Virtua Fighter Engine Unveiled in Sega Footage

Virtua Fighter Returns: First New Entry in 20 Years Showcased at CES 2025

Sega unveiled fresh in-engine footage of the upcoming Virtua Fighter game at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, marking the franchise's first new installment in nearly two decades. Development is being spearheaded by Sega's own Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the Yakuza series.

The footage, while not actual gameplay, offers a glimpse into the game's visual style. The video showcases a departure from the franchise's traditionally stylized polygonal characters, leaning towards a more realistic aesthetic that blends elements of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The iconic character Akira is featured in two different outfits, deviating from his classic look.

Following the release of remasters of Virtua Fighter 5, including the recent Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (headed to Steam in January 2025), this new entry represents a significant step for the franchise. The brief, impeccably choreographed combat sequence in the trailer hints at the game's potential, suggesting a focus on polished, cinematic fight sequences.

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, also involved in the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster alongside Sega AM2, is also handling Sega's ambitious Project Century. While details remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's earlier statements and Sega's commitment, as expressed by President and COO Shuji Utsumi ("Virtua Fighter is finally back!"), indicate a serious effort to revitalize the beloved fighting game series. The 2020s are shaping up to be a remarkable era for fighting games, and Virtua Fighter's return is poised to solidify this.