Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku continue to work hard on the next Virtua Fighter game, having released several trailers that emphasize the fighting as the front-and-center priority of what we’ve seen so far. Entering an all-new chapter of the series is a daunting task, and we had the opportunity to sit down with producer Riichiro Yamada to discuss the balance of old versus new, Wolf’s redesign, and the overall approach of the trailers released up to this point.
For Yamada, it is a true honor to work on the newest Virtua Fighter installment. He expressed deep respect for the series’ early major contributors, especially Yu Suzuki, and shared that he feels both excited and nervous about carrying on their legacy.
One of the biggest challenges the team faces is deciding which features and elements of the series should be preserved and which should be evolved. To maintain the core experience, the team has involved a battle manager who was deeply engaged in previous Virtua Fighter games. This ensures that the aspects players expect will be present and that the balance of the fights will be as refined as possible.
When it comes to exploring new opportunities, Yamada explained that the team focuses on several factors, including characters’ motivations for fighting and their positions in the series following Virtua Fighter 5. For example, fan-favorite character Wolf Hawkfield is making a return, coming out of retirement to enter the ring once more.
Regarding Wolf’s return to professional wrestling, the team decided to lean into the flashy entertainment side of his persona. This marks a shift from his almost strictly athletic battle gear in previous games, moving him toward more of a showman role.
Figuring out where to take new ideas like these while keeping the game recognizable to longtime fans has been a difficult balancing act—one that Yamada thinks about every day. Fans can look forward to seeing how this thoughtful approach shapes the upcoming Virtua Fighter experience.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146022/new-virtua-fighter-project-interview