Sega Could Get the Lions Share of the Fighting Game Genre if Rumors Are True

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Sega Could Get the Lions Share of the Fighting Game Genre if Rumors Are True

As a long-time fan who grew up with the original arcade machines gracing my local gaming den, I can confidently say that the potential return of Virtua Fighter is nothing short of exhilarating! The series has always held a special place in my heart, not only for its revolutionary 3D graphics but also for its intuitive gameplay that made it accessible to gamers of all skill levels.

Initially, the groundbreaking game known as Virtua Fighter was a trailblazer in the realm of fighting games. Crafted by Sega AM2 and initially launched solely for arcade use in 1993, the game earned acclaim not just for its user-friendly mechanics but also its visuals, which were deemed remarkably realistic in their day. Though Virtua Fighter might seem simplistic by today’s graphics standards, it was a true innovation back then. Sega’s celebrated fighting game was the first of its kind to employ fully 3D polygonal graphics, a feature that significantly boosted its appeal and eventually propelled the game to global fame in the 90s.

For decades, the Virtua Fighter series has given rise to numerous sequels and spin-offs, starting with Virtua Fighter 2 in 1994 and reaching as far as Virtua Fighter: Fever Combo in 2014. However, aside from some remakes and updates, the VF franchise has been inactive for quite a while. But whispers abound that this may soon change. The well-known insider Midori (also known as RyanFromTheBronx) hinted earlier this year that Sega could be developing a new main entry for the Virtua Fighter series, tentatively named Virtua Fighter 6. This claim is further fueled by a recent tweet from Sega that fans interpret as teasing VF 6. With these indications swirling, there’s been plenty of chatter about this secret project. If Sega truly is working on Virtua Fighter 6, then the return of the franchise could be more significant than some anticipate.

A Virtua Fighter Revival Could Prove to be Very Successful

Evidence Suggests that Virtua Fighter 6 May Be in the Works

There are strong indications that a fresh instalment of the popular game series “Virtua Fighter” might be under production. In December 2023, Sega unveiled plans to rejuvenate some of its classic intellectual properties (IPs). The list of franchises set for this revival included “Jet Set Radio”, “Crazy Taxi”, “Streets of Rage”, “Shinobi”, and “Golden Axe”. Although the company didn’t share details about the upcoming games, such as their titles or launch dates, they did suggest that more of Sega’s classic IPs would be revived at a later stage, beyond the initial five.

There’s speculation about which dormant franchises the company might bring back next, and based on recent comments from Sega COO Shuji Itsumi, it looks like one possibility could be Virtua Fighter. In an interview with the Washington Post shortly after Sega announced its plans for reviving old series in December, Itsumi mentioned that they were considering making a new VF game. Given this information, it seems that the likelihood of a Virtua Fighter 6 is higher than ever before, which is exciting news given the recent resurgence of the fighting game genre.

Sega Could Capitalize on the Fighting Game Boom With a New Virtua Fighter Game

Fighting games are becoming more and more popular throughout the years. Two of the biggest franchises in the genre, Street Fighter and Tekken, have been on a roll lately. Street Fighter 6, which released last year, was met with rave reviews and broad commercial success. Tekken 8, meanwhile, debuted in 2024 to near-universal acclaim from critics, selling over two million copies just one month after its launch. If Sega does make a new, high-quality Virtual Fighter game, it could end up standing toe-to-toe with these giants and potentially eclipsing them in one regard: approachability.

Virtua Fighter 6 Could Use Approachability to Its Advantage

One distinctive feature of “Virtua Fighter,” apart from its 3D graphics, is its user-friendly learning curve. Unlike many other fighting games that can be challenging due to their intricate gameplay mechanics, “Virtua Fighter” stands out for being easier to grasp. The control systems in the majority of “Virtua Fighter” games are straightforward and intuitive as they primarily involve three buttons and an 8-directional control stick, making it easy for players to execute general combat maneuvers. If a new “Virtua Fighter” game continues this beginner-friendly gameplay philosophy, it could potentially attract a wider audience than usual, which might propel it towards becoming one of Sega’s next major successes.

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2024-10-08 21:05