After Shenmue 3's surprise reveal during Sony's E3 2015 Press Conference, news regarding the Kickstarter for the highly anticipated third installment of Yu Suzuki's innovative series has quickly gained traction with gamers all over the world. Without question, Shenmue 3's inclusion in Sony's forum earlier in the week has given the title the exposure needed to pique the curiosity of gamers unfamiliar with the franchise, and stoke the flames of long-time fans. Plus, the Japanese tech corporation's confirmation of plans to back Shenmue 3's development in tandem with the game's Kickstarter has no doubt given the project's funding a major boost on the popular crowdsourcing website.

In just two days, Shenmue 3's Kickstarter exceeded its $2 million goal by raising $3 million and filling its four $10K backer tiers. Now, after having fulfilled their initial expectations for the game's backing, Yu Suzuki and his development studio Ys Net are adding several new stretch goals to the Kickstarter campaign, upping the bonus target from $4 million to $5 million.

Following the successful funding of cinematic shorts based on the first two Shenmue games and subtitle support in German, French, English, and Italian, Ys Net is expanding their ambitions by introducing fresh stretch goals that will “add new systems to Shenmue 3 that will give a huge boost to the gameplay.” Included in the objectives hoping to be financed are a Rapport System, a Skill Tree System, and the expansion of activities and quests in the game's Baisha Village setting.

According to the developers, the latest stretch goals are for necessary improvements to be incorporated into Shenmue 3, with the team writing:

"The Rapport System will add a depth of story, interactivity and character development that only Yu Suzuki can bring. The Skill Tree System will give Ryo a new way to level up and specialize his fighting move set. . . . The Baisha Village expansion goals [affords] more time exploring Baisha, with extra mini-games, interactive events and a new character system."

As the resources for Shenmue 3's crowdsourced sponsorship steadily grows, Ys Net isn't content to let any aspiration for the game's development lie dormant, with the team vowing lots more goals to be revealed should funding reach a fever pitch. Although some might mistake making such nebulous promises as hubris on the developer's part, it honestly makes sense that Suzuki's studio would further extend its reach, especially since Shenmue 3 reached its initial goal in 9 hours after being announced.

If that funding feat isn't impressive enough for some fans, Shenmue 3 has also become the latest title to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest video game to raise $1 million in contributions, garnering the seven digit figure in just 1 hour and 42 minutes. However, amassing a big budget doesn't necessarily guarantee a quality product, but it does amp up expectations for a game. And with the wait for Shenmue 3 currently clocking in at almost 14 years, fans of the franchise are hopefully in for an exciting adventure once it finally releases.

Shenmue 3 is currently being developed for PlayStation 4 and PC.

Source: Kickstarter (via IGN)