Wanderin' wrote: Long story short: objective and subjective success for Sony shouldn't be based around comparing which of its developers within its own sphere of influence are better than each other. Rather, so long as the company (Sony) has duly chosen to commit its brand and reputation to a project (which Sony has all but done for Suzuki and Shenmue by presenting Shenmue 3 on its stage as a console exclusive), then all such projects should theoretically be given the same levels of support and resources as needed to ensure they are successes.
Ultimately, we want to proactively set Shenmue 3 up for the best possible outcome - that is in everyone's best interests, fans and Sony alike. Kojima and Death Stranding certainly seemed to be set and poised for that by the help Sony seems to be giving it. Can we really say the same for Sony, Suzuki, and Shenmue 3?
Again, I must offer a word of warning against the kind of support you're seeking from Sony.
Let me be blunt - Sony is not a friend of Shenmue.
Nothing Sony has done in terms of support and promotion for Shenmue has been from the goodness of their heart. By helping Shenmue at this stage Sony expects something in return at a later stage, as Sony is afterall a business. Thus far, Sony stands to benefit mostly in terms of prestige, by having the near mythical Shenmue 3 appearing on the PlayStation 4 (and not the Xbox One), sending a message that Sony's platform is the place to be if you take old school gaming seriously.
Of course, this also means that asking Sony for more help will have direct consequences for the Shenmue franchise. Every measure of support received from Sony must be paid-back in turn; the more Shenmue takes from Sony the more that Sony will expect in return. To the extent that if Sony were to have direct financial influence over Shenmue as whole then they would be able to alter the design of the game. Shenmue 3 would become Sony's vision of the game not Yu Suzuki's vision.