The iconic Street Fighter franchise, known for its rich history and in-person competition, made headlines with the announcement of its first-ever guest character, Terry Bogard from Fatal Fury. This exciting news was revealed during the Summer Game Fest showcase as part of Street Fighter VI’s season 2 reveal.
In addition to the return of familiar faces like Elena and series villain M. Bison, the game’s second year will introduce Terry Bogard and the ninja Mai Shiranui as playable characters, thanks to a collaboration with SNK. This collaboration began back at Evo 2022, marking SNK’s Ken’s entrance into the rival franchise.
The developers, Takayuki Nakayama and Shuhei Matsumoto, expressed their enthusiasm for incorporating non-Capcom or non-Street Fighter characters into the game while ensuring that fans of these characters would appreciate the homage. The team is working diligently to incorporate Terry and Mai’s unique personalities and fighting styles into the Street Fighter universe.
As players eagerly await the arrival of Terry and Mai later in the year, they will first get their hands on the fan-favorite M. Bison, who returns with a revamped look and arsenal of moves. The developers hinted at exciting storylines and new abilities for M. Bison, including a mind game aspect with the introduction of the psycho mine.
Street Fighter VI’s successful launch marked a return to form for the franchise, following the shortcomings of Street Fighter V. The game’s evolving nature as a live-service platform was evident with the introduction of Akuma through innovative online events that engaged players and collected valuable data for future developments.
While some players have expressed concerns about the game’s microtransaction model, the developers acknowledge the interest in purchasable content related to characters in the Fighting Ground Mode. They are open to exploring new content while maintaining the current system, catering to the varying preferences of the player base.
Looking ahead, Nakayama and Matsumoto are excited about the potential for community experiments and live events in Street Fighter VI’s future. By engaging younger audiences and recreating the social experience of arcades online, the franchise aims to continue its legacy and appeal to a new generation of fans.
As Street Fighter VI continues to evolve and innovate, fans can expect more exciting collaborations, character additions, and community-driven events that capture the essence of the beloved fighting game franchise. Stay tuned for more updates and surprises from the world of Street Fighter VI.
