Shenmue III developer Ys Net declared that the game will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store for PC gamers.
Ys Net announced on KickStarter:
“We are happy to announce that Shenmue III for PC will be will be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Development for Shenmue III has been moving forward using Unreal Engine and the support we have received from Epic has been excellent. But most importantly, in looking for the most enjoyable experience on PC, it was decided together with Deep Silver after much discussion that the Epic Games Store would be the best distribution platform option. “
This update contradicts a previous announcement on the Shenmue III KickStarter from June 3rd of this year which indicated the PC version would require the Steam Client to activate.
Along with the announcement they did release a trailer for the game.
Shenmue III was originally crowdfunded on KickStarter by Ys Net. Their campaign received $6,333,295 from 69,320 backers. The game is being developed by Director and Producer Yu Suzuki, co producer Cedric Biscay, and creative director Tak Hirai. The game features a script from Masahiro Yoshimoto with character design from Kenji Miyawaki, and music from composer and performer Ryuji Iuchi.
The animation producer is Hiroaki Takeuchi, who co-produced The Animatrix.
The game features the return of voice actor Masaya Matsukaze, who will reprise his role as Ryo.
Shenmue originally debuted in December of 1999 for the Sega Dreamcast. It saw Ryo witness the death of his father Iwao at the hands of a Chinese man named Lan Di. Following the death of his father, Ryo sets out on a mission of vengeance as he works to track down Lan Di and follows him across Japan and into China. During his journey he encounters new foes, but friends as well as he continues to hone his Kung-fu. Not only is he seeking vengeance for his father, but he’s also trying to figure out the mystery of two dragon mirrors, one which Lan Di steals from his father and the other that he discovers beneath his father’s dojo.
The KickStarter for Shenmue III details the “story continues as Ryo and Shenhua start off on a new journey that will take them farther into enemy territory, deeper into mystery, and ever closer to their destiny.”
Shenmue III is expected to release on November 19, 2019. It was previously scheduled to release on August 27, 2019. However, they indicated the game “needs a little more refinement before being truly finished.”