That game costed 40 M.....15 M for DEVELOPMENT and everything else for marketing...but CD Project Red knows how to work under a budget
Actually checked I am wrong about this, you are right about the overall price, I just took that as if the game's development costed that, anyway

I've been on the Reddit and Kickstarter and see no reason to kick in some cash. I'm a huge fan of Shenmue and have fond memories playing it as a child. The problem is that I'm comparing Shenmue to Bloodstained. To me none of the tiers are worth anything. There isn't much of anything he's offering that I'd like except for the understandably expensive jacket. The stretch goals are useless to me as well. I couldn't careless about another island with more mini-games. I want Shenmue I and II Remastered. I want Shenmue on other consoles such as Mac and Linux. I want Shenmue here on GOG.com even since I see people are saying it might have DRM. None of those are offered and to me it makes zero sense to give money when I'm not getting anything out of the deal. It's to the point now where all of the fans are trying to get other fans to up their pledges and to me that's very sad. The people behind the Kickstarter should be doing this because they want the money. It is not my job nor the fans' job to secure funding. People have said before that the tiers and goals need work but nothing has changed.

I'm reminded of Bloodstained which had awesome stretch goals, console releases were in there along with other stuff such as more levels then they dropped in GOG.com which was the icing on the cake. Shenmue III does not have that nor does it look to be so much as considering it. It's a shame really because I want to give them my money but there's just no reason to.

I can appreciate that. If a DRM-Free option doesn't show itself by the end of the campaign, I will likely pull my funding. I might give a dollar just to keep receiving updates, but there is certainly no reason to support something if you personally cannot use or enjoy it.

And this is what I don't get. Many people seem to be blinded by the fact that it's Shenmue. Maybe they're letting the fanboy in them take over or they're just plain excited but that isn't good because I see very few really thinking this out. It's only on PS4 and PC. I own neither. Why would I donate? Why am I wrong to want more out of this Kickstarter? Why are they trying to coerce each other to up what they've already put in? Why don't they ask these people heading this thing to fix some of these obvious problems? It makes no sense to me.

In regards to you pulling your funding, that's a serious issue which IMHO they need to address. But I'm beginning to feel that they really don't care what the fans think nor do they care what the fans want. This is all about Mr. Suzuki's vision which started at 2mill, jumped to 5mill once money started pouring in and now is 10mill to get a "truly open world game". What he means by that I doubt we'll ever know because it goes without saying that this isn't another GTA or The Witcher. The Kickstarter has been stuck hovering around 3.5mill for days and from reading comments on there people are actually pulling out instead of chipping in. I don't see any concern for that from anyone involved with the Kickstarter.

People have asked about the Remasters millions of times. "Sega owns them" so they cannot do it right now is about the gist of it but they have to know that most people jumping in on Shenmue III might not want to watch "Cinematic Shorts" as opposed to playing the game. I tried watching "Shenmue: The Movie" on XBox and it bored me. Posters here already claimed that they're not trying to be bothered with a movie as opposed to playing the game. So one concern, the Remasters, no go. If we don't like it that's just too bad. Go spend a fortune on EBay or Gamestop for the originals. The second concern, other consoles, I haven't seen much of anything said about that yet. In fact they've been totally silent. It's up in the air and when you're trying to get my money you don't leave stuff up in the air. It's great for them because they didn't promise jack but I'm not moving on false hopes. Third, the DRM. This is a very valid concern which I hadn't even considered until I read on this thread. Do they seriously think people will buy this game with DRM when everyone is opposing it left and right? I've never heard so much as one person say something good about DRM. Again a very valid concern but all is quiet on their front. Physical PS4 disc, people are begging for it. Not a word said about it. And look at the Kickstarter, people who already pledged are willing to throw in even more if only they'd start answering some of their concerns.

I don't know why the funding has trickled to this but IMHO it's due to them being so quiet. They need to stop ignoring what people are saying, try to give them what they want, address why they cannot do the rest and for crying out loud, remodel the tiers! This is pitiful! If the stretch goals can be edited they need to fix those as well. I don't think people are anywhere near as hype for this other island and more mini-games as Mr. Suzuki would like to think. If they keep on like this I'm pretty sure they'll continue to lose money and the only ones still funding will be guys who already chipped in adding more to their pledge.

And I'm sure it goes without saying that if they deliver a sub-par product there will be no Shenmue IV or V whether or not Mr. Suzuki likes it. He has enough to live up to bringing this game out of obscurity fourteen years late. I don't think adding to it will help him in the long run.

I hate to rant because I'm a new poster and no one likes rants but I'll say this and be done for right now. If I were him I'd be either working on fixing this or outright trashing it and starting from scratch with new goals if that's at all possible. He started at 2mill, got that in less than two days and then said he wants 5mill to do some things he wants. Why did he not start at 5mill? Then he added that at 10mill he could make a "truly open world game". I'm not sure how games are funded or anything like that but I feel that he should've originally asked for 5mill and then gone for stretch goals of other consoles, physical discs, so on. He could even go back to Sega and seriously discuss this Remasters business. Maybe he could offer them a certain amount and throw that in as a stretch goal with it being loud and clear that Sega owns it but this is how much they want for us to get it. They could even release those PC Remasters I keep hearing about if need be. But I've no doubt he'd have blown through those goals by now. Once those are cleared and people have what they want then he could reveal other stretch goals of other islands and more mini-games then say he'd really like 10mill to do this. By that point many people would be happy but it seems at this point no one is anywhere near it.

Kick Starter, the new pre-order. "Fund this much and we'll make sure you get the super complete genuine edition!"

http://www.dualshockers.com/2015/06/22/the-controversy-mongering-on-shenmue-iiis-kickstarter-is-really-rather-sad/

So people are mad because Sony is involved? Or because Mr. Suzuki didn't say that to begin with? I'm not entirely sure what the problem is here.

Man this Kickstarter has gone wrong in so many ways and it hasn't been around a full week yet.

Shenmue 3 has been a rumor for well over a decade. with fake screens and possible fan-made follow-ups raising and dashing fantasies about a new entry to the series. that's a long time and I think people who have actually followed the possibility for this game for years before the kickstarter were just so excited to jump in to show support. the kickstarter stretch goals model isn't perfect but as a "huge" fan you ought to know what a Shenmue 3 means to some people. simple as that. drm or not you throw down a dollar or 5 dollars or whatever and you can help vote for it.

sega owns Shenmue 1 and 2. I'm HOPING that with all the hype around Shenmue 3...sega gets off their asses and tries to capitalize on the momentum and release pc versions sometime in the next year or two sometime before 3 drops. I'm pretty sure with all the Shenmue buzz everyone knows there is money there. got my fingers crossed for 1 and 2.

e:
here are some interesting links about what sony is funding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QgbxNbBG6o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idw_IQx2L0g

Oh I understand. People are talking about buying PS4's and completely new gaming PC's for this game so I understand. They have that kinda money to burn. I do not. I'm not going to let my want for a game blind me to the point that I'm buying entirely new consoles for it.

Not only that I shouldn't have to buy a console for it. This means I have to invest more money into this when I've already said I'd rather not. Sorry I like Shenmue a great deal but IMHO asking that of me and any other fans is ridiculous.

BTW, I dropped in on the Kickstarter last night and backers are still saying the stretch goals are horrible. They're only pledging out of love for the game but, if you ask me, others aren't interested in these stipulations. For me I own a Mac. I'm not about to invest in a decent PC when I just dropped a fortune on a Mac. Even if I were it'd have to be a nice running PC and not some cheap one I get in a sale because we all know this game is going to have some high specs. Now I'm of the opinion that they can keep it because we're talking a fortune at this point. But on top of that let us not forget DRM which I could swear was a thing of the past. They're capitalizing on fans who wanted the game and forgetting everyone else. They could careless what we want and this is why the hype train is dying down.

You're giving money in hopes that they release Shenmue I and II. I'm asking for an answer before I plunk down money. As it is if they let us all down and don't drop it they can say "We never told you anything" and they'd be right. What makes me so wrong for wanting some answers and a bit more communication on their part? It's basically radio silence with these cats. If you were to ask me this Kickstarter is a perfect example of how not to do it.

trust me my computer is not that old but it's by no means a gaming pc. also I like the idea of a re-release for Shenmue 1 and 2....but I didn't back the kickstarter for them though. in my original post I mention I still own my physical copies for 1 and the pal version of 2 on dreamcast. anyhow, I backed it without consideration for re-releases and without consideration for hardware requirements. why? because I've been waiting on this game for a long time. I never played a perfect game and I don't expect Shenmue 3 to be my first though either.

I think you make a legitimate point about them making the most of the "hype train" but at the same time I think many fans understand and feel their money is still worth Shenmue 3...awkward funding options and all rather than nothing. what if they announced the kickstarter and everyone was weary and no one funded? then it would 100% guaranteed not happen. I f***ing hate steam but i'll break my vow to never use steam for Shenmue 3. but remember this...I will rant and vote and pester other potential voters about making sure we can get a drm-free copy as best I can at the same time. that's what I want most too and i'll pursue it as best I can.

Official statement from Yu Suzuki


Shenmue 3 Funding and Budget Statement

There have been many questions concerning Shenmue 3’s budget and what outside sources will be added to the money collected through Kickstarter. I apologize for not having been more forthright in this area and would like to take this opportunity to help clarify the situation.

Ys Net and I have been putting in many long years trying to find a way to bring back a sequel that so many fans have waited so long for. After learning of Kickstarter, I knew it would be possible to get Shenmue 3 started. Wanting to make the best game possible, I also knew that I would have to look to more traditional means to obtain all the funds that would be needed to create the game I had envisioned.

Sony and Shibuya Productions have been wonderful partners because they believe in Shenmue and want to see the best for the fans and the game. Their investment in (and support of) Shenmue have helped to realize a sequel that will stand proud with its predecessors. While it is not business practice to discuss the specific details of such arrangements, I can say that with their assistance on the production and marketing end, and in Sony’s case with some publishing support as well, Ys Net is able to use more of the money we collect through Kickstarter purely for Shenmue 3’s development. It is also important to note that your funds are going strictly to Ys Net for development of Shenmue 3 – Sony and Shibuya Productions are not seeing a cent of your Kickstarter dollars.

The outpouring of support from all of you, the backers, has been so inspirational. I cannot thank you enough. Having reached our funding goal, I am excited to say that the Shenmue story will go on, and our journey with Ryo and Shenhua will continue. Fans will be able to enjoy the sequel they have waited so long for, and newcomers to the series will be introduced to a unique gaming experience.

Of course, like with any Kickstarter, additional funding will only help us make a better game. On top of everything Shenmue 3 will already bring, the Stretch Goals that I have laid out will add extra quests, events, and new gameplay systems that will make the game even more immersive and take the series to the next level. At the $5 million mark, there will be an all new gameplay feature I would be excited to be able to add to the Shenmue legacy. If we should make the $10 million Stretch Goal, a much larger, completely open world will be yours to explore.

Even if these Stretch Goals are not reached, Shenmue 3 will already be a sequel true to its name, and one we can all be proud of. It is my hope though, that together we can make this Shenmue just as revolutionary as the first two were.

I understand this statement may by late in coming. Going forward, we wish to be as open as possible concerning the game’s development. I would like to again ask for your cooperation and support in helping make Shenmue 3 the best that it can be.

Sincerely, Yu Suzuki



you can back the game here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ysnet/shenmue-3

if i got it right, this basically means no money from sony for shenmue 3!

possibly, or maybe not to the extent many were thinking, but helping and supporting...

Sorry, but no, the text is explicitly an acknowledgement of Sony's financial support.

Sony involvement is a bad sign. They obviously care only about their platform and make everithing they can do to gimp the game on other platforms. look at the batman arkhan knight crappy pc port we got - main reason here is that publisher just didnt give money for a proper one. they simply wanted to reduce costs...
Here is the different story - this guys will have money from kickstarter and unknown amount of money from sony (that can be spent onlyon ps4 version) - do you guys see where this is going?

in the worst case scenario they'll simply run out of money so only ps4 version will make it to release. others get pre-alfa builds..

in the best case scenario... well. ps4 vesrion will have best effects/grafix.

the main benefit from kickstarter is to be independent from will of big compnies and it is clearly not this case.

p.s. -seriously? no drm-free version? glad i didnt give them a penny.

Well, I'll readily believe that the PS4 is the lead platform, and I'll readily believe that the PC version will just accidentally be a little later than PS4.

But of course Sony will take their share from the PC distribution, and are thus interested in a reasonable PC port!