I see the detractors in the comments making the same old tired, worn-out arguments.
Shenmue III is exactly what it needs to be and more, as a unique experience that standards apart from much else in the gaming landscape. It has absolutely as much right to exist as any other game, nothing has supplanted or replaced it. Don't @ me about Yakuza, because anybody who has played and appreciates both knows that isn't true. Why not replace Yakuza with GTA, by that stretched, flawed logic? You wouldn't dream of it, so stop punching sideways at Shenmue.
I've seen more people coming to this series in recent years than at any point prior since the release of Shenmue II in 2001. The idea that there is a finite amount of people who will appreciate what these games do is foolish. Like basically everything else, if you put it into the hands of people who are receptive to its rhythm and cadence, then they'll likely love it. It's earnest and uncynical, which we need more of in games these days.
If there is any justice, Shenmue is here to stay until it finally reaches its natural conclusion.
@Peach64 You'll probably be able to see for yourself soon, but Shenmue III does have environments like the ones you're describing. The second major location of the game is a large tourist town that's set to have the most "traditional" Shenmue feel.
@Badboyfx86 That's not how any Kickstarter games I've backed work, and this is no exception.
It'll be widely published by Deep Silver this coming August, and you can already find venues taking pre-orders. There will be an increased push once the marketing cycle begins.
Rest assured @ResidentEvil2, you'll be able to buy this game when it's available.
From the same interview cited in this article (machine translated but you get the gist), Yu Suzuki says the game constitutes a 50/50 split between new ideas and old ones. Actually in the same answer deals a lot with areas they plan to improve over the originals.
Not that this was ever a concern. Many interviews before this had Yu Suzuki saying he wants to bring new ideas to the table, and that they wouldn't be developing this entry the same as the originals.
@RedMageLanakyn If you want to play a change in publisher off as no big deal, go ahead. In reality, though? That's a very big disruption that would account for such an extensive delay beyond "quality reasons", but I see I'm not going to talk you round on that.
If you want to say IGA bit off more than he could chew with Bloodstained's stretch goals that's fine, but to compare them to Shenmue III's stretch goals without understanding the fundamental differences between them is not a proper argument.
Bloodstained's stretch goals largely just layer on additional modes and flourishes. Shenmue III's stretch goals change the core of the game itself. You might think that would obviously mean Shenmue III would take much more time as a result, but here's why that thinking is wrong:
Many of the Bloodstained stretch goals are built on the core game (ports, challenge modes, online functions). They require the core game to be sufficiently developed before work can realistically begin on these stretch goals. You can't scale development up to account for this. That's where IGA & co got caught out making up stretch goals on the fly, and are now possibly paying for it in time tacked on to the development period.
Shenmue III's stretch goals change the core of the game rather than layering on top of it. I was going to make a longer explanation about how the stretch goals are smartly structured, but I'll save you the boredom, unless you ask me to elaborate. The point is, you can scale production better with this approach because none of the stretch goals bar language support are being held back by the completion of the base game, because the stretch goals are rolled into core game design.
It's also important to note the stretch goals in Shenmue III were not made up on the fly like with Bloodstained. Yu Suzuki said from the start that before the Kickstarter launched he made several game design plans for several different budget tiers, and designed the stretch goals appropriately around them.
Again, none of this is me saying that Shenmue III won't be delayed. It's me saying that Bloodstained is in a very different position, with very different problems, and why exactly that is.
@RedMageLanakyn I'm not saying Shenmue III won't be delayed, but Bloodstained's issues are different, and not typical of a standard development process.
Bloodstained had publisher problems. From the outset of the KS there was an unnamed publisher waiting in the wings (rumoured to be Deep Silver), and it seemed at some point they dropped out to later be replaced by 505 Games. That's why I'm saying there could have been serious disruptions to development that meant such a big delay.
We'll have to see how it plays out for Shenmue, but it's apples and oranges really.
Bloodstained was pushed back because they lost their "development partner", if I recall correctly. Not that I'm privy to the specifics, but I assume work stopped for a time so another could be found (which is detailed in the delay update), which resulted in a pretty hefty delay into 2018.
@get2sammyb I put a lot of money into the project too, but I don't think pledge ****swinging would be helpful in this discussion.
As for a written report, carving out a block of time to write, translate (with a third party who are not always available no less), and copy edit would probably actually take more time than keeping a camera handy to record ongoings in the office as they're happening, and then clipping it into a video. It would also be a case of telling and not showing. There is more revealed about this game in the fleeting glimpses in the video than any written status update previously, and I say that as someone who has voraciously consumed any and all media related to this game - written or otherwise.
If you look at the video you'll see:
. An arcade, a feature which they couldn't previously confirm.
. Excite QTE, and QTE Title, returning mini-games they couldn't previously confirm.
. A return of the hint feature.
. A quality of life improvement where the notepad is segmented by coloured tabs.
. An advanced version of the minimap from Shenmue II.
. A look at the viewing angle of FREE Quest gameplay.
. Concept art literally everywhere.
. Bailu Village from on high.
. In-progress work on a quest.
& probably even more.
I'm not sure why you're trying to throw my comment about 8PM back in my face, however. I'm sure you work hard staying that late, and naturally would have sympathy with the developers at YSnet for doing the same. Surely you can understand that they're giving it their all where it counts right now, which is development.
@get2sammyb I get there maybe be some build up of anticipation, but it was only three months. A lot of other crowdfunded games that have released updated even less frequently than that.
YSnet doesn't have a media wing or a documentary crew following them around like other devs/crowdfunded games. The updates are put together by YSnet staff who have full days worth of other duties to attend to as well.
The article's content just felt like sniping considering the dev team are working very hard. If the title cards in the video are to be believed, they're at the office working as late as 8PM in some of this footage.
As the article above doesn't mention any of this relevant information, I thought I'd write it down for those who wish to know more about how development is going:
The game is scheduled for December 2017 and has been from the start. As of interviews in February, Yu Suzuki and Producer Cedric Biscay have said that the game is still on track to release in that window. As of June 2016, Producer Cedric Biscay has also revealed he tested a playable slice of Shenmue III, so they have at least made progress to the point where something can be played.
Of course, games slip more frequently than ever these days, so a move into 2018 may happen and I don't personally believe it will make December 2017.
That said, there is zero cause for alarm. The Kickstarter has been updating monthly and detailing work done on the game, such as the storyboarding process for the cutscenes, testing motion capture rigs, and environmental design artwork. Cedric Biscay has also said they are waiting to polish the game more before revealing it fully to the public again. Backers are still staying within the loop on development, and the development team are wisely not colouring the view of the game by prematurely showing pre-release materials.
Comments 14
Re: Shenmue III's PC Demo Is the Nostalgia Hit You Need Today
I see the detractors in the comments making the same old tired, worn-out arguments.
Shenmue III is exactly what it needs to be and more, as a unique experience that standards apart from much else in the gaming landscape. It has absolutely as much right to exist as any other game, nothing has supplanted or replaced it. Don't @ me about Yakuza, because anybody who has played and appreciates both knows that isn't true. Why not replace Yakuza with GTA, by that stretched, flawed logic? You wouldn't dream of it, so stop punching sideways at Shenmue.
I've seen more people coming to this series in recent years than at any point prior since the release of Shenmue II in 2001. The idea that there is a finite amount of people who will appreciate what these games do is foolish. Like basically everything else, if you put it into the hands of people who are receptive to its rhythm and cadence, then they'll likely love it. It's earnest and uncynical, which we need more of in games these days.
If there is any justice, Shenmue is here to stay until it finally reaches its natural conclusion.
Re: Shenmue III Is Finally Starting to Look Like Shenmue III
@Peach64 You'll probably be able to see for yourself soon, but Shenmue III does have environments like the ones you're describing. The second major location of the game is a large tourist town that's set to have the most "traditional" Shenmue feel.
Re: Yu Suzuki Implies Shenmue III Will Be Larger Than Its Predecessors
@ResidentEvil2 Sure. There are a few places you can preorder already, depending on your region.
See examples here: https://twitter.com/TeamYu/status/1081301268616892416
Re: Yu Suzuki Implies Shenmue III Will Be Larger Than Its Predecessors
@Badboyfx86 That's not how any Kickstarter games I've backed work, and this is no exception.
It'll be widely published by Deep Silver this coming August, and you can already find venues taking pre-orders. There will be an increased push once the marketing cycle begins.
Rest assured @ResidentEvil2, you'll be able to buy this game when it's available.
Re: Yu Suzuki Implies Shenmue III Will Be Larger Than Its Predecessors
@Danloaded
You're in luck. Shenmue II allows you to skip time during quests that require you to be there at a certain time of day.
Re: Yu Suzuki Implies Shenmue III Will Be Larger Than Its Predecessors
@darkswabber
From the same interview cited in this article (machine translated but you get the gist), Yu Suzuki says the game constitutes a 50/50 split between new ideas and old ones. Actually in the same answer deals a lot with areas they plan to improve over the originals.
Not that this was ever a concern. Many interviews before this had Yu Suzuki saying he wants to bring new ideas to the table, and that they wouldn't be developing this entry the same as the originals.
Re: Yu Suzuki Discusses Shenmue III's Story Development
@RedMageLanakyn If you want to play a change in publisher off as no big deal, go ahead. In reality, though? That's a very big disruption that would account for such an extensive delay beyond "quality reasons", but I see I'm not going to talk you round on that.
If you want to say IGA bit off more than he could chew with Bloodstained's stretch goals that's fine, but to compare them to Shenmue III's stretch goals without understanding the fundamental differences between them is not a proper argument.
Bloodstained's stretch goals largely just layer on additional modes and flourishes. Shenmue III's stretch goals change the core of the game itself. You might think that would obviously mean Shenmue III would take much more time as a result, but here's why that thinking is wrong:
Many of the Bloodstained stretch goals are built on the core game (ports, challenge modes, online functions). They require the core game to be sufficiently developed before work can realistically begin on these stretch goals. You can't scale development up to account for this. That's where IGA & co got caught out making up stretch goals on the fly, and are now possibly paying for it in time tacked on to the development period.
Shenmue III's stretch goals change the core of the game rather than layering on top of it. I was going to make a longer explanation about how the stretch goals are smartly structured, but I'll save you the boredom, unless you ask me to elaborate. The point is, you can scale production better with this approach because none of the stretch goals bar language support are being held back by the completion of the base game, because the stretch goals are rolled into core game design.
It's also important to note the stretch goals in Shenmue III were not made up on the fly like with Bloodstained. Yu Suzuki said from the start that before the Kickstarter launched he made several game design plans for several different budget tiers, and designed the stretch goals appropriately around them.
Again, none of this is me saying that Shenmue III won't be delayed. It's me saying that Bloodstained is in a very different position, with very different problems, and why exactly that is.
Re: Yu Suzuki Discusses Shenmue III's Story Development
@sinalefa That's actually the E3 2015 KS pitch video playing on the front page of the shenmue.link site.
Re: Yu Suzuki Discusses Shenmue III's Story Development
@RedMageLanakyn I'm not saying Shenmue III won't be delayed, but Bloodstained's issues are different, and not typical of a standard development process.
Bloodstained had publisher problems. From the outset of the KS there was an unnamed publisher waiting in the wings (rumoured to be Deep Silver), and it seemed at some point they dropped out to later be replaced by 505 Games. That's why I'm saying there could have been serious disruptions to development that meant such a big delay.
We'll have to see how it plays out for Shenmue, but it's apples and oranges really.
Re: Yu Suzuki Discusses Shenmue III's Story Development
@RedMageLanakyn
Bloodstained was pushed back because they lost their "development partner", if I recall correctly. Not that I'm privy to the specifics, but I assume work stopped for a time so another could be found (which is detailed in the delay update), which resulted in a pretty hefty delay into 2018.
Re: Shenmue III Clears Some QTEs in Cruddy Dev Diary
@get2sammyb I put a lot of money into the project too, but I don't think pledge ****swinging would be helpful in this discussion.
As for a written report, carving out a block of time to write, translate (with a third party who are not always available no less), and copy edit would probably actually take more time than keeping a camera handy to record ongoings in the office as they're happening, and then clipping it into a video. It would also be a case of telling and not showing. There is more revealed about this game in the fleeting glimpses in the video than any written status update previously, and I say that as someone who has voraciously consumed any and all media related to this game - written or otherwise.
If you look at the video you'll see:
. An arcade, a feature which they couldn't previously confirm.
. Excite QTE, and QTE Title, returning mini-games they couldn't previously confirm.
. A return of the hint feature.
. A quality of life improvement where the notepad is segmented by coloured tabs.
. An advanced version of the minimap from Shenmue II.
. A look at the viewing angle of FREE Quest gameplay.
. Concept art literally everywhere.
. Bailu Village from on high.
. In-progress work on a quest.
& probably even more.
I'm not sure why you're trying to throw my comment about 8PM back in my face, however. I'm sure you work hard staying that late, and naturally would have sympathy with the developers at YSnet for doing the same. Surely you can understand that they're giving it their all where it counts right now, which is development.
Language - get2sammyb
Re: Shenmue III Clears Some QTEs in Cruddy Dev Diary
@get2sammyb I get there maybe be some build up of anticipation, but it was only three months. A lot of other crowdfunded games that have released updated even less frequently than that.
YSnet doesn't have a media wing or a documentary crew following them around like other devs/crowdfunded games. The updates are put together by YSnet staff who have full days worth of other duties to attend to as well.
The article's content just felt like sniping considering the dev team are working very hard. If the title cards in the video are to be believed, they're at the office working as late as 8PM in some of this footage.
Re: Shenmue III Clears Some QTEs in Cruddy Dev Diary
Uh, what's with the overly negative tone of this article?
Would you rather have the dev team spending all their time producing videos for the Kickstarter, or actually making the game?
Re: Shenmue 3 Isn't Going to Be Ready for a Long, Long While Yet
As the article above doesn't mention any of this relevant information, I thought I'd write it down for those who wish to know more about how development is going:
The game is scheduled for December 2017 and has been from the start. As of interviews in February, Yu Suzuki and Producer Cedric Biscay have said that the game is still on track to release in that window. As of June 2016, Producer Cedric Biscay has also revealed he tested a playable slice of Shenmue III, so they have at least made progress to the point where something can be played.
Of course, games slip more frequently than ever these days, so a move into 2018 may happen and I don't personally believe it will make December 2017.
That said, there is zero cause for alarm. The Kickstarter has been updating monthly and detailing work done on the game, such as the storyboarding process for the cutscenes, testing motion capture rigs, and environmental design artwork. Cedric Biscay has also said they are waiting to polish the game more before revealing it fully to the public again. Backers are still staying within the loop on development, and the development team are wisely not colouring the view of the game by prematurely showing pre-release materials.