ConanTheKing wrote: I hope we get some Playstation capsule toys, but it might break immersion getting Sackboy and Nathan Drake in the 80s.

But getting Sonic, Amy Rose, Knuckles, NiGHTS, Virtual Fighters, Alex Kidd and Ryo owning a Sega Saturn didn't?

Joel Tess; what a freaking legend.

Haha the gaming media is actually laughable. Wow, a business offering to provide goods in exchange for consumer's cash? Those evil bastards! And sure, let's ignore the fact 'Slacker Backer' options are normal for nearly all Kickstarters... Idiots.

Just be prepared for the reviews guys.

IGN: "This is no COD" 5/10
Gamespot: "Not enough violence" 4/10

What if Shenmue 3 was exclusive to the Dreamcast instead?

How would you have felt if you went onto the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter page back in June and saw the below images?

In this hypothetical scenario, Shenmue 3 would have run on an improved version of the engine used in Shenmue 1 and 2. It would allow you to import your save files from Shenmue 1 and 2. It would be featured on 4 discs and be region free (although Kickstarter backers would have the choice of PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J designs in special "backer only" cases. It would contain a consistent 'feel' and translate all of the features Shenmue fans loved from the original two games.

To some of you who have moved on since the Dreamcast, this whole scenario would sound ridiculous. But to those of you who are still keen Dreamcast enthusiasts and retro gamers, you're probably aware that Indie developers are constantly still working on and releasing new Dreamcast games to this day, so you'll know it's not an entirely ridiculous proposal (apart from the fact, a couple of months ago, the idea of Shenmue 3 ever seeing the light of day seemed ridiculous).

So what do you think?

Edit: Please try and forget about financials and sales etc, and just discuss how you would have felt as a fan of the series.

Credit goes to who arranged the original artwork. It was not me, I saw it somewhere else and I just used it to make conceptual Dreamcast case artwork.

https://i.imgur.com/jnhnb3t.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GNwkPhx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4bHxWGE.jpg

240p for that classic Youtube circa 2005 vibe

I'm sorry, but I see Yu not playing games and keeping up with trends as only a good thing.

I want Shenmue 3 to feel consistent with the style of the first 2 games. I agree with Yu that it's better to have your own vision and not let yourself become to heavily influenced by other games.

We should be positive and understand that every little helps.

I'm pretty sure they're busy working on the game and right now the Paypal campaign is not a huge concern. They have their funding to work with and they're treating anything extra now as icing on the cake.

There's really nothing inherently wrong with that... Reviving Shenmue is a big task and this is now an Indie project. Resources and time are limited and I'm sure Yu Suzuki and his team are working as hard as they can.

Thinking about new rewards and marketing ideas may seem like a good idea, but I'm sure Yu Suzuki wishes to put his time and energy into completing the best game he can, with the budget he has and not have to then worry about the manufacturing of other merchandise for backers.

It's best to accept the funding that has been raised and be happy that all our dreams of Shenmue 3 happening is now a reality. I don't think stewing and getting angry because you think raising more money would be a piece of cake (it wouldn't be) will help.

And for the record, I can't think of any Slacker Backer campaigns that had huge marketing campaigns, lots of new reward tiers and made loads of money. They're usually treated as an added extra there for people who missed out in the original campaign.

(This is not directed at you, Hyo. Just saying.)

The slacker backer campaign was never meant to bring in another $6.000.000, now was it? A few very loud people in the Kickstarter comments and on message boards/Youtube/Facebook were desperately screaming at the top of their lungs for the option to give money via Paypal, and they got that option. And that's all it was and is, another payment option for everyone being late to the party. The vast majority of people willing to give money to this did so during the 30 days of the Kickstarter campaign. It's really no big deal. Yu was willing to make the game with $2.000.000 from the crowd. Now he's doing it with almost $6.500.000. I don't get why people are shitting their pants over this.

Generally speaking I don't get why 90% of you guys are shitting their pants over pretty much everything that's happening or not happening. You keep worrying so much and asking for so much more than is reasonable to ask for, instead of simply being pleased for once. We have so much reason to be pleased, yet you somehow manage to see the worst in everything, again and again. Isn't that exhausting?

Well said. QFT. /thread

To be fair, who gives a fuck about the survey? I get why they feel the need to do it, but I couldn't give a shit whether Paypal backers get the same rewards or not.

The bastard in me would love it if those of us who weren't lazy bastards and actually backed the proper campaign get our 'Kickstarter exclusives', since, without us, there wouldn't even be a Shenmue 3 or a second campagin. But then the socialist hero in me says 'fuck it, let's give Shenmue awesomeness to all that pledge'.

But seriously, I don't care. Regardless, Shenmue 3 is fucking happening!

That's because, for most people, the campaign is over. It's time to for the game to enter development (which it has) and time for us to await the game. 99% of people who care enough about Shenmue 3, will have already pledged money and the massive amount of hyper created back in June cannot be maintained.

The Paypal slacker backer is good for those who are late to the party and it will allow some additional money to trickle in, but anyone who thought it would generate millions of dollars, even if there was a better marketing campaign behind it, is sadly mistaken.

Call me a heretic, but they definitely need to be changed if there's any hope for Shenmue IV. People aren't going to like a game with controls from 1999.

Using the trigger to sprint/run isn't exactly old-fashioned and archaic though, is it? They could use dual analogue stick control for movement and the left or right trigger for running. I can imagine it feeling fairly natural and modern. I seriously don't want Shenmue to implement an 'auto-run' system or anything.

The Kickstarter Exclusive Rewards only applies to rewards like the phone card, which were marketed as "Kickstarter Exclusive".

In their defence, do you know how much of a backlash some companies have faced when they've marketed something as "kickstarter exclusive" and then they turned around and offered it on Paypal or whatever? They want to avoid that...

Btw, why blame Awesome Japan? You really think they have that much power? This decision would have been made after a meeting/consultation between all the relevant parties involved in Shenmue 3. Don't be naive.

Oh boy.... when the media hears about this, they're gonna rip Shenmue 3 a new one.

''Shenmue III developers scam Paypal pledgers from giving them exclusive items''
Even if I have zero confidence in gaming press, that would stray into outright lying. Nobody got scammed, it's just Awesome Japan ignoring the democratic will of the backers in two polls because they are afraid of backlash from a higher than expected percentage of backers.

Exactly. All that has happened is... nothing has changed.

I agree, it's pretty shitty. They should have at least stated before the poll that if "yes" doesn't get at least 'x'% of the poll, that nothing would change. Announcing that 'yes' won, but because 'no' still got a lot of votes they're not going to add any of the Kickstarter exclusives, is pretty bad.

I'll admit, my excitement of Shenmue III has decreased by 30% after seeing this pool BS.
If they pull something like this again, i might just forget it honestly....

I didn't wait 14 years for this...

I wonder if these clowns passing feedback to Suzuki are the same ones who thought fans want the forklift back in Shenmue 3 or for (Shenmue 3 spoilers) Chai to return in Shenmue 3. This will completely ruined the sense of satisfaction many of us got from beating him in Shenmue 1.


I'd be pretty keen for Chai to return... It's not like we saw him die at the end of Shenmue 1. They left it open for his return. Plus, we know he was supposed to be in the start of Shenmue 2, but the chapter/scene was cut.

Just finished up my review on Shenmue 2, for anyone who is interested. Many thanks for any feedback or constructive comments.

Cheers, guys.

https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/20 ... shenmue-2/

Hey guys, I recently started a blog and with today being the 3rd, I've published a special feature on the first Shenmue game. I first played it back in December 2000. 16 years later, it's still a phenomenal game and one of my favourites of all time. Would love for fellow Shenmue fans to check out my blog (sorry if this is a little spammy - mods please advise if this breaks any rules. I couldn't find anything listed in the FAQ). Thanks.

https://366gamestoplay.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/4-shenmue/

It's unfortunate that some people are too stupid to understand what this decision means. Knee jerk, emotive outcry everywhere... smh.

I'm talking about the people thinking they're not getting their rewards or that they're taking all the rewards down. Ugh. Don't people have basic reading comprehension skills anymore?

Word, Peter. Word.

Excuse the lame metaphors, but we've climbed the mountain and we're over it now. The game has been funded, fact. The game is in development, fact. Shenmue 3 is coming out, fact. It's time to stop nitpicking and end the negativity, in my opinion. AJ's role is minimal and the 'slacker backer' campaign is a perfunctory late option for those who missed the real campaign and not worth obsessing over. in the slightest. Oh I'm sorry, there are people who genuinely believe that with better marketing and a few extra rewards, the game would have raised millions in addition to the KS. Sorry, but I find that hard to believe. The vast majority of people who wanted to back the game, would have done so in the real Kickstarter. The late backing option is there for those who missed it.

Haha don't worry, guys. 1) Everything will be produced professionally. Fanta Joel isn't about to whip out his crayons and hand draw everything himself. Awesome Japan are just responsible for the Kickstarter side of things. 2) You can also be rest assured that Fanta Joel won't be sitting in the middle of a warehouse flabbergasted and inundated by huge printouts of addresses scattered across the floor. They'll be outsourcing logistics and shipping externally. Although, you just need to worry about the fact Awesome Japan will be passing on the information to whichever company(ies) they use...

I completely, 100% agree with you Peter.

Honestly, the negativity really gets me down. I know it might sound ridiculous to some, but I've wanted this game so badly for 16 years. We've waited so long. I hate the negativity, because I can't help but be ecstatic, regardless of any "controversies", that Shenmue 3 is finally happening.

When I see stupid clickbait articles, when I see outrage everywhere and comments like "I hope everyone kicks up a fuss. complains and this game loses all its funding", it really does get me down.

What I'm saying is, this is kind of a sanctuary free from the bullshit, but it's still sad to see negativity, even though I understand fans are anxious.

Sigh. I just need to stay away from Shenmue related stuff on the internet and wait for Shenmue 3's release haha.

I found the following in the comments of the Kickstarter page:

Ghost of Tom 'Skairkroh' Bule about 10 hours ago

Response from YsNet/Awesome Japan regarding the poll:
Hello Tom,
Thank you very much for your message. We understand that there is a lot of disappointment among fans who wanted the Kickstarter exclusives to be made available.
Since the launch of the Paypal campaign we have received numerous requests to remove exclusivity from certain Kickstarter rewards and make them available for the Slacker Backer campaign as well.
We held the poll as a method to gain more accurate insight on backer opinions concerning this matter since we could not be sure that the requests we received represented the opinion of the vast majority of the backers.
The poll was intended to gauge whether the backers felt that an exception could be made considering that the promise of exclusivity was already established. We felt that upholding this promise should be our foremost consideration.
The majority of respondents did not feel strongly enough about exclusivity to vote either yes or no. While the votes in favor of removing exclusivity marginally outnumbered those against, they did not represent a majority opinion in the poll.
The poll numbers do show that there are also many backers who do not wish to give up their exclusive rewards.
We feel that the logical conclusion to these results is to leave exclusivity as it is because there was not enough support to justify making an exception to go back on our original promise.
We are very happy that so many people responded and we hope we can continue to count on the support of the community.
Sincerely,
Oscar & the Shenmue 3 Team

It seems AJ is capable to reply one-on-one but inept of publicly explain their reasonings?

There response is quite honestly fair enough... The "outcry" and "controversy" is pretty shameful.

You just know that if YsNet had chosen to give the KS exclusive rewards to Slacker Backers that the gaming media would be running headlines like:

"Shenmue 3 Developers Breach Contract and Break Promise to Kickstarter Backers"
"Despite Being Promised EXCLUSIVE Rewards, Shenmue 3 Developers will screw KS Backers For More Money"

It's not just an AJ problem, it's a problem with all Kickstarters....

I'll have pre-ordered a physical retail release (I'm assuming the KS version will not have arrived), have the day booked off work and just sit down and play. It's going to be a bizarre experience, as I had truly given up hope of there ever being a Shenmue 3.

No.

on the other hand if you actually own a Square Tv I feel sorry for you, but thanks for your pointless input

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you quite... well, young?

A "square TV", or CRT, is the prefered option for most people who want to play old consoles that were created with Standard Definition in mind, for a 4:3 output.

Stretching a game made for 4:3 into 16:9 is pointless. It looks stupid and is not how it was intended to be viewed. Just look how shitty it looks:

http://clutchround.com/comparisons/images/resolution/csgo_4_3_stretched_3.png
http://clutchround.com/comparisons/images/resolution/csgo_4_3_stretched_4.png

It's not the look or budget of the game that neccessarily worries me, it's the fact that it's been nearly 3 years since the Kickstarter and all we have to show for it - besides the 'teaser' and a couple of goofy videos ("oh look, here's Ryo opening a cupboard and here's a fairly bad model of an old lady and we're changing her facial expressions. Big whoop") - is a few 'art' shots (because they aren't real screenshots from gameplay). It's getting old now.

The game is supposed to come out this year. Either come clean and admit the game is way off from being ready to be released or show off some actual gameplay in motion.

I'd even settle for some screenshots if they were actually showing off actual gameplay instead of just glorified game art, e.g...

http://lightningamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Shenmue-combat.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KsXTA.jpg

I like the new NPCs, and Ryo's face is slightly improved.

But the screenshots themselves are weird. I don't know who takes them, but they feel so random and amateurish. They need better PR.

Could be worse... :lol:

https://images.eurogamer.net/2013/articles/1/7/6/8/1/6/9/143695265716.gif

Whilst I feel for Yu worrying that fans are getting impatient and I wouldn't want a fan backlash or for people to whip out the pitchforks, I don't think the problem is we can't wait. I would be fine if the game needed further delays. I'd be fine if it didn't come out until the end of 2019 if that's what the game needed.

It just feels like progress is slow and that there has been a slight lack of transparency. I mean, really, it's been nearly 3 years and we just have arty screenshots. Not gameplay screenshots, but 'photoshopped' art shots. I just feel, as it's a Kickstarter, it would be better if they showed off more. It kinda added insult to injury when there wasn't an update in months at the end of the last year and then they finally provided an update to say there won't be many updates from now on. I mean, really ?

How hard is it to just do a quick video of Ryo walking around a village, talking to people and showing off the menu interface (if there is one yet?). All they have to do is make it clear it's all a work in progress and subject to change, yada yada.

They really need to announce a delay sooner than later. It’s dishonest not to. They’ve shown zero gameplay, are reusing an old trailer and I doubt they’ve even cast voices yet. There’s no chance this is anywhere near release.

And that's all I ask for; bloody transparency. Another delay is fine as long as we see progress. The problem is we haven't really been seeing progress and updates are infrequent now. Be open and frank with the release schedule and show off the gameplay you've been working on.It's not exactly hard, unless... unless there's nothing to show, because the game is in development hell and the team aren't up to the task... :???:

We've seen more of bloody Elysian Shadows. And at least the guy being the System Shock reboot had the balls to say they've had to go on hiatus, as crappy as that is.

I’m not going to panic and make assumptions about the quality of the final product like some of you clowns are, but to only show 4 screenshots after the hype leading up to this event is PR malpractice at best.

That's exactly everyone's point...

Oh, really? Everyone’s? Like the ones saying that the game is going to suck or won’t be released until 2020?

Who said it would suck? I didn't see anyone say that. But let's be honest, whoever said the game won't be ready until 2020 could be right. It's not that over the top of an assumption...

I mean, I'm personally betting on 2019. I just would like some better PR, more transparency and for the team to share more with backers.

Imagine, as a Shenmue fan, travelling all the way to the event, to only see 4 art shots. Ouch.

And yeah, 'Crazy Time' is right now. Expect nothing particularly exciting. Maybe another couple of art shots.

Hell, even Sony should step in at this point...one of their hallmark titles of E3 2015 is becoming a laughing stock of "never coming out" in a sense. I know its not, but it is the closest term I could think of.

I doubt Sony cares or even has any involvement. I know people keep on going back to the comments from a Sony rep saying 'we're backing Shenmue" and 'we're supporting Yu', but I'm pretty sure they meant more in a figurative sense, than them actually being a partner. There was controversy at the time after they said that and I know both parties tried to clarify, saying Sony would help them with just some marketing, but I bet that's not even really much of a deal. It's probably just small stuff like publishing trailers on their Youtube channel and doing a bit of promotion on social media when the game nears its release. I don't think it's a substantial deal.

But basically, Sony already got what they wanted out of "supporting" Shenmue 3. They wanted the hype and attention of having Shenmue 3 announced on their stage, and they wanted to win E3 2015. They wanted a short term win, with the initial hype leading to more people buying PS4s. It was a good PR move on their part. They're not concerned with the end product of Shenmue 3 and I doubt they even care if the game never comes out or if it sucks. Just the mention of Shenmue 3 and PS4 in 2015 will have been enough to help boost PS4 sales.

I actually liked the original "trailer" too, despite all the negative comments. I thought it worked fine as a teaser that shows off the current progress of the video. The full, extended version of the trailer isn't bad either. At least the opening message makes it clear that it's not the latest build and is an old trailer, I guess... We won't be seeing an official version of that trailer. Looks like it was just something for the audience members to enjoy.

But, that said, it's just frustrating that 5 months later, at an event and conference that they've hyped up, that they've chosen to not show off anything new other than a few bits of game art. We haven't had a proper update in months and then at an actual event, they just show off an old video!? It seems like a bit of a piss take. Do they really have nothing new and substantial to show? I mean, let's be honest, these new screenshots/bits of art would have been a weak normal update via email, but to have the cheek to do that at Magic Monaco. Meh.

And for those saying wait till E3, A) You know developers don't have to wait until E3 before showing off gameplay or releasing trailers right? In the modern world, developers just release gameplay videos or trailers or press releases on Social Media all the time. And B) I bet Shenmue 3 is another no show at E3 2018 anyways. Just you wait, they'll be more disappointment in a few months time.

shenmue 1/2 hd and s3 all in the same year. :) :D

Bit optimistic...

Just woke up to the news today with a very meh reaction. This was the chance to bring in news fans of the game with a remake, no a re-release. Wouldn't have cost a significant amount just to significantly update the graphics of the game. Day one purchase for me but can't help but feel this is a massive opportunity missed.

Yeah man, because remaking games from scratch is so, so, soooo easy. Just wack it in the ol' remake machine and out the other end comes a perfect remade game from all new assets. Just like magic.

And being serious, the games don't need to be remade. They're already perfect.

Three Words: Silent Hill Collection.

I would never get rid of my original games just because HD editions exist. They're hardly ever actually completely a definitive version. For every one Shadow of the Colossus & ICO HD Collection, there's about 5 Silent Hill HD Collections.

I'd say it's more of a port than a remaster.

I'm not sure why I keep seeing people say this?

1080p resolution, new modernised control scheme, new modern interface, native 16:9 widescreen, new language options.

It's a remaster by definition, regardless of how little or how much energy they put into enhancing the game.

I'm no expert, but it definitely looks stretched to me. I prefer the leaner look.

I believe altering things like resolution and control scheme to coincide with today's standards doesn't make something a remaster.

Yakuza Kiwami is a remaster, built from scratch on a new engine with additional story and gameplay content, enhanced audio (re-recorded I believe) and graphics.

No, that's called a remake.

Enhancing existing assets = remaster
Creating all new assets = remake

They've added the bicycle back into Shenmue 1.

The Switch is powerful enough. I expect that the remasters have been planned for a while and Nintendo wasn't considered initially because of where the company was at the point the collection started coming into fruition. Or maybe they really did only make the decision to create these remasters recently and it could also just be a decision Sega made to stick with PS4 and XB1. Who knows? Sadly, I'm not that surprised to be honest. It would be great if it does eventually get released for the Switch.

No, I don't mean to be petty, but the terms have literal and very clear definitions. They're not interchangeable. A lot of people seem to get confused by the terms and use them interchangeably (including some pretty big youtubers), so I do understand the confusion, but it is quite simple really in my opinion.

A remaster is technically a type of port. You are still porting a game from one system to another. So in some respects, we're arguing over semantics here. Decades ago, remasters didn't exist. They were just called ports. So, it could be argued that the term 'remaster' was created by publishers as marketing spin. Either way though, the term is here now, it's here to stay and it's got a pretty clear definition. If you take original assets, up the native resolution to HD, enhance other effects and textures, change menu interfaces, make other adjustments and alter controls etc., then it's a remaster. If you take existing assets and do nothing or very little with them other than optimise for different hardware, then that is a port.

Am I the only one who really could not give a f*** if the cutscenes are in 4:3? If they release the game in that state, then it will be because they could not avoid it. Simple as. It really isn't that important. What is important, is they ensure no graphical touches or effects are lost in translation. It's looking gorgeous so far.

Nice. That's annoying I only just found out about Base though. I pre-ordered Wild Arms for the Switch over at 365games (who charge immediately) and Base are selling it for a pound cheaper (okay, only a pound, but still... every little counts and it would have been nice to not have been charged until dispatch)

If I remember correctly, the first time I played Shenmue 2 I actually refused to use the time skip feature because I thought it was sacrilege in a game like Shenmue. My opinion on that 'softened' on further multiple playthroughs though lol.