Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: New In-Engine Footage Unveiled

Sega has treated fans to a fresh look at the upcoming Virtua Fighter installment, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades of relative inactivity. The new in-engine footage, shown at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, offers a glimpse into the game's visual style and direction.

The last major Virtua Fighter release was the Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown remaster (2021), followed by its upcoming Steam release in January 2025. This new entry promises a complete departure from previous titles. While not actual gameplay, the showcased video provides a convincing representation of the game's potential visuals.

The footage, though impeccably choreographed, is clearly a cinematic presentation rather than raw gameplay. The focus is on showcasing the updated visual style, moving away from the franchise's signature polygonal aesthetic towards a more realistic look, blending elements reminiscent of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The iconic character Akira is featured, sporting new outfits that deviate from his classic appearance.

Development is being spearheaded by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, also responsible for the Yakuza series and the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster (co-developed with Sega AM2). They are also handling Sega's ambitious Project Century. This collaboration suggests a significant shift in the franchise's artistic direction.

While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's previous comments hint at a bold new vision for Virtua Fighter. Sega's commitment to reviving the franchise is evident, culminating in Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic declaration at VF Direct 2024: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" This resurgence, coupled with recent releases from other major fighting game franchises, positions the 2020s as a potentially golden age for the genre.

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