Ys Net has provided Kickstarter backers of Shenmue 3 with an update regarding the fallout surrounding the game’s exclusivity to the Epic Game Store – and will be providing refunds to unsatisfied customers, while more patient ones can wait a year for a Steam key so they can play on the platform of their choice.
The update comes in the wake of the news – revealed at last month’s E3 – that, upon its release later this year, Shenmue 3 would now be an Epic Game Store exclusive on PC. Further clarity was provided that Shenmue 3 be coming to Steam at a later date, while today Ys Net provided a more definitive statement.
“As noted in the updates and survey at launch, we had originally planned for PC distribution through Steam,” says the update circulated to Kickstarter backers. “Taking publishing and sales considerations into account, Ys Net and Deep Silver agreed to our partnership with Epic Games Store on PC version distribution. As a publishing partner, Deep Silver has greatly contributed not only to sales and marketing, but to scaling up the game so there is more Shenmue III to begin with. Also, Epic Games has been with us from the start of the project when we adopted Unreal Engine 4 for development, and have given us their support throughout the development process.
“In response to backers who have requested Steam keys for their rewards, we discussed offering the keys on the day of release. However, coordination with the sales policies of the involved companies was untenable, and as a result we are not able to make a day one distribution option for Steam keys available.”
The update also clarified that physical PC versions would not include the game data on the disc, and rather would include the Epic Game Store installer from which players could then obtain Shenmue 3.
A final fascinating detail was provided by way of what stretch goals the team were able to attain, and those they were not. A character perspective system which was initially promised has fallen by the wayside during development – though it’s also worth noting that seven other Kickstarter stretch goals that weren’t reached during the funding period have now been implemented.