Event Hubs has published the following information:
The Japanese development team for Street Fighter IV posted a large question and answer session on their blog, which FallenAngel on the Shoryuken.com message boards graciously translated.
The biggest news by far is that the development team hinted at a 2nd version of Street Fighter IV, which is said to add special intros for Ryu vs. Gouken matches, among other things.
Here's a break down from FallenAngel's post.
• A "2nd version" of Street Fighter IV is practically confirmed in this post.
• They mention that they could add Rolento from the Alpha/Final Fight games if there's enough demand.
• Capcom said they will think about adding the ability to rotate the camera during replays.
• Special intros will probably be added in the next update/next version, for things like Gouken vs. Ryu and other special match ups.
• They are thinking about adding what Japanese players call a 'diagram'. Which is a tier chart with the win & loss ratios for each match up. They say they had it working while they were developing the game and used it to improve balance.
• They state that the disconnect ratio is not for punishing bad losers, only to show connection problems.
• PC version minimum resolution is 640x480, recommended is 1280x720.
• Online play is free on the PC (there's no charge).
• The differences between the PS3/XBox360 versions from the recent update are due to hardware limitations.
• The language selected when you install the game on your PC will determine if Bison (Dictator) is "Bison" or "Vega." You can't change this after wards.
• They will talk about the stages in a future post, and why each character doesn't have their own stage.
• They are thinking about doing a Street Fighter 4 related survey in the future. Apparently Capcom did something like this in the Alpha era.
• The PC version gets the same sound options as consoles. No Japanese voices with English subtitles for example.
• They say a lot of people are asking to be able to choose any song in the game with any stage. Capcom says a lot of effort went into selecting the proper song for each stage, but they will think of adding something similar to the game.
• Wallpaper for the PC version of the game will be released soon.
• Supposedly Gouken has a 12-year-old daughter, that, "probably is as strong as Ryu, Ken or Akuma," and, "maybe can do a one handed fireballs like her father can." She might be another character added in a future update.
While there's some exciting news in this post, remember that this is a translation, so some of the details might be a little bit off.
So it´s possible that there might be a new version of Street fighter 4 coming out in the future, possibly with new characters (Rolento is mentioned specifically).
What would you like to see in a new version of SF 4? Me, I´d like for Capcom to fix some of Cammy´s gameplay problems and add Juli and Juni to the roster.
Source: www.eventhubs.com/
Update: here is the transcript of the Q&A session:
Q: Is there going to be a Street Fighter IV-2 or something like that? Since Street Fighter III went up to 3rd Strike, we've been expecting something... with the CE Mode update and the PC version is this the end of SFIV?
A: Hm! Well, this is the most difficult kind of question to answer! With everyone supporting and playing and getting worked up at events for SFIV, well there's bound to be a "next"! So, please stick with us. I don't lie.
Q: During the replay, it would be nice to be able to zoom in or move around the camera angle freely.
A: That's a good idea. The characters are really expressionistic this time around, so we'd like to be able to give you the ability to create your very own cut! We'll look into it!
Q: Are there any plans for a Spectator Mode?
A: At this point, there are no plans. As this is the most requested thing, I'm sorry I can't give you a more positive response.
Q: The characters talk to each other during the rival battle, but it would also be cool to have them talking during regular battles. Or how about just a special mode featuring this?
A: Endo (I think a producer) also mentioned this! A small "Confrontational Mode" or something like that, right? This would definitely be exciting! If there's a chance, Endo will work on this, so I'm gonna pressure him a bit to do so!
Q: How about a diagram function to show number of battles and win percentage per character. It would be cool if we could have individual stats as well as total online battle numbers.
A: Yep! During development we had a diagram like this and used it to tweak the characters. Seems like it'd be pretty handy!
Q: You've added a disconnect ratio as a penalty for rage quitters, but shouldn't you have done more to punish them?
A: The disconnect percentage isn't for punishing people, but to show the connection environment. As a result, we can't really go about dropping heavy penalties on people.
Q: No Rolento? There aren't any other characters who move quite like him. So, no chance? I'd really like to use him...
A: Its true that his movements were unique. If you all make your voices heard, there might be a chance...!?
Q: Will the online play for PC cost any money?
A: Nope, it's free!
Q: In the Championship Mode update the PS3 and 360 had some differences in their features. Was this a result of hardware limitations?
A: Yes. Based on the hardware, there were certain things we could and couldn't do, so we tried to make the best out of what we had.
Q: Icons and titles are cool, but how about comments that can be displayed either before or after the match? Even fixed dialogue would be fine.
A: Others have also suggested this. I think its a good idea! Communication between people. A nice greeting to start things off. We welcome these kinds of suggestions! The development staff is always saying "If there's a next time...", so please continue to make these suggestions!
Azrael's note: In the arcade, we had "PR" where we could input about 20 characters of text that would be displayed together with our name, BP, guild, and titles. This would be kinda hard to regulate for the home I imagine, but some sort of auto "Good game" or "Let's fight again" you could have pop up after a match would be nice.)
Q: Will the PC version also have voice and subtitle options? It would be nice to be able to set them separately. (Japanese voice + English subtitles, or English voice + Japanese subtitles...)
A: As for the subtitles, they will be displayed in the language selected during install, so unfortunately you can't have separate voice and subtitle options. But you can change the voice options by character!
Q: Will you be taking a survey? Since you've got a blog here where people can express their opinions and all...
A: This blog really is a place where everyone expresses their hopes and opinions. So, I'd like to do it at least once! I'll think about it!
Azrael's note: Pretty sure this would be Japanese only. For English, you'd have to bug the folks over at Capcom-Unity I imagine.)
Q: For the PC version, will we be able to change the names to match up with the international versions? (Vega -> M.Bison, Gouki -> Akuma)
A: Same as the voice, it'll be displayed to match the language option you choose at install. You won't be able to change it during the game.
Q: This has been on our minds for quite some time, but didn't Gouken have a daughter?
A: Well...that hasn't been publicly released so I can't really talk about it. But, if he did have a daughter, it seems like she'd be as strong as Ryu, Ken, and Akuma. With that bloodline, she'd probably be able to throw a one-handed hadouken at the age of 12.
(Azrael's Note: This question is in reference to SF storylines. In the "canon" (don't think this ever appeared in any game) Gouken supposedly had a daughter called Little Miss, who witnessed Gouken's "death" together with Ken. This is just stuff from info books. Shiozawa sounds like she's just speculating here, although its not out of the question that the character could be in development. I would say take it with a grain of salt.)
Q: Why can't we use Chun Li's Kikousho in the game, although she has it in the anime opening?!
A: Yeah, huh! Well, its probably because the game and anime schedules weren't coordinated together. ... Probably.
Q: On the volcano stage, on an analog TV the red colors blue, and its not very adjustable and it makes my eyes hurt...
A: Sorry about that. We'll be more careful about it next time.
Q: We want more characters! There aren't enough. And also, new ultras!
A: I would also like to see more varied ultras! So I will pass this along to the planners! If there is a next version, we should definitely see "Ultra II"!
Azrael's note: Like how she skipped over the more characters thing. )
Q: We've been anxiously awaiting a complete SF image collection! We'd buy one for looking and one for preservation! We saw the Artwork Book... and we want more!
A: The artwork book is definitely doing well! When I have time, I also open it up and have a look. 20 years of miraculous images.
Q: Why don't characters have individual stages? Does it have anything to do with the difficulty of designing 3D stages vs 2D? Also, we'd like to hear more about their development.
A: To answer this, I'd like to refer to the appropriate person. But! As he's out of reach at the moment, I'll put this together with other developmental questions and ask at a later date! Please wait a little bit.
Q: Will we be able to use a controller other than the 360 for the PC version?
A: There are other things you can use. For example, the Hori 360 Arcade Stick! (Although its a bit difficult to find...)
Q: We know about the PC specs for the game, but what about the monitor?
A: Oh, we didn't write that down? Sorry about that! You need 640x480 at least, but we recommend 1280x720.
Q: SFIV themes and icons are being delivered to the marketplace, but about the icons... we still don't have any for Dan, Fei or Gen.
A: Ah, sorry about that. We'll look into it.
Q: Will we be able to select the background music for stages?
A: We see this request pretty often. Everyone has pretty strong thoughts about the SF series music. But, as we put a lot of thought into ,"OK, this music for this stage," or, "This music for this character," letting you select the music... yeah. But it would be nice if we could do something towards this!
Q: Will there be cross-platform play on the PC Version?
A: There is no cross-platform play from the PC version to either the PS3 or 360. The rankings also start from the very beginning, to take this chance to aim for the top!
Q: The blocking sounds between the arcade version and the home versions are different. Please change the home version to have the same blocking sound as the arcade!
A: This is all Mr. Endo. So I asked him about it. "Wow, these guys are hardcore! There is definitely a slight difference. The reason is because the sound that comes out of arcade cabs vs the sound from home equipment is different, so we optimized it for home use. There are definitely other areas of difference, so please listen for them and compare! Thank you!"
Q: Guile and Chun are fighting for justice, but Cammy refers to them using an impolite pronoun. Is she being rude or belittling them?
A: Huh? Has Cammy always done that? I don't think she's belittling them, just referring to them as equals. That's my opinion anyway!
Q: Is the narrator/announcer's voice Debito? Or someone else?
A: That's not Debito, but a VA pro. But during the loketests, as we hadn't finished the recordings yet that voice was Debito! In the home versions, Debito makes a few guest appearances during some of the opening and ending anime sequences (Hint: El Fuerte).
Azrael's note: Debito is an American guy who became a Japanese citizen here. I think that's who they're referring to).
Q: We want SF4 wallpapers and themes!
A: While we currently don't have any plans for wallpapers or themes on the PS3 or 360, as the PC version will go on sale soon, if there are going to be PC wallpapers its about time to start working on them! We'll be awaiting your requests!
Q: Will this blog continue until 2011?
A: What, why 2011?! What are you saying? There hasn't been any talks to end this...huh?
Q: As long as Ryu and the SF Crew continue their fight, we'd like you to continue this blog.
A: (Insert Japanese girl gushing here).
Q: Why don't we get to see Sakura's panties in her ending?
A: Its not that you don't get to see them, its just that you didn't see them. ...Probably.
This is really great news.
Mr.H08:41 PM CST