Virtua Fighter may be canceled for not meeting SEGA's standards

The new game in the Virtua Fighter franchise is at risk of being canceled if it does not meet the quality standard set by SEGA, according to information from the Push Square portal. Still in the early stages of development, the project faces an ongoing internal evaluation process that may determine its end even before it is officially revealed.

This internal policy of demand, although signaling a commitment to quality, also raises doubts about the future of the series. "The game will only move forward if it is considered good enough," sources connected to the development team stated. No details have been revealed about the team involved, the project scope, or even the target platforms.

The decision reflects a conservative approach by SEGA, which has previously shown a preference for preserving the technical and mechanical identity of the series rather than following market trends. Since its debut in 1993, Virtua Fighter has always prioritized precise gameplay and balance over ultra-realistic graphics or complex combat systems.

The latest relevant move in the franchise was Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown, released in 2021, a remastered version focused on online competitive play, with improvements to the rollback netcode and modest visual updates made to the Dragon Engine graphics engine — the same one used in the Yakuza series. The reception was mixed: while praised for refined gameplay, the title was criticized for the lack of new features and offline modes.

This current attempt, still without an official name or release window, seems to aim to revitalize Virtua Fighter in the face of the growth of other fighting games like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and the return of Mortal Kombat with the reboot MK1. The requirement for a high standard indicates that SEGA intends to compete in this scenario where traditional franchises are seeking innovation without losing their loyal fan base.

The uncertainty about the future of the project generates cautious expectations. While part of the community hopes for a dignified return, there is also concern that perfectionism may turn into stagnation. In the current game development scenario, cancellations due to not meeting internal standards, although rarely publicly disclosed, have become more common, especially when it comes to historical franchises.

For now, SEGA has not disclosed any official position. What is known is that the new Virtua Fighter will only be launched if it can convince its own creators that it lives up to the franchise's legacy.