By Sagar V. Mankar 
Sega has officially announced a new entry in its iconic fighting game series, Virtua Fighter. Although the company hasn’t explicitly named it Virtua Fighter 6, the project is currently being referred to as the “New Virtua Fighter Project.” This marks the first major installment in the series in nearly two decades, signaling Sega’s renewed commitment to one of its most beloved franchises.
The Virtua Fighter series began in 1993 and quickly became a pioneer in the 3D fighting game genre. Virtua Fighter 5, the last mainline entry, was first released in arcades in 2006 and has since received multiple updates and re-releases. Despite the long gap between entries, Virtua Fighter remains a benchmark for technical precision and strategic depth in fighting games.
The upcoming project is being developed by Sega’s Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the same team behind the acclaimed Yakuza and Like a Dragon series. During a recent VF Direct presentation, Sega teased returning fan-favorite characters such as Akira Yuki and Sarah Bryant. However, an intriguing twist was revealed: Akira now appears older, and a character resembling Sarah is actually named Stella. According to the developers, Stella will act as “the bridge between worlds,” suggesting her role might connect the legacy of previous games with the upcoming installment.
Riichiro Yamada, the producer of the new Virtua Fighter project, emphasized two core themes for the game: “innovation” and “reality.” He explained that their goal is to ensure the new game retains the essence of Virtua Fighter while introducing fresh and exciting elements.
Although no release date or platforms have been officially announced, Sega’s strategic focus on revitalizing classic franchises suggests this project is part of a broader effort. Alongside Virtua Fighter, Sega is also working on new titles for Crazy Taxi, Golden Axe, Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, and Streets of Rage.
In addition to the new game, Sega continues to support Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown with updates, including returning moves, improved balance, enhanced combos, and refined hit effects. This version is also set to launch on Steam.
Furthermore, Sega is doubling down on eSports initiatives for the Virtua Fighter series. The franchise will have a prominent presence at EVO Japan 2025, further solidifying its role in competitive gaming.
(Source: Sega VF Direct Presentation, The Game Awards 2024)