Capcom producer reveals efforts to save Street Fighter franchise

Shuhei Matsumoto, the producer of Street Fighter 6, has revealed that Capcom’s iconic fighting game franchise was at risk of extinction during the Street Fighter V era. In an interview, Matsumoto explained that he and director Takayuki Nakayama recognized the intellectual property could have faded into obscurity within a decade if significant changes were not made.

The franchise faced challenges following the 2016 launch of Street Fighter V, which players criticized for lacking essential features like an arcade or story mode and suffering from unstable online play. Matsumoto noted that the aging player base, which averaged between 35 and 45 years old at the time, posed a long-term sustainability threat. To ensure the franchise's survival, the development team focused on attracting younger players and creating a title that would allow the series to be rediscovered.