Shenmue 3 was mired in controversy even before it released, thanks to its Epic Games Store exclusivity, while the game also reviewed somewhat mixed reviews at launch. Add to that the fact that this is a pretty niche game with not too much mass appeal as it is, and great sales for the game always looked a little doubtful.
Recently, Embracer Group – owners of Shenmue 3 publishers Deep Silver – confirmed that the game performed below expectations. They said that though they can’t track the game’s sales on the Epic Games Store, they estimate it had about 50,000 players on the PS4 in Q3 of financial year 2019-20. Due to the game performing below expectations (and thanks to Biomutant looking no closer to launch), they’ve had to revise and lower their financial projections.
Not too long ago, series creator Yu Suzuki said that he wanted to make Shenmue 4 as well- with Shenmue 3’s commercial performance, that looks to be a little bit in doubt. Here’s hoping for the best though.