Shenmue 3 Developers Refuse Refund Requests From Fuming Backers Over Epic Games Exclusivity

Shenmue 3 is an Epic Games Store exclusive, and Kickstarter backers (who paid for Steam keys) are not happy as they are denied refunds.

[lodossrage]

This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. They literally told those backers this steam keys were how the game was going to be given. Then they go and pull Epic exclusivity on them. So after their blatant bait and switch, they don't give refunds?

Selling something to people as one thing, then selling it to them as another is false advertising and is very provable.

[Sonyslave3]

yup agree lawsuit waiting to happen

[BLizardXD]

"yup agree lawsuit waiting to happen"
and it'll get rejected. pc gamers paid for a PC version. the courts are not going to see anything past that.

[badz149]

@BLizardXD

" pc gamers paid for a PC version" - NOPE. they paid for "Steam Keys" and were repeatedly promised so which they will now not get because it's going to the EGS.

[mkis007]

Steam keys were never explicitly mentioned at time of kickstarter start or end. All it said was pc copy and they delivered. Im pretty sure kickstarter rules would protect ys anyway.

[ChrisW]

Plain and simply they know that it won't be widely accepted. There's too much hype and too many hardcore fans will be overly disappointed. So... Ummmm... I fore sought this.

[UnHoly_One]

Kickstarters are notorious for completely failing to deliver any product at all.

I don't see any way a lawsuit is going to work just because of the store you need to log into to get your product.

[KeenBean345]

I don't care for epic exclusivity too much but completely agree that they need to honour the customers who were explicitly told they would be getting a steam key, or offer a refund in full. This is a really bad look for deep silver

[yomfweeee]

Kickstarter NEVER mentioned Steam.

[TheGamez100]

Well good thing im getting this on ps4. But man is that a lame move on them.

[2pacalypsenow]

What kinda BS is that? You promised a steam key, you have to deliver, or give a refund.

Id be pissed too if I wasn’t getting this on Xbox.

[pwnmaster3000]

Hate to break it you buddy. It’s not coming to the Xbox one. That rumor got denied couple of days ago.

[2pacalypsenow]

Fine then on PS4 then.

Im sure it will come out on Xbox eventually.

[badz149]

@2pacalypsenow

"Id be pissed too if I wasn’t getting this on Xbox."

LOL you're free to be pissed now

[Tech5]

pc gamers should rejoice this and all of David cages games will playable on pc very soon. and it'll be the best of all versions anyways. 4k 60 fps.

[DevilOgreFish]

exactly. the complaint means little in the aspects of still being able to play all of Shenmue's games, Yakuza games, Sam lake's games, David Cages games, Halo, Forza, and Gears on a single platform. before this was never possible. all of them were split between platforms. Epic, Windows and Steam are effortlessly supplying pc with a vast unmatchable selection of games. everyone is so immature to not see this.

[yomfweeee]

They never promised a Steam key, the amount of misinformation being spread is Trump level.

[SegaGamer]

Stop repeating this nonsense. When backers were asked to decide which version of the game they wanted, they had a choice between PS4 and Steam. Ask any backer that donated enough and they will tell you the same thing.

They even created a Steam store page. They fully intended to release this game on Steam.

Also, the physical pc version said it would come with a disc, now Deep Silver are saying it will only come with an Epic key and case.

[yomfweeee]

You're the one repeating nonsense. The Kickstarter NEVER mentioned Steam. When you paid for the Kickstarter, you had to pick PC or PS4.

Only later did a "survey" come out asking your preference.

So...
#1. You committed to the sale prior to any mention of the word Steam.
#2. A survey is just a survey. It doesn't mean anything or promise anything.
#3. Whether they had a Steam store page has nothing to do with the Kickstarter.

[rainslacker]

It's a legalese BS. Technically, they aren't actually required to deliver anything, even if they complete and ship the game through other means.

Such is kickstarter.

And no, I'm not condoning what's going on here.

[Ristul]

I went with the Ps4 version, but damn that is a bad move. All that good Will out the door.

[kythlyn]

Yet another Kickstarter regret.

[Chaos-Dad]

Deep Silver... Metro Exodus 2.0

[Fraggle1987]

Again someone please explain to me why playing it on epic rather than steam is such a big deal? Its really quick and easy to just play on epic plus shouldnt everyone just be happy the game is even getting made?

[bradfh]

It was a Kickstarter game that players funded for steam and Developers made it Epic Games Exclusivity
no one likes a double dipper.

[jznrpg]

The Kickstarter said PC and Steam was only mentioned later when email were sent out but I bet the legal statement says you are guaranteed a PC copy and not a steam key. I am sure they have a statement saying conditions may change and steam keys weren’t guaranteed . It’s always in the fine print

[yomfweeee]

Wrong.

[badz149]

many people like to have all their games on a single launcher and in the case of Steam, the vast amount of features not offered by EGS. and as insignificant as it is, many aren't very comfortable trusting their personal info and cc numbers to too many outlets. having to open a new account at EGS means, trusting one more party with your info and cc which is never ideal.

[Hungryalpaca]

Imagine having current PSN/Xbox Live. Now imagine being forced to use the very first version of PSN when the current one is available.

Other than that go do the research. It’s pretty obvious.

[The 10th Rider]

One simple example to portray the lack of features is that the store still doesn't have a "shopping cart" to buy multiple games at once.

It might not seen like a big deal, but during their sale where you could save $10 on any game $15 or more, which was usable multiple times, people's accounts got flagged for making too many purchases.

They still haven't put out the updates/features they promised for April. It doesn't have cloud saves. And much more.

Basically rather than try to develop a compelling competitor like some other companies have worked on, they've just rushed their launcher out the door and now they're trying to brute force people to use it by throwing money around for exclusives.

[AK91]

That's kinda sh*tty to be honest the fans have a right to be upset with Epic exclusivity deal and not giving them refunds is unfair.

[mijayire]

Got a feeling this game will not be good. Hopefully I am wrong.

[jznrpg]

It’s still a PC copy and I bet that’s what they guaranteed in the legal statements because Steam in a not a device . You can always sue but it may be a waste of time and money . This is going to be an issue going forward for Pc games and who knows what other launchers come out. It’s still on PC in the end but some people are loyal to steam for whatever reasons.

[Blu3_Berry]

Wow......I have no words for this. This is utterly disgusting. Deep Silver is officially the worst gaming company right now on my list. This game would have not even existed if people didn't fund it. Deep Silver didn't fund it, WE did. The people/consumers.

What's worse, is that this could potentially harm future kickstarter projects from those who may be very honest and upfront. People will be very hesitant funding games going forward when they can literally get away with stuff like this. It's pretty much false advertising.

I am completely disgusted by this business practice. The developers of Shenmue 3, Deep Silver, and Epic Games should be ashamed of themselves. I hope nobody supports any of them going forward, especially Deep Silver.
F**k Deep Silver.

[yomfweeee]

You're deeply misinformed. It was never promised to be Steam.

[rainslacker]

If all those other KS failings haven't discouraged people, I doubt this will.

[lelo2play]

This is why I NEVER (and NEVER WILL) back a game being developed. Developers/publishers are sellouts that will screw their costumers any chance they get.
I only purchase a game when released... NEVER BEFORE.

[rainslacker]

I had faith in the developer, because I know how much of a passion project it was for the creator.

I'm getting the collector's edition made available through the KS on PS4, so as of now, I really have no reason to be upset over what's going on here, except maybe in principal.

But, I doubt the developer had anything to do with this, as it wouldn't be the first time where a publisher made this decision as it's technically their decision to make. I believe it was Metro Exodus where it also happened.

Otherwise, this is the only game I ever backed, because generally, I'm not big on funding projects where all I get is a game in return. If I'm going to invest in a production, it's going to be one that has a significant chance at return for more than just a piece of software.

[meep316]

I bet it’s only a handful of really loud backers, and it’s really not a valid reason to get a refund.

[Shikoku]

I smell lawsuit

[meep316]

I doubt it, its a small group of people who aren't likely very successful in life. Not to mention they have no valid case here, this is stupid.

[Shikoku]

Actually, you have nothing but assertions with no evidence to back it up. You and those like you are what's wrong with the world at large and gaming in general.

[yomfweeee]

I'm pretty sure only a survey mentioned Steam. And that's nothing but a survey.

No where in the Kickstarter was Steam mentioned.

[quent]

Epic keeps bait and switching with they're shady tacics in getting game noticed on Steam for month's or even year's then make an exclusivity deal paste minute, can't wait for that eventual knock on Tim Sweeney's door form Steams laywers to take all that away, Tim sure likes his nooses long

[DillyDilly]

They recognize its a platform changge in the statement - We apologize for the sudden change in platform - So they know they lied. Also this is why I never back anything. This is false advertisement plain & simple the lawsuits will be fun. Deep Silver should be shutting down after this botch of a release as any good will they had they just lost

[yomfweeee]

No, it won't. Kickstarter page never mentioned Steam. End of lawsuit.

[HighPlayer28]

Looks like Yu is holding the disloyal mirror.

[Platformgamer]

kickstarter is a cancer 99% of the time, when you will learn?

[Rachel_Alucard]

I called it months ago when I saw Deep Silver was the publisher. They would pull this because it's a PC title that has great anticipation surrounding it. They also published Outward a few months ago and that released on Steam fine because it was an unknown title till it released. They only target games they know people will buy regardless of the launcher.

Watch out for Biomutant, Dead Island 2, Atomic Heart, Wasteland 3, and any future Volition titles like Saints Row or Red faction. If any game in that list interests you, it'll probably be an EGS exclusive since Deep Silver publishes those.