Shenmue creator, Yu Suzuki has provided a statement concerning the questions about Shenmue 3's funding and Sony's involvement.

In an open letter to fans on the Project's Kickstarter page, Suzuki said that all the funds that have been raised, will go straight towards the third installment and not to Sony.

“It is also important to note that your funds are going strictly to Ys Net for development of Shenmue 3 – Sony and Shibuya Productions are not seeing a cent of your Kickstarter dollars.”

having said that, Suzuki also touched on how Sony will be involved in the project.

“While it is not business practice to discuss the specific details of such arrangements, I can say that with their assistance on the production and marketing end, and in Sony’s case with some publishing support as well, Ys Net is able to use more of the money we collect through Kickstarter purely for Shenmue 3’s development."

Depending whether or not the stretch goals are reached, Suzuki has major plans for the third installment. If $5 million is reached, a new gameplay feature will be added. At $10 million, the game will become completely open world.

“Even if these Stretch Goals are not reached, Shenmue 3 will already be a sequel true to its name, and one we can all be proud of. It is my hope though, that together we can make this Shenmue just as revolutionary as the first two were.”

Shenmue 3 was announced this year at E3 and will launch on PlayStation 4 and PC.