Following the controversy of Shenmue III becoming an Epic exclusive, backers can now get refunds

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During E3 2019, it had been quietly revealed that Shenmue III would be headed to the Epic Games Store for PC, as an exclusive. This contrasted with what had been initially promised to Kickstarter backers--a Steam key--which resulted in controversy and confusion as to how things would play out for those who paid for the game and requested a digital PC copy. When it was announced that backers would be unable to request a refund, things became even more contentious. Aiming to calm the masses, a message from the Shenmue III development team noted that the Ys Net and Deep Silver would be looking into how best to work the situation out. Now, after a few weeks, it appears that the team has come up with a solution.

Those who backed the game get one of four options:
  • a. PC Physical: Package (Disc) + EGS Key
  • b. PC Digital: EGS Key
  • c. PS4 Physical: Package (Disc)
  • d. PS4 Digital: PSN Voucher Code
For those that choose the PC option, you'll get a copy of the game on the Epic Game Store, but you'll also receive a Steam key as well, which will arrive exactly one year post-launch. Backers can also switch their platform to PS4, if they no longer wish to have the game on PC.

Most importantly, refunds will now be allowed, if none of the above choices suit you.

:arrow: Source
 

KingVamp

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I like how they are still trying to shove the Epic Store on you, but at least you will still get your Steam key. Should have done it this way in the first place. Much less messed up and would have been much less backlash.

Let's just hope they don't pull a fast one again. lol
 

Kioku

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Crowd funding for games is idiotic to begin with.
Eh, depends on the game I guess? When you have a big name looking to crowd fund a game like.. Oh, I don't know... Shenmue 3, it's kind of pathetic. However, smaller dev teams aren't always in with bigger publishers who can fund their games..
 
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eyeliner

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So? The Shenmue games are bad, anyway. The success of the previous entries have proven that people don't care for it.

Yu laughed at you.
 

FAST6191

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I'm glad people are getting their refunds. People were promised a Steam release on launch. I think people have every reason to back out of this if that promise was broken.
Them promising multiplayer and backing out. Sure offer refunds as some kind of good will gesture if you want/can as that is a fundamental shift in offerings. From a technical sense you are some kind of investor so "this is why you never invest what you can't afford to lose" is in full force but hey.
Them making people use an alternative free launcher on an identical system for the same game (or indeed potentially better if it the deal resulted in some assistance with dev)... not seeing the need.

Crowd funding for games is idiotic to begin with.

Why? People club together to make projects, purchases and more happen that would otherwise take a lot of finance all the time. Why would it not be an option for games or inherently flawed for use in games? I have many problems with the amounts asked for vs the timeframes and results expected to be achieved but as a general concept there are more than enough people interested in games to fund the development of games if they all club together.
 

diggeloid

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Getting a physical disk for PC is actually pretty awesome. Anyone know if it's just an unlabeled disc in a sleeve, or a proper disk with box art and everything?
 

Pipistrele

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Still not sure why people are upset (it is not like a Linux build was promised and suddenly not delivered), much less deserving of refunds.
A lot of backers invested into the game out of reasonable trust for Steam, only for developers to switch to a vastly inferior and less user-friendly distribution service - it's only logical that a good amount of them want their money back, since that's just not something they were bargaining for. I do think the whole backlash was rather nerdy and not very constructive (stuff like metabombing or silly temper tantrums), but I would be pissed about it if I was a backer.
 
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