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A new trailer for Shenmue III has dropped during the E3 PC Gaming Show. The trailer showcases some story scenes and new characters in all their goofy Dreamcast-era glory.

Also, confirmed via a Kickstarter update - Shenmue III is now exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC. This exclusivity was apparently chosen as Epic have been an important partner in the development of Shenmue III in helping with supporting development via the Unreal Engine.

PC Version Epic Games Store Exclusive!

We are happy to announce that Shenmue III for PC will be will be an Epic Games Storeexclusive. 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.

This change in distribution platform makes it unclear what options will be given to those that backed the campaign for a Steam digital/physical copy, but the new exclusivity deal likely means a Steam version is off the cards for now. Perhaps the deal is time limited but we'll have to wait for Deep Silver, the publisher, to clarify.

The Kickstarter update (link below) is currently being bombarded with comments from angry backers who are either demanding a Steam key or a complete refund. It's going to be interesting to see how Deep Silver and Ys Net handle this PR nightmare.

It has been and continues to be a bumpy ride for Shenmue fans but at least the game is nearing completion and is due to release on both PS4 and PC (via EGS) on 19th November 2019.

Source

 

[Essasetic]

But it's not exclusive, it's on PC in both instances, you just click a different icon to play it.



No, I just don't understand the tirade of hate against a company that is trying to help game developers get a bigger cut from their work. As I said in my original post, I couldn't care less what a multiplatform game is on as long as I get to play it, and in this case, luckily everyone can enjoy it as it's on PC PS4 and Xbox at the same time.

It is kind of annoying just to have two launchers for different games. But I do believe why the Epic Games Store is widely hated is because it's actually putting up a somewhat decent fight against Valve. But, the momentum won't last long. The cut that they set won't be sustainable for long. So they're trying to get Valve to give a bigger cut before they have to give a smaller cut.

 

[Xzi]

But it's not exclusive, it's on PC in both instances, you just click a different icon to play it.

Don't be facetious now, Epic themselves refer to them as exclusives. If they were available on GOG or literally anywhere else other than EGS, this wouldn't be an issue. Nor would it be an issue if Epic stuck to first-party exclusives, as Origin, Battle.net, and all the rest do.

No, I just don't understand the tirade of hate against a company that is trying to help game developers get a bigger cut from their work.

That's just smoke and mirrors. Every PC storefront and console storefront has the same 30% fee, yet Sweeney only ever mentions or complains about Steam. Epic is hemorrhaging money in an attempt to get their competition to adopt an unsustainable cut.

 

[hiroakihsu]

Epic trying to kill kickstarters now as well. 2nd game with the bait and switch, back the game for a steam key, then switch to epic. Keep doing it and people will stop backing stuff.

What's the 1st game?

 

[T-hug]

Don't be facetious now, Epic themselves refer to them as exclusives. If they were available on GOG or literally anywhere else other than EGS, this wouldn't be an issue. Nor would it be an issue if Epic stuck to first-party exclusives, as Origin, Battle.net, and all the rest do.

I'm not being facetious, people are acting as if they are now suddenly unable to play the game (as it would be if it were a true exclusive) when they are in fact choosing not to just because it's on a different client.

 

[Xzi]

I'm not being facetious, people are acting as if they are now suddenly unable to play the game (as it would be if it were a true exclusive) when they are in fact choosing not to just because it's on a different client.

Besides the lack of features, there's good reason to worry about EGS' security flaws and their management of private data. Which makes piracy the more appealing option in all respects.

 

[Exaltys]

Just gonna put this yikes down right here

 

[Volttekka]

While I have my own opinions on the whole Steam vs EGS vs alternatives issue, the crux of this situation is more about the flagrant violation of the trust between backers and the company for the company's benefit. The Kickstarter had no implications of any sort of exclusivity deal during it's active fundraising period, so to suddenly pull a "Gotcha!" on the backers and alter the terms of the agreement without forewarning is a direct insult to the individuals who pledged money towards the end product.

 

[Deleted User]

I do think its quite funny that probably zero of the people outraged about this were ever gonna play Shenmue in the first place.

 

[Xzi]

While I have my own opinions on the whole Steam vs EGS vs alternatives issue, the crux of this situation is more about the flagrant violation of the trust between backers and the company for the company's benefit. The Kickstarter had no implications of any sort of exclusivity deal during it's active fundraising period, so to suddenly pull a "Gotcha!" on the backers and alter the terms of the agreement without forewarning is a direct insult to the individuals who pledged money towards the end product.

Precisely, this bait and switch bullshit shows a clear disdain for their own customers/backers. If you haven't decided which launcher you're going with yet, don't offer Steam keys as an option. Just put 'PC (launcher TBD)' or something like that instead. Not an ounce of common sense was applied to their decision-making here.

I do think its quite funny that probably zero of the people outraged about this were ever gonna play Shenmue in the first place.

You know Shenmue 1&2 are both on Steam, right? Not only do I own those, I own a copy of Shenmue for Dreamcast too. The fact that it's kind of a niche game series makes it an even worse idea to tie it to a niche storefront instead of giving it as much exposure as possible.

 

[jmrodrigues]

I'm almost certain Shenmue 3 will be one of the biggest game flops ever. It looks really dated, it should have been released 10 years ago. I liked the other two on Dreamcast, but this one seems that has not evolved much.

 

[FAST6191]

That's just smoke and mirrors. Every PC storefront and console storefront has the same 30% fee, yet Sweeney only ever mentions or complains about Steam. Epic is hemorrhaging money in an attempt to get their competition to adopt an unsustainable cut.

I don't see how it is unsustainable. CDN for what will likely be about 25 gigs of data per transaction + credit card processing for reasonable sums (credit card companies get a bit fidgety with with low volume transactions, full price games) is not that expensive a concept, something 12.5% of 60$ or whatever games cost is more than able to cover.

Similarly it is not going to be like when a supermarket or big hardware shows up, does 24 hours at low prices and closes everybody else down. In one case I click buy this game, enter details and get my code/download added, and the other I do the exact same.

Read the link about him saying devs are key here. I am not seeing the problem. If the experience is mostly that of a basic transaction

What's the 1st game?

There are two main ones prior to this. Phoenix Point and Outer Wilds. I have not kept up with things to see if they have gone back or anything though.

 

[KingVamp]

I do think its quite funny that probably zero of the people outraged about this were ever gonna play Shenmue in the first place.

Like all the people that help fund this game?

 

[Deleted User]

Like all the people that help fund this game?

Im obviously joking but it is true that this is getting pretty blown up for a game very few will actually play lol

 

[Deleted User]

Im obviously joking but it is true that this is getting pretty blown up for a game very few will actually play lol

It's getting blown up SPECIFICALLY because it was the fans NOT the companies, that funded this game. They were told repeatedly it was coming to steam. There was never a single mention of the EGS, and now it's suddenly on it exclusively.

That's the big shit kicker in this one.

 

[FAST6191]

It's getting blown up SPECIFICALLY because it was the fans NOT the companies, that funded this game. They were told repeatedly it was coming to steam. There was never a single mention of the EGS, and now it's suddenly on it exclusively.

That's the big shit kicker in this one.

Is it not coming to Steam such an issue? Navigate to slightly different URL and download there instead. It is not like a promised multiplayer mode was dropped or something.

Any number of games that got their start with a bit of crowdfunding got themselves a corporate friend to help finish. Don't see this as being especially different here.

 

[Xzi]

I don't see how it is unsustainable.

Like I said, Epic is hemorrhaging money in order to maintain that cut, it's only because of Fortnite's success that it's been able to go on this long. They're even mismanaging that game, however, so it won't be more than another year or so before they have to raise their cut to match everybody else.

Read the link about him saying devs are key here. I am not seeing the problem.

The problem with that statement is obvious. Customers decide where to spend their money, CEOs don't decide for them. If you offer a shittier service, no amount of exclusive content is going to make up for that. It's like running a retail storefront out of an unfinished trailer and expecting to compete with Wal-Mart just because you sell an exclusive flavor of gum.

 

[FAST6191]

Like I said, Epic is hemorrhaging money in order to maintain that cut, it's only because of Fortnite's success that it's been able to go on this long. They're even mismanaging that game, however, so it won't be more than another year or so before they have to raise their cut to match everybody else.


The problem with that statement is obvious. Customers decide where to spend their money, CEOs don't decide for them. If you offer a shittier service, no amount of exclusive content is going to make up for that.

I have seen smaller companies with less funding do OK shifting more data for lower prices. If Epic or Steam or anybody can't make it work then that has to be on them. Also do we have a source that Epic is burning money on this one? Even if they are is it not similar to how you have to advertise your way into prominence in a saturated market?

If you offer an acceptable service though then that can change. As all Epic have to do is allow me to purchase, download and launch said game, none of which are especially technical feats. Incidental niceties might be nice but if we are allowed gaming terms then that core loop is in place then incidentals (most of which are basic OS functionality or simple programs to download, or indeed you might already download them when the bundled versions come up short) are just that

 

[the_randomizer]

When EGS fixes the security flaws, adds a shopping cart, doesn't flag your account for fraud for "buying too many games in a short period" and isn't run by a loser CEO, please, let me know. Until then, I refuse to install malware and spyware that tracks people who play games on Steam, yeah, why do they need that info again? Oh I know, they don't.

 

[FAST6191]

When EGS adds a shopping cart,

Is it really that big a deal for you? Do you really often go buy 15 games at once such that you now suffer by having to do them one by one manually?

 

[Xzi]

I have seen smaller companies with less funding do OK shifting more data for lower prices. If Epic or Steam or anybody can't make it work then that has to be on them.

What smaller company, exactly? Every launcher on PC is backed by a big player in the gaming industry. The ones that weren't quickly failed.

Also do we have a source that Epic is burning money on this one? Even if they are is it not similar to how you have to advertise your way into prominence in a saturated market?

Tim Sweeney has himself Tweeted that the current revenue split will not be sustainable for all regions and is likely to be raised in the future. I'm not great with Twitter so I can't find exactly the Tweet I'm looking for. The only way I can see it being sustainable in any region is if EGS continues to offer zero real benefits to either customers or developers.

If you offer an acceptable service though then that can change. As all Epic have to do is allow me to purchase, download and launch said game, none of which are especially technical feats.

If that's all customers expected of their launcher, Origin, uPlay and Battle.net would all have a much larger market share by now. Why should anyone use a service that doesn't provide any benefit over piracy?