Hotly anticipated action-adventure game Shenmue 3 won’t be coming to Steam. At the E3 2019 PC Gaming Show, publisher Deep Silver revealed that Shenmue 3 PC is exclusive to the Epic Games Store alongside a new trailer for it. It was further confirmed in a Kickstarter post for the game. The Shenmue 3 release date is November 19, 2019. So far it’s coming to the PS4 and PC with a possible Xbox One release down the line.
“Shenmue 3 for PC will be will be an Epic Games Store exclusive. Development for Shenmue 3 has been moving forward using Unreal Engine and the support we have received from Epic has been excellent. But most importantly, in looking for the most enjoyable experience on PC, it was decided together with Deep Silver after much discussion that the Epic Games Store would be the best distribution platform option,” reads a Kickstarter post from Shenmue 3 developer Ys Net.
There’s no telling if it would hit Steam at a later date. Metro Exodus, which was also published by Deep Silver was pulled from Steam and would reappear a year after launch. Perhaps a similar deal was struck for Shenmue 3.
Shenmue 3 was one of the major announcements for Sony at E3 2015 alongside Final Fantasy VII Remake.
What’s more is, the game has an Indian connection. Gurgaon-based Lakshya Digital is working on Shenmue 3’s art.
“Shenmue 3 will have a host of new, compelling characters from all walks of life. And while we can’t say just how many, it will be a lot! The game art studio Lakshya Digital will be cooperating with us to bring these great characters to life. Lakshya Digital is based in Gurgaon (one of India’s financial and technology hubs) and has studios in Pune and Seattle, where production work for the game is underway,” a post on the official Shenmue 3 website reads.
