Announced during Sony’s E3 press conference, Shenmue 3’s Kickstarter project came to a close one month on from that surprise announcement, and did so in some style. With just a few hours left on the clock, it put on a last minute surge of funding, setting a new record for funding a video game with a final total of $6,333,295, passing the previous high water mark of $5.54m, set by Bloodstained.
This record comes after an incredibly fast launch, that saw its initial target of $2 million passed in just eight hours, becoming the fastest Kickstarter campaign to reach that sum, before setting off on achieving a variety of stretch goals.
As a consequence of passing $6 million, the game will have an expanded Baisha village, Rapport and Skill Tree systems, and an Advanced Free Battle system. However, further extensions of the battle system and expansions of Chouba and Bailu village would have required the project to continue further, the final stretch goal having been set at $11 million, and Yu Suzuki having previously stated that $10 million in funding would be required to realise the open world he wants to create.
With the original game on Dreamcast having cost $47 million to produce, Ys Net eventually had to admit that funding beyond the Kickstarter project had been secured from other parties, including Sony and Shibuya Productions. The specifics of these deals are far from clear, but the Kickstarter project’s success will have acted as an indication of the continued desire to see the game made.
Source: Kickstarter
hazelam
i see! ^_^
i said it’d break that Bloodstained record didn’t i?
though i was doubtful for a while after the Kickstarter seemed to stagnate a little.
i look forward to playing the finished game.
Kennykazey
Sony isn’t paying for development as far as I’m aware, but marketing.
I think it’s a shame how poorly handled the ks was the first few days. With some key information and rewards missing. The initial target was way too low as well. I sincerely believe it could have ended with another couple million had it been as well done as Bloodstained or Broken Age.
Anyway, I’m glad they got past six and look forward to playing the final game.
For those who missed out on the kickstarter, there will be a PayPal for further donations.
Stefan L
Sony have said that they’re helping to fund it, depending on the success of the Kickstarter. Admittedly, it’s still very unclear how, what, why and where they’re doing this, but even if it’s just a marketing budget, every dollar that Ys Net don’t have to put towards marketing is a dollar they can put towards development.
Phizzy
Shortly after Sony’s press conference, I went on kickstarter and backed this. Then I realised I don’t give a shit about it and cancelled my backing.
tactical20
Lol
JoeBoi
What I don’t understand is why this is a PC and PS4 only game, yet Sony aren’t funding this at all?
arrybags
Now I hope Sega cash in and remaster the first 2 so I actually play them.