One backer in particular has commented on the Kickstater forums for Shenmue 3 that they received an email stating backers won’t be entitled to either the game’s Season Pass DLC or Digital Deluxe Edition rewards. While the reported email also makes mention of backer-exclusive content, the aforementioned exclusives can only be purchased separately. The game received over $7 million when the Kickstarter funding for the game closed last year.
It’s worth noting the “ability” to purchase the Digital Deluxe content separately is a nice way of saying backers would need to pay full price for the better version of the game, on top of the respective amounts they’ve already pledged. When looking at the fine print, the game’s Kickstarter support webpage makes no mention of any Season Pass or deluxe content being offered, as well as any pre-order bonuses.
There will surely be backlash directed at Ys Net considering the company had to endure negative reception when it was announced Shenmue 3 would be an Epic Games Store Exclusive on PC. Community feedback forced Epic Games to change its refund policy when it comes to crowdfunded titles, and will be footing the bill for anyone who wishes.
Disappointment seems to be a common theme in the leadup to Shenmue 3, but given a majority of those who helped fund the game pledged at or below $60 in total, Ys Net has a viable reason to not offer players extra content apart from its backer-exclusive deals. Between the Epic Games Store exclusivity, yet another delay from August to November, and Ys Net bringing on new publishers to help further fund development, Shenmue 3 is getting all the help it can in order to launch as a quality product this Fall.
Shenmue 3 releases on November 19th for PC and PlayStation 4.
Source: GamesIndustry
