Capcom Announces Street Fighter V Release No Earlier Than 2018

Image Source: Capcom.com

Capcom’s hallowed Street Fighter franchise has spanned a historic 26-year timeframe since the company released it all the way back in 1987. Since then, the classic fighting game has managed to successfully keep up with the times, bringing to fans a refreshing new experience at every major sequel jump throughout the series. The game’s latest edition is Super Street Fighter IV – a minor expansion of the franchise’s current Street Fighter IV architecture – which brings additional characters to the fighter roster.

However, fighting game fans looking forward to Capcom’s next major serving might have to sit tight as they could be in for a five-year wait. In an interview with vg247, Capcom producer Tomoaki Ayano said there’s the likelihood of Street Fighter V being launched no earlier than 2018 based on the history of the franchise’s release cycle. He drew reference to the six-year gap between Street Fighter II and Street Fighter III, and an even longer nine-year wait from Street Fighter III to Street Fighter IV.

More expansions to fill the gap

To pad the wait, Capcom has announced a further expansion called Ultra Street Fighter IV, slated to come out in early 2014. The new standalone title brings with it five new characters – Hugo, Poison, Elena, Rolento, an unannounced fifth character, plus a host of balance tweaks aimed at providing more tournament viability for the rest of the roster.

Tomoaki also reassured fans that a lot of work is being put into refining the new additions instead of simply lifting them directly from its other crossover game, Street Fighter X Tekken.

Unlike the Assassin Creed and Call of Duty franchises that aim to push out new installments in shorter intervals, Capcom has chosen to slow things down and spend more time on the game development process. The formula has been a workable and safe approach for them thus far with the various Street Fighter installments being well received by fans. Though people have shorter attention spans in the smartphone era. Hopefully, Capcom can maintain its high standards and produce another gem in Street Fighter V.

Capcom’s latest title, Super Street Fighter IV can be purchased from the Capcom shop here.

(Editing By Steven Millward)