for one thing, you should be clear as to whether you mean 3D as in:
*3D polygon fighters fighting on a 2D plane…or
**3D fighters that fight in 3D stages where they can walk in the full 3D round, ie, stepping into the foreground and/or background.
for ex:
*SF4
or
**Tekken, Soul Calibur, KoF maximum impact
Why does this matter? 3d games sell boatloads automatically for being 3d. Dead or Alive, Tekken, Soul Caliber and don’t get me started on Smash Bros…tons of people play these. 3d fighters are far far more popular among casual players than 2d fighters. About the only 2d fighter guaranteed to sell a lot is a street fighter title but that’s cause SF2 started it all and has built a huge following over the years. As far as hardcore FGC people, I’m sure everyone appreciates Virtua Fighter cause of how technical it is and how pretty much everyone who plays it are serious players.
Somewhat true, for what I have experienced, in casual settings 3D Fighters are far more popular. My Friends ( Who hate SF and mock me for playing it) think that Tekken is the greatest thing to happen to humanity since drinking water.
3d gamers don’t show up as much? I was guilty of this in the past.
I like 2d as a whole more than 3d, but VF is my favorite due to reactions speed needing to be faster and the matches are faster as a whole ( I don’t see a problem with 5 sec. Rounds).
Yes, to idiotic graphic whores. It doesn’t mean they’re worth playing.
2D fighters get more love because the game play is overall more solid and goes at a faster pace. There’s more intensity and let’s face it 2D came first so the fan base was already well established when 3D came around.
That’s not to say all 3D games are bad, Just Tekken, FUCK TEKKEN!
I will play Virtua Fighter till my thumbs bleed because the game play is tight and deep (like a good ass) Where as Tekken, eh, Let me know when they realize a block button is a must in 3D fighting games, Seriously, Tekken has the worst blocking system in any game I’ve ever played.