Too little too late for #KOFXIV?
Today, SNK announced the impending patch v1.10 of #KOFXIV, with improved graphics.
THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV:
Be one of the first people to play the newest version of KOF XIV (Ver. 1.10) at PSX2016!?#KOF14 #KOFXIV pic.twitter.com/OL72PdYBu5— SNK GLOBAL (@SNKPofficial) November 28, 2016
— ??????? (@mizuki_hcmk48) November 28, 2016
This is great, but will it attract new fans? There may be in fact nothing that SNK can do now, because they listened to the fans, and perhaps the wrong ones.
Let’s look at some of the complaints that came out after KOF13 was released, and maybe then it’ll be obvious why SNK needs to be careful and not listen to every complaint.
“I (….) can not get the new chara design, nor all the colors with flashy pink burst effects. Even if the gameplay is good, it’s too bad for the heart and eyes to see my favorite series massacred in this way.”
“marvel vs capcom 2 had better graphis, and that was in 2001.”
“Might get this next time it goes on sale. I still love 2d fighters over any modern ones, I just get worried how hard this game looks and Im not that good at street fighter 4. It reminds me of third strike which was just way over my head with execution.”
Many hardcore fans were very critical of the look AND the gameplay. Some noted they couldn’t recognise cross ups at all or feel when a hit would land. Others quickly screamed that 2002 would always be better.
Today, some of those fans have changed their opinions and love kof13. Some of them haven’t. Kof14 has some things that seem strange, like long rolls and crossup issues, and so old players could adapt to it… But should they really be dragged into this “future” kicking and screaming, all over again? Would it be so bad to tweak some things to make old players comfortable? Again, the survey reveals most players are between 25-35.
Looking at the survey, the biggest issue with introducing KOF to “your friends” is simply that they don’t like fighting games! The second highest was graphics. This complaint was pretty common since the games first reveal. But with the new upgrade, will it make any difference now that the game has been launched? The casual player has moved on, is playing something else, or maybe gone back to SFV to check out Urien. Which leads us to the other main concern, DLC.
Fans were adamant they didn’t want to be ripped off with DLC already on the disk and were threatening boycotts etc. SNK listened. What do fans want now, after 50 characters stuffed into the disc and only 2 cheap as hell DLC skins? You guessed it, DLC characters. To be fair, some just want more costumes and colors. But will this help the game grow?
SFV players have had a hell of a ride with a horrible launch and “rip off” pro tour dlc prices, which turned out to be fair. After all the fuss, the game seems to be balancing out and fans are happier. However, some are sitting in ranked mode with nobody to fight – this is because the damage had been done. When people talk about buying SFV, people are quick to point out flaws they remember, even if they have been solved. It may be the same case for KOFXIV.
“It’s dead online” says one person about SFV – But this fan was talking about ranked! Maybe they lived in an area with no fighters, or went online at unsociable times, maybe the system couldn’t find a player that matches their rank, doesn’t matter, it causes a ripple effect: people are quick to believe what they read (Hillary Clinton knows this all too well). And now you hear this voice say the same about ggxrd, and bbcp, and kofxiv…
And there may well be a kind of truth to it. On a Thursday evening in Europe, there’s not exactly dozens of lobbies, and yet if a room is created with the “all region” setting, it fills up quickly.
It makes a big difference when you host a room, while many people just search for one minute and then conclude there isn’t much online activity. It’s hardly fair, but that’s the way a lot of people are. Players can change this, they just need to host!
As for Ranked mode, it’s a different thing completely. As mentioned before, the casual players will probably stick to a game until they’ve completed story mode, unlocked some stuff, won some trophies, had some fun online, then gone onto something else; something else that keeps them coming back. While it is fun and great game, KOFXIV doesn’t have this specific incentive (yet?) It doesn’t have a season pass, because the fans demanded it and SNK probably decided a 50 character pack would outweigh the level of graphics (and it was a wise decision). This is what they need to implement now, otherwise they are only developing for their core audience (not a bad thing but we’d all like more people to throw money at them).
There is also the fact that the older fans don’t even have time to play or play online. This doesn’t mean the game is dead at all, people need to stop using online activity as a measuring stick, it should just be sales. Many players will be happy with just some costumes. But is that all that SNK needs to be successful?
Are they going too fast with esports? They are organising a world championship, with still no real info on how it works or which countries can qualify or whatever. They have a lot of work to do. Did the Arcsys Championships make a difference for Xrd? With the amount of money going into Capcom pro tour and a possible burn out of the player base, their success will dictate what others need to follow. If Capcom can turn around a horrible start into a high profile esport, everyone in the fgc is a winner. Or should SNK take the back seat and just focus on conventional sales?
With this graphical update, they seem to be moving in the right direction! With some dlc strategy to keep people playing, and your support, they can succeed! For some of the things players don’t like about kof14, please remember what happened with kof 13, and that it can take time to adapt, but that doesn’t mean everything is acceptable.
Do you have any suggestions for v1.10? Leave them on the feedback page.
Ratings
- Tania
(5.00 out of 5)
- Tania
About Oyaji
Agreed. Credit where it’s due, cross-platform online play is a huuuge plus in Capcom’s favour. You know what to do, SNK.
Justin Nelson Sombre was added as a free update, not DLC, Sombre isn’t optional 😛 “DLC” is tho nowadays it is more via purchasing in game than out.
Mark Coyne Actually there were more NEW cast members in kof14 at release than there was SFV characters TOTAL. Really speaks lengths as to how lazy capcom was… Tekken 7 will also have a huge cast on release.
Mark with the smart stuff!
Sombre is out? Ok I was just making a point every game does it
Lmao no overwatch has had 2 characters since release and the way one was presented was really bad
DLC characters appear in all things nowadays. One or 3 characters wont hurt. It keeps the excitment flowing. Even Overwatch has a new character coming
Can you honestly say there aren’t enough characters in there already? I haven’t seen a roster that big since mvc2, and it’s still twice as big as SFV with a dlc season pass right now.
They just did a graphic revamp thats it
Really? Y not?
LOL NO
Are they releasing DLC characters
PC version plz ;_;
PC FLIPPING WHEN????????????
I hope they add 2 new teams and board
Jerrad Hermann Mian, Luong and Antonov are great in my eyes. rest of the new casts range from somewhat bland (Gang-Il) to revolting (Shun’Ei, Meltenkun and Sylvie), on top of too many characters that I can only assume were included to please the Pachinko fans and no one else, as well as some teams exist purely to please certain regions of KOF fanbase.
I get that we need new characters, but 14 has included far more new characters (17 in total if I’m counting right) than any previous KOF. I’d be okay with that number if the designs were less wacky (that’s ArcSys’s department) or if they included more existing characters from SNK franchises (KOF is conceived as a crossover game, afterall), but neither end up being the case.
We can tell that to Bala, but someone needs to tell everyone else who are tier whoring!
Luis Francisco Garcia Absolutely not, but that never claimed to be Fatal Fury or KOF.
No worries psn is afrodoooooo98 🙂
Jordan Aominechii Harper I need to get Ps plus but we deffo play soon, just a preface i gota alot of improvments to make lol but im down for sessions
Tell that to Bala
what is doing not good to the game is this bullshit about the game dying. Memes are what are making damage to the game. People complaining for the graphics. People not supporting the game and buying it when they say they love kof. High level players being dicks an disrespectful to new players just because they play better. The game is not dead, it is only dead to the people that are not real fans in the first place and left to play sf because somebody said the ame is dead. We still have a lot of people that loves the game and want to play it every day, im one of them. Once we get together we need to grow from there an teach new players, show love as other smaller communities have done.
Too many characters (50) but with 5 GOD TIER CHARACTERS… So, The game is broke for that, is bored to play against the same characters again and again.. ;”(
Want my psn? need to people to play on this game
I play Terry, Ramon and im not set on 3rd character yet, used to be Benimaru but trying to learn someone else
Same who you play?
I think it will bring more attention to the game. Im still loving the game!
It’s still not too late, as a matter of fact it is a good opportunity to introduce it to new markets because fighting games are just not as popular at it was decades ago, bide your time and develop whatever it needs to develop. For starters they should do the ones to make a move to revive and promote fighting games towards Millenial markets which holds the most active gamers. Here in my country, FGC and fighting games as a whole (save for Tekken 7/Tekken tag 2) Starts to slowly but surely fading out as time goes by and just becomes a casual tournament organized by a small groups in selected places, heck they even fade out in most conventions and only video game related conventions were the ones that glorifies them.
DLC Terry Bogard with trash bags from the movie would be a better upgrade
New Kyo looks good!
the fuck is this, new Kyo looks like he is 45 😀
Aside from the teenagers on the China team, I actually really like the new character designs. Mian is freaking awesome.
There’s 50 characters and there needed to be a fair chunk of new ones. That’s how KOF has worked for every game outside of the dream matches (’98, ’02, and 12)
This post seems to imply that the graphics are subpar and the game is a failure. Neither are true. Granted the graphics aren’t “great” by PS4 standards, but the game looks good. My eyes are pleased (except with Andy’s dumb Tekken PS1 cover face and lots of male characters having weirdly thin and dark lips).
This is likely the Pro upgrade to the game. The devs are on record as stating they had to sacrifice some graphics quality to make sure the game runs at 60fps without fail.
True that but at least they actually are patching their game at least gotta give them that
Was something wrong with Mark of the Wolves?
No, it keeps the game interesting. mortal Kombat X is still going strong with extra content so KoF can too
BUT GRAPHICS OVER GAMEPLAY HUEHUEHUE
SNK delivered a damn good game. I prefer this over being hoodwinked for a new stage.
I also didn’t like the “too little, too late” title. I think it goes steady and peaked interest enough.
DLC character calls are I believe lazy and unnecessary in a KoF. Yeah lots of my favourites didnt make it, but maybe next time?
I believe they’re doing what they need to do and they do it carefully. And graphical overhaul was a nice surprise. They’re trying to support e-sports scene, they said they will have costume DLC which they have a rich option even if they dig a little. Also the art and soul for KoF IV is amazing. More of them will always gain some more attention.
I think there’s no need for DLC characters for KoF it’s already packed with them and I believe sequels will have more. I want to say DLC shouters to be patient. Yes, Vanessa and Blue Mary players I especially calling you out. Just be patient for a sequel. Like I am patient with Kasumi and Whip and Shermie and etc…
It desperately needs to be taken to pc
Yeah, tho to be fair my friend who i was like that with plays SFV and it’s almost ruined anything that was good about him, he’s better now that he plays less but like guy dps a ton, continues combos on block and generally can’t do shit against zoning, that’s not the same guy i used to play SF4 with for thousands of hours… 🙁 :'(
Am I the only one who still remembers playing fighting games just because they were fun? I had exactly 1 friend who also liked fighting games growing up, and we played VF2 on the sega saturn for almost 4 years. We had other fighters, but when you get it right for people, they’ll always come back. If I had to choose one fighter for the next 5 years I’d choose KOF. It is really technical, and there’s more to learn than almost any other fighter out there, but when you peice a few things together it is just the most fun out of everything right now, and I include other genres in that.
SNK smart / Capcom = not going to say
My thoughts exactly, I pre-ordered originally this game (Burn to Fight Edition to be exact) with both feet in knowing that with a company like SNK the focus was gonna be with Gameplay Quality and not the mainstream opinion of graphics. That statement still holds well even now. This worked out so well that one of my friend’s friend went and got this game after getting kinda bummed out at the repeat sessions of SFV ranked and played some local Friday sessions with us. Nothing against SFV, its honestly one of the more honest fighters out there (and I like watching SMUG’s stream here and there) but KOF has just always been able to satisfy with its 3v3 format through the years it been out (solves match-up issues as well). Mini rant over.
Read the end of the article and you will realise this has nothing to do with KOF, it’s marketing and i dunno if they are paid for it or not but that’s how it is, smoke and mirrors, if people stopped trying to paint games that are doing ok as having no future while promoting failing games like SFV then maybe, just maybe our scene wouldn’t be so fucked up right now. the amount of people i know who’ve stopped playing fighting games is so disheartening.
Can’t wait to see how Andy will look with these new graphics, he’s definitely the worst looking char in the game
I appreciate the update. I thought it was a nice enough looking game. People forget it’s more about the fighting. The graphics are an added bonus. My biggest gripe about kof 14 is that simplified combo they implemented with characters. Outside of that it’s pretty good. Problem with street fighter Capcom doesn’t listen people want an arcade mode with stories per character then give it to them. Another problem is that they focused on the competitive players tournament wise and forgot the casual players. The ones that are the masses that buy the game.
Im inclined to agree. Interest in the game is already dropping steadily. However this is still a welcomed change and Im glad to see SNK still supporting the game for those of us who still plays.
But lets be honest, the graphics isnt really the reason for the drop in activity, the poor balancing and constant same top tiers in tournaments are what killed it.
I still enjoy the game a hell of a lot, feel I haven’t scratched the surface with a lot of the characters (I’m not that great at the cancels into maxmode etc but it’s been fun seeing myself make definite progress at playing it). Any update is just a nice bonus, and SNK seeming interested in fixes and improvements is pretty heartening.
That is why i didn’t rush to buy the game, i am glad i told my brother to cancel my pre order.
now… gotta get it on Steam!!
#NotMyKOF , too many new characters with unlikeable and non-sensical designs when many of their spots could’ve easily been replaced with existing characters.
The game is only 4 months old it really isn’t too late ??? I just love the fact that SNK are trying to do everything they can for the community. I personally was happy already this as Andy Brown said is the icing on the cake and also Blue Mary is definitely needed 🙂
Never too laaaaaate! 😉
Well for being the only current gen fighter to have a solid roster and gameplay with no additional required DLC thus far to add to the core build, I welcome this and much more, SNK is synonymous with nailing things down in the long term process (03′ with XI perfecting it and same with XII to XIII so on and so forth)
Very appreciated
Now let’s hope Sylvie stops looking like shit with this patch (ridiculous costume aside)
I would love if they bring back shen woo my fav character in kof
^^
Give us yamazaki, Blue Mary and rugal DLC though.
Got more people playing kof than sfv at our locals, game is sick. Improved visuals is icing on the cake
its not to late for anything lol, the game is going pro next year with the tour and their is more content to come in the form of dlc, bring on more kof xiv
Too little too late? If anything, it’s like a nice surprise for something you already consider good.
Considering the date, this is obviously aiming at making the arcade version look somewhat passable and not like what it is now, thus SNK obviously considers that they haven’t ended milking XIV for what’s worth.
Really didnt need it in my mind- i just hope its well within budget
man, this is really appreciated in a world where other companies are selling whack ass stages for 10 bucks.
so lame
I was actually pretty surprised and excited! I thought they were done with graphical updates and I was satisfied, but the continued are so welcomed!
It is what it is, personally i like the game so i’m thankful for any/all improvements
Too little too late this is a welcome first thing that comes to mind as it sounds like negativity smh