Summary
- Sega has released new in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game, marking the franchise's first new entry in about 20 years.
- The game's development will be handled by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio.
Sega has unveiled exciting new footage of its highly anticipated new installment in the Virtua Fighter series, marking the franchise's return after nearly two decades. The Virtua Fighter brand has been largely inactive since the release of Virtua Fighter 5, with only remasters and a special edition of Virtua Fighter 2 released in the interim. The latest remaster, Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, was launched for PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcades in 2021 and is set to hit Steam in January 2025, just before the new entry's release.
The new footage was showcased during NVIDIA's keynote at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The video begins with a brief transitional scene before diving into a simulated combat sequence. The choreography is precise and cinematic, reminiscent of a martial arts film directed by Sammo Hung. This new Virtua Fighter installment could potentially cement the 2020s as a golden era for fighting games, especially following the recent releases from other major franchises.
New Virtua Fighter Footage Highlights Evolving Visuals
The showcased clip, while not featuring actual gameplay, uses in-engine graphics to provide fans with a glimpse of the game's potential visual style. The video moves away from the series' traditional hyper-stylized and polygonal aesthetics, aiming for a more realistic look that falls between the visual styles of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The trailer prominently features Akira, the franchise's iconic character, in two new outfits that depart from his classic bandanna and spiky hair look.
Development of the new Virtua Fighter game is being led by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which is also working on Sega's Project Century. This studio previously co-developed the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2 and is renowned for its work on the Yakuza series, starting with Yakuza 5.
While details about the new title remain scarce, Virtua Fighter project director Riichirou Yamada has hinted at the innovative direction Sega is taking with the game. Sega's commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter brand is evident as they continue to share glimpses of the upcoming game. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi enthusiastically stated during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"
