No refunds for backers unhappy at Shenmue 3’s exclusivity deal with Epic Game Store

Shenmue III is the latest game to become a timed PC exclusive on Epic Game Store. Despite fan disappointment and an angry backlash, Ys Net has confirmed “refunds will not be granted” for those upset the game will not be coming to Steam at the same time.

“We are happy to announce that Shenmue III for PC 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,” Ys Net wrote in a Kickstarter update.

“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.”

Shenmue III was first announced at PlayStation’s E3 press conference in 2015, the same year it was successfully Kickstarted to the tune of $6,333,295 – breaking world records in the process. Since then the original 2017 release has been pushed back several times, moving from 2017 to early 2018, then August 2019, and – as of last week – now November 2019.

Deep Silver and creator Yu Suzuki stated that “whilst [the game is] almost ready” the highly-anticipated sequel “simply needs a little more refinement before being truly finished”.

Epic has recently announced a slew of exclusive titles for Epic Game Store from partners as wide-ranging as Take-Two’s Private Division, Quantic Dream, Remedy, and 505 Games. Following the success of The Division 2, Ubisoft has committed to launching more new titles, and back catalogue titles, on the store, too, continuing its partnership where titles are exclusive to UPlay and Epic Game Store. Some of those back catalogue titles have also been promised as part of the free games programme.

The most startling inclusion in the list of true exclusives are PC releases of Quantic Dream’s last three games: Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls, and Detroit: Become Human, all of which are coming to PC for the first time via Epic’s store. Mobius also confirmed last month that its Fig-funded space exploration game, Outer Wilds, will be a PC exclusive for Epic Games Store, much to the disappointment of many backers.

Read more of our stories and analysis from E3 2019.