So, I decided to write down the nasty things going on with this Kickstarter. Yeah, because it's not only the whole Epic exclusive being the problem, there are several problems people are barely talking about, but they are also very important in my opinion.
-Steam keys were part of the system requirements for the game in many updates. The Fangamer survey asked to decide between a Steam or PS4 digital copy of the game. When the Kickstarter launched the Epic Store wasn't even a thing, but now we have Epic keys instead of Steam ones. Fangamer didin't even update their survey to reflect this, you can still opt for a Steam key.
-trail version of the game (100$ reward) is missing. "Be the first anywhere to play Shenmue 3 " was the slogan utilized in the Kickstarter page to indicate the 100$ trial would be available for backers before the press or people in general. The last week Ys Net was demoing the game at E3 and some streamers/youtubers could play it. As today, we don't know if the trial version people paid for will be delivered or not. Even if they will deliver it, it's still too late because other people played the demo in advance.
-the PC disc was promised in an exclusive backer-only case. It was stated the PC disc would come with data on it by Ys Net. Today we know the PC disc is nothing but a case with an Epic Store printed on it. Backers needed to pay 60$ for it (against the 29$ pledge for a digital only copy), so they paid 60$ for an empty box with a code if nothing changes.
-the Deluxe Edition pre-order bonus looks way too similar to the 250$ pledge of the game. Let's read it together: "A n illustration + A backer-only Arcane Technique Scroll + A Skin-change feature for Ryo's Jacket + The physical CD soundtrack. " The deluxe edition pre-order comes with way too similar contents: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/shenmue-3/home If the content is exactly the same, what backers paid 250$ in advance for? Because that same content is available for much less to everyone else it seems.
-The International phone card Ys Net promised in the 80$ tier wasn't mentioned anymore, and we can find nothing about it in the Deluxe or normal edition store page descriptions. Maybe it will come later, maybe it won't at all. But this is what Ys Net promised: "Get an international phone card (in-game item) to call Nozomi, Guizhang Chen, Ine-san, Joy, Fuku-san, or other characters from Shenmue 1 & 2. "
There are also other points like the 500$ capsule toys collection, but I want to give them the benefit of the doubt considering those are Kickstarter rewards and news can appear between now and November, but still there are way too many things wrong with this Kickstarter.
-Steam keys were part of the system requirements for the game in many updates. The Fangamer survey asked to decide between a Steam or PS4 digital copy of the game. When the Kickstarter launched the Epic Store wasn't even a thing, but now we have Epic keys instead of Steam ones. Fangamer didin't even update their survey to reflect this, you can still opt for a Steam key.
-trail version of the game (100$ reward) is missing. "Be the first anywhere to play Shenmue 3 " was the slogan utilized in the Kickstarter page to indicate the 100$ trial would be available for backers before the press or people in general. The last week Ys Net was demoing the game at E3 and some streamers/youtubers could play it. As today, we don't know if the trial version people paid for will be delivered or not. Even if they will deliver it, it's still too late because other people played the demo in advance.
-the PC disc was promised in an exclusive backer-only case. It was stated the PC disc would come with data on it by Ys Net. Today we know the PC disc is nothing but a case with an Epic Store printed on it. Backers needed to pay 60$ for it (against the 29$ pledge for a digital only copy), so they paid 60$ for an empty box with a code if nothing changes.
-the Deluxe Edition pre-order bonus looks way too similar to the 250$ pledge of the game. Let's read it together: "A n illustration + A backer-only Arcane Technique Scroll + A Skin-change feature for Ryo's Jacket + The physical CD soundtrack. " The deluxe edition pre-order comes with way too similar contents: https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/product/shenmue-3/home If the content is exactly the same, what backers paid 250$ in advance for? Because that same content is available for much less to everyone else it seems.
-The International phone card Ys Net promised in the 80$ tier wasn't mentioned anymore, and we can find nothing about it in the Deluxe or normal edition store page descriptions. Maybe it will come later, maybe it won't at all. But this is what Ys Net promised: "Get an international phone card (in-game item) to call Nozomi, Guizhang Chen, Ine-san, Joy, Fuku-san, or other characters from Shenmue 1 & 2. "
There are also other points like the 500$ capsule toys collection, but I want to give them the benefit of the doubt considering those are Kickstarter rewards and news can appear between now and November, but still there are way too many things wrong with this Kickstarter.
