When Shenmue III was revealed at E3 in 2015, fans of the series were elated – mostly because the thing’s been dormant for decades, and the last game would finally give a bit of closure to a game that ended on a cliffhanger. Though the game was first shown at Sony’s E3 press conference that year, it was subsequently revealed to be a crowdfunded game that would be available for PC and PlayStation 4. Of course, the game was successfully crowdfunded, and backers have been waiting for the game patiently.
Many of the PC gamers who backed the game are now furious. At the PC Gaming Show yesterday, creator Yu Suzuki took to the stage to reveal the game’s new trailer. He also revealed that the PC version of the game would be exclusive to Epic’s Game Store. And because PC gamers seem to have entered into some sort of blood rites with Valve, they’re very, very unhappy that the game isn’t coming to Steam. They’ve taken to the Kickstarter page to voice their displeasure. Many have requested refunds, but at this stage of the Kickstarter, it’s unlikely.
While I understand the frustration – especially given the announcement at the 11th hour – the anger seems disproportionate. It’s not as if the game isn’t coming to PC at all; it’ll just be available through a different launcher. Because it has no multiplayer, there’s no need for friends lists or leaderboards or any of the things that give Steam as a platform the edge.
While its developers never outright promised that the game would make its way to Steam, they did suggest as much. For starters, in 2015 Steam was the only real player for distribution of that sort, but there were also backer surveys that asked if players wanted the game on PS4 or Steam.
Developer Ys Net has confirmed the game’s Epic Store exclusivity.
“Shenmue III for PC will be will be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Development for Shenmue III has been moving forward using Unreal Engine and the support we have received from Epic has been excellent. But most importantly, in looking for the most enjoyable experience on PC, it was decided together with Deep Silver after much discussion that the Epic Games Store would be the best distribution platform option.”
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Last Updated: June 11, 2019
Kromas
June 11, 2019 at 09:18
I am a firm believer of if you dislike Epic store then don’t buy it. However things like these are not okay. You can’t promise one thing and deliver another. Then again promising one thing and delivering another is the motto of kickstarter games. 😛
G8crasha
June 11, 2019 at 09:32
Did they promise it would only be released on Steam, or did they promise that it would never be on the Epic store? They promised to deliver a game, which they are doing. That’s as far as the agreement is between them and the backers. I do agree though that it does kinda of suck on their part to state its exclusivity to Epic Games Store.
Kromas
June 11, 2019 at 10:10
They asked their backer Steam or PS4 na dgot an overwhelming response for steam. They should have said PC or PS4.
HairyEwok
June 11, 2019 at 11:51
It’s the motto for anything out there, governments do it, fast foods do it, hell toilet paper makers do it as well XD
Kenn Gibson
June 11, 2019 at 09:24
Go Epic! You’re making people rage like entitled misfits! You have my loyalty forever!
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
June 11, 2019 at 12:23
Well there are definitely “entitled misfits” out there and while i have no interest in this game. The greedy practices from the Devs are just shit. Don’t send out surveys asking for platforms and then when people confirm for either Steam or PS4 do a 180 and sellout.
I think this is especially more of an asshole move when you used the backers money to help fund your game.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 11, 2019 at 09:32
Today in “It Doesn’t Affect Me” news.
SagatatiaRZA
June 11, 2019 at 10:25
I keep saying this but there is more to the issues with Epic exclusivity than people being “entitled brats” or achievements and leaderboards. I for one literally can’t use it because they don’t support my credit card options. Neither does Microsoft. Steam however supports mine. Shit, even the Humble store and Origin does.
These are the niche issues they face launching incomplete like they did. I’ve contacted them and “they are working on more payment options” which is good and all, but it’s a store bro! Method of payment should be a priority.
Also yeah as mentioned doing this last minute to people who funded the creation of the game is kind of shit knowing how people feel about it. It is easy to say “people who care are babies” but their opinions (and monies) matter as much as yours.
HairyEwok
June 11, 2019 at 12:00
I hope this backers dilemma will bleed over to pre-orders, it’s the only way it seems we’ll be able to stop gamers from pre-ordering games.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
June 11, 2019 at 13:08
They replied to someone confirming the original Steam plan got changed:
https://i.redd.it/za81p0g19m331.png