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 new in-engine footage for the eagerly anticipated next installment in the Virtua Fighter series, marking the franchise's first entirely new entry in nearly two decades. The Virtua Fighter series has been relatively quiet since the release of Virtua Fighter 5, with only remasters and special editions like Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown gracing the gaming world. The latter, which came to PlayStation 4 and Japanese arcades in 2021, is set to hit Steam in January 2025, just before the new game's debut.
The new footage was showcased during NVIDIA's keynote at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show. The video begins with a transitional scene before diving into a meticulously choreographed combat sequence, resembling a scene from a martial arts film more than a typical fighting game match. This staged nature of the footage is highlighted by a disclaimer and the flawless execution of moves. With other major fighting game franchises releasing new titles, the return of Virtua Fighter could cement the 2020s as a significant decade for the genre.
New Virtua Fighter Footage Highlights Evolving Visuals
The showcased clip, although not featuring actual gameplay, uses in-engine graphics to give fans a glimpse of what the final product might look like. The visuals move away from the series' traditional hyper-stylized and polygonal designs towards a more realistic style, sitting between the aesthetics 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 look.
The development of this new Virtua Fighter is being led by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, which is also working on Project Century. This studio previously co-developed the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster with Sega AM2 and is known for its work on the Yakuza series, starting from Yakuza 5.
While details about the new game remain scarce, comments from Virtua Fighter project director Riichirou Yamada indicate a fresh direction for the series. Sega's commitment to revitalizing the brand is evident as they continue to offer sneak peeks of the upcoming game. As Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi stated during the VF Direct 2024 livestream, "Virtua Fighter is finally back!"
