Thank you from Yu Suzuki

[Birty]

On July 17th, the Kickstarter campaign for Shenmue III drew to a finish. Because of you, the backers and the fans, Shenmue III set the Guinness record for the fastest game to reach $1 million, past the funding goal of $2 million in just 8 and a half hours, set the record for video games on Kickstarter, and became the 6th most funded project on Kickstarter, collecting $6.33 million.

All of this was accomplished by your efforts. Through the illustrations you drew, the videos you produced, and all that you did throughout the campaign, I could not help but feel the deep love you have for Shenmue.

Even after 14 years have gone by, to see this outpouring of support is something one as a creator can only dream of. There can be no better feeling than what you have given me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

We have just started getting into development, and as we move ahead, I will listen to all of you to make Shenmue III even better.

I thank you again all for your support, and wholeheartedly look forward to the rest of our journey together.

Yu Suzuki

[Three Blades]

Awww, now I'm crying...
...no, really, I am.

[ConanTheKing]

Awesome, he's got it in Japanese also for anyone that wants to try their skills:

7月17日をもって、キックスターターのキャンペーンが終了しました。

＄１Mのギネス記録や、わずか8.5時間での＄２Mのゴール達成、ビデオゲーム部門での記録の更新や、KS全部門での6位達成などを含め、＄6.33Mを集めました。

これもすべて、バッカーの皆さんや、ファンのみなさんのおかげです。

また、皆さんから届いたイラストや、編集されたビデオメッセージなど、シェンムーに対する深い愛を感じています。

14年経った今、こんなメッセージをもらえるクリエーターが他にいるでしょうか？

開発は今始まったばかりですが、これからも皆さんの声を聞きながら、より良いゲームにするため努力します。

皆さんサポートありがとうございました。そしてこれからも宜しくお願いします。

鈴木裕

Thanks for the heads up though, it's great for everyone and we know have something to look forward to, it's still weird to think we waited like 14 years for this.