Sega Unveils New Virtua Fighter In-Engine Footage

Virtua Fighter's Return: New In-Engine Footage Unveiled

Sega has treated fans to a fresh look at the upcoming Virtua Fighter installment, marking the franchise's triumphant return after nearly two decades of relative silence. The new in-engine footage, showcased at NVIDIA's CES 2025 keynote, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the game's visual style and direction.

The last major Virtua Fighter release, Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown (a remaster), launched in 2021. While a Steam release is slated for January 2025, this new title represents a completely original entry in the series. The footage, though impeccably choreographed and clearly staged, utilizes the game's engine, providing a strong indication of the final product's visual fidelity.

This new Virtua Fighter departs from its traditionally stylized polygonal aesthetic, aiming for a more realistic visual style that blends elements reminiscent of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. The trailer features Akira, the franchise's iconic character, sporting new outfits, a departure from his classic look.

Development is being spearheaded by Sega's Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the team behind the acclaimed Yakuza series and also co-developers of the Virtua Fighter 5 remaster. They are also handling Sega's ambitious Project Century. This suggests a significant commitment to revitalizing the Virtua Fighter franchise.

While specifics remain scarce, project director Riichirou Yamada's earlier comments hint at Sega's ambitious vision for the game. However, Sega's enthusiasm is undeniable, as aptly summarized by Sega President and COO Shuji Utsumi's declaration during the VF Direct 2024 livestream: "Virtua Fighter is finally back!" The release of this footage further solidifies the 2020s as a remarkable era for fighting games.