Capcom's Stirring up the Hornet's Nest Again

Roughly about a month ago, I reported on a rumor that came from a source "close to Capcom USA" which claimed that a new Street Fighter game was in development, however with the slight twist of not being a fighting game. Though I haven't heard anything else to substantiate this rumor as of yet, there has been a lot of muttering that other people have been hearing the same thing from different sources. I've eagerly awaited someone to break the full details of the story, but unfortunately Capcom has been relatively silent and unwilling to comment on the rumors at this time.

Right on queue with Capcom's upcoming show, the rumors of a new Street Fighter game have started a-fresh. However, it seems that Capcom is playing coy once again with their top fighting franchise.

On the Capcom Digital blog alongside the comments in the update that showcased the spritework for M. Bison and Cammy, Brian Dunn and Rey Jimenez have been posting "hints" about what is in store for Capcom's product line for 2008. Though neither one of them have outright confirmed the existance of a Street Fighter game, their comments have essentially guaranteed that if Street Fighter did not show up in some form in their mid-October event gamers will be hunting for some heads. There's only so many times that a company can stir up the fanbase before it backfires on them.

With that said, here's a few quotes from the comments section of the Capcom Digital Blog, take them from them what you can, but be sure to keep in my their context:

Comment from: Brian Dunn
@Patrick,

I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. The anniversary collection, etc. games are already out, and I presume still compatible with the next-gen systems. We have a limited number of development staff, with a lot of projects under development - some major, some minor, some announced already, some yet to be announced (we have a Gamer's Day coming up in the middle of October where we are going to drop some big bombshells - you've been warned).


Comment from: Rey
Well, I can testify, that what's coming is a megaton bomb! You will not be dissappointed.


Comment from: Brian Dunn
There are multiple bombshells coming. We have our Gamer's Day event in London next Wednesday (10/17), but there will be announcements and things starting to come up on Monday (10/15) and continuing all week.

Keep an eye on capcom-unity.com because we'll have all the big news there.
-Brian

So what does this all mean?

#1, I fully expect that part of what Brian Dunn and Rey Jimenez are referencing here is more than likely a playable version or at least a video of Super Street Fighter II HD Remix at the Gamer's Day. This would satisfy several concerns that people have expressed about wanting to see the game in action. However, from the statements made by both Capcom employees, the chances that something more is in the works is pretty much a given. The only real question that needs to be asked is how exactly does it relate to Street Fighter.

At face value, a lot of gamers are using this as an opportunity to get excited about the potential announcement of a "new" Street Fighter fighting game. Though I do agree that based on the choice words of "bombshell" that Street Fighter 4 in a traditional form would be the fan choice, I have to question the actual feasibility of the project prior to the release of the "reworked" Super Turbo. An announcement of Street Fighter 4 would more than likely cool the hype for the Super Turbo release, and as much as fans would like to see Street Fighter 4, I'm not going to get my hopes up for a game that has disappointed many rumors before.

This leads me to the second option. Could they be referencing the Street Fighter action game that was previously rumored last month?

It's a possibility, and one that would likely fit with the planned Capcom Gamer's Day. I do feel that if this is the case Street Fighter fans are going to be disappointed with any announcement out of Capcom in regards to the franchise. With Guilty Gear and Soul Calibur both making the leap to action titles, perhaps this is the signal that Capcom is planning the same.

More information is sure to come next Monday. Until then, enjoy the speculation - but prepare to be let down. Any time someone promises bombshells we usually only get duds.