By Sagar V. Mankar Sega has officially announced the development of a new Virtua Fighter game, bringing the iconic fighting series back after nearly two decades of dormancy.
This exciting revelation was shared by Justin Scarpone, Sega’s global head of transmedia, during an interview with VGC. Scarpone stated,
“We have a suite of titles in development right now that fall into that legacy bucket… Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and we have another Virtua Fighter being developed.”
This news is part of Sega’s broader strategy to revive several classic franchises, signaling a strong commitment to their legacy titles.
Why This Announcement Matters
The return of Virtua Fighter is significant for both Sega fans and the fighting game community. First launched in arcades in 1993, Virtua Fighter revolutionized the fighting game genre by setting the standard for 3D fighting mechanics.
It was a pioneer in using realistic character movement and complex combat systems, which influenced other well-known series like Tekken and even inspired Dead or Alive’s three-button control scheme.
Its emphasis on technical skill and strategic gameplay set it apart from other fighters, making it a beloved series among hardcore fans.
However, despite its groundbreaking impact, the series has been largely absent from the gaming scene. The last major entry was Virtua Fighter 5, released in 2006, which was later updated as Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown for arcades and the PlayStation 4 in 2021.
Beyond a few mobile adaptations and cameos in Yakuza game mini-games, Virtua Fighter has not seen a full-fledged sequel in almost 20 years.
The Changing Landscape of 3D Fighting Games
The long hiatus of Virtua Fighter comes during a time when the fighting game genre has seen major shifts. Since Virtua Fighter’s last mainline release, Tekken has dominated the 3D fighting game space, becoming a leading force with multiple successful installments.
Meanwhile, other series like Mortal Kombat have shifted back to 2D gameplay, and Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive have struggled to stay relevant.
The fighting game genre as a whole experienced a resurgence with the release of Street Fighter 4 on consoles in 2009, but Virtua Fighter remained noticeably absent from this revival wave.
What Can Fans Expect From the New Game?
While Sega has not yet shared detailed information about the new Virtua Fighter game, there are some hints about its potential direction. The game is expected to be part of Sega’s larger initiative to modernize and bring back its classic franchises.
Fans can likely expect the new installment to retain the series’ signature focus on deep, technical, slow paced gameplay, that challenges players to master its mechanics in order to enjoy success.
Iconic characters like Akira Yuki, Pai Chan, Lau Chan, Kage-Maru, and Wolf Hawkfield are also set to return.
The development timeline for the new Virtua Fighter is still unclear, but the confirmation alone has sparked excitement within the gaming community.
Sega’s Broader Revival Strategy
The development of a new Virtua Fighter is part of Sega’s broader push to revive its legacy titles. Alongside Virtua Fighter, Sega is also working on new projects for classic franchises like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, and Shinobi.
These efforts are not limited to gaming alone; Sega is also expanding its influence in the entertainment industry. Thanks to the success of the Sonic the Hedgehog movies and partnerships with brands like Lego and Roblox, Sega’s transmedia business has grown rapidly. This has helped the company climb to No. 39 on License Global’s Top Global Licensors list, surpassing big names like Sony Pictures.
Justin Scarpone, who joined Sega from Disney, has been leading these transmedia initiatives by taking Sega’s popular game franchises beyond video games and into movies, TV shows, live events, and merchandise. This strategy aims to broaden Sega’s audience, reaching fans who may not play video games but are familiar with the characters through other media.
Looking forward, Sega plans to open an official Sega store in Tokyo, which will cater to both long-time fans and newcomers. They also gearing up for the release of the third Sonic movie this December.
For more updates on Sega’s projects and gaming news, stay tuned to Gaming Foodle!
Sources: VGC Interview with Justin Scarpone, Sega Global Head of Transmedia; Game Rant