Virtua Fighter 5 Xbox 360: AM2 Interview

We talk to SEGA AM2's Tohru Murayama, Hitoshi Iizawa & Nobuyuki Minato for the most extensive discussion on the online-enabled Xbox 360 version of VF5.

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Murayama: Actually yes, for the 360 Quest mode, all of the AI characters are improved and upgraded, and how to do that is we haven't picked up player data from real players but we have made more variety in the AI, for example characters might have tended to do the same technique or do the same combo again and again last time, but we have put other tendencies in to make NPCs more human like, as if you are playing a real player, so we believe you will be really satisfied with the improved AI characters in Quest mode. Actually the number of AI styles has also increased.

Kikizo: What about the AI player names and comments, have you added new ones since the PS3 version?

Murayama: The NPC players we have in PS3 version, their comments have not changed. But we have added 1.5 times the NPC characters and those new players have new comments now, we have also added famous Japanese VF5 players' information, like Chibita, so you can find his name in Japanese, even if you play the EU or US version in your home, and you will know this is a famous Japanese player. So you can 'meet' them!

Kikizo: You didn't include a Sound Test last time, could you include it this time?

Murayama: The reason is that actually since the arcade version original, we sold the game's music tracks via the Internet, to maybe your iPod or whatever, so that is the reason why we don't have that as an option.

Kikizo: In normal Arcade mode, would you consider doing a longer version where you battle through every character instead of 8?

Murayama: Not really, we think that the original arcade with eight we consider it is the right amount of time to fight alone, so extended play is for Quest mode or online play.

Kikizo: This is really just a fan request from us, but in the PS3 version we had a Theatre mode with the real-time attract sequences from the arcade. When the game was shown for the very first time at E3 2005 there was a cool 'Sega Next Gen' booth demonstrating the game concept with Akira and Sarah. Maybe you could include this video, and the TGS 2005 trailer too?

Murayama: To be honest it is too late to include that movie now! Was that so impressive for you?

Kikizo: Well, it looked great and it felt special because it was the first time VF5 was shown in any form, and nobody was allowed to film in that room [although one very low quality video was leaked] but it would be great to see it again in full quality. Or you could just email it to me, whatever...

Murayama: [Laughs] We will have to look into this! I would need to work out who to ask about this! I have no idea who's got it, but I will ask if I can get it and share it, but I am not sure if we could do that!

Kikizo: [Poitning to screen] Look at this stage of the game - the sky is so nice and blue...

Minato: It's a SEGA blue sky! This is REAL SEGA!

Kikizo: Haha, so do you know about UK Resistance?!

Minato: Yes and we are aware of the message for Blue Sky!

Kikizo: Haha, that is excellent, they will be happy to hear that. So, did you enjoy implementing online, and do you think you will be adding online play into more of your future console titles?

Murayama: Definitely the team did enjoy the challenge of adapting for the online version, and we were so excited about doing this for the first time. For future titles from AM2, well actually we already have Mah Jong and Quest of D arcade titles online, so with future titles, I think will surely have some online future from AM2.

Kikizo: Finally, please can I challenge you on the game?

Murayama: Of course. [I went on to beat Mr Murayama twice and Mr Iizawa three times. I also destroyed Kikizo contributor Ali Almaci (aka Fishie) at least once. Just don't ask Kikizo's Sharan Dev Jain (who got lucky) or Leo Tan from Activision (aka ElectricLeo, who is clearly much better than me) about their fights against me.]

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