Ever since the first arcades in the 80s, fighting games have been a staple of the medium. The genre has survived through the decades, all the while gaining a dedicated fan base, and more recently, developing its own esports scene. If there is one franchise that undoubtedly pioneered fighting games, it's Street Fighter. Rumors floated around for a while about the next installment in the series, and the expectations were at a fever pitch with the hype of Capcom Fighting Collection pushing the envelope.
That’s when Street Fighter 6 was announced this week, when Capcom released a short teaser trailer for the game. The video was devoid of any gameplay, revealing little other than Street Fighter's perennial protagonist Ryu would be part of it, and some slick graphics. Street Fighter 5 brought a lot of novelty to the franchise, and despite a few bumps at launch, it eventually became a respectable addition that lived up to the series' name. Of course, a new entry is expected to improve upon its predecessors and innovate. If Street Fighter 5 was a mix between a messy launch, and some interesting new elements, Street Fighter VI should improve upon the foundations laid by its predecessor.
First Impressions Are Important For Fighting Games
When it first launched in 2016, Street Fighter 5 was in a lamentable state. The game had serious problems with netcode, which made the online experience an absolute nightmare. The lackluster initial content didn't help to salvage the release either. First impressions are important for long-standing franchises like Street Fighter, not only to please the diehard fans, but also to bring in new players.
Street Fighter 5 may have eventually reached a threshold of acceptability, but Capcom must make sure that Street Fighter 6 hits the ground running. For one, it should definitely fix any netcode issues before launch, which goes without saying. Most importantly, Capcom should avoid releasing the game prematurely before it's finished, and then try patching it up later, like how Capcom handled Street Fighter 5.
Understanding The Basics Of Fighting Games
Street Fighter 6 should also definitely have a good tutorial mode to make the game more palatable for new players. It should not only be an introduction to Street Fighter, but fighting games in general. Fighting games never reached the same heights as MOBA or FPS, so attracting new players in this manner is always a plus.
Capcom could also consider adding hit boxes and expanded frame data as a proper feature in the game. Therefore, players won't need to download an outside program to know the frame data or range of a move. For some reason, this is a component that has remained hidden in fighting games. While this feature would be more interesting for competitive players, even casual fans could use it to understand how fighting games work at their core.
Having A Consistent Update Schedule For SF6
Another staple of modern gaming to consider is the games as a service model. By its last season, Street Fighter 5 had one patch every year or season. One way to improve upon this would be to establish a consistent update schedule with perhaps two patches per season. That way, Capcom can release brand-new content like new characters every season, while the mid-season patch would be there to balance the game as needed.
If a move is too powerful, it can be nerfed, and if a character is too weak, it can be buffed. At the end of the day, updating is a balancing act. If there are too many updates, it becomes difficult to enjoy the game, but if there aren't enough, then issues go unresolved, and players end up starved for new content or otherwise frustrated by an unbalanced game.
Improving The Street Fighter 5 Mechanics
Street Fighter 5 marked a significant shift by reworking the Street Fighter 4 mechanics. The Focus Attacks that were a linchpin in Street Fighter 4, were replaced with the V-Gauge, and everything that came with it. Overall, if a similar version of that mechanic is to remain, it could do with a few tweaks. For example, a thicker stun gauge, and a less subtle sound effect signaling that there is enough V-meter to activate would help players be more aware of it. Capcom could even improve upon older mechanics, and integrate them in Street Fighter 6. One such mechanic could be a guard crushing mechanic not unlike the one in Street Fighter Alpha 3.
Street Fighter VI Needs A Good Story
Once upon a time, Street Fighter had a praiseworthy story. Street Fighter II was lauded for its multiple endings, and the plot showed that the developer had put a lot of effort into it, despite the limitations the era. However, that standard really wasn't held up over time. There is no need for a Street Fighter plot to reinvent the wheel, nor does it need be too easy, and Capcom has a lot to work with. The franchise already has a colorful cast of characters, from Chun-Li to Bison, with some amazing actors to voice them. All those characters really need is an excuse to compete in a martial arts tournament, and a personal reason to strive for victory. That is the essence of fighting games, after all.
After 35 years in the video game market, from the Arcade to the Nintendo Switch, Street Fighter has become an iconic fighting game franchise. Being the latest installment in such a legendary franchise means there is a lot to live up to for Street Fighter 6. Street Fighter 5 got a lot of things wrong, and then a lot of things right, but it set a good foundation. Street Fighter 6 can to do much better than that.
