Some of the thrilling video games to observe at Evo 2025 was Fatal Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves. From KojiKOG’s memeworthy and dramatic response to his loss in high 8, to the unimaginable grand finals betwen Go1 and ET, and all the thrilling moments in between. It was an excellent reminder of how a lot enjoyable the sport might be. Whereas I wasn’t capable of discuss to anybody from SNK on the precise present itself, Producer Yasuyuki Oda and Animator Masami Obari had been type sufficient to reply a number of questions of mine through electronic mail regarding the discharge of Ken in Metropolis of the Wolves and a couple of different subjects that I felt can be of nice curiosity to followers of SNK and combating video games in normal.
One of many greatest surprises to me as soon as I received my arms on with Ken is how just like his SF6 counterpart he’s, regardless of this being a very totally different sport. Are you able to discuss somewhat bit about a few of the challenges involving taking a beloved character from one collection and making them match beneath an entire new algorithm and mechanics?
Yasayuki Oda, Lead Producer on Fatal Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves: The largest preliminary concern for us was discovering tips on how to carry Ken into the Fatal Fury gameplay system and world with out compromising his id as a personality. Our growth crew has so many individuals which are passionate concerning the Avenue Fighter franchise, and I feel their love and dedication to the collection actually shined via in all of the little particulars we labored on for Ken. We slowly labored out over time tips on how to incorporate Ken’s quick velocity and flashy flame-based assaults into the system of Metropolis of the Wolves, continuously asking ourselves “What was lacking?”, “What might we enhance on?”, “What had been Ken’s strengths and the place might we leverage that?” After a lot repeated trial and error, this model of Ken lastly took type.
Ken is a personality that’s at all times been very sturdy in Avenue Fighter 6, because of having the ability to convert most common hits on block to a Jinrai Kick that forces some dangerous choice making on protection, a plus on block hole nearer in his heavy dragonlash kick, on high of simply having actually good impartial buttons and a balanced instrument package. Have been you ever involved that a few of these components may make him a bit too sturdy in Fatal Fury?
Oda: As you stated, bringing Ken over the identical approach he’s in Avenue Fighter 6 would undoubtedly make him a powerful character in Metropolis of the Wolves. In fact, we needed to make cautious changes as we tailored him to the sport. Integrating mechanics like Braking and REV Accel had been difficult, however I feel we had been capable of spotlight what makes Ken particular whereas additionally giving followers an opportunity to expertise a special playstyle throughout the programs of Metropolis of the Wolves. We’re trying ahead to seeing what followers suppose and how they interact with this model of Ken.
With Terry and Mai showing in Avenue Fighter 6, and now Ken, and later Chun-Li coming to Fatal Fury, do you could have any curiosity in working along with Capcom as soon as once more for one more entry in the Capcom vs SNK collection? Or is that a distant dream?
Oda: That might be one thing, wouldn’t it? Nevertheless, there may be nothing I can speak about at this second. We’re at all times pleased to obtain questions like this as a result of it exhibits how enthusiastic the followers are for one more Capcom vs. SNK. It’s an excellent supply of motivation for us.
How do you are feeling general about visitor characters in combating video games? Do you suppose it’s a wholesome pattern for the style, and do you suppose we’d see extra in future SNK video games, and even in future updates of Fatal Fury?
Oda: I feel it’s an excellent pattern. In fact, you will need to respect the story and world of different video games, however the introduction of visitor characters has nice potential for the way forward for combating video games to create new “chemical reactions.” That’s to say, it may result in surprising outcomes and start one thing new.
As for Metropolis of the Wolves, there are nonetheless characters we have to carry again earlier than we begin enthusiastic about extra visitor characters. Please relaxation assured that we’re placing all of our focus on that proper now. Even after Mr. Massive releases, there are nonetheless many new characters and new elements of the sport we’re working on, so please sit up for them!
I do know she’s nonetheless a little bit of a methods off, and we’ve received Joe coming first, however are you able to share any particulars about Chun-Li’s look in Fatal Fury? Will it’s just like the strategy of Ken, in that you just’re trying to her iteration in Avenue Fighter 6 as a major supply of inspiration?
Oda: We’re utilizing her SF6 model as a base, however since lots of our employees are followers of your entire Avenue Fighter collection, we’ve a couple of surprises and finer particulars we’re planning so as to add. We’re trying to make this model of Chun-Li, like Ken, a end result of all her previous iterations, so please sit up for it.
For Obari-san, what was it like attending to create the animations for such an iconic character that’s outdoors of the world of SNK, like Ken. Have been there any sorts of signature touches you felt such as you had been ready so as to add, or did you attempt to preserve issues as near the supply as attainable?
Masami Obari, Animator on Fatal Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves: To begin with, I want to say that it was an excellent honor to work on this mission. I’m extraordinarily grateful to Capcom for this chance. As for the unique components, I might say essentially the most work went into designing these characters in my type. I’d prefer to name it Bari-Ken! (Haha). It was extraordinarily enjoyable to attract Ken throughout the type and animation of the Fatal Fury anime.
Are there any dream crossovers that you just’d prefer to work on, both throughout the realm of combating video games or outdoors of it?
Obari: I’m an enormous professional wrestling fan, so I might be extraordinarily pleased to see a collaboration with an actual professional wrestler. When it comes to combating video games, I might be excited to see a crossover with Voltage Fighter Gowcaizer, a sport I used to be initially in cost of the story and character design!
And at last, canonically, who do you suppose would win in a battle between Ken and Terry?
Obari: To be sincere with you, I feel Terry would win. I feel they’re evenly matched in phrases of energy, however Terry is carrying loads on his shoulders, and his will is robust due to that.
That being stated, as a director of the anime, I would favor to not resolve and have the 2 work collectively to battle a standard enemy.
Mitchell Saltzman is an editorial producer at IGN. You’ll find him on twitter @JurassicRabbit