Virtual Shenmue Charity Fundraiser

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Here's an idea, but feel free to call it crazy.

One of Sega's concerns about releasing or re-releasing any core Shenmue products (be it Shenmue HD or Shenmue 3) is obviously their doubt that enough people would buy it. For all the begging they've been subjected to for the past decade, they must wonder how many of those people who vote for Shenmue in website polls would actually put their money where their mouth is if the game were to hit the marketplace.

So what if we were to set up a charity fund where people could donate the average price of a videogame (maybe somewhere between the expected prices of Shenmue HD and Shenmue 3), proving that this money is there to be made. It would show the same willing as a Kickstarter appeal, but as Sega would never launch such a thing, the money would instead be donated to a relevant cause - perhaps an orphanage group in Japan, as the loss of Ryo's father is the impetus for the Shenmue story.

Fans would essentially be buying a virtual Shenmue game, one that doesn't exist, but in doing so they demonstrate a genuine demand for the real thing.

Donations would be processed through a recognised service like Just Giving, to allay fears of it just being a scam - everyone would know that their donations are going to the named charity.

Is this monstrously stupid, or something worth doing? If you have any ideas to help make it work, share them. But don't spare my feelings if you think it's a waste of time.

[mue26]

We had a whole kickstarter Shenmue thread on the Dojo, but strangely no one suggested doing it this way with the money going to charity. They did a similar thing for the mass effect 3 ending I think, and it raised quite a lot of money. So I can't see why it wouldn't work for Shenmue. I'd be up for it, especially as it's all going to a good cause too.

The only problem is, now that everyone is like "Shenmue HD is confirmed!!Lets celebrate!", surely it would get a lot less support right now?

[ShenmueAddict]

Yeh i'd be up for supporting that, but wouldent it be better sending the Money to Yu Suzuki's studio to help with the production costs? not that im against giving to charity or anything! lol

And yeh as Mue said, with all the masses thinking "everything is ok time to stop campaigning" it would not get much support right now

[mue26]

Yu Suzuki wouldn't accept the money. And I'm not even so sure I would even want to just drop a wad of cash to Yu Suzuki like that. I much prefer the idea of it going to worthy cause.

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

You're both right about the timing being off at the moment. Maybe something to keep on the back burner for now.

As far as giving the money to Yu Suzuki goes, that would be pointless without a guarantee that Shenmue 3 was possible with a certain amount of donations, and even with that, what if we didn't reach that required figure? That kind of thing has to be done through Kickstarter, where I believe the money is only pledged until there's enough to be worth actually taking, and it would need to be set up with Yu's direct involvement to ensure the money would actually be used.

[johnnybravoboy]

Following up on Sweaty’s idea, this could be a great move for us if we executed it now. The Shenmue HD ports have been clarified by Yu Suzuki to be nothing more but rumours since he didn't know anything about them and we are essentially back to square one right now: waiting for clarification from Sega while pleading with them and appearing annoying to onlookers. Seeing as fans are no longer celebrating for the HD ports, we have all returned to our usual tactic of pleading with Sega- therefore there is nothing to lose by trying Sweaty’s idea out. The Team Yu campaign has been getting louder these days and meanwhile some onlookers just frankly do not like what we are doing. Sega ignores us and views us as nothing more but a pack of trolls, fellow gamers on Twitter and Facebook couldn’t agree more and SegaBits have even put out an entire podcast on criticising our campaign. The Shenmue fans are now being branded as trolls by others who rudely post on anything Sega announces which is pissing off quite a lot of people. Sega themselves I think are not taking us very seriously and just as a selfish fan base. What I am proposing is this: doing a charity fundraiser as the Mass Effect 3 fans did – who got their DLC in the end because of it – would reaffirm to everyone that the Shenmue fans are a powerful group that can achieve a lot of noteworthy, positive things. We would be campaigning in a positive way instead of hounding and that would garner nothing but respect from onlookers. As for Sega, it would be another blow to them so that they realise that we are 100% serious, we are committed and are a worthy contender for them as none of their other fans would be bothered to stretch themselves that far…not even Sonic fans. I think that there is no better time than the present and that something like this should really be put into action instead of waiting for the next opportunity. Imagine Sega and others hearing that Shenmue fans have donated x amount of money to such a charity, because Sega is refusing their money for Shenmue 3 and they feel it may as well be better spent somewhere else in honour of Shenmue while they wait. Sega would look like a bunch of idiots to the gaming media – after seeing that we are 100% committed to buying Shenmue 3 no matter what, instead of dicking around with Shenmue Town and statues and Ryo DLC ‘to test the interest for the Shenmue franchise’ there would be a stronger guarantee that Shenmue is demanded and needs to be made.

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Good points, Johnny. The timing isn't as perfect as it might seem right now though, as the Tweetathon campaign is set to undergo some significant changes which should probably come first before hitching our wagon onto a project like this. Once the dust has settled on those changes, we should revisit this.

[johnnybravoboy]

Yeah, as soon as those changes are made then we should get this one going. Can't wait to get involved Tomorrow I shall be tweeting console manufacturers about an S3 exclusive as well as to Sega, anyone feel free to join.

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Unrelated question Johnny, but there's a newly registered member at Shenmue Dojo implying themselves to be you. Is it definitely you? If so then you carry yourself very differently over there, which is why I thought to check it's not some bizarre, identity-stealing troll. People get their kicks from allsorts!

[johnnybravoboy]

Sweaty! You make it sound like I am about to be arrested. All I am doing is just having some fun sharing my opinion and encouraging debates. I thought that forums were meant for such things – where one opinion negates the other to inspire light-hearted or serious conversation and introspection. I have enjoyed many debates on many threads but regarding the thread I think you are on about, I have just said how I personally don't think Sega are 100% done with the franchise simply because they have made Shenmue merchandise, to which everyone wrongly thought I was implying that S3 was secretly in the works. I was thoroughly enjoying the discussion on my part. It’s fun. Well I was certainly having fun anyway, I don’t know about the others but I hope so because you know I like to discuss my ideas and am very opinionated. I didn’t intend to destroy the internet by it.

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Only asking! You simply came across differently so I wanted to make sure I wasn't being led on a merry dance by some fraudster pretending to be you - trust me, stranger things have happened. No antagonism intended.

[johnnybravoboy]

Sorry man, I'm Mediterranean and get very passionate and into things that I talk about that it ends up looking like I'm arguing with people when really I'm just so wrapped up in my ideas. I think you kind of see that in the way I continuously hound you with my latest ideas, some people may look at that as annoying, but I honestly just enjoy talking about franchises that I love and get so into it I just say it and hope everyone 'gets' that I am a very passionate fan. I hope I don't look too vindictive because if I do I may tone it down a bit. :/ But lol, no I am just very much a talkative, passionate person when it comes to the nerdy things in life. Rest assured I am not out to kill you or Mue.

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Hound away! There's nothing wrong with putting ideas out there, it's what we need.

[mue26]

hahaha. It's definitely Johnny.

[GinfnersAddict]

Hmm, the idea has some potential, but you'd have to be careful regarding how you present it. If you do it like this...

Mar 23, 2012 13:59:08 GMT Let's Get Sweaty! said:

So what if we were to set up a charity fund where people could donate the average price of a videogame (maybe somewhere between the expected prices of Shenmue HD and Shenmue 3), proving that this money is there to be made.

...

Fans would essentially be buying a virtual Shenmue game, one that doesn't exist, but in doing so they demonstrate a genuine demand for the real thing.

Then there's the risk of it backfiring badly should you not raise a whoooole lot. Without a high number raised you could end up actually showing Sega there's no profit to be made. However, presenting it a different way would probably lead to less money being raised. You'd need to think about what the best message could be sent as a result of this kind of thing.

[mue26]

Gin validly contributing to Team Yu discussion

[Let's Get Sweaty!]

Yeah, that point is reminiscent actually of my list of reasons I often have to recite against fans trying to launch their own Kickstarter. It applies just as well here.

[GinfnersAddict]

Aug 9, 2013 3:03:54 GMT mue26 said:

Gin validly contributing to Team Yu discussion

Sometimes I like to make a somewhat serious point in the hopes that others reread it many, many times trying to find the sarcasm.