The fighting game community is buzzing with excitement over the surprise release of Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown on PS4.
This enhanced remake came at the perfect time thanks to online tournaments like the Open Series making fighting games more accessible than ever. Large prize pools, competitive design choices, and high sales might be a game changer for success in the next generation of fighting games. Let's first review some recent VF5 history to better understand SEGA's decision to revive the series.
Virtua Fighter x Esports
SEGA teased the return of their trailblazing 3D fighting game series at Tokyo Game Show 2020 Online. While no new game was announced, the project was called “Virtua Fighter x Esports.” Their official website said that Virtua Fighter “will be restarted as an esports title to commemorate the 60th anniversary of SEGA’s establishment.”
Virtua Fighter’s competitive community rallied behind the idea that SEGA was going to support more tournaments, especially since Final Showdown was the last major update for Virtua Fighter 5 in 2012. No new entries on eighth generation consoles meant less tournaments compared to increasingly popular fighters like Street Fighter V and Tekken 7. Virtua Fighter faded into obscurity despite the genre’s boom in sales, tournament attendance, viewership, and payouts during the 2010s.
Final Showdown never returned to official lineups, but side tournaments continued at global events like Evo 2018, Combo Breaker 2019, Evo 2019, and Evo Japan 2020. The community’s passion to keep the game alive may have inspired SEGA to remake VF5.
SEGA's chance to make a difference in the FGC
This esports focused revival means big things not just for Virtua Fighter, but developer trends for the entire FGC.
Game design
If SEGA succeeds with a fifteen-year-old remake, other studios will likely make esports elements fundamental to the design of future fighting games. For instance, UItimate Showdown seamlessly presents the competitive side of playing through live spectator modes instead of relying on advanced tutorials to ease players into tournaments. Many developers struggle with easing players into more serious matches because traditional tutorials can feel overwhelming and insurmountable.
The FGC’s barrier to entry is often too high. Entering only gets trickier as meta and tech further develop.
Community investment
SEGA’s commitment to competitive features in Ultimate Showdown was the first step toward more potential investments in their community.
They currently have an estimated net worth of $4.9 billion compared to other massive fighting game developers like Bandai Namco ($4.74 billion) and Capcom ($3.44 billion), while smaller studios or subsidiaries like Arc System Works typically publish most titles in the scene. If SEGA follows trends set by these developers, then Virtua Fighter’s competitive scene might blossom internationally through worldwide tours featuring generous prize pools.
FGC prize pools heavily fluctuate based on the game and tournament. For example, the Capcom Cup’s $380,000 prize pool and $250,000 grand prize dwarfs other events like the 2019 Tekken World Tour Final ($250,000 prize pool) and Final Kombat 2020 for MK11 ($100,000 prize pool).
Given SEGA’s deep pockets, it is possible that a Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown championship could have similar or even greater payouts than the Capcom Cup. Higher potential prizes could also motivate larger teams to sponsor more players, paving the way for greater fame and financial gain.
Becoming a more viable esport
The lack of large prize pools and sponsorships makes it difficult for top players to make a living. Pros typically must spend long hours streaming, creating content, and coaching to pay their bills. Increased studio support would also create a surplus of opportunities for more professional and aspiring competitors to shine.
This is far from guaranteed, but it doesn’t hurt to hope that success in the FGC might one day be on the same scale as bigger esports like FIFA and Call of Duty. Look forward to tons of memorable matches regardless of whether or not prize pools, sales, or design impact fighting games.
Join the community
Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown is available exclusively for PS4. It was included in the June lineup of free games for PlayStation Plus subscribers, so jump in!