Virtua Fighter Developer Discusses Competition with Tekken and Street Fighter

Overview of Virtua Fighter’s Resurgence

The 30th anniversary of the Virtua Fighter series marks a significant revival, with the re-release of Virtua Fighter 5 for PC and an entirely new mainline entry on the horizon.
This new installment is being developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, known for their innovative gameplay design.
Developers aim to breathe new life into the franchise by introducing unique features and enhancements.

Riichirou Yamada, the producer of the Virtua Fighter project, discussed their competitive strategy against iconic fighting franchises such as Street Fighter and Tekken. The Virtua Fighter series is widely regarded for its groundbreaking impact on the fighting game landscape. The announcement of the new installment along with the remastered Virtua Fighter 5 coincides with the franchise’s milestone anniversary.

The upcoming Virtua Fighter was officially unveiled during The Game Awards earlier this December. A teaser trailer showcased a mysterious fighter, reminiscent of series veteran Akira Yuki, engaging in combat within a domestic setting, followed by a duel against a character named Stella, who bears a striking resemblance to fan-favorite Sarah Bryant. While specific details about the new game’s features remain limited, speculation among fans suggests it may represent a soft reboot—advancing the timeline while integrating a mix of iconic characters and new combatants, akin to the approach taken with Street Fighter 6.

Strategic Approach to Compete with Street Fighter and Tekken

In a recent conversation with Famitsu (translated by EventHubs), producer Masayoshi Yokoyama elaborated on their strategies to distinguish Virtua Fighter from competitors like Tekken and Street Fighter. He drew parallels between the revitalization efforts for Virtua Fighter and the successful development of the Like a Dragon/Yakuza series, which merges action-adventure gameplay with aspects of Japanese urban culture.

Yokoyama emphasized that their approach for Virtua Fighter is to enhance its core gameplay while introducing distinct features, including a novel story mode—an area where previous entries had minimal focus. He acknowledged the demand for a realistic fighting experience and expressed optimism about blending authentic environments with engaging gameplay mechanics, ensuring that the new title resonates with both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Anticipation is building among the fanbase as they await the specifics of this new Virtua Fighter game, eager to understand how it will redefine its legacy in the fiercely competitive realm of fighting games.

Source & Images