Shenmue 3 will be exclusive to Epic Store for one year, backers can request refunds

Shenmue 3 Kickstarter backers were in for quite a surprise when Deep Silver and YSNET announced that the game would launch exclusively on the Epic Store last month.

After all, many of these people backed Shenmue 3’s Kickstarter campaign in June 2015 to receive a Steam key of the game when it was released, so their anger was at least understandable.

YSNET issued a new Kickstarter update to address the situation.

“As noted in the updates and survey at launch, we had originally planned for PC distribution through Steam. Taking publishing and sales considerations into account, YSNET and Deep Silver agreed to our partnership with Epic Games Store on PC version distribution,” the update read. “In response to backers who have requested Steam keys for their rewards, we discussed offering the keys on the day of release. However, coordination with the sales policies of the involved companies was untenable, and as a result we are not able to make a day one distribution option for Steam keys available.

“That we are not able to offer Steam keys for Kickstarter rewards at the time of the game’s release is a great disappointed and inconvenience for those backers who were expecting to receive them. We deeply apologize for the unrest caused by the announcement.”

YSNET went on to say that they will honor requests for refunds but asked for patience as they process those orders.

“Along with Deep Silver and Epic Games, we have agreed that should the above proposal not be acceptable to backers, refund requests will be honored,” the update read. “Details concerning the refund request process will be announced in a following update. We ask for your patience until that time.”

Additionally, they said they are now offering four different versions backers can request:

• PC Physical: Package (Disc), plus Epic Store Key
• PC Digital: Epic Store Key
• PS4 Physical: Package (Disc)
• PS4 Digital: PSN Voucher Code

For those selecting either of the PC options, they will have the option to request a Steam key that will be made available one year after the game is released, most likely November 2020 if Shenmue 3 ships on time, this time around.

YSNET also confirmed the PC physical disc will not have any game data stored on it, just the Epic Store installer.