So, there has been quite a break in service for the TWitU feature, but this week has been so big for fighting games that it needed to make a comeback for this special edition. This is a video heavy post on these big announcements and happenings so stay with me as we delve into the world of fighting games.
Street Fighter X Tekken was, on release, not highly thought of. People called it things like “Street Fighter X Timeout’ and it was considered very poorly balanced. Well, Capcom have now released the 2013 version, a thankfully free patch that endeavours to fix the issues. I have not had a chance to play it myself yet as I only have SFxT on PC and as usual it looks like there is going to be a large delay with @streetfighter only giving a vague “eventually” when I mentioned this on Twitter, though the PC version has now had the first patch and is due to get the DLC next week. With me unable to try out the patch myself the best I can do is embed these two videos showing off the changes which have been made. Will it now become Street Thrower X Tek ’em? Only time will tell, let’s hope it makes it more interesting for spectators for Evo2013 at any rate.
On the subject of Evo, the winner of the donation drive and that 8th slot on the main stage at 2013 was not MLP: Fighting is Magic, donations for that dried up after the rule change sort of took it out of the running. It also wasn’t yet another Capcom game and it was not even Skullgirls despite that being in the lead for a while and the community raising $78,760. The winner and 8th game on the main stage at Evo this year is Super Smash Bros: Melee which raised a staggering $94,683 for Breast Cancer Research. So, with that decided the 8 games to be in the main tournament this year are as follows:
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Mortal Kombat 9
Street Fighter X Tekken 2013
King of Fighters XIII
Persona 4 Arena
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Others will likely have side tournaments but it is unknown if they will be streamed.
It’s not all bad news for Skullgirls fans however, some of the difficulties the devs have been having have now been overcome and a PC version has now been confirmed with Marvelous AQL picking up the publishing. They have been given the go ahead to do more than a basic port as well, with proper multi-player support including lobbies and, after release, cross platform play with PSN. What this means for the XBox version is unknown, but hopefully something can be worked out and everyone can get the final version and all the characters eventually. For those unfamiliar with Skullgirls it plays something like the old Marval Vs Capcom games (MvC3) but if that means anything to you I guess you know all about Skullgirls so I have embedded the trailer below for those who don’t.
They may not be on the main stage at Evo (they should be in the indie corner if things go to plan though) but this week Mane6, the Fighting is Magic dev team have released a new teaser. This one finally shows us the last of the six characters planned for the initial release. It is quite clear why Fluttershy (and Angel Bunny) is the last character to be in a presentable state. The animal summoning mechanic must have more than doubled the sprite work compared to the others and that is before you start thinking about the programming and design of a complex character like that. Fluttershy Teaser embedded for your viewing pleasure.
UPDATE 10th Feb 2013: As a result of a C&D letter from Hasbro’s legal department Fighting is Magic is sadly no longer in development, hopefully something can be sorted out as after they have worked for two years on the project I can’t begin to imagine how the team feel right now. If not, perhaps they might take up Lauren Faust’s offer and make a completely new game. Whatever the result I wish all the best to everyone in the Mane6 team in their future endeavours.
And finally we have Divekick. Not sure what I can say about this really, a parody fighter, an indie game which sort of disappeared after cancelling their Kickstarter. Now back with a publisher and release date for PS3, Vita and PC. Again, gameplay is to be found in the video.
Remember, if you go into the ring expecting to fail, you will. Believe in yourself!
Have a good week!
