I probably wouldn’t expect to hear anything about the next iteration of SF until SBO in Japan (Is that when he said there would be some announcement?).
In any event, I do worry that a SFIV-Dash would flop, the reaction I generally see from people regarding that is ‘ripoff’ and they hate the idea of buying a new game for what they consider ‘minor upgrades’.
I think DLC would probably be a good option, especially if they do something like Oblivion’s GOTY Edition, they could have a retail copy of SFIV Dash alongside the DLC version. The DLC one can be cheaper due to the cheaper distribution costs, and maybe throw in some bonuses for the retail one to appeal to collector’s or die-hard fans.
I expect the release for SF4 to be similar to that of SF3’s. The way I see it and as many above me have mentioned, Capcom knows what changes need to be made, and what needs to be added.
SF4 is a great game but it feels unpolished and a bit incomplete just like how SF3 felt. I fully expect them to be working on a second impact of sorts, announced at SBO this year and using the feedback/data from that event. SFIV 2nd impact would likely introduce 2 new characters (T.hawk and Deejay), and a host of gameplay/balance fixes and maybe new stages/music/costumes etc. This update is more urgent and I expect to see it in less than 1 year from now.
After SF42I is out, we’ll probably have to wait 2-3 years for everything to really iron out then they’ll introduce SF4 3rd strike. The most complete version and capcom will have us play SF43T for about 5 years before they announce SF5. Calling it now.
I think I’m torn between the idea of DLC or a fresh copy of a “new” game. DLC is nice for those who are adequately situated to purchase it online and play on their own console. However, for tournaments and similar prospects, it would be an organizer’s worse nightmare. Granted, for those that are sponsored and has enough money to get the DLC upgrade for SFIV (if it is DLC) it would be pretty mundane and easy to accomplish. But SRK Tournament Forums are mainly local where DLC would cause some conflicts from time to time.
As for the programming aspect, as mentioned before in another post, a “patch” for upgraded Netcode or any other “serious” back-end overhaul would mean absolute despair. I’ve toyed with some development for XBox Arcade, at least, and if the game starts out as an online/DLC one it’s far easier (obviously). But something as massive as SFIV would cause irregularities until they worked out the problems (and I’m certain there would be some problems found at first). Some gamers have the patience of a saint. But others are too angry, too negative, and too self-righteous to wait for new content they’ve paid for to have issues at all.
If you make it a separate disc, you risk people just not buying the original SFIV, which would mean a loss of money. Not to mention DLC is just plain cheaper to release. Honestly, who the fuck bought SFIV with no internet, and no intention of playing online? Is that type of person really going to be so in love with it they would buy another version of it, with most of the same characters, just to play their friends at their house, or play the AI??? DLC has proven that people will go buy a game simply because the DLC peaked their interest in the product, plus it shows developer support. Hell, I have seen many games this gen fail because they did NOT offer any DLC.
People expecting the new game to be DLC or a price discount are not thinking like a large video game publisher. Capcom is not going to leave millions of dollars on the table to give fans a discount. Any DLC game is guaranteed to make less money than SFIV. Even if they sell through 100% a $39.99 DLC game will make less money than SFIV. Capcom wants a sequel to sell more copies and make more money than SFIV. DLC will only be used for minor tweaks like CE or “horse armor” (alt costumes).
The next SF will have to be improved enough to get Japanese arcades to upgrade there cabinets and get 360/PS3/PC owners to pay $59.99 or $79.99 (collector’s/limited edition). All with the hopes that they sell more copies and make more money because of the success of SFIV.
As for announcements? Capcom would like to announce that they would like you to buy the PC version. And thats all they are going to announce for 2 or 3 months as they watch the cash come in.
They can blow me if they expect me to pay $60 for minimal upgrades that don’t include vastly improved netcode…and I know it just isn’t technically possible from such a demanding game…
agreed. There is no way I am paying 60 bucks for virtually the same game (albeit with some minor fixes to existing characters), with the same fucking characters, and only a handful of new ones.
New characters/levels/costumes = DLC
Completely new game, with entirely new movesets, new engine, etc, then I would pay POSSIBLY full price for it. Just look at Halo 3 ODST for the 360. It’s quite different from the core game, and was originally slated to be DLC, but is now getting an actual launch, BUT STILL NOT AT FULL PRICE.
DLC never really existed before SFIV, so it made sense that they would develop new copies of the game for fixes/addons. Nowadays, it is simply cheaper to just throw up some DLC. No marketing $$$, no production costs.
Keep in mind, where do you think the majority of the money from SFIV came from? The arcade units, or the console versions??? Now which would make more sense to milk money from?
I like the DLC + a standalone SF4:Dash idea. But yeah, they’ll probably have to add some extras for the standalone… Like new costumes or something. Then they’ll just release it as DLC for those who don’t have it yet later on.
Otherwise, SF4 for $30 and buying the DLC would be the better deal.
i really hope the leave the roster the way they are. No need to nerf anyone. Sagat, yes he good but very beatable and the same with seth. I would rather them spend more tiem ont eh lag issue, add my characters, and fine tune the network play.
Again I don’t see how this ends up being DLC. By doing this you immediately alienate a good percentage of your potential customers. Just because you and the people around you in your little bubble have PSN and Xbox Live that doesn’t mean everyone else does. On top of that as was mentioned before it makes it difficult for smaller tournaments. I believe (I don’t know what it is) there’s a limit to what size DLC is allowed to be. When you look at past SF games there have always been animation changes, move tweaks, and even engine changes. I really don’t see all of that being feasible for DLC. Another thing to consider is that if they shoot for making this game DLC then they’re already limiting themselves. By not having to fit into a size restriction then they’re free to make all the tweaks they see fit without trying to stay within the confined space of a DLC size restriction. Lastly the reason why I think it wont be a full priced game is because while it will be too much for DLC it wont be enough for “fringe” fans to spend full price on. A good amount of people who play SF don’t appreciate the subtleties between these games. Remember some of the people buying this are the ones who it took YEARS to figure out that Ken and Ryu weren’t the same character post SF2: WW
If there is any update, it will be for the arcade first. Street Fighter IV is still going strong in Japanese arcades and I’m sure Capcom would love to pull an ace out and give the arcades the update it so desperately needs. I’m waiting for that announcement before anything console.