Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: New In-Engine Footage Unveiled

Sega has treated fans to a fresh look at the upcoming Virtua Fighter game, marking the franchise's highly anticipated return after nearly two decades. Developed by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the new footage offers a glimpse into the game's visual style and gameplay.

The last significant Virtua Fighter release was Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (2021), a remaster of a previous iteration. While this remaster is slated for a Steam release in January 2025, the upcoming title promises a completely new experience.

First shown at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, the recently released video showcases a meticulously choreographed combat sequence. While not actual gameplay, the in-engine footage provides a strong indication of the game's visual direction. The style appears to be a blend of realism and stylized visuals, drawing comparisons to both Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, a departure from the franchise's earlier polygonal aesthetic. The footage features Akira, the series' iconic character, in new outfits, showcasing a visual evolution.

Development is led by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series and also co-developers of the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster. This studio is also handling Sega's Project Century, suggesting a significant commitment to these projects. While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's previous statements and Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's enthusiastic declaration ("Virtua Fighter is finally back!") during the VF Direct 2024 livestream hint at Sega's dedication to reviving this classic fighting game franchise. The new Virtua Fighter promises to be a fresh and exciting entry for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.