Street Fighter 6’s online hub, known as the Battle Hub, unexpectedly transformed into a live service model during development. The team at Capcom initially did not intend for this shift, but as they continued to add content, the Battle Hub became a strong platform for a live service experience. The focus shifted from just fighting to creating a place where players and communities could gather.
Originally, the Battle Hub was meant to be more basic, with features like avatar battles, arcade cabinet fights, and playing classic Capcom titles. However, as development progressed, the team came up with more ideas that they couldn’t resist implementing. For example, the idea of a giant monitor for watching matches led to the inclusion of seats for spectators, DJ booths, and photo booths.
The Battle Hub’s content expanded organically, and the development team continues to have this mindset. Features like the Fighting Pass, collaborations with brands like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and news updates through the Battle Hub were not initially planned but became natural extensions of the game.
The Battle Hub also influenced how Capcom revealed its DLC lineup. Instead of following the traditional approach of revealing characters one by one, the team decided to announce all four DLC characters for the first year at once. This decision was made to provide a more user-friendly experience and give players a better understanding of the content they would be purchasing.
This new approach has been successful for Street Fighter 6, with the recent reveal of the second DLC fighter A.K.I. generating significant excitement. The team aims to continue building anticipation by showcasing characters and providing in-depth information about their backgrounds and playstyles.
Overall, the Battle Hub’s evolution into a live service model has enhanced the Street Fighter 6 experience, offering players a vibrant online world with a wide range of content and collaborations.
Source: DOTESPORTS
