Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio continue to work hard on the next installment of the Virtua Fighter series. Having released several trailers so far, it’s clear that the fighting mechanics remain the front-and-center priority of this new chapter.
Taking on an all-new entry in such a beloved series is no small feat. We had the opportunity to sit down with producer Riichiro Yamada to discuss the balance of old versus new elements, the redesign of fan-favorite character Wolf Hawkfield, and the overall approach to the trailers released to date.
For Yamada, working on the newest Virtua Fighter is truly an honor. He expressed deep respect for the series’ early contributors, especially legendary creator Yu Suzuki, and spoke about feeling both excited and nervous to carry forward their legacy.
One of the biggest challenges the team faces is deciding which features and core aspects of the series should be preserved and which should evolve. To help with this, the team has brought on a battle manager who was heavily involved in previous Virtua Fighter titles. This ensures that longtime fans will find the gameplay elements they expect, while maintaining the fine balance that defines the fighting experience.
When it comes to exploring new opportunities, Yamada explained that the team considers factors such as each character’s motivation for fighting and their current position in the series’ timeline following Virtua Fighter 5.
Take Wolf Hawkfield, for example. The fan-favorite pro wrestler appears to be coming out of retirement to step back into the ring. For his return, the team leaned into the flashy entertainment side of pro wrestling, shifting Wolf’s design toward more of a showman persona. This is a departure from his almost strictly athletic battle gear seen in previous games.
Finding the right balance between introducing fresh ideas like this and keeping the series recognizable to longtime fans is a daily challenge that Yamada thinks about constantly. With such a thoughtful approach, Virtua Fighter’s next chapter looks poised to respect its roots while moving confidently forward.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146022/new-virtua-fighter-project-interview