Very unfortunate - but it is a Fatal Flop

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Let me preface by saying that I LOVE this game as you all know, it IS a GREAT game, although it also is a failed "product" (very sadly).

SNK's CEO just got demoted, sales seem bad as only about ~6.7k units sold (PS5, Japan only).

I know I know, it is not total sales, and not even accurate, but it's what we got plus again: CEO demoted.

It is very unfortunate because this will be the last "honest" fighting game, the next KOF will probably have a lot of "newcomers" ("scrubby"?) mechanics: Everything homogenized and dumbed down with some universal system-mechanics, way more 50:50s, a broken "Modern" controls and more. You can thank SF6 for this.

What went wrong in your opinion? I think other - skill-based honest fighting games just don't survive in today's world - making it the Prince's personal MUGEN with those lame guest characters really hurt it. HARD.

Along with what you think went wrong, what do you think the future holds for this game and SNK in general? With CEO demoted would it have a "redemption arc" under other director/CEO like SFV? Would it just be cancelled and we won't get future DLCs and jump straight into KOF16 or whatever the next game is? Will this be the last SNK game (or at least fighting game, for a while)?

I will probably keep playing until the end as the game is absolutely super fun (and seems to be last of its kind), don't get me wrong, this is not yet another lame "game dead luls" topic but a discussion topic.

[Rook]

ok

[Xzedopau]

What demotion are you talking about? Do you have any links? And where did you get those numbers since SNK never release their numbers?

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by Rook:

ok

Sorry this topic hurt you

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by Xzedopau:

What demotion are you talking about? Do you have any links? And where did you get those numbers since SNK never release their numbers?

CEO demotion: https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2025/051302/
Sales: https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/famitsu-sales-4-21-25-5-4-25

Actually they are lower than 6.7k.. It's 6,302.

Anyways back to topic, I also think the first Beta killed it. The UI being so horrible, the matchmaking not working - it's no wonder most did not return for the second Beta.

Like I said: great video game, terrible product. Such as the tale of SNK.

This game can still survive, it needs:
- Total UI overhaul, nuke and make a new one. Including foolishness such as real ranks and other crap people absolutely DO care about.
- Price drop, or a frequent sales.
- Not sure what else? I would love removal or those "guests" or at least make them OG characters and keep those models as "skin".

They have one last chance with Ken, I think.

[CRAZY DAVE [dennys grand slam]]

its still getting at least 3 seasons no matter what so it doesnt matter if its a flop

[SaulD]

The official press release for those who want to dig into this: https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2025/051302/

As for the other questions, I'm (sadly) not surprised. Except for the most rabid defenders of this game maybe, it was relatively clear that MotW didn't really rock the world even before the guests were revealed, with a rather low engagement rate on social media during the year preceding the launch. Crazy I know. One would think that a historic series like Fatal Fury would sell just based on brand recognition, but it seems that it only appeals to old timers who grew up during the 90's.

Whether the guests did hurt the sales or not remain to be proven, but they certainly didn't boost the sales and, seeing how much SNK invested in marketing to try to make a splash, they really seemed to have banked on this game's success.

So what went wrong in my opinion? SF6, Tekken 8, even ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ MK1, all fighting games with a much higher production value are already occupying the casual space for fighting games, and they siphoned all the tourists and casuals that a fighting game needs to support its initial sales. Like it or not, people look at the graphics first, before thinking about a game's intrinsic qualities. That's how Arcsys managed to establish themselves in the popular zeitgeist even though games like DBZF or GGST were probably developed for a similar budget as CotW's.

They also didn't do themselves any favor by selling the game at a whopping 60 euro-dollars at launch when, at the same time, SF6 is sold for only 40. Personally I was fine with the asking price but, even with the first season being included, the package does SEEM less attractive to the layman than SF6's.
I think that people don't realize how generous a game launching without day-one micro-transactions and with unlocked customization can be in today's video game industry, but it wasn't obviously attractive enough to make people jump ships.

And the last point now... A redemption arc is, of course, always possible, even if this is an uphill battle at this point. The game has good bones, and the money invested in the coming tournaments will ensure a good following from the pro-scene for this year at least but, unless they find a drastic way to appeal to the general public, it is condemned to stay a niche fighting game and join the likes of Melty and UNIST in the fighting games backrooms.

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by CRAZY DAVE dennys grand slam:

its still getting at least 3 seasons no matter what so it doesnt matter if its a flop

Yeah I do think you are right, still three years minimum with a character every two months. I think it is funded and in development, and a cancellation is highly unlikely.

And I will be enjoying this great video game, and be here until the very end enjoying the ride!

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by SaulD:

The official press release for those who want to dig into this: https://www.snk-corp.co.jp/us/press/2025/051302/

As for the other questions, I'm (sadly) not surprised. Except for the most rabid defenders of this game maybe, it was relatively clear that MotW didn't really rock the world even before the guests were revealed, with a rather low engagement rate on social media during the year preceding the launch. Crazy I know. One would think that a historic series like Fatal Fury could sell just on brand recognition but it seems that it only applies to old timers who grew up during the 90's.

Whether the guests did hurt the sales or not remain to be proven, but they certainly didn't boost the sales as SNK expected and, seeing how much they invested in marketing to try to make a splash, they really seemed to have banked on this game's success.

So what went wrong in my opinion? SF6, Tekken 8, even ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ MK1, all fighting games with a much higher production value are already occupying the casual space for fighting games, and they siphoned all the tourists and casuals that a fighting game needs to support its initial sales. Like it or not, people look at the graphics first before thinking about a game's intrinsic qualities. That's how Arcsys managed to establish themselves in the popular zeitgeist even though games like DBZF or GGST were probably developed for a similar budget as CotW's.

They also didn't do themselves any favor by selling the game at a whopping 60 euro-dollars at launch when, at the same time, SF6 is sold for only 40. Personally I was fine with the asking price but, even with the first season being included, the package does SEEM less attractive to the layman than SF6's.
I think that people don't realize how generous a game launching without day-one micro-transactions and with unlocked customization can be in today's video game industry, but it wasn't obviously attractive enough to make people jump ships.

And the last point now... A redemption arc is, of course, always possible, even if this is an uphill battle at this point. The game has good bones, and the money invested in the coming tournaments will ensure a good following from the pro-scene for this year at least but, unless they find a drastic way to appeal to the general public, it is condemned to stay a niche fighting game and join the likes of Melty and UNIST in the fighting games backrooms.

Awesome, great post man. Rare in Steam forums so appreciated.

Yeah I think we all knew it wouldn’t break records (although I did think it will do a liiiitle bit better). All of us except Saudi prince for some reason, as he decided to spend millions marketing it (Ronaldo and Wrestlemania) for some WTF reason..?

I agree on graphics and price. Personally I love the graphics (maybe I have bad taste as I see most don’t), and price is fine for me, but you are right yeah.

As I mentioned I think first Beta did most damage as it was barely functional, horrendous UI and presentation, and not even a training mode.. I think they need to prioritize the presentation now, as it catches the eyes first.

They need to get their priorities right, they have a chance with Ken at least.

[SaulD]

Originally posted by Modern = inferior pretenders:

[
Sales: https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/famitsu-sales-4-21-25-5-4-25
Actually they are lower than 6.7k.. It's 6,302.

Worth noting that the Famistu article only shows the physical sales, this isn't the whole picture.

Still rather low numbers by Japanese standards, but it is still appearing in the magazine's top for the month. One more piece to the puzzle.

[Xzedopau]

Well, I don't really care about the CEO transition, especially if the old one is to blame for some of the company's bad decisions lately. Transition went really well for Capcom back in 2017 post- Street Fighter 5 disastrous launch.

I do find the number of copies sold a bit too low, though — especially considering how easy it still is to find matches. I wonder if it is really that low.

I know we have until season 3, but I really hope this game has a serious redemption arc after all this celebrity fuss and $60 for a product that is obviously not worth that much (even though it is a great videogame as you say). Fatal Fury is my favorite SNK series, so thinking this game would be the absolute last one of it and we'd go back to only have ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ KoF and its 100%-life combos and jumpy-jumpy no-footsies gameplay would feel bad.

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by SaulD:

Originally posted by Modern = inferior pretenders:

[
Sales: https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/famitsu-sales-4-21-25-5-4-25
Actually they are lower than 6.7k.. It's 6,302.

Worth noting that the Famistu article only shows the physical sales, this isn't the whole picture.

Still rather low numbers by Japanese standards, but it is still appearing in the magazine's top for the month. One more piece to the puzzle.

Yep I know, as I mentioned already not most accurate.

Although as you said it’s very weak even then, also Steam numbers are low, and CEO demotion are all terrible signs. Sadly.

[Modern = inferior pretenders]

Originally posted by Xzedopau:

Well, I don't really care about the CEO transition, especially if the old one is to blame for some of the company's bad decisions lately. Transition went really well for Capcom back in 2017 post- Street Fighter 5 disastrous launch.

I do find the number of copies sold a bit too low, though — especially considering how easy it still is to find matches. I wonder if it is really that low.

I know we have until season 3, but I really hope this game has a serious redemption arc after all this celebrity fuss and $60 for a product that is obviously not worth that much (even though it is a great videogame as you say). Fatal Fury is my favorite SNK series, so thinking this game would be the absolute last one of it and we'd go back to only have ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ KoF and its 100%-life combos and jumpy-jumpy no-footsies gameplay would feel bad.

Yeah agree with you on everything.

How do you think the “redemption arc” can go? Imo nuke and make new UI, price drop or at least frequent sales and pray Ken does his job.

Also make some avatar or chibi style like Tekken for “battle hub”. Casuals love this trash lol..

[Mitziete]

Honestly though, the lack of catering to new players is probably a big reason as to why this game flopped the way it did, the tutorials are horrible, and there's multiple mechanics that aren't even taught, like rolling.

The ranked mode in the game is undercooked and poorly thought out. Every other fighting game has placement matches but SNK thought it'd be a good idea to let you choose your rank, which lead to a bunch of smurfing in the bottom ranks and a way worse experience for new comers to the series. Also, what kinda ranking system is A-V, A-1, S-1? There's 0 effort into making the rank titles sound cool or like something to strive for. Applying rank to your account rather than individual characters was also a really bad idea.

The user interface is really bad as-well, like embarrassingly bad.

The only things this game does well are the gameplay, soundtrack, and the character design. everything else is subpar.

But, SF6 is the biggest fighting game for a reason, and one of those reasons is accessibility, just because you're bad and losing to modern controls players doesn't mean that modern controls are a blight on the genre, you're just bad and coping for why you lose.

[Powercrank]

maybe if they had actually made it a skill based and deep game it would have found its niche. but they tried to ride the rails and the game is actually full of degenerate nonsense. press a normal at the wrong time and you have to block a short hop that you can't anti air unless your character is privileged. guess wrong once on defense and clap minus 70% of your health. most characters have very little depth, there's no player expression at all - if you play a character you're going to be playing the same way as everyone else or you're playing wrong. literally the only place there's any actual room for skill is the just/hyper defense and guard cancel system... but making it so that defending is way harder than putting on the offense is a great way to make a game frustrating enough to get new players to quit. don't even get me started on how rev blow is an even more degenerate version of drive impact. the only saving grace is that you have to be in SPG to use it.

edit: lmao @ the above post, better go tell XiaoHai, Kakeru, AngryBird, Nephew, and Leshar that they're scrubs for losing to bad modern controls.

[Mitziete]

Originally posted by Powercrank:

maybe if they had actually made it a skill based and deep game it would have found its niche. but they tried to ride the rails and the game is actually full of degenerate nonsense. press a normal at the wrong time and you have to block a short hop that you can't anti air unless your character is privileged. guess wrong once on defense and clap minus 70% of your health. most characters have very little depth, there's no player expression at all - if you play a character you're going to be playing the same way as everyone else or you're playing wrong. literally the only place there's any actual room for skill is the just/hyper defense and guard cancel system... but making it so that defending is way harder than putting on the offense is a great way to make a game frustrating enough to get new players to quit. don't even get me started on how rev blow is an even more degenerate version of drive impact. the only saving grace is that you have to be in SPG to use it.

edit: lmao @ the above post, better go tell XiaoHai, Kakeru, AngryBird, Nephew, and Leshar that they're scrubs for losing to bad modern controls.

I literally didnt say that modern controls were bad. i said if you're blaming modern controls for your loss, you're bad at the game.