by SupaSlick
(Note: This is the final edition to a three part series. Click for PART 1 or PART 2.)
The fighting game genre is dead, or at least it will be if we don’t see some big changes soon. The sad part it is, most of you will read that sentence, shrug, and move on. That’s the problem, no one really cares, and for those of us who do there’s nothing we can do about it.
Fighting games may exist, but their future is certainly bleak. Fighting game designers need to think of a way to bring back the community feeling that I’ve mentioned before. Designers need to create a way to engage more people at once. Also they need to create a new form of intensity. If people got the same thrill out of 3 hit combos like they did from a head shot with a sniper rifle, we might be on to something.
Designers need to take all these customizations and online capabilities out there and import them into the fighting game world. Imagine if the technology behind the Halo 3 level editor was put into a standard fighting game! Don’t like the available characters? You should be able to TRULY create your own. Tiger Woods let you do it, why not a fighter?
How bout customizing your character controls and special moves. Don’t like those quarter circle movements? Create your own! Think that fireball should be able to hit the feet instead of the chest? Change it! The more customizeable, the better.
As I look ahead to the holiday season, and 2008, I wonder if the dismal selection of titles coming out will do anything to revitalize the genre. I’d like to take a moment to give props to the Super Smash Brothers series, as I’ve neglected it so far. They were some truly great games, and broke new ground in the multiplayer fighter (more than 2 people). The new version for the Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, could be the breath of fresh air the genre so desperately needs. But even if it does, it won’t be enough.
So what else is on the horizon? I’ve spoken about Virtua Fighter 5 for 360, which hopefully will be great, but that’s already out for PS3. Next year, we can expect Soul Calibur 4, which will for sure generate some press, but part 3, an exclusive for the PS2, was a bit of a disappointment.
As far as 2d fighters go, some forums members may remember the Guilty Gear series. Its coming back with a new sequel next year. Then there’s the new HD remix of Street Fighter coming out for XBLA. I’m excited about these two, as they are probably the only 2d fighters on the horizon. I just hope they do both their series proud.So, is that it? What’s that, four new games, and none of them will be all that revolutionary. So tell me, is it even possible for fighting games to make a comeback? What features would an awesome fighter need to have? Are fighting games dying because most are made just for 2 players, or is it something more?
I say if we don’t see a true revamp soon, we can kiss the fighting game goodbye.
Guard before that next attack and tell us on the forums!
Take a moment and join the Sarcastic Gamer forums.
Already a member? Discuss this topic now.
Popularity: 1% [?]
If you want to make a custom fighting game, try MUGEN. I have to warn you, making stuff for it can be a bit tricky and a lot of the sites that have stuff for it are either dead or dying.
Fighting games are dying and still smoking 50 cigarettes a day. I would laugh but its far from funny. I can guarantee not one fighting game released in 2009 will have anything new to offer. Prettier graphics, more characters, costumes, new moves, tweaked game modes, new backgrounds….How exciting…. (ok perhaps except for Street Fighter, come on!)
Ask yourself this, why are other games more popular now than fighting games? There is one reason and its simple. Let me lead you down the path of enlightenment. Outrun in the arcades was awesome right? Everyone loved it. Would you still love it if they made the same game for the next 22 years? No. What happened is that they made racing games for PC’s and games machines that weren’t just ports culminating in the bench mark that is Grand Tourismo. Need another example? Ok, Operation Wolf touch of Darwins evolution and you have……Call of Duty (or even Halo!). So wheres the fighting game? There isn’t one. Not one. Jade Empire fantastic RPG fighting game (more please) but not the same. Don’t get me wrong I’m not hating on fighting games. Love them, Virtua Fighter is the only arcade game I have ever completed.
Really, prove me wrong. Tekken, no, Mortal Combat, no, Virtua fighter, Street Fighter, no. Everyone of them arcade ports of sorts. Not one has been designed for the environment of home machines. That is where players have more time and want more involvement from games. Every single fighting game plays thus. Choose character, fight through all the other characters. Then end. Thats it. The rest is just garnish. Why do we still have this game model? I have no answers, yes I do laziness and a lack of imagination. In fact you don’t even need that.
How to make a fighting game: Watch Enter the Dragon. Rehash the story and voilà. You have the basis for practically every fighting game ever made.
How to make an original fighting game based on the technological advances in home consoles: Think of what you like to see in a fighting game and what you’d like to do and er make it. It really is that simple. You don’t need animals or ridiculous devil creatures and nonsensical cut scenes. Just think. Its not difficult.
This article contains elements that would make a great fighting game. I’ve written a fighting game that would to for fighting what grand tourismo did for the racer. Why am I not selling it? Its literally written on 2 pieces of A4. I’m not a games designer and don’t work in the industry. I’m just an arm chair pundit with a great format for a fighting game. When Street Fighter 4 comes out, invite a few friends over, crack open a few beers, break a few limbs then draw up your own game that’ll be great. Don’t believe me try it, it’ll be a revelation.