Capcom has announced a bunch of new features, a 2023 release window for Street Fighter 6 (SF6) and a trailer – but what do the pros think? We round up some of their reaction here.
Street Fighter 6 is made in the RE Engine and will arrive on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC. It will include three new game modes including Fighting Ground, World Tour and Battle Hub.
One of the most head-turning features is in-game commentary. This real-time commentary feature processes the voices of popular fighting game community (FGC) commentators such as Jeremy ‘Vicious’ Lopez and Ryutaro ‘Aru’ Noda into the game.
Players can choose from a number of personalities that provide live commentary on matches, with Capcom saying they will offer ‘easy-to-understand gameplay explanations’. This feature also supports subtitles in 13 languages.
While there wasn’t confirmation of the UK’s well-known commentators being included, like the F-Word, Tyrant or Logan Sama, but that didn’t stop people from speculating – including F-Word himself:
New control options have also been added to SF6. The classic controls are back, along with a new option: the modern control type allows players to get started right away with simplified inputs.
Special Moves are easier to perform by means of one push button and a direct input.
UK streamer KingJae commented: “I understand the hardcore FGC [player] will not be for Modern mode, but at least this opens up the door for casual players who were scared to play fighting games. I think this is a big W and opens the interest for potential players and sponsorships as more eyes will be on this game.”
Then there are new fighting mechanics: Street Fighter 6 introduces the Drive System, a new bar that uses five different techniques that enhance a player’s offensive and defensive capabilities.
These five techniques are:
- Drive Impact
- Drive Parry
- Overdrive Art
- Drive Rush
- Driver Reversal
On the drive gauge, UK pro player ProblemX said: “This feature looks like it could be amazing, allowing many different ways for players to express themselves through meter management and develop their own personal strategies.”
There’s also the game face feature:
Street Fighter 6 also celebrates what fans love about the franchise by bringing together various modes from previous titles in Fighting Ground, such as Arcade Mode, Online Matches, Training Mode, local versus combat and more.
From well-known characters like Ryu and Chun-Li, to the latest addition from Street Fighter V Luke and the new breakdancing pro Jamie; players can choose from a wide variety of fighting styles and skills to master.
It also looks like a lot of the SF6 character roster has been leaked.
UK pro player ProblemX, who won Red Bull Kumite Las Vegas half a year ago, suggested Capcom should organise two separate pro tours – one for singles and one for doubles.
Capcom says there’s more to share about World Tour and Battle Hub closer to release.
Capcom said: “World Tour is a single player story mode that pushes the boundaries of what a fighting game is and allows players to make a mark on the fighting world with their own avatar. Battle Hub, shown only briefly so far, offers players new and unique ways to participate, communicate and interact.”
Boltstrike from Reason Gaming also posted this lighthearted tweet:
The Street Fighter series has sold more than 47m units since its debut 35 years ago.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
