Sony Computer Entertainment are helping fund and create Shenmue III, Director of Third Party Production & Developer Relations Gio Corsi confirmed on a PlayStation E3 livestream.
Corsi stated that Sony met with Shenmue creator Yu Suzuki at GDC 2014, after he presented a post-mortem on the game’s development . The game was the number-one requested title on Sony’s #BuildingTheList social media campaign.
“Sony and PlayStation is definitely a partner in this game and it’s going to be run through third-party production,” Corsi said. “We’re going to help Ys Net get the game done, we’re going to be partners on it the whole way, and really excited to see this thing come out in a couple of years.”
Corsi also added the Shenmue III Kickstarter was meant to gauge fan interest, not fund the entire game. This makes complete sense, given that the Kickstarter was asking a mere $2 million in funding.
The Shenmue III Kickstarter reached its funding goal this morning, and is still raking in contributions. The final game will be released for PC and PlayStation 4.
