except the select die hards now everything that owns a PS4 thinks this is like uncharted haha

[yewles1]

But you yourself said funds were already secured...

http://www.videogamer.com/p...

It seems like concern trolling now...

[Antifan]

The last game sold horribly. There's a reason why Sony or MS isn't upright funding it themselves.

[Malacath]

Who in the right mind would donate to a Kickstarter funded by Sony?

If Sony want this game to be an exclusive then they alone should be funding it. Not Kickstarter.

Anyone who donates to this are idiots. You are basically just giving money to Sony as the more Kickstarter raises the less they have to pay out.

[NerdStalker]

What is it everyone doesn't get, kickstarter means nothing now, sony will fund this project regardless. Why bother giving yu Suzuki the stage to announce the possibility of the game and get the fans excited if there was no chance of it happening. It's gonna happen, they know there's a lot of people want this, it's a seller pure and simple.

[urwifeminder]

Sony should invest everything they have into this game and their VR lol.

[chikane]

(Qoute)

(The Shenmue 3 Kickstarter appears to have stalled. Time to announce other platforms)

What a sad article.