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'Street Fighter' pros hardly even look at their character
Do something enough and it becomes second nature: muscle memory and instinct kicks in. But does that hold for the high-twitch dynamics of pro gaming-level Street Fighter 4? Japanese gaming site 4Gamer rigged up a gaming PC with SteelSeries' Sentry Gaming Eye Tracker, watching the gaze of Street Fighter pro-gamer Sako as he indulged in a few rounds. Rather than focus on his own player, or the opponent, his view typically rests somewhere between the two; the pro-gamer likely trying to gauge incoming attacks and connect distance for their own. As the Japanese site notes, it wasn't exactly a high stakes bout, but the video suggests, at least, that it's not where your character is, but where it's going that's important. Which is also this editor's life philosophy, coincidentally. See where the pros are looking, right after the break.
Special edition Mad Catz Street Fighter IV controllers set for limited engagement at Comic-Con
Heading to Comic-Con this year? If not, you'll be missing out on a limited edition Street Fighter IV-branded FightSticks and FightPads from Mad Catz, with button layouts designed to maximize your hadouken-throwing efficiency and with a design the Joystiq crew labels as inspired by Sagat (the character) -- a perfect complement to your Tournament Edition sticks. According to Capcom's official blog, only 500 of each have been made, divided evenly between PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The pad will cost you $49.99, the sticks $179.99, and the online auction resale value guaranteed to be even more.[Via Joystiq]
Owners report Mad Catz SFIV FightStick defects
Just in time for the impending release of Street Fighter IV, owners of the standard MadCatz FightStick are reporting several problems with the peripheral. Reported on the Shoryuken.com forums (which seem to be overloaded as of press time), the various problems include the joystick itself sticking in certain positions and sticky buttons. Other users are reporting that the controller may fail to register certain directions on the stick or certain button presses, with at least one user reporting that the stick stopped registering all inputs entirely. Certain users have attributed the stuck joystick inputs to a metal washer that actually grinds away at the inner workings of the stick while in use.In a statement to Joystiq, Mad Catz Global PR & Communications Manager, Alex Verrey, said, "There are no major problems with the Street Fighter range of products. Customers can buy with complete confidence.""As with all complex precision-engineered products, there is always a chance that a tiny percentage of product may exhibit a fault," said Verrey, adding, "This is TOTALLY normal and not at all unexpected. Usually this is due to circumstances beyond our control but this does NOT mean that there is any kind of inherent fault with the design or manufacture of the product." Verrey advises all customers who have encountered a problem to contact Mad Catz directly for a repair (visit this link for Mad Catz warranty information).For those that already have a standard FightStick, have you experienced similar problems?
A new Street Fighter IV national tournament appears!
Are you 'that guy' at the arcade? The guy calmly defeating challenger after challenger on the gray market Street Fighter IV cabinet, milking your dollar bill for all it's worth? You know, the guy stealing all our money? Well how would you feel if we told you that Capcom is partnering up with GameStop and the EVO Championship Series to bring you the very first Street Fighter IV National Tournament? Your head would explode?! Uh oh, maybe we should have kept this to ourselves...Anyway, starting on February 21st at "locations EVERYWHERE" (warning: PDF link), GameStop will hold the first of three rounds determining the best of the best SFIV players in the country. Following that, the second round will take place on February 28th at "regional stores" and second-round victors will move on to the semi-finals on March 14th. Finally, the 16 winners of the semi-finals will be flown to San Francisco for the final competition, where they'll all receive the upcoming SFIV Mad Catz arcade sticks and fighting pads, limited edition tournament belts and a place in the semi-final bracket at the EVO World Finals in Las Vegas. But what, pray tell, does the winner of the final round get? How about an official Street Fighter IV arcade cabinet? If you haven't already burst out the door and run to a GameStop to sign up, you may want to do so posthaste.
10% off Street Fighter IV FightPads and entire Capcom Store order
Those who are in the market for a new controller -- or are just feeling an overwhelming surge of Street Fighter IV excitement that only spending money can satisfy -- should hit up the Capcom Store. Why? Because everything is currently 10% off retail. Admittedly, you'll have to do some work to get the 10% off, but the process is as easy as: 1) Add an item to your cart. 2) Exit the shopping cart screen by clicking towards the storefront. 3) A pop-up appears with a 10% off offer. Just make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.Once the coupon code is applied, you can grab any flavor of the new SFIV FightPads or even a too-cool T-Shirt. Sadly, the highly coveted FightSticks are sold out. Note too that you'll also have to account for shipping charges.[Via Cheap Ass Gamer]
New Street Fighter IV feature revealed: A plot
Okay, okay. We know that Street Fighter has always had a plot. We don't want any angry otaku in here. But seriously, for a game about efficiently beating the snot out of people, the plot of Street Fighter IV is heavy. The latest trailer for the game highlights the story and gives a little background as to why everyone keeps on fighting in the street. Whether or not you spend any time reflecting on it whilst pounding your opponent, well, that's up to you.We've embedded the trailer after the break. Here's a fun exercise. Close your eyes, listen to the trailer and imagine a Street Fighter movie that's actually good. At the rate things are going, it's the closest you're going to get.
New Street Fighter IV trailer looks awesome, sounds not awesome
Capcom, we need to talk -- or rather, you need to talk less. You see, we were watching the new Street Fighter IV trailer and, beautiful though it may be, we had to mute it halfway through. The video, which highlights each of the game's characters, has some pretty cornball material -- we're talking laughing at, not laughing with.... Then again, once we get our hands on the game, we'll probably be too enthralled to notice. SFIV is set to punch you in the face on February 17.
Mad Catz announces SFIV controllers, accessories
click to see this bad boy in hi-res Mad Catz has announced a new line of controllers and accessories designed especially with Street Fighter fans in mind. First up, the company has the FightPad, which features an arcade style six button layout and (blessedly) a floating eight-way D-pad. For more serious fighting fanatics, there is the FightStick an arcade style joystick with an eight button layout. For really serious fighting fans, there's the FightStick Tournament, which features authentic Sanwa parts. In fact, it uses the same parts found in actual Street Fighter IV arcade cabinets. As if that weren't enough, the design of the FightStick Tournament is being overseen by SFIV producer Yoshinori Ono himself. Also on offer will be a Street Fighter IV faceplate, wall scroll, and (ahem) Console Skinz.All the Street Fighter IV Mad Catz products are scheduled to ship alongside the release of the game in February. No prices have been announced yet, which means we can still dream that the FightStick Tournament will be offered for the low, low price of free. Find a gallery of the new controllers below. Gallery: Mad Catz Street Fighter IV controllers [Via Joystiq]
Street Fighter IV gets new US box art, updated collector's edition specs
Capcom has released the official rundown of what's in the US collector's editions of Street Fighter IV – and what (or rather who) is not on the game's cover anymore. "We had a total re-think on our SFIV packaging," Capcom's PR director, Chris Kramer, wrote on the Capcom-Unity blog. "As a result of [fan feedback], we have opted to drop the initial Chun-Li packfront in favor of Street Fighter IV art director Ikeno-san's amazing Ryu vs. Ken illustration."What's in the box is not all that different from what GameStop listed 10 days ago. Priced at $79.99, both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions come with the game, soundtrack CD, hint book, and either a C. Viper or Ryu figurine (360 and PS3, respectively). The final bit of bundled swag – a new 65-minute anime movie, The Ties That Bind – "sets up the story of SFIV by explaining events post-SFII." The Studio 4°C-produced film is on Blu-ray Disc for PS3 and a special game disc (not a standard DVD) for 360, which has allowed Capcom to encode it at 720p resolution.Capcom says that the CEs also include "some secret additional downloadable content," which GameStop had previously listed as new costumes, but has since revised. Check out the high-res PS3 and 360 pack shots and CE photos in the gallery below. %Gallery-21918%
Street Fighter IV to dragon punch Japanese consoles in February
While fighting game fans know they must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance, players in Japan will soon be able to try from the comfort of their couch. Dengeki Online reports that Capcom plans to release the console versions of Street Fighter IV in February 2009, with a feature-length SFIV anime directed by Akira animator Koji Morimoto given away as a preorder bonus. Interestingly, while this announcement currently only pertains to Japan, it echoes an earlier report which indicated that the game and its console-specific roster would "definitely" hurricane kick its way to Western audiences sometime this winter, most likely alongside the upcoming Chun-Li-focused Street Fighter film. Could a global launch announcement be far behind?[Via GameSpot]
Street Fighter IV boxarted with Chun-Li and Ryu
Recently, Capcom unveiled the box art for a little game known as Street Fighter IV, surprising us with not one but TWO different covers. Yes sir, SFIV will actually sport two separate box art covers, one for the United States and another for Europe. And if you look above, you'll see both covers in all their glory. The left is U.S. The right is Europe. Looks to us like the U.S. got screwed.
New Japanese Street Fighter IV posters are stunning
These posters are such beauties, and we want them. Unfortunately, they are in Japan. A black one with an orange IV logo features Ryu with new characters Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte and Rufus. An orange one with a black IV logo features old favorites Guile, Ken and Chun-Li. Capcom-Unity blogger Kramez has two pictures of the Street Fighter IV posters held up by SFIV producer Yoshinori Ono. Another one after the jump. Check them out and drool.[Via Capcom-Unity]
Street Fighter IV home port to include new characters, online play
Gone are the days when arcades represented the superior video game experience. While a part of us may cry coin operated tears at this realization, Capcom is quick to remind us that there is even more fun to be had at home, or at least there will be when the recently announced domesticated flavor of Street Fighter IV is released for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Speaking in an interview with Japan's Weekly Famitsu, producer Yoshinori Ono revealed that the home version of the upcoming fighter will include features not found in the arcade original, among them online play and exclusive characters.As we've come to expect from our Street Fighter IV news, Ono offered few specifics, saying only that the team is "watching the overall balance" in designing additions to the home version's roster. He added that the devs "won't be adding unnecessary stuff" to the online experience, dashing our dreams of an internet thumb war between Blanka and Chun Li.
Rumor: Street Fighter IV heading to PS3, Xbox 360, PC this winter
Since announcing Street Fighter IV, Capcom has given us a number of things to ponder about the upcoming sequel, from 3D graphics to giant thumbs, but one thing the company hasn't given us is a release date, not to mention where exactly we'll be able to play the game once it finally makes its way to retail. However this may be about to change, as according to French blog Jeuxvideo, Capcom recently made mention on a press site that the fighter is headed to the PS3, Xbox 360, and -- surprisingly -- the PC as well, with all three versions slated to hurricane kick retail shelves this winter.Unfortunately, the site neglected to link to the press site in question, and Joystiq ninjas have since returned from Capcom's press tower with nothing to show for their trouble, leaving us to flag this particular morsel of information as a rumor, albeit one we'd very much like to come true. [Via Big Download]
Classic SFII combos work the same in SFIV
If you read our hands-on impressions of Street Fighter IV from GDC, you know the game bears more than a passing resemblance to Capcom's classic Street Fighter II (with admittedly updated graphics). Well, the folks at GamesRadar wanted to see just how far that similarity went, and found that many classic combos from the original game work exactly the same way in the new one.The video evidence (also available below the jump) highlights the cosmetic differences in the two games while at the same time showing how seemingly identical the basic gameplay is. We can't say this is necessarily a bad thing -- Street Fighter II is a classic for a reason -- but that classic is already available as a Virtual Console download, an upcoming HD remix, and even a PS2 Anniversary collection. Why are we supposed to trudge out to the arcade for a dressed up version of a 15-year-old experience that we can get at home?
New Street Fighter IV Cinematic Trailer
Employing an art style similar to that seen in the original trailer for the game, the newest bit of Street Fighter IV media to be released is another cinematic trailer, this time showing off Chun-Li and the new character C.Viper. The inky stylized quality to the video makes for a fun little teaser trailer, and sharp-eyed players will be able to spot a signature move or two hidden in all the fluff. Despite the fact that this video in no way represents the final gameplay, it does give a bit of a feel for the flavor that Capcom is shooting for with the series return. And for a game shrouded in mystery, Capcom's media release schedule seems to be rather consistent, possibly hinting that the game is farther long than anyone knows. If we find some more videos such as this one, it could be a sign that we could see that fighting game revival sooner than we thought.
Would You Rather ... Hi-def Hadouken Edition
In our continuing effort to bring you fresh and interesting content, X3F presents Would You Rather ... a weekly feature that asks you the hard questions. The point? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you go for?It's undeniable. The Street Fighter flu has been swirling around Fanboy Towers since the first hi-res shots of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (seriously, long enough?) has been shown. Since then, Street Fighter 4 has been all the rage putting our original temptation in the shadows. For the sake of this week's installment of WUR let's pretend you could only have one of the two. Would you go new hotness (SF4) or retro remix (SSFIITHDR, sheesh)?Can't decide, you say? Shoryuken! (Can't take credit for this lame joke)%Poll-10801%Feel free to share the reasons for your vote in the comments. We'll share the results of the poll during the next edition of Would You Rather ... which hits X3F every Wednesday.Last weeks WUR results can be find after the jump ... aaaand fight!
New Street Fighter IV Characters & Gameplay
For a game that has no announced platforms or release date, Capcom certainly is being liberal with the Street Fighter IV exposure. The game was available to play in the Taito center in Akihabara and we were lucky enough that at least one person who was there was sporting a camera. These here videos are not direct-feed, so they're a bit shaky and low-quality, but they're still good enough that the action can still be clearly seen. Which is good, because these vids showcase the first looks at two confirmed characters, Sagat and M. Bison. With the return of these well-known characters, the total fighter list for the is now at 12. With the game having only 16 fighters, how will we see the last fighter spaces filled? Will Akuma be coming back? Will we see more than just two original characters? We'll have to wait and see, as this year seems to be the one that heralds the rebirth of the fighter genre.M. Bison video after the break.
GDC08: hands-on with Street Fighter IV
After playing Street Fighter IV on its (fantastically expensive) arcade cabinet at GDC for well over an hour, I can't help but feel like Capcom will soon pull off one of the best cons in gaming history. You see, if you've played Street Fighter II then you've essentially played Street Fighter IV. There are a few differences, of course -- we'll get to those in a minute -- but for the most part it's the same game it was nearly two decades ago. There's a common axiom that states, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," or in Capcom's case, "if it ain't broke, keep repackaging it and selling it to the same people over and over again." That's basically what Street Fighter IV does once again. My would-be journalistic sensibilities tell me I should be angry about that. Honestly though, I was having too much fun to care. Hence, a con.
New SFIV Video: Gameplay of New Characters
Last week we got a glimpse of the new Street Fighter IV character and wondered how he'd fight, this week we get to see him do so. This new promotional video of the game shows of all of the revealed characters and plenty of gameplay. The jury is still out for us on a few minor details (moving of camera, certain specifics of character design, etc) but all in all it looks really good. The gameplay clips show some returning moves and show us some never before seen combo footage, though you do need to be quick to spot it as it's only there for a few seconds before the special move. With the game releasing in late summer to Japanese arcades, we could see this at about this time next year, or even earlier if we're lucky.
