Last year Evo held a DOA4 tournament, which had a very low turnout of less than 70 players, and we dicussed how this would effect future evos here, So in the aftermath of Evo2k7, the exact same thing has happened. I am not sure on the accuracy of this, but i read on #capcom that VF5 only had a turnout of 40-45 players, meaning 1 in 5/6 players finished in the money. Incredible.
So what went wrong? Firstly VF5 is the latest Next Gen fighter, but VF never really had a massive scene in the US to begin with. Few years ago, VF4 was at evo, but also quickly dropped. But what really done it was that VF5 was only available to PS3 owners outside of the Arcade. But since theres not that many good arcades left, and even fewer with VF5, players are only left with one option. But PS3s are expensive, still. So how can someone really practice if they can’t afford a PS3? They can’t.
Next point is that the 360 is soon to get a superior version of the game. This was known before EVO Finals too. So why fork out all that cash to get a PS3 to play an inferior version. For those that don’t know the 360 version is getting 2 important additions. 1. Online play, thats right, at least you can actually get regularly competition this way, and at least practice up against real players. 2. Training mode from VF4, a great learning tutorial to help new players get the feel for VF5. With all this coming to 360, i can see alot of VF5 players holding onto their cash.
Finally, VF in general is probably the hardest fighting game to learn. Its not something you can just pick up and be good at in a very short time, unlike certain other titles. While its great the game is so deep and technical, it actually one of its weakness’ (outside Japan anyway). It scares off alot of potential new players. Its only natural for gamers to compare it with other 3D fighters, and games like Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive are just so much easier to pick up for new players. Which means they are more fun for them. And thats what games is about for most, having fun.
So wear does this leave us. Looks like VF5 will be dropped for Evo2k8, is what happened to DOA4 is anything to go by. But does it deserve a 2nd chance. Maybe the 360 release will see a large influx of players into the community. And if thats the case that will probably mean switching over 360s for next year. Only problem with that is the lack of high quality sticks, and the sticks that are available have limited availability. But is it a case of too little too late. Theres alot of skepticism that online VF5 will be nothing like playing offline, since the game is so frame dependant. I guess will just have to wait and see on this one.
If VF5 is dropped, what do you think will replace it. I assume the sponsors insisted on a next gen game being at Evo, since doa4 was dropped. And VF5 is the only other choice. So what other next gen fighters are coming our way, that could possibly be used. Soul Calibur 4, maybe? I think that would attract more players than VF5 and DOA4 combined, but the question is whether it will be a good competitive fighter or not. Maybe it will just be another SC3.
However this final slot problem of a next gen fighter at Evo could be solved by Tekken 6 and ST:HDr. Both Next gen fighters, well T6 will definitely be no matter how you look at it. And they will both be replacing existing games at Evo. Maybe that final spot will just be left empty, freeing up more equipment, staff and time to run other things, like special events. Aswell as boosting prize money for the other games. Although maybe its a chance for an SNK game to get a look in. Although judging by the numbers at Dark Geese’s SNK tournaments that looks highly unlikely. Although i’m sure with large prize money, an SNK title would easily get a turnout that would be at least comparable to what DOA4 had. Maybe alot more.
Summary - If you can’t be bothered to read everything.
- Lack of Players, since VF5 is only on expensive PS3s
- 360 is getting a superior version after EVO is over
- VF is hard to play, scares off new players
- Will 360 version bring in enough players for Evo to keep VF5 next year?
- If its dropped what will be replaced by?
Points 4 and 5 are obviously the most important issues at hand, which is what i want the focus of this thread to be, although feel free to comment on the other points. Just leave the flaming at home, if you got a point, back it up.
Thanks
r3ko