But Kickstarter is not clear enough. If it's not a sale, they should just change their terms and conditions and remove completely the rewards. But they won't do it because they know the backers won't be interested in it anymore. From the moment the creators of a project promise hundred/thousand dollars rewards, it's too easy to say "Kickstarer is not a store". If it's not a store, so just remove rewards and in exchange they give more importance to backers (backers>investors). Kickstarter was made for self publishing, I still don't understand how tier companies can be involved in a project after backers gave their money.
Well, it’s like you said if publishers don’t offer rewards to incentivize potential backers then they won’t donate. Not everyone is a hardcore Shenmue fan like people here and would’ve donated on the Shenmue name alone (especially for a series that’s almost alien to most modern gamers). I also agree that Kickstarter should make their terms and conditions more clear. However if a mere amateur like me can figure it out, I don’t see why others can’t. Also making the terms and conditions vague is the fault of Kickstarter, not Epic, Deep Silver, or Ys Net.
When it comes to corporate interference on a self-publishing platform like Kickstarter I think that video games are a more complex beast compared to other projects (which would explain why they fail more often). While there’s no doubt that indie titles on Kickstarter can be made like Shovel Knight, complex games like Shenmue demand way more resources compared to an 8-bit pixel game. Also, there’s the simple fact that after backer rewards and Kickstarter fees Yu would’ve only had 4.6-5.1 million to make a game that by today’s standards would’ve cost 36-53.5 million if you count for inflation. So it was inevitable that Yu Suzuki would need corporate help to make the game fans wanted and to follow his vision. If Yu Suzuki was restricted in following his vision because of corporate pressure then that’s one thing. However, he’s still being true to his vision all these years later, even with corporate backing.
So I understand that people are pissed off with the reactions of backers who are frustrated and ask refund or complain on KS (and I really really hate those rude people) but you should also understand this KS campaign was a mess from the beginning till the end with many no respected things. If for many people, it's only an Epic problem, for others it's more than that. I really think KS should stick out their chest and change considerably their terms and conditions because Kickstarter is not what it was supposed to be anymore.
I have in the past admitted that this Kickstarter has been handled poorly. From the poor communication over the Sony debacle, hiring Awesome Japan for your PR, releasing beta footage to a fussy public, and now this. As I said, Yu Suzuki is an artist, not a businessman and these rookie mistakes are proof of that. I also sympathize with people who felt betrayed by the switch to Epic and the issues they have with the client. I am happy that the more reasonable fans who were disappointed will be getting some form of compensation from Epic. However, I’ve become frustrated when fans cross the line and try to actively sabotage the game. I am frustrated that opportunists are using Shenmue 3 as a bludgeon against Epic a game series I love and waited eighteen years to see a sequel for.
I don’t care about their crusade against Epic if they hate EGS then they hate it. However, leave Shenmue 3 out of it.
