Shenmue 3 Kickstarter campaign reopens for ‘slacker backers’

The crowdfunding period for Shenmue 3 has been reopened and extended, developer Ys Net Inc. announced today in a press release.

According to an update to the game's campaign page, the team led by series creator Yu Suzuki has decided to give those who were unable to contribute before the previous deadline another opportunity to do so.

The "Slacker Backer period" begins now and will continue until midnight on Dec. 31. A new option to pledge via PayPal has been added, as well as new rewards for backers.

New contribution incentives include a physical copy of Shenmue 3 for the PlayStation 4. The release also notes the addition of "physical game package designs, different from the Kickstarter versions." The previous campaign rewards remain available, as well, in more limited numbers.

The developer also detailed new stretch goals for the game. These extend up to $11 million, and include the expansion of the battle system and game areas.

While it may seem surprising that the long-awaited new entry in the Shenmue series, which became the the most-funded video game in Kickstarter history after its campaign launched following its E3 reveal, is looking for more money, this is not unprecedented.

Star Citizen received pledges totalling more than four times its initial goal, and has since opened its own private crowdfunding page to collect more money. inXile Entertainment also added an option to donate by PayPal after its The Bard's Tale 4 reached its funding goal.

Shenmue 3 should see release sometime in 2017, with rewards expected to arrive that December. The game will be available on the PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.