Tekken Director challenges the Virtua Fighter team to create another game

By doing latest video for his personal YouTube channel, Tekken Series director Katsuhiro Harada spoke at length about the release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown

, shares that his personal goal has always been to surpass Sega’s basic 3D fighting series.

“There was an 11 year hiatus [between releases]but I thought about it [Virtua Fighter] for over 25 years, ”Harada told an off-screen producer. “I’ve been playing fighting games for about 27 years. So all the time you know I’ve been thinking for a long time.”

Harada took over the management of the Tekken Franchise with 1997 Tekken 3. Back then, Virtua fighter was still considered the undisputed king of 3D fighting games among serious gamers, making it a perfect target for a young upstart looking to make his mark on its genre. That is, when he was asked by his Bandai Namco supervisors how long it would take Tekken overtake Virtua fighter In terms of financial success and popularity, Harada has not done any nonsense, but has suggested a high timeframe of at least 10 years.

“Virtua fighter was like that back then, ”said Harada. “When I told them it was going to take at least 10 years, they said, ‘Then keep doing it until then.’ I have decided. I’ve helped other titles too, but I could do it Tekken for 10 years. I thought, ‘I’ll do my best to beat them!’ [Beating Virtua Fighter] was a goal for me. “

It is clear that Harada has taken his self-imposed rivalry to heart. But when Sega stopped releasing new ones Virtua fighter

Games after 2007 Virtua Fighter 5, he felt like he had no one in the 3D fighting game area to compete against. Sensational Virtua fighter Competitors – now with no new game to move on – migrate to Tekken gave him an “indescribable feeling” of disappointment.

You haven’t made up your mind Tekken over Virtua fighter, but only out of necessity when Sega stopped creating new fighting games. I mean what were they going to do, play? Dead or alive? As if.

But now, with the release of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown, Harada has seen some skirmishes with the company he once considered a rival. Sure, it’s not a whole new game, but enough work has gone into refreshing the old release that Sega may be preparing for Virtua fighter 6. And if so, Harada is more than ready for another round. While previously likening the rest of the 3D fighting game genre to a locker room with no challenger, Harada now feels like an opponent is finally waiting in the wings.

“I hope in a few years I’ll be like, ‘Man, did you do that ?!'” Harada said. “I won’t let them win. I will surpass them next time. Let’s have a showdown. I wouldn’t want to end my career as a developer without them. There is not much time left for me as a developer. So, Sega, please do me a favor: let’s play one last game. “