Kotaku: sfiv

Vote For Your Street Fighter IV Console Characters

Luke Plunkett — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:00:00 MDT

It's been known for a while that the console edition of Street Fighter IV would feature a few extra bells and whistles the arcade version would not. Biggest and best being extra characters. But just who are those extra characters going to be? Well, why don't you decide. Yes, in a surprisingly generous act of fan service, Capcom are letting fans vote for which Street Fighter characters not yet already in the game should be making the jump over to SFIV. Hit the link below to add your Cammy pick (from a choice of 8) to everyone else's Cammy pick.

Vote for New Street Fighter IV Characters! [Capcom]

A Few New Street Fighter IV Screens

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:00:00 MDT

Besides nitty-gritty about SFIV data saves and point system, Capcom also released a handful of new Street Fighter IV screens. There are Ken's win screen, the versus screen and a menu screen. Ooooooooooh, menu screen! And who does love looking at menu screens?

SFIV News [Famitsu]

Let's Dress Up Chun-Li

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:00:00 MDT

As we previously posted, the Japanese arcade version of Street Fighter IV will feature Taito's NESYS Card System to save and track data — plus a cell phone site, too. During arcade play, players can win and save "Battle Points" on their NESYS Card. The Battle Points are weighted, so, for example, if you defeat a player with a high ranking, you'll get more Battle Points. Besides BP, players can also earn "zeny" when winning and then take that saved zeny to the SFIV cell phone "Zeny Shop" where players can purchase outfits and different colored costumes like Chun-Li's new threads (pictured). What's more, players are able to receive a stamp at the cell phone contents shop (one stamp a day), and those stamps can be traded for ringtones, ring voices and cell phone pics at the "Stamp Shop."

春麗に待望の新コスチュームが！？ [Famitsu]

Street Fighter IV To Feature Data Cards, Personal Cell Phone Site, Guilds

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:00:00 MDT

Starting July 18th, Street Fighter IV will be playable in Japanese arcades. To save your arcade achievements, the game will use Taito's NESYS Card System. (Makes sense as the game runs on the Taito Type X2 arcade system board!) The NESYS Card will come in four patterns, all of which are pictured. This saved player data contains the player name that appears on-screen in versus mode. The player data can also be accessed individual cell phone SFIV player webpages, which feature stats and ranking as well as news about SFIV events. Via the cell phone site, it's possible to create and name SFIV guilds. Players can then collect "guild points" and compete with other SFIV guilds to improve their ranking to boot!

Street Figher IV Arcade Data Cards [Famitsu]

Your Picture Here — in Street Fighter IV

Owen Good — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 14:00:00 MDT

If you have a hi-res shot of yourself and can think up a reason that amuses Capcom, you can get yourself in Street Fighter IV as a background spectator. You have to do it fast though. Capcom extended this offer on Friday and it runs through Wednesday.

Make your case — there are no limitations on length, subject or even medium — to contestATcapcomDOTcom. As s-kill writes over on Capcom-Unity, weirdoes, freaks, self-promoters, the obsessive, cosplayers and pretty much everyone is welcome to justify their existence in SFIV. You need to include name, age, phone number, email, and be comfortable with the fact that Capcom will own your likeness if they put you in the game.

If I had the time, I'd get a portrait shot of me done as a pervert upskirt photographer stalking—

We interrupt this feeble attempt at humor to admit I am an imbecile. The previously mentioned female fighter character is not a part of this series.

— I'm sure you Kotakuites, given enough time and creativity, can come up with something even better. Come on, dammit, we've gotta get one winner in this thing.

Tell Us Why YOU should be in Street Fighter IV [Capcom-Unity]

Britain Gets Itself An Early Street Fighter IV Hands-On

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:30:00 MDT

Unless you're a die-hard fighting game nut (and British), you probably weren't planning on popping round to the Battle of Destiny fighting game tournament next month. Shame. Because by not attending you're not only missing out on a chance to play Street Fighter II HD early, but you're missing out on a chance to play the arcade version of Street Fighter IV early as well. Oh, so you've changed your mind? Fancy that. It's on July 26 & 27, at the London Metropolitan Uni.

The Battle Of Destiny [via Capcom]

Console/PC Street Fighter IV To Feature New Characters, Online Play

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 MDT

Speaking with Famitsu, Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono has revealed that when the game hits the 360, PS3 and PC (whenever that is), it won't be a port. Oh no. It'll be more than a port. How much more? For starters, the home versions will feature online play. You'd kinda expect that these days, but still, official, online Street Fighter is good news. It'll also feature new characters. New new characters, because there'll be some who are exclusive to the home versions, and won't be available in arcades. If you're worried how these characters will affect the game, Ono says they'll be "watching the overall balance" when implementing them, if that helps any.

New Characters Planned for SFIV Home Version [Famitsu, via IGN]

Street Fighter IV Officially Coming To Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:00:51 MDT

It's official. Capcom has announced that the highly anticipated Street Fighter IV is coming home, announcing that, in addition to the arcade version, it will be bringing the next Street Fighter to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows-based PCs. It's been cagey on mentioning anything but the arcade version since the game was revealed, but it would appear that speculation (and common sense) regarding SFIV coming home was spot on. There's little in the way of new details in the press release, but for those not up to speed on the game yet, it's required reading. Everyone else, make with the champagne and fist pumping.

CAPCOM® BRINGS MARTIAL ARTS HOME WITH CONSOLE VERSIONS OF [STREET FIGHTER IV]
Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®3 System and Windows-based PC Versions of Coming for Street Fighter IV

SAN MATEO, CA — May 27, 2008 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced the development of Street Fighter® IV, the next iteration of the genre-establishing fighting game series, for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and , Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows-based PC.

Few videogame series have had such a strong impact on their perspective genres the way Street Fighter® has over the decades. Creating a global legacy spanning over twenty years of fighting games, the Street Fighter series has become a pillar in the fighting videogame genre. Street Fighter IV for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Windows-based PC continues this tradition of excellence with a return to the classic 2D Street Fighter fighting action mixed with new characters, amazing visuals, and next-generation fluid gameplay.

Street Fighter IV features a mix of returning favorites such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. Six-button controls for the game return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing classic genre-defining game mechanics the franchise is known and loved for with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over. With the inclusion of Capcom's latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.

For more information, visit http://www.streetfighter.com

Features:
• Classic “2D” Street Fighter gameplay with stunning 3D characters and environments

• New special moves that go beyond any Street Fighter fan's wildest imagination, including Focus attacks, Super Combos, and the revenged-fueled Ultra Combo system.

• Classic Street Fighter characters recreated for a new generation of gamers, including the original cast of
Street Fighter® II

• New brawlers: female super-spy Crimson Viper, lucha libre wrestler El Fuerte, mixed martial artist Abel and more!

• Amazing locations never seen before in a Street Fighter game

• New gameplay elements provide new challenges for both newcomers and the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.

Which Street Fighter IV Figurines Do You Want?

Mike Fahey — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:00:00 MDT

Capcom USA is in a bit of a pickle. Seems they want to give us shiny new Street Fighter IV figurines to ~~play with in the bathtub~~ display in a mature fashion atop our mahogany bookshelves, but there are just so many characters out there they cannot decide which ones to make. They've decided to turn to the gaming community to decide, with a poll running along the side of their page that will allow you to choose your top three choices for immortalization in PVC form. Will you go with the new characters just to give them a fair shake, or are the 20 million Chun-Li figures out there just not enough for you? Hit up the Capcom blog and make your voice heard!

Street Fighter IV Figurines: Vote for your Favorites! [Capcom Unity Blog]

Street Fighter IV's B-List - Balrog And Bison

Mike Fahey — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:00:00 MDT

Reader Pon Zu reminds us that there is another game with the roman numeral IV in that we are terribly excited about by pointing us towards Famitsu, where the latest batch of screens from the game reveal two new characters, M.Bison and Balrog. Better known in the states as Balrog and Vega, these two are at completely opposite ends of the fighting spectrum, with one being all about speed and finesse and the other focused solely on brute force. M.Bison knows not how to kick, and Balrog looks like more of a woman than Chun Li. All is right with the world.

『ストリートファイターIV』四天王の存在が明らかに！[Famitsu - Thanks Pon Zu!]

Street Fighter IV, Visual Impressions

Mark Wilson — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:00:33 MST

While Crecente and McWhertor will be flooding your consciousnesses with Street Fighter gameplay impressions later, I wanted to start things off with an amuse-bouche and just focus on one thing: just how freaking gorgeous SFIV is in person.

Because while I was initially skeptical about the 2.5D art direction, now I'm a total convert. SFIV's graphics dropped my jaw in a way that hasn't happened with a fighter since the original Virtual Fighter. Even when you don't have the pleasure of actually playing, the game is pure eye ~~candy~~ high fructose corn syrup concentrate.

The Hadoken
Ken and Ryu's hadoken attack is, quite honestly, the most gorgeous video game animation I've ever seen. Highly intricate, flame-like energy erupts out of nowhere, darting in front of your eyes momentarily before it is gone, as if nothing special ever happened. And the only thing you can think is, "Wow, Crecente's bitch move is really a delight on this cabinet." (That's before crushing him 4-0 with Abel, btw). These visual effects masterpieces aren't limited to that one move, either, as Crimson Viper's jet boot sends out a glorious circle of flame around her figure that looks like the lovechild of fire and pure bliss.

The Backgrounds
We were only able to preview 3 stages at Capcom's GDC event, but if their quality was any indication, you'll have motivation to squint your way through the hadokens. Here's where we see the 2.5D really pay off in an interesting way. Instead of just stacking 3D buildings on a 2D plane, which would look fine, the backgrounds actually have a roundness to them that enhances the effect. In other words, as you advance forward, your perspective will actually change. As you approach your opponent, alleys will open to reveal inner activity, or buildings will rotate as to offer a glimpse of what's hidden on what could have been an unseen side.

The Characters
The characters were the only visual point over which I heard any criticism, and it's obvious why. While the models themselves, for the most part, look excellent, the game's entire art direction becomes confused when you examine the faces. While it's obvious that designers are hoping to keep the game light by including funny expressions and bug eyes, it's just not quite congealing with the rest of the world.

And while I could continue about the visual style forever (I haven't even touched on the subtle ink splatters or dynamic lighting), I should probably end this little article so you have some steam left for Crecente and McWhertor's impressions to come.

But if nothing else, SFIV is a testament to two things: HD gaming, and the viability of 2D games in a 3D-obsessed marketplace. I expect long lines when these machines are imported to US arcades.

The Street Fighter IV AOU Trailer

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:20:00 MST

Capcom released the above Street Fighter IV trailer today, the one recently looped at the AOU arcade tradeshow in Tokyo, Japan. It may be your first look at characters like E. Honda, Blanka, Abel and Zangief in motion. The in-game action is interspersed with a remixed version of the Ken versus Ryu battle, with new footage of Chun-Li and Crimson Viper that spins the watercolor aesthetic seen in previous cinematics. The HD version at GameTrailers may give you a better appreciation for the game's animation. Thoughts?

Street Fighter IV AOU 2008 Amusement Expo English Trailer HD [GameTrailers]

An Interview With Street Fighter IV Producer Yoshinori Ono

Mark Wilson — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:31 MST

On the last day of GDC, while we didn't have a chance to actually participate in our 3-way Kotaku Street Fighter IV Tournament To The Death, we did have a chance to sit down (or more aptly put, stand up) with Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono and translator/assistant producer David Crislip. Even after hours of interviews, he was still boyishly enthused about the game and willing to answer all of Crecente's frothing fanboy questions (like, how awesome will SFIV be, kinda super awesome, or really super awesome?). I was just pleased to hear that we have the same favorite character: Dhalsim.

What Does SNK Think of Street Fighter IV?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:00:12 MST

We've got a buncha new fighters coming out: SNK's The King of Fighters XII, Capcom's Street Fighter IV and Namco's Soul Calibur. We are totally! Whot does SNK think its biggest competitor is? Says Masaaki Kukino, King of Fighters XII producer:

Street Fighter IV... I saw it at the AOU 2008 show... I was impressed. It's very similar to King of Fighters in that we're trying to do something new with the franchise.

Right on. Anyone who likes fighters should be very, very happy right now. Tickled pink, even!
KoFXII Interview [1UP]

Who Will Be The Street Fighter IV Champion?

Mark Wilson — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:40:12 MST

We'll be celebrating all GDC next week with a Street Fighter IV tournament—"if we have time," Crecente hedges. I take that as Crecente being frightened by my patented Chun-Li just-keep-kicking maneuver that I've never, ever seen anyone else use. But it begs the question—who will advance the furthest in the tournament? Brian "I once worked at an arcade" Crecente, Michael "I was born in an arcade" McWhertor or Mark "goddamn I look good in that picture" Wilson? Vote, and then check in next week to find out the results...if they happen.

Street Fighter IV Arcade Footage [UPDATED]

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:29:00 MST

Capcom are keeping a fairly tight leash on people snapping pics and vids on the AOU 2008 showroom floor, but that's never stopped the internets before. The first shaky-phone-cam footage of the game's made its way out of the show, and is now ready for your slack-jawed approval/hair-pulling disappointment. Ryu v Viper above, with loads more after the jump.

"Characters" Trailer

Viper v Abel

Ryu v Honda

"Characters" Trailer 2 (Chun Li v Viper)

[A big gold star to Bryan!]

Another New SFIV Character Revealed

Mike Fahey — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:20:13 MST

Famitsu has posted pictures of another new face appearing in the fourth installment of the Street Fighter series, and it's a big blond guy! Named Abel, he is a rather muscular bloke wearing white hand guards, blue shin guards, tight white shorts and a blue shirt of some sort. Billed as "The man with no past", Abel seems to have amnesia - a first for a video game character. From the always deadly accurate translation tool, Babelfish:

On the basis of little clue, plain gauze dollar - the young person who continues to chase the remnant. The troop you train and you use the comprehensive grapple technique which seems. At first glance is not sociable, but the person we do not dislike, being raw serious, polite character. Past memory is lost.

Okay then. I thought they were going to focus on introducing new female characters myself, though judging from the recent Chun Li screenshots we can't rule out that gender is among the things Abel forgot.

More Abel Pics Here [Famitsu - Thanks SGeek!]

New Street Fighter IV Screens Show Ryu's "O" Face

Michael McWhertor — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:40:50 MST

Capcom has released a batch of new Street Fighter IV screens and they are down-right fierce. Sorry for that abominable pun, but the hadokens actually do look rather good, even if these screens seem alarmingly familiar. We'd certainly like to see a new character or stage sometime soon, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Here's to hoping the AOU 2008 show will prove that theory wrong. Anyway, there are eight of these new lovelies, still providing the same mixed emotions about Street Fighter IV, or as we're about to start calling it, Street Fighter II EX Plus.

Street Fighter IV, Playable Soon

Mark Wilson — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:08 MST

Street Fighter IV isn't just ready for sexy, 2D meets 3D videos, but for real gamers to actually play. Project Manager Natsuki Shiozawa announced on her blog that SFIV will be playable (at some level) at the AOU 2008 Amusement Expo this February in Japan's Makuhari Messe. You know Makuhari Messe as the home of TGS, and there's little doubt that after the media day on Feb 15, fans will stand in crazy-absurd lines for a little Shoryuken action.

As for me, stuck in the cold, lonely Midwest, dreading the release of SFIV after getting pwnd in SFII by Gizmodo's Jason Chen last week. All these years I thought that Chun Li was invincible.

Street Fighter IV Going Playable [ign]

Street Fighter IV Looking At DS And Beyond

Mark Wilson — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:40:15 MST

With all of our sneak peeking at Street Fighter IV, a lot of us have been ignoring the issue of future potential platforms, instead allowing our jaws to drop at the superb balance of 2D fighting and 3D renders from the arcade footage. In this clip, we find out that Capcom is considering SFIV for every platform under the sun. Producer Yoshinori Ono casually mentions arcade machines, PC, PS2 and DS while clarifying that, yes, SFIV will be going multi-platform in a big way.

Hotness.

First Look At Street Fighter IV Coming Thursday?

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:20:00 MST

According to Next-Gen's blog, Capcom may be revealing a bit more of the recently announced Street Fighter IV this Thursday, including exactly how the game will look. How will the company show it off? Presumably via EGM magazine, by way of 1UP. The current issue of EGM teases in its closing comments "We're kicking off our first issue of the new year with a cover story so epic, we can't even tell you about it", signing off with a roman numeral three that looks suspiciously like it belongs in a Street Fighter logo. 1UP writes today that "you won't be disappointed" by the new EGM cover it will reveal on December 6th. Coincidence? Doubt it!

Uh oh. That's the day the new Grand Theft Auto IV trailer hits the web. Time to bring in some reserve internets.

UPDATE: Reader Jon points out that these Street Fighter roman numerals have been running for the last three issues. I just checked back issues #221 and #222 which contain I and II respectively on the Next Month page.

Street Fighter IV Info Coming This Week [Next-Gen]
Save the Date: 1UP Coverage You Can't Miss [1UP]