Shenmue Dojo

I know that Shenmue I & II HD isn't going to come out in the next few weeks or anything, but I was wondering if somebody could help me with how I can purchase in on Steam.

I've heard about the below methods, but really I would like a bit of advice about what the best method would be.

Method 1

1) Purchase or use a VPN to change my IP address for Steam.
2) If for example I change my country to the US, I think Steam’s Store settings would change, and Shenmue would be viewable in the store.
3) Once it’s visible then I should be able to purchase it with a credit card.
4) Then remove the US IP VPN settings and it should be in my game library.

Method 2

1) Find an official online store that sells cd keys for Steam.
2) Register cd Key in Steam (might need to change IP address with VPN, but not sure.
3) If this doesn't work, I can try to add the cd key as a gift, I think.

P.S.
I think that Steam has the right to ban a game not released in the country your playing it in, so for anybody else who’s only way to play Shenmue on the PC is via this method, please keep in mind that the game might be deleted from your account.

sadly i think its a bannable offense and could result in the title being removed :(

Yeah you need to be very careful when doing this kind of stuff on Steam. If they pick up on it, they won't just remove the game but potentially even ban your entire account. I've read a few stories where this has happened to people so personally I wouldn't risk it.

you life in japan, why is the game restricted there?

drunkensailor wrote: you life in japan, why is the game restricted there?

It's only getting a steam release in western markets.

Kirino_Matsuyama wrote: I know that Shenmue I & II HD isn't going to come out in the next few weeks or anything, but I was wondering if somebody could help me with how I can purchase in on Steam.

I've heard about the below methods, but really I would like a bit of advice about what the best method would be.

Method 1

1) Purchase or use a VPN to change my IP address for Steam.
2) If for example I change my country to the US, I think Steam’s Store settings would change, and Shenmue would be viewable in the store.
3) Once it’s visible then I should be able to purchase it with a credit card.
4) Then remove the US IP VPN settings and it should be in my game library.

Method 2

1) Find an official online store that sells cd keys for Steam.
2) Register cd Key in Steam (might need to change IP address with VPN, but not sure.
3) If this doesn't work, I can try to add the cd key as a gift, I think.

P.S.
I think that Steam has the right to ban a game not released in the country your playing it in, so for anybody else who’s only way to play Shenmue on the PC is via this method, please keep in mind that the game might be deleted from your account.

I’ve sort of got some experience with Method 2. I once purchased a game code off eBay and my entire Steam account started charging games in Roubles after I bought the game haha. It was weird because the text describing available games was still in English, not Russian. I think I just contacted Steam and they changed the currency back for me. Not sure what happened though, except whoever I bought the code from was likely domiciled in Russia.

Not sure, but I guess you can buy the game using a proxy on your browser & Paypal. Then use the Steam client to download the Game. If you already have a japanese steam account, maybe you'll need to create an overseas account just for Shenmue.

Thanks for the feedback.

I know it is a little risky, but I guess I'm willing to take the risk, as it would be great to play Shenmue on my PC!

I think Steam's currency will change back to my local currency (JPY), if I make another purchase after I buy an overseas Shenmue CD Key.

In anticipation for the Shenmue HD release, I wanted to test if I could get another game that was banned/blocked in Japan to work. I thought I would try the 30th Anniversary Street Fighter game, as it's also banned in Japan.

I followed the below steps;

1) Bought a serial/cd key for the European version on PlayAsia (other sites are out there).
2) Changed my browsers country with an add-on VPN called TunnelBear, to the UK.
3) Added the game to my library via Steam's website (with the UK VPN active).
4) Loaded up the Steam software, and Street Fighter was already listed in my library.

I've tried playing the game online as well, and it works fine ^-^
I hope that purchasing Shenmue I & II HD will be as easy.