E3 2015: Shenmue III Now Has a Guinness World Record

Ain't even sweaty yet

by Sammy Barker Wed 17th Jun 2015

Some salty individuals may want you to stop pledging your money to Shenmue III, but that ain't stopping the project from soaring through its stretch goals. The game's already raised a whopping $3 million at the time of typing – and has just been awarded a Guinness World Record for reaching its $1 million milestone faster than any other game.

It took fans just 102 minutes to raise half of the title's target, stomping all over the previous holder by some margin. Torment: Tides of Numenera had to wait a whole six hours and five minutes before reaching seven digits – slow coach, eh? Yu Suzuki's long awaited sequel will now surely smash Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's record $5,545,991 total.

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Yesterday, it was revealed that Sony will be helping to get the game made, but it hasn't yet disclosed just how much funding it will be contributing to the project. That information will likely remain behind closed doors, but it'll be interesting to see if this ends up an exclusive like Street Fighter V, or if it will eventually launch on other machines.

[source guinnessworldrecords.com, via eurogamer.net]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Gamer83
Wed 17th Jun 2015

So much for 'no interest' which was the bs excuse I heard for years regarding Shenmue. Yeah, it's not Call of Duty or GTA, it won't be a console-seller. But people do care.

2
Gamer83
Wed 17th Jun 2015

@Bad-MuthaAdebisi
I'm thinking about fronting some cash for it myself. Problem is, I'm not very trusting of this crowdfunding stuff. I worry about something happening, the game not getting done but then there being some legal crap that keeps me from getting back my money.

3
Shellybird27
Wed 17th Jun 2015

@Gamer83 I actually think it will sell consoles. Sure, it's no COD or GTA like you said, but I think there is an audience who will buy a PS4 for this game.

4
Gamer83
Wed 17th Jun 2015

@Shellybird27
It'll move some consoles. What I meant is it won't have the impact that one of those bigger franchises has, even if they're multiplat games, there's more gamers out there who would upgrade their old console for GTA VI than for Shenmue 3. The other thing is, I believe this is just digital only, at least for now. With Sony partnering with them, maybe that changes. But if not, that does hurt the game's exposure to the public a little bit.

5
Riririn
Wed 17th Jun 2015

I'm not sure why but I think they'll beat Bloodstained. I backed both of them of course.

6
viciousarcanum
Wed 17th Jun 2015

if sony are funding and helping with development then why would it show up on other consoles.

7
get2sammyb
Wed 17th Jun 2015

@viciousarcanum I just feel like... We're still not really seeing the full picture. Also, Sony funded stuff like Guacamelee, which went everywhere.

8
Gamer83
Wed 17th Jun 2015

@get2sammyb @viciousarcanum
I think in a way it could paint Sony in a good light. Help get a long awaited game off the ground and then other players on other platforms get a chance to play it as well. It won't sell consoles but I'd say even if I was a the biggest Xbox fanboy who hates Sony, that would make me look positively at the company.