RyoHazuki84 wrote:In the end, I say we need to do a fund raiser or something drastic to get this rolling. At least get the HD versions released if they are at all confirmed completed.
Sadly we still only have the word of the boss-eyed drunk in the corner that Shenmue HD even exists as a project, let alone a completed one.
A fundraiser would only be worthwhile with the direct involvement of Sega. For starters, people would have no reason to trust that money donated to anything unofficial would actually be handed over to the intended party - it could easily be seen as a con, which would negatively affect the amount raised.
Secondly if we used something like Kickstarter we'd have to set a target, and without Sega's input we don't know what that should be, or even if any price would be enough to make them divert manpower into Shenmue 3. We'd need Sega to say "alright, we'll be interested if you raise X amount."
Thirdly, and importantly, if we publicised a Shenmue fundraiser that went on to fail for the above reasons, then people would be wary of backing another if Sega ever did get around to holding one themselves. "I've already done this, and it went nowhere," the once-bitten, twice-shy public would say to themselves before passing up a legitimate, official chance to fund the game.
The only positive would of course be the statement of intent made by anyone who did put their money where their mouth is. But it's a risky way to make a point, because the lack of endorsement from Sega would result in a lower figure raised, which would misrepresent the demand for the game and possibly convince Sega once and for all that there's no profit to be made on Shenmue 3.
In short, we'd need Sega's blessing to launch a fundraiser or it would do more harm than good.