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[TheXbox]

The first stretch goal is actually about that, explaining the story so far in short films so you can just jump in.
If only everything was clearly explained on the Kickstarter page.

I know that. I have my own personal reservations as to how effective those short films will be, but in general I don't think many people are interested in sitting down and spending an hour or whatever digesting exposition so they can play and understand a video game.

They need to talk gameplay. Explain what Shenmue is. All of their messaging thus far has emphasized the story and legacy of Shenmue, which is fine for hardcore fans, but means nothing to everyone else. Whatever they did fifteen years ago to convince people that Shenmue 1 was cool, they need to do it again. It's not as revolutionary as it was, but there are still plenty of quirks and mechanics that make Shenmue unique. That should become the focus of this kickstarter.

 

[UrbanRats]

If Bloodstained can raise 5.5 millions without the Castlevania name... I cant see how Shenmue 3 can't raise 10 millions.

Better campaign.
Not a numbered sequel to 2 titles that are virtually impossible to obtain.
More broad appeal as a genre.

 

[Boke1879]

You can't deny that the understanding of most fans that the Kickstarter was primarily to gauge interest and that most of the funding was going to come from elsewhere. The article was just pointing out that it could be a mistaken assumption, which it turned out to be.



The article was saying the exact opposite, that claims of someone else providing most of the funding were not confirmed.

That's most kick starters. Bloodstained, mighty no. 9 etc. those kick starters reach a limit and addition funding comes from elsewhere. This is honestly no different

 

[Pureauthor]

If Bloodstained can raise 5.5 millions without the Castlevania name... I cant see how Shenmue 3 can't raise 10 millions.

I don't think Shenmue is really much more popular than Castlevania.

Also? The Bloodstained campaign was handled really damn well. The Shenmue 3 KS so far is... eh.

 

[Delstius]

I know that. I have my own personal reservations as to how effective those short films will be, but in general I don't think many people are interested in sitting down and spending an hour or whatever digesting exposition so they can play and understand a video game.

They need to talk gameplay. Explain what Shenmue is. All of their messaging thus far has emphasized the story and legacy of Shenmue, which is fine for hardcore fans, but means nothing to everyone else. Whatever they did fifteen years ago to convince people that Shenmue 1 was cool, they need to do it again. It's not as revolutionary as it was, but there are still plenty of quirks and mechanics that make Shenmue unique. That should become the focus of this kickstarter.

And I agree, the whole Kickstarter page doesn't explain enough and only search to appeal at hardcore fan. And the video isn't going to sell the game either.

I really wish this was handled better.

 

[GavinGT]

The article was saying the exact opposite, that claims of someone else providing most of the funding were not confirmed.

Yeah, I guess I was reading into it the wrong way.

 

[2 Slice Toaster]

That's most kick starters. Bloodstained, mighty no. 9 etc. those kick starters reach a limit and addition funding comes from elsewhere. This is honestly no different

Aside from the fact that the previous games in the serious are some of the most expensive ever made? You can't see why people would be more curious in this situation about exactly what level of funding is going to be available to determine what kind of Shenmue experience it might be compared to those games?

 

[Skux]

You are all grossly overestimating Polygon's pulling power. Nothing is going to stop the fans who want to see this game become a reality.

 

[Ushay]

This is just plain sad.

This puts the onus entirely on us to fund this project despite the phenomenal response to it. Can't Sony or MS do anything. Hate that fact that they refuse to fund it like proper AAA game (which it is in my eyes).

Just out of interest how much did a game like Yakuza (which is comparable) cost?

 

[Iceternal]

You are all grossly overestimating Polygon's pulling power. Nothing is going to stop the fans who want to see this game become a reality.

It's definitely going to affect people who were on the fence

 

[Spaghetti]

does anybody know what kicktraq uses for timezones to determine a day?

we've apparently raised over 40k today, but who knows what that today means

 

[StrangerInTheAlps]

Why do people get so hung up on the budgets of the original games as if it's going to cost similarly? We've been over it before, but isn't the cost of those games due to the all the systems, algorithms, motion capture ect. that needed to be developed from scratch?

Isn't it assumed that alot of things that the games did that seemed new at the time are quite common place these days, and much easier to develop with existing techniques? Add that to the fact that Yu Suzuki admitted that some assets from Shenmue I+II will be reused, and $10 million doesn't seem like a stretch. It's clear that Shenmue is very dear to Yu Suzuki, and knowing that fans are pouring a ton of money and passion into this, he's not going to let us down - even on a small budget. The guy has been at this a long time. Expect him to pull every trick he can to get this to work in a way in which people are satisfied.

 

[Sidewinder]

PS4 physical copy would be a good start to boost that Kickstarter a little more, make it a CE with Artbook and OST and I might triple or quadruple my pledge. 60$ for a physical PS4 copy would be a no-brainer for me.

 

[Elandyll]

As expected Sony is probably mostly helping with Marketing and probably the publishing on PS4.

Smh at people who tried to transform a great news for Shenmuen fans into some sort of KickstarterGate...

 

[Remachinate]

That's most kick starters. Bloodstained, mighty no. 9 etc. those kick starters reach a limit and addition funding comes from elsewhere. This is honestly no different

What was different was the expected amount of that additional funding when the Kickstarter was launched.

 

[Boke1879]

Aside from the fact that the previous games in the serious are some of the most expensive ever made? You can't see why people would be more curious in this situation about exactly what level of funding is going to be available to determine what kind of Shenmue experience it might be compared to those games?

That's a good concern to have. But judging from people in this thread they are more concerned about Sony having any involvement and that's mostly what I'm addressing.

Also this is a kick starter game. I expect the story and gameplay to be very focused but I'm not expecting an expansive world.

 

[Boke1879]

What was different was the expected amount of that additional funding when the Kickstarter was launched.

Do you know how much additional funding was received by those other investors?

 

[Uno Venova]

So are the people who made the biggest stink on the original thread here? Where's Littlefang?

 

[Acquiescence]

PS4 physical copy would be a good start to boost that Kickstarter a little more, make it a CE with Artbook and OST and I might triple or quadruple my pledge. 60$ for a physical PS4 copy would be a no-brainer for me.

This. But for some reason they refuse to elaborate on why a physical PS4 copy isn't happening. If they had a pledge that included a CE PS4 version with artbook, OST and other extras thrown in, I'd put in $300 for that no problem.

 

[Skux]

It's definitely going to affect people who were on the fence

The people who are following this drama will be going to GAF and Reddit and getting all this info cleared up for them. The people who aren't have put their money down already.

 

[Verendus]

Sony not funding, but it's exclusive. Suspicious. Suspect.

DTA

DON'T TRUST ANYBODY!

What does anyone do with ten million? Model a goddamn toilet? It's a sham. Kaz could fund this with his own personal fortune. Why doesn't he? It's his company. Why doesn't he step up, and do the right thing? Oh, that's right.

Because fuck you, that's why.

Spoiler

I listened Y2J.

 

[Alienous]

I hope Sony fully takes over funding the development of this and puts David Cage on it.

David Cage's Shenmue 3. Just like God intended.

 

[Jhn]

PS4 physical copy would be a good start to boost that Kickstarter a little more, make it a CE with Artbook and OST and I might triple or quadruple my pledge. 60$ for a physical PS4 copy would be a no-brainer for me.

Seriously. There's no useful backing level for us between $30 and $100, which is fucking silly. I want to back for more than the digital download, but I definitely do not want the "trial" thing.

 

[texhnolyze]

So, the goal is $10 million now?
They can always go beyond kickstarter if they can't make it in time, I guess. Just like Star Citizen. Well, I hope Shenmue 3 won't take that long to complete though.

 

[GhostTrick]

Sony not funding, but it's exclusive. Suspicious. Suspect.

DTA

DON'T TRUST ANYBODY!

What does anyone do with ten million? Model a goddamn toilet? It's a sham. Kaz could fund this with his own personal fortune. Why doesn't he? It's his company. Why doesn't he step up, and do the right thing? Oh, that's right.

Because fuck you, that's why.

Spoiler

I listened Y2J.

There's funding and fully funding. Sony has been clear on that, they're providing help

 

[harSon]

Why isn't the Open World aspect of it ($10 million needed) a stretch goal? Hell, does the Kickstarter even mention that it won't be Open World? The closest I see is this:

"No, we cannot make an open world game for $2 million. Shenmue will be produced using both the funds raised from the Kickstarter and through other funding sources already secured by Ys Net Inc. We are very sorry, but due to contractual obligations, details of outside investments will not be disclosed."

Which suggests that an open world game cannot be made for $2 million, but the game will still be open world thanks to outside investments.

 

[twobear]

sounds like sony just threw him a bit of cash to keep it off xbox

 

[Jhn]

The people who are following this drama will be going to GAF and Reddit and getting all this info cleared up for them.

I frequent these places, and from where I'm sitting, this situation is anything but clear.

 

[amstradcpc]

They must settle the 10 millions stretch="open world". People have to know.
Current stretchs are vague compared to that.

 

[Pureauthor]

Seriously. There's no useful backing level for us between $30 and $100, which is fucking silly. I want to back for more than the digital download, but I definitely do not want the "trial" thing.

Sounds to me like Yu Suzuki wants every last red cent he gets to go directly into game development, and not being used for extra costs like printing retail discs.

sounds like sony just threw him a bit of cash to keep it off xbox

Truly Sony must be moneyhatting a sequel to a series so niche it was in a coma for 14 years. Think of all the benefits.

 

[Jhn]

Sounds to me like Yu Suzuki wants every last red cent he gets to go directly into game development, and not being used for extra costs like printing retail discs.

But he is printing them. Just not for PS4. Which, granted, is probably more expensive.

 

[The Inventor]

So, the goal is $10 million now?
They can always go beyond kickstarter if they can't make it in time, I guess. Just like Star Citizen. Well, I hope Shenmue 3 won't take that long to complete though.

Right. Looking at what happened with Star Citizen this can be done.

 

[Remachinate]

Do you know how much additional funding was received by those other investors?

What matters is how much additional funding was known to be committed at the time of the Kickstarter.

Kogi Igarashi said that before the Kickstarter, Bloodstained had secured 90% funding (or $450,000).

And Mighty No. 9 made no representations of outside funding at the time of the Kickstarter.

Backers had a clear picture of the scope of these games when backing. The same can't be said for Shenmue 3; we wouldn't have 13-page thread for this news otherwise.

 

[FranXico]

I hope Sony fully takes over funding the development of this and puts David Cage on it.

David Cage's Shenmue 3. Just like God intended.

Some of you guys have a truly cruel sense of humor.

 

[Big Green Anus]

Sony not funding, but it's exclusive. Suspicious. Suspect.

DTA

DON'T TRUST ANYBODY!

What does anyone do with ten million? Model a goddamn toilet? It's a sham. Kaz could fund this with his own personal fortune. Why doesn't he? It's his company. Why doesn't he step up, and do the right thing? Oh, that's right.

Because fuck you, that's why.

Spoiler

I listened Y2J.

This is not part of the Sony exclusive with Sega that you mentioned, right?

 

[2 Slice Toaster]

That's a good concern to have. But judging from people in this thread they are more concerned about Sony having any involvement and that's mostly what I'm addressing.

Also this is a kick starter game. I expect the story and gameplay to be very focused but I'm not expecting an expansive world.

They are concerned about Sony involvement because we still don't seem to have a clear picture of how much there is. The narratives have run from "Sony fully funding after it passes the 2million test!" to "Sony not fully funding but providing marketing support and background support". Or maybe they will put in a good amount of money for development later? No one knows!

And I appreciate that you are taking a cautious view to what the game could be at this level of funding, but telling people not to expect an expansive world out of Shenmue 3 seems like it could really diminish their excitement for it.

 

[Verendus]

There's funding and fully funding. Sony has been clear on that, they're providing help

Seems to me they're trying to mislead everyone. Like I said, Kaz can drop money for this. It's nothing to him. And he is ultimately responsible for his company.

Suspicious.

 

[Warchild]

So are the people who made the biggest stink on the original thread here? Where's Littlefang?

You could tell how concerned he was. After reading all of his posts, I couldn't sleep; is he ok I kept asking myself!? How does one make it through the day being this concerned? I mean we all have our worries but this! This may have been the one concern that broke the camels back!

Littlefang, post if you're ok!

 

[GhostTrick]

Seems to me they're trying to mislead everyone.

Suspicious.

Okay, I'm terrible with irony. Like really, even a sarcasm detector wont do anything for me. Are you hinting at something or not ?

 

[spons]

I frequent these places, and from where I'm sitting, this situation is anything but clear.

Really? Some dude on a site wrote a perfect embodiment of a shitpost in the form of an opinionated article and that's about it. Just fund the kickstarter if you want the game, otherwise don't.

 

[Boke1879]

Okay, I'm terrible with irony. Like really, even a sarcasm detector wont do anything for me. Are you hinting at something or not ?

Verendus trolls quite a bit but he has good intentions. Honestly with how much attention Shenmue 3 has I fully believe it'll get the financial backing it needs

 

[bryehn]

Almost 650 posts and no "Fuck Yu, give me money?"

 

[KieranD]

Troubles ahead when there is headlines like this already.

The Kickstarter for Shenmue 3 broke records — because Sony lied to backers

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/2...-3-broke-records-because-sony-lied-to-backers

 

[Y2Kev]

Sony, take back your pledge money that you were previously told to disclose and then fully fund or you can kiss your non-backing non-funding of Shenmue 3 goodbye!

 

[Loudninja]

Troubles ahead when there is headlines like this already.

The Kickstarter for Shenmue 3 broke records — because Sony lied to backers

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/2...-3-broke-records-because-sony-lied-to-backers

Already had stuff like that from day one none of this is new

 

[kmax]

Troubles ahead when there is headlines like this already.

The Kickstarter for Shenmue 3 broke records — because Sony lied to backers

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/2...-3-broke-records-because-sony-lied-to-backers

What a terrible fucking article.

Embarrassing.

 

[publicpwnerer]

It's definitely going to affect people who were on the fence

90% of people that know of the Kickstarter still think it's secretly fully backed by Sony, and they're using Kickstarter to double dip with peoples money. Everywhere I go, people are still discussing how shady this all is and how they're not going to support this etc.

No retraction, no counter-piece from any press. What a bunch of reckless fucking idiots.

 

[Boke1879]

Troubles ahead when there is headlines like this already.

The Kickstarter for Shenmue 3 broke records — because Sony lied to backers

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/2...-3-broke-records-because-sony-lied-to-backers

This is why the gaming media will never be taken seriously shit like this.

 

[GavinGT]

Troubles ahead when there is headlines like this already.

The Kickstarter for Shenmue 3 broke records — because Sony lied to backers

http://www.extremetech.com/gaming/2...-3-broke-records-because-sony-lied-to-backers

Even Eurogamer got in on the fantasy fun!:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-06-18-shenmue-3s-return-is-magical-but-theres-still-cause-for-concern

He seems to think "... there's every likelihood that the infamous $70 million it took for Sega to bring the original game to market will be met."

 

[jmood88]

Good Fucking job guys by jumping to conclusions before any concrete information is given and smearing your shit over the campaign. Yu Suzuki's team definitely needed to be more transparent, but the damage has already been done, unfortunately.

I don't think they'll reach the 10m mark unless if his kickstarter team adds some kick ass tiers and allows PayPal support asap.

Please revise your article kuchera.

These are the kinds of misunderstandings that happen when you're not as open as possible with the people you're trying to get money from.