In the tech world, rumors are often left to simmer without any comment from involved companies mainly because they help generate interest and sometimes there is a shred of truth in them.
Capcom, on the other hand, simply had none of that as it swiftly doused the emerging reports that a new Super Street Fighter V is in the pipeline.
This was specifically made known after Capcom's Matt Dahlgren told EventHubs that the Super version is not coming at all.
"We're always looking at how we can innovate on the series' model, while keeping an eye on how receptive fans would be to a new type of offering for a Street Fighter game," Dahlgren said. "Street Fighter V innovated on the series' model by being a service-based platform, with earnable post launch content."
Street Fighter Innovation
That statement served to underscore two points. First, it recognizes the flurry of speculations about a Street Fighter V spinoff. This is mainly attributed to the fact that its earlier iterations saw additional contents after their release.
For instance, the Street Fighter IV had an Ultra Street Fighter IV and Super Street Fighter IV versions. Some fans are therefore looking forward to a similar treatment for the latest title.
Secondly, there is Capcom's quick response to the issue. This should mean that a spinoff or a new Street Fighter V addition is not really happening. This move reinforced previous Capcom pronouncements that it is not only sticking with the title but actually growing it until 2020. Capcom has also been aggressively refining the gaming experience and adding new contents through several updates.
Dahlgren has referenced this yet again when he stated that the Street Fighter V is different from its predecessors since it is a service-based platform. This is best understood through Capcom's eSports ambitions.
Capcom And eSports
Capcom has previously articulated its goal of establishing a foothold in pro gaming and Street Fighter V happens to be its main card for this push.
Rejecting the possibility of a Super Street Fighter V, therefore, makes sense within this context. Aside from the risk of shifting the gamers' focus, additional titles could also undermine the game's quality itself.
One need only turn to the experience of the Street Fighter IV for insights. Once the additions were launched, the game's content got stretched thin, which eventually led to its poor market showing.
Moreover, without any addition, Capcom is already scrambling to keep up with the demands of the Street Fighter V players. It has recently taken heat from fans after releasing a massive update this month, after some gamers previously claimed that some characters needed work.
