To expect backers to be consulted on a potential publishing deal (most of whom know nothing about game dev/pub or even care at all) is unrealistic, and not how these deals are done. It's clear that accepting a publisher's money (and, by extension, losing some control) was necessary to deliver a version of Shenmue III that people wanted and deserved from the campaign. If they hadn't, the game would've been a half-baked mess, and the current backlash would be nothing compared to the disappointment backers would've felt.
At the time YS Net had no reason to believe Deep Silver would do anything to upset backers. As they mentioned when the deal was made, Deep Silver had a solid record of selling Japanese games around the world, and their relationship with SEGA was probably good enough for Yu Suzuki at the time. That, and they didn't exactly have the luxury of being picky. Hindsight is 20/20.
This is clearly Deep Silver's doing, at the expense of YS Net's trust. I refuse to take a hard line on this just because YS Net's name is on the Kickstarter. It's possible for outside forces to come in and mess things up, and that's what has happened here. I'm not saying that makes things any better or easier to swallow.
You would think there must be some sort of clause in the contract on Y's Nets behalf that states that you can't have complete and utter control of the way this whole matter is being handled?
Deep Silver and Epic games are tarnishing Ys net and Yu Suzukis name here.
People's faith in Kickstarter is at an all time low now after this too.... this whole sordid affair is just having too many repercussions.
Surely if they have any concern about the well being of their backers at the very least they would have said something (anything), even if the matter is out of thier hands.
This radio silence reads that everybody has collectively shit the bed together.
Not exactly a good look for all involved! Especially if you are thinking of making new projects in the future. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice however....
I hope the collateral damage caused by Tim Sweneey's greed was worth fucking everyone over.
Someone out there say S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G!
Have some common decency and give us the backers and fans that at the very least.
