Fighting games thrive on gameplay, visuals, and a diverse roster of characters. Street Fighter has excelled in all these areas, and Street Fighter 6 continues this tradition by giving its classic fighters their best representation in years.
The design team behind Street Fighter 6 focused on preserving the essence of each legacy character while updating them for a modern era. Game director Takayuki Nakayama meticulously studied every returning fighter to ensure they maintained their familiar look and playstyle from previous titles, while also receiving enhancements.
“Even returning characters in SF6 have something more that maintains their essence from past games,” Nakayama explained. “We aimed to enhance what makes each character special, drawing inspiration from previous titles and moving those elements forward in every aspect of the game.”
Producer Shuhei Matsumoto added that the team wanted players who previously enjoyed characters like Guile or Cammy to feel right at home with them in SF6. They carefully integrated these classic moves into the new gameplay systems, either by adapting them or giving them modern updates.
Redesigning existing characters proved to be one of the most challenging aspects of developing SF6. The team had to strike a balance between preserving the character’s core identity and introducing new elements. They wanted to avoid overwhelming players with too many changes or complicating the movesets.
Character design in SF6 was influenced by the game’s new content and mechanics. The team aimed to create a fresh experience with the drive system, which serves as the game’s universal mechanic. By combining this system with their approach to character design, Capcom aimed to provide a perfect entry point for both new and returning players, allowing them to find their preferred playstyle.
Overall, Street Fighter 6 focuses on enhancing legacy characters while embracing new gameplay systems. The team’s dedication to preserving the essence of each fighter ensures that players will feel a sense of familiarity while experiencing exciting updates in this new era of Street Fighter.
Source: DOTESPORTS
