Vote for New Street Fighter IV Characters! [Capcom]

As I mentioned, our booth is not big (though it's packed with goodness, including of course all our new games, and a mysterious Street Fighter IV rug!), so to get in, you MUST BE ON THE LIST!

A mysterious Street Fighter IV rug! Oh my god I am signing up right now...oh, wait. Nevermind.

Go to E3 with Capcom! [Capcom-Unity]

「オリジナルアニメ公開！」　プロジェクトマネージャー：塩沢夏希 [SFIV Blog Thanks, Josef !]

SDCC Exclusive Edition STREET FIGHTER IV Chun Li Resin Statue from Capcom LTD.

On behalf of Capcom LTD. (Booth #5113) We are proudly announcing the release of the first exclusive collector rt piece from the highly anticipated hit video game STREET FIGHTER IV SDCC Exclusive Edition Chun Li Resin Statue.

Conceptualized by the creative minds of Capcom, personally supervised by Mr. Yoshinari Ono (Production director of SF IV), sculpted and manufactured by SOTA Toys (Booth #4245), Chun Li as depicted in STREET FIGHTER IV stands 10 inches tall on a highly polished stand with every bit of details captured from head to toe. Limited to 700 individually numbered units, this work of art reflects over two decades of passion we shared for the game that shaped the culture of more than one generation and is now making the greatest come-back in a brand new installment!

SRP = $100.00

SDCC Exclusive Edition STREET FIGHTER IV Chun Li Mini Statuette

Since the supply of the 10" Chun Li is extremely limited and sure to sell out immediately, there is a limited run of (3000)4" Chun Li statuettes produced with every bit the detail and quality as its 10" counterpart for $10.00. Celebrate in the phenomena of Street Fighter IV by purchasing this exclusive Chun Li figure and play Street Fighter IV in person at the Capcom booth during SDCC!

SRP=$10.00

SOTA Toys, Inc.







Prototype shown, actual product may vary.

FIRST LOOK: SOTA TO BRING SF4 CHUN-LI! [Street Fighter Devotion]

SFIV News [Famitsu]

春麗に待望の新コスチュームが！？ [Famitsu]

Street Figher IV Arcade Data Cards [Famitsu]

「稼働日発表！」　プロジェクトマネージャー：塩沢夏希 [SFIV Blog]

Ono seems to like it better, too. Just look at how happy he is!

「メインポスター完成！」　プロジェクトマネージャー：塩沢夏希 [SFIV Publicity Blog via Kramez's Blog]

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]

The Battle Of Destiny [via Capcom]

Random Thread [mmcafe via Insert Credit]

The most noticeable change was how much tighter the experience felt. While jumping about in the previous build we'd played felt floaty and attacks didn't quite connect with the same precision we were expecting, it appears that Capcom has tweaked both previous complaints. The end result was a game that felt more like a classic 2D Street Fighter than before.

Street Fighter IV appears to be more than successful at presenting a pretty new package with familiar gameplay, something that should appeal more to lapsed fans than the bizarre line-up and defensive bent of Street Fighter III. If anything, IV plays it a bit too safe, with an all too familiar roster and no noticeable visual design updates to the Street Fighter II vets.

The new additions to the cast, however, add welcome variety.

Mexican wrestler El Fuerte seemed to be the most popular of the bunch, with a lightning quick, flashy move set. He's charmingly unpredictable, a character devoid of projectiles, much like the other new fighters. El Fuerte keeps opponents on their toes with a forward and backward dash, a clothesline-style charge move and a leaping leg grab.

The extremely tubby Rufus is what Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono calls a "joke character," a visual gag of round flesh with some disturbing body hair choices. He's surprisingly quick though, with a jumping hundred-hands punch a la E. Honda and a spinning vortex move that draws opposing fighters in for a beating.

Crimson Viper, the sexy super spy who would look right at home in the King of Fighters series, will probably be the easiest character for new players to grasp. She's certainly the flashiest, with a slickly animated pony tail, a sharp outfit and special moves that shoot flame and electric bolts.

The last new addition, Abel, will probably appeal most to the Zangief set. His style and stature reminds us of Street Fighter III's Alex though their move sets vary. Abel's attacks don't inherently seem that powerful, but his ability to grab players out of the air and deliver crushing combos will win him some hardcore fans.

Street Fighter IV may sound like it's been a bit dumbed down for the masses, but with Focus attacks, EX moves, Super attacks and Ultra combos all thrown into the mix, there's more than enough fighting strategy here for those who have the will to unlock it. If you just want to play it like Street Fighter II, however, you'll still walk away satisfied. Our biggest concern was with the ease with which one can pull of an Ultra combo, as the Revenge meter that powers it fills rapidly. It rewards offensive play and adds one hell of a light show to the game, but it feels potentially over the top.

There was a reason that there was a constant wait to get one's hands on the controls of Street Fighter IV at Captivate. It's the same reason that Capcom employees, whether they be developers, producers or executives were similarly glued to the cabinets—it's damn good, a blend of enjoyably new mechanics and classic nostalgia-filled gameplay. It's also fantastically animated, gorgeous in motion.

Going hands-on with the final, but somewhat bare bones arcade version of Street Fighter IV assured us of two things—that we're getting the console port on day one and dropping a dime on the arcade stick that Capcom is working on with a unannounced peripheral manufacturer. Perhaps with some alone time, something we didn't experience once at Captivate, we'll get a chance to see SFIV big bad boss Seth.

As Ono and crew already specified, the Street Fighter IV home conversion with feature characters not seen in the arcade version as well as online internet play. Ono stressed that the two characters not in the final arcade version who showed up in preliminary art form, Dan Hibiki and Fei Long, are not yet confirmed to appear in the console version. He told us that the team simply hasn't decided yet who will be added to the roster and that SFIV artist Daigo Ikeno "is still working on many designs."

As for what features we can expect, Ono often mentioned the SNES version of Street Fighter II, in its multiple incarnations, as something the team was striving to match. Maybe not in terms of feature set, but that they're hoping Street Fighter IV's home version will be as popular amongst console gamers as its '90s predecessor was.

Ono revealed that the home versions of Street Fighter IV may see the return of bonus levels, the kind that led to much car and barrel destruction in SFII. As for the arcade version, Ono says don't count on it. He chalks it up to capitalism, noting that due to the high cost of the SFIV arcade set up, time spent kicking steel drums or smashing in headlights is money out of arcade operators' pockets.

One other goody that the console and PC ports are expected to get are fully animated endings for each character. While the arcade version of Street Fighter IV features simple still frames—something Ono chalks up to budget limitations—the console follow ups will be packed with more cinematic endings, said to be produced by an unnamed, but famous anime studio.

Ono showed off one animated sequence early in the day, one that featured Ryu, Akuma, Ken and a man who appears to be Gouken in a dramatic battle rife with flashbacks and over the top attacks. The SFIV producer mentioned that this particular sequence was not going to be included in the final version, but was limited to media events, possibly to give us an understanding of how the final product will look.

Those anime-style port-exclusive clips will help flesh out the Street Fighter storyline, according to Ono, giving us insight into plot points such as the return of M. Bison.

Arcade purists will be happy to learn that Capcom plans to ship an "arcade perfect" controller in time with the console and PC versions. Ono revealed that they're already in talks with a peripheral maker in the U.S. to release an arcade accurate stick with a steel base plate, steel shaft and arcade style buttons, possibly bundled with a copy of the game.

For a look at the animation sequence we saw at Captivate 08, check out a few stills in the gallery below.

Street Fighter 4: Moves list [Hobby Blog]

Missed the television debut of the new Street Fighter IV gameplay trailer? S'Okay. I did too. There's a good chance games, and not mixed martial arts TV shows, are your thing. So here it is, for your perusal, presented in stunning internet-o-vision.

GameStop also is flacking an "Art of Street Fighter" book as incentive for the Xbox 360 and PS3 releases. The game is supposed to release Feb. 3, 2009.

The site contains character bios, sketches and making-of content — some of it you may have seen elsewhere, but now it's all together under one roof.

Street Fighter IV [Capcom, via Gaming Bits]

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

Here's a wild guess: Variety recently reported that Fox will release the "Street Fighter" movie in the U.S. on Feb. 27, 2009. I'd say right around then makes a lot of sense.

Not only is that a big promotional event for the franchise, but Capcom is an investor in the movie. While I'm sure it hopes to make money on the film, it's obviously investing those millions in part to try and revive public interest in "Street Fighter." As such, Capcom would be crazy to not take advantage of the big (by videogame standards) promotional push Fox will be putting behind the release of "Street Fighter: the Legend of Chun-Li" and have its game on store shelves at the same time.

If by some chance Capcom just can't get the game out by then, around the movie's DVD release (probably in late spring) would be the next logical time to expect it.

Makes sense! And if not spring, then late fall — just in time for Christmas.
Prolly Coming Out With Movie [The Cut Scene]

Street Fighter IV Characters [Videogamerx via NG4]

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.

It doesn't appear from our squinting that we'll be seeing any Alpha or Street Fighter III mainstays—unless that's Juli/Juni and Rolento is sporting spectacles—but we may be interpreting some of these incorrectly. Also, these could simply be placeholder character shots and strictly limited to the mobile version of SFIV, so don't take them as gospel—especially since they're about 25x25 pixels each. Consider this rumor for now and give us your best guesses in the comments.

Update: As several commenters have pointed out, these characters appear to not be unannounced fighters, but merely background characters. Yes, there is still hope for Dan, Akuma, Cammy, etc. Sorry for the confusion!

Street Fighter IV Mobile [Capcom Japan - thanks awhiteshad0w!]

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

『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!]

A blurry version of the completed work is after the jump. Something sticks out like a sore thumb, though. Literally.

Ikeno's Art [Street Fighter IV Blog via 1Up]

I've embedded the Gametrailers version after the jump, in case YouTube does something wacky. The comments board there points out that Rufus's M.O. seems to be a ripoff of Tekken 6's Bob. I leave you to judge for yourselves.

Big hat tips to readers Jason Cirillo, Woolie Madden and Aaron Francis for spotting this yesterday. You all came in at the same time. Woolie points out this was the fourth location test in Japan, and from the sound of the video, it's at a bowling alley.

Also, here are a couple cell phone pictures from a spanish-language Capcom blog that Jason and Woolie sent in. (More at the link. Sorry, don't know how to do the gallery thing yet, don't want to mess that up, too, and the blogger should get the credit.)

Rufus in SF4 new character [Gametrailers, thanks reader Aaron]
4ª location test de Street Fighter IV : Cambios y mejoras [Capcom-town.es, thanks readers Jason and Woolie]

Street Fighter IV producer Natsumi Shiozawa adds insult to mental injury with today's update to the official blog on the game, "revealing" that Sheng Long will finally be playable, but only after a game-long streak of perfect wins. Surely Capcom wouldn't cruelly toy with our emotions again... would they? I'm off to contemplate this and violently sob.

New Street Fighter IV Unlockables! [Capcom Blog]

If we look at the history of the series, we had the four officially numbered titles: Street Fighter 1, and II, and then we did Zero, which of course is the Alpha series [in the west], and then III.

In all honesty, and I feel this way, to a degree — we could have stopped at III and been pretty satisfied. We didn't hit a brick wall, so to speak, but we did pretty much all we could do with 2D fighters by the time we got to III. We were very satisfied with the results, and it was hard to imagine doing more than that; certainly, staying within 2D.

But, we've had ten years to think about it, had a lot of ideas being bounced back and forth. For this series, I almost think that we are better off having waited. It gave us a lot of time to settle down and throw ideas back and forth, think about how we would tackle it... Having that time actually helped us to get the game headed in the direction that it's headed now — which I think is a good direction — and to get us where we are today.

Another reason I think that it's actually better that we let it sit on the back burner for ten years, is that technology has advanced so much in the last decade. There is no way that we could have envisioned arcade boards as powerful as this. The 360 and PS3, certainly, are incredibly powerful compared to what we had to work with ten years ago.

...So, we thought, what could we do to reproduce this art, in motion, literally moving in 3D before your eyes, with modern technology? This would not have been possible ten years ago. There is just no way. So we are finally at a point where technology is aiding us, and helping us to do something that would not have been possible ago.

Change of Direction
This flurry of punches reaches its climax with a punishing throw. Following the first step of the "Change of Direction" combo, combinations of joystick and button inputs unleash a second and third step, each of which offers the opportunity for the player to switch up between mid and low level variations. The final middle and low steps are, as illustrated below, throws that toss the opponent into the air. However, these moves are technically not throws and can be deflected with a well-timed block. Even then, Abel can choose to drop out of his combo partway through and follow up with a standard through, so letting your guard down can gave grave consequences!

Wheel Kick
Twisting his body into the air, Abel brings the force of all his weight crashing down on his opponent with a devastating overhead kick. The distance traveled depends upon the button used, allowing Abel to quickly close the gap between his opponent and move in for the kill.

Marseille Roll
This move allows Abel to roll forward, then stand to face his opponent at a closer distance. While not an attack, it can be used to avoid many attacks such as incoming projectiles and set the player up for an attack of his own. You can even roll behind an attacking opponent, catching them off guard and putting them in a vulnerable position.

Falling Sky
Extending his powerful arm diagonally upward, Abel can pull an airborne opponent from the sky and bring them crashing down. As the sole ground to air move in Abel's arsenal, this throw is extremely potent.

Tornado Throw
Grabbing his opponent and swinging them through the air, Abel follows up by mercilessly slamming them to the ground with this powerful grapple technique. Though the input command is difficult to master and the move can only be used on opponents on the ground, the damage it deals is so great, that players should try to use it whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Heartless
Abel's Super Combo sees him pummeling his opponent mercilessly with a series of powerful punches, then following up with a move that varies depending upon the button pressed. Jab ends with a tackle. Strong finishes up with a Tornado Throw. Fierce puts a stop to the violence by first knocking the opponent into the air, then grabbing them and slamming them to the ground with a Falling Sky.

Soulless
Abel's formidable Ultra Combo has him lost in a blind rage, first punishing his opponent with a series of punches, then moving on to a powerful front kick. After that, he tosses his foe into the air like a rag doll, jumping to meet them in mid air and personally delivering them to the ground with all his might!

Using devices concealed in her gloves and boots, C. Viper unleashes the power of electricity with her left hand and calls upon the power of seismic shocks with her right. Jets hidden within her boots allow for fiery kicks and propulsion assisted high jumps. Her moves as varied as they are flashy, providing her with a good deal of options in the ring.

Thunder Knuckle
The device in her glove emits a powerful electric shock as Viper charges forward. The jab version of this move can sneak underneath some projectiles such as fireballs and Sonic Booms, allowing her to surprise her attacker with a well timed counterattack. The fierce version moves upward at a diagonal angle, allowing for defense against aerial attacks.

Burning Kick
This move utilizes the power of fire with an aerial spinning kick. Viper can surprise opponents attempting to knock her off her feet by suddenly unleashing this powerful move. This move can also be used while in the air following a jump and can be used to cancel a standard attack, allowing for both air to air and air to ground tactics.

Seismic Hammer
Powerful shockwaves emitted from Viper's glove cause seismic disruptions that knock unwary opponents off their feet. Basically, it behaves like a low flying projectile, with the button used determining the distance of the impact. Jab attacks directly at her feet. Strong moves a bit farther away. Fierce connects with players all the way across the screen.

High Jump
Special joystick inputs allow players to take advantage of this special jump available only to C. Viper. Using jump jets concealed within her boots, Viper jumps much higher than ordinary legs can carry her, allowing for intense aerial battles and sneak attacks from above.

Emergency Combination
Crimson Viper's Super Combo has her utilizing all her powers at once, continuously punching her opponent using both electric and shockwave attacks, moving forward all the while. She finishes this all off with a spectacular kick that unleashes an arc of searing flame! This move is well suited to ground to ground situations.

Burst Time
Crimson Viper's Ultra Combo starts by unleashing the forces of electricity and shockwaves at once, then following the punishing blows with a arcing kick enshrouded in fire! Although the range of the initial blast is rather limited, this move is versatile enough to be used in both ground to ground and ground to air situations, making it an indispensable part of Viper's formidable arsenal.

The full package comes with panel artwork, Street Fighter IV network ID cards and a Versus Communication Kit—you could technically take your fights online—and, of course, the game itself. Let us know if you plan on picking one up.

Street Fighter IV PCB Kit [NCSX] [Image Credit]