Shenmue 3 Kickstarter Ends at $6.3 million, Breaking Records

While not the biggest name, Shenmue has a large cult following, and the original games are some of the most beloved to be released on the Dreamcast (the second also launched on the original Xbox, as well).

Sitting at $5.8 million as of this writing, Shenmue III might be the first game-based Kickstarter to cross the $6 million mark, and it’s already in the rarefied air enjoyed by only a handful of Kickstarter efforts.

Koji Igarashi’s Kickstarter campaign for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was previously the most funded video game to be on Kickstarter, however this record has now been beaten by the Kickstarter campaign to create Shenmue 3. Shenmue 3′ Kickstarter has overtaken Bloodstained and has become the highest funded video game in Kickstarter’s history.

If this project reaches its funding goal, Shenmue 3 will be available on the PS4 and PC. It means that “Shenmue III” will have an expanded character perspective system.

The top reward for pledges is dinner with Yu Suzuki in Los Angeles, California.

There are still many reward tiers open for funding, including a laser engraved crystal sculpture of Ryo for funding $2,500 or more.

In a statement to vg247, campaign cretors Ys Net said that a physical disk might not happen: “Whether Shenmue 3 will be available for retail or not is now unconfirmed”. Though always conceived as a trilogy, the Dreamcast’s untimely demise left the saga unfinished, and the wait began. Even if it is only $5, you will sleep well knowing that you assisted in contributing.