FATAL FURY COTW Exclusive Developer Interview: Game Modes, Beta, DLC and More

At #gamescom2024 I had the chance to sit down and talk with FATAL FURY City Of The Wolves Developers: Yasuyuki Oda and Joshua Weatherford. We discussed the futre of FATAL FURY COTW, including DLC plans, possible Beta and a lot more!
Timestamps:
25 Years Since the Last Fatal Fury Game - 0:18
Multi-Lane System Consideration - 3:40
Bringing New Fans Up to Speed on the Story - 4:15
Episodes of South Town: RPG-Like Mode - 6:12
Online Modes and Lobbies - 8:25
Clones System - 10:02
Characters Having Individual Stages - 11:35
Mystery of the Amusement Park Stage and Cameos - 13:14
Plans for Adapting Stories to Manga or Anime - 14:58
Masami Obari's Involvement - 15:48
More Alternate Costumes in City of the Wolves - 16:42
Mai Shiranui's Transformation - 18:06
30th Anniversary of King of Fighters - 18:50
Possibility of Street Fighter Characters in Fatal Fury - 19:40
Future of Samurai Showdown and Action RPG - 20:43
Possibility of 2D Graphics Returning in Fighting Games - 22:45
Pronunciation of Billy Kane - 24:45
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[@ShinAdamSmasher]

I only discovered this channel a couple of months ago. The host's enthusiasm for the games is infectious and impressive. This video in particular -there are "fan questions", but they're informative.

[@000mjd]

Great job, damn i was seeing this channel since Samsho pre launch days and now Nabil is THE man of SNK community having development interviews, time sure flies

[@mousanabil7185]

Me I was seeing this channel since the Neo Geo Now website, maybe in 2016, time sure flies!

[@xenofphobia]

I really want Mai's classic costume to be selectable and not just an easter egg in her hidden gear.

[@YaeGuuji]

I am willing to bet, that modders wil fix this issue on day one

[@22srs22]

@@YaeGuuji That shouldn't be the solution

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

It will probably be the first dlc costume since they already have the model for it.

[@picknsave1110]

@@22srs22 Agreed, people who aren't playing on steam or epic can't use this solution and that outfit was fine in their last game so why can't we access it by default now. Even capcom who everyone (me included) assumed were going to censor Chun Li and Cammy in SF6 gave us the pleasant surprise of their classics being unlockable.

[@leostenbuck4194]

@@YaeGuuji Then pay the modders instead of developers, since if they are pandering to DEI they do not want your money.

[@skyuru]

Let's make sure that they release classic Mai!

[@jenisia3600]

I'm baffled they teased people into thinking that her og costume was her alternate one, not a hidden gear smh

[@skyuru]

@@jenisia3600 thats what i tought but then i realized that maybe it was just for the super, but if she was able to change during the battle was fun (like 2B in GBVS rising, her skirt gone after she use auto destruct) If they can release the costume of Terry they can for others too so Mai need her classic too UwU

[@user-zm7gj4kl4k]

舞のKOF14から来ていた忍装束が本作だとヒドゥンギア「桜嵐の舞・赤鼓」の演出のみなのには戸惑いました。 DLCでテリーが旧コスチュームがあるなら舞にもDLCで真紅の忍装束を常時で戦えるようにしてほしいです。自分個人の意見としては忍装束の時はヒドゥンギアはライダースーツでやってもいいんじゃないかとは思います。

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

Oh wow. Nabil dropped a big surprise. Expectations shattered!

[@The_WIll_OF_D99]

thank you so much for getting this interview. this was so fun to listen too and i am so excited.

[@Vindrows]

BETA TEST! YEAH! Nabil, you did a wonderful interview. Your were questions that only a true snk fan and lover could select. Specific and in-depth, not the usual generic questions that unfortunately are often heard. My heartfelt congratulations! And thank you for all the commitment you have always shown over the years, whether there were few or many watching your videos.

[@NeoGeoNow]

Thank you for the kind words. It means a lot!

[@XenoCrossx]

Who thought that removing Mai's costume as a selectable outfit was a good idea? They could've added a new outfit. That's lame as hell.

[@DRAGONBLADEZERO]

Dlc futura

[@saynotop2w]

That "no comment" on lane system is actually quite a big hint. Japanese people do not comment on someone else's work readily, especially when they're working in the same field. When Dimps was formed, it consisted of many fighting game devs all over including from Capcom and SNK. It wouldn't be a far fetched assumption to think that not many of the originator of the system is left in current SNK. Ultimately, it was an interesting idea to get around the hardware limitation of the time, but now that we understand how to make a good 3D movement, it doesn't have to stay.

[@carlosaugusto9821]

To me it would be good if FF has a well made "lore" section that is focused on covering the whole world, lore, chars, etc. In order to make it look more interesting to a newcomer. Of course that means applying the right exposition techniques to make it an actual engaging material that truly serves its purpose. Not a long boring wiki-like article.

[@kvltovpersonality6290]

Genuine question - why is Mai’s classic outfit not just a selectable costume? Why do you need to transform mid fight to have it?

[@DRAGONBLADEZERO]

No street 5 o urien ficava com o traje clássico durante antes da partida

[@kvltovpersonality6290]

@@DRAGONBLADEZEROyeah and sfv sucked ass

[@TheLegendRome]

great stuff nabil! they think they are so slick with mentioning obari haha

[@matteomiriello1661]

The next gameplay will be at the “Tokyo Games Show 2024”.

[@danielpark3872]

When

[@josejoaquin5885]

​@@danielpark3872 september 26-29

[@matteomiriello1661]

@@danielpark3872 at September

[@gamer590x]

Primero el pax west que llega el 30 de agosto hasta 2 de septiembre

[@danielpark3872]

@@gamer590x what's that mean?

[@vidalescamilla1828]

Thanks for the excellent interview, really great work. I know I had some critical comments on other videos, but these last videos have been perfect.

[@sultanalabdali5247]

Thank you for asking about samurai Nabil. And am happy with the answer we got.

[@sonicallstarify]

Don't be cowards release Mai's classic outfit enough of the roundabout censorship

[@jimcarrey2866]

bro low key wanted to confirm the characters with that stage question, nice!

[@leandrodavid6256]

So happy for you Nabil 🙌🏻 You are great 😃. City Of The Wolves can't launch sooner 🤘🏻

[@panicdp5606]

Great interview. Little disappointed about the costumes comment since that means Billy 'Khan' likely won't have his iconic look. New look is growing on me though (especially with color edit). Seems a bit wasteful not to have Mai's classic look as an alt like Terry since they already have it done lol Subbed.

[@fmdenzino1269]

Great work Nabil! I will admit I was one of those who always thought it was pronounced Kane like a cane. Glad you got a definitive confirmation on that!

[@realizewave1513]

Why are people surprised there will be a beta, of course there would be one just like with KOFXV. The biggest mystery is to whom the amusement stage belongs to. I can't imagine it belonging to Kain, Gato, Andy, Joe, or Mary... Maybe Hokutomaru.

[@Luscifier]

I'm glad Mai finally has a new outfit, I wish it was another Ninja outfit tho but its good enough, I'm sure her old one gonna be DLC, obviously.

[@aabb-oc5yg]

I don't know why they made seem like it was a secondary outfit. Kinda bummed out that i have to pay for it instead of it being in the game. Hope they add it to the preorder deal with Terry's secondary

[@aspectofdecay007]

So mai doesn't have her old costume? Why

[@undedcelebrity1009]

We need subtitles for this one, man. This is a scoop you got here, Nabil. I just hope Freeman and Duck King make it in this game somehow

[@johnpreston230]

They will for sure

[@mechajintsu]

Awesome interview. You know when they say 'we'll do our best' i think that's code speak for developers or those with NDA's that there's actually something. Also, Oda-san and his team are they what, 3-0 with the games they made? Sam Sho, KOF, and this upcoming CotW. I'm really so thankful for Oda-san he's one of the pillars of the fighting game community and industry.

[@TamirElias]

New SNK made KOF XIV, SNK Heroines,SamSho,KOF. XV, and now COTW, so 5 games totall.

[@mechajintsu]

@@TamirElias ah yeah. Ur right. I forgot about 14 and I didn’t know about Heroine’s 🤦🏾 still zero in the loss column I guess.

[@bateman9459]

No comment on lane system huh? Curious...

[@NeoGeoNow]

I did not expect that answer, honestly.

[@pedronicolau9246]

Oh boy that rpg mode is a dream come true, loved world tour. They have my money

[@DecepySwag]

Yo great interview nabil, I didnt realize mais otufit is tied to her hidden gear so thats interesting. Also I peeped that tidbit about other projects that are coming sooner than the Samsho ARPG and AOF 4 game, along with samsho topic of "got a couple of secrets in the works, ya never know". All in all good stuff.

[@gulraizkhan3881]

Hi Everyone !

[@strykerdragoon131]

KrispyKaiser in rare form! Thank you Nabil for this amazing video

[@hasdachatlogs]

The second you mentioned Amusement Park and Raiden...KK smilled so hard lol. Wonderful interview Nabil! Some really interesting tidbits here. 👍😎 Cant believe you mentioned the KoFXIII graphics lol how dare you!? 😂 Lmao Billy Kane...too good!

[@SpiralSword40]

Great interview. I am so ready for COTW.

[@FingersKungfu]

Great job getting this interview. Thanks for the hard work.

[@ParadoxHilda97]

Wait... So Mai's iconic outfit is tied to just a super move? The fuck???

[@thejuanderboy5139]

Nabil, I just wanna say how thankful and appreciative I am of the work you're doing on behalf of all SNK fans. Stay awesome!

[@NeoGeoNow]

Thank you for the kind words. I am doing the best i can!

[@howardscales2652]

So there's a chance for Raiden and Bob Wilson😮

[@ggamemaster1689]

I think in Year 1 DLC, I think Raiden will make it or he'll be in the base roster, hopefully?

[@howardscales2652]

​@ggamemaster1689 Hopefully, Bob Wilson is in year 2

[@carloszagal1934]

just discovered your channel for COTW hype, I am l stoked!

[@NeoGeoNow]

Hope you enjoy the stay!

[@tasseiviews2947]

Great interview! I love your passion for everything Neogeo and SNK

[@shingouki8285]

Thank you so much for this.

[@jasonsmith530]

Can’t wait for the beta

[@danielpark3872]

Thank you, Nabil for interviewing with 3 guys.

[@Protomango]

This was a great interview. Thank you for asking questions that an SNK fan would want to know.

[@coreyatherley8903]

These are some great questions.

[@Kanzuki]

LMAO @ Mai's classic costume not being selectable. Surely SNK knows that an L

[@destroyerofworlds9138]

Great interview! I'm really looking forward to COTW and the beta test.

[@mrtblackmann9874]

Nice! Loved this interview! Can't wait to see what SNK has in store for the future!

[@dauntlessmx3841]

Great interview Nabil. Keep up the good work.

[@felipeborges830]

Nice interview... excited to try this game in a possible PC beta in the future (hope it happens)

[@m3tl1kv3e9]

Awesome Interview and I am ready for the Fatal Fury The Roster of City of the Wolves so far we have: Rock Terry Hotaru Tizoc Preecha Marco B. Jenet Vox Kevin Billy Mai The next Roster will be: Kim Dong Hwan and Kim Jae Hoon Hokutomaru Freeman Grant Kain Andy Joe New Characters As For DLC: Richard Bob Franco Hon Fu Rick Strowd Li Xangfei Alfred Hawk Yamazaki I am hyped for City of the Wolves in 2025. Rollback Confirmed, RPG Mode, and 2 Control Types are here and I am ready for the new legend.

[@Waltersop]

Definitely not Grant since Vox reaper is taking his place. Gato is more likely

[@danielpark3872]

Don't forget Michael Max Tung Raiden Hwa Jai Jubei Cheng Kim Kaphwan Duck King And other fatal fury rosters

[@danielpark3872]

@@m3tl1kv3e9 Sokaku Mochizuki Jin brothers

[@danielpark3872]

@@m3tl1kv3e9 Big Bear Axel Hawk Laurence Blood Wolfgang Krauser White(Real Bout Special) Toji Tsugumi Sendo Kim brothers Ryo Sakazaki Robert Garcia Todohs family Mr.big Mickey Rogers John Crawley

[@carlosaugusto9821]

On the stage cameo x playable char question, at least he said "yes" right away. So these appearances don't negate playable versions of the chars some time later. But thinking about it, it's a convenient solution. Because FF, unlike most active old franchises, doesn't have a big world and big roster, because it died before getting the chance of growing the roster and it was born in a time of small rosters for 1v1 games. Meanwhile SF and TK manage to break the 40s mark in roster size and we still find many fan requests about certain popular chars missing. So a modern FF game, that is planned to have dlc and all (and the longer the better in the eyes of the community), the devs would only make things harder for themselves if they removed chars from the "possible dlc list" just for such a small factor like a stage cameo. Besides, it's been a long time since the industry learned the technique of replacing a certain stage 3d model.

[@maninredhelm]

To be clear, Fatal Fury has had 46 to 50 total characters depending on how you count them, it's just never had more than 23 in a single game. If there's any Season 2 at all, CotW will match or beat that.

[@danielpark3872]

​could it be Art of fighting some characters in Cotw?

[@brothersbogard]

Awesome interview Nabil. I'm hyped for FATAL FURY ❤

[@SquidJoe]

I played the demo at EVO and the booth was always packed every day. The game is fun as hell and SNK nailed it with the Art Style. April is still a long way to go but I can't wait how the game will build up till then. Also, the game needs a Steelbook Physical Edition. It'll be amazing together with my SF6 and T8 cases.

[@ionutzfulger7347]

Excellent interview, Nabil! 🎉

[@SWATSrocks]

Excited to watch this!!

[@El_Beat]

amazing interview. Thank you so much for this.

[@NeoGeoNow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@22srs22]

Yeah not getting it if Mai's alternate classic costume is in there.

[@picknsave1110]

That reveal about Mai's classic outfit is extremely disappointing, I do not care about the new biker outfit.

[@rooflemonger]

NO RAIDEN, NO BUY-DEN

[@raidenkyuntal4431]

Nice seeing you here monger of roofles.

[@dennistan7769]

Awesome interview.

[@Ali-fs7ze]

Thank you for doing this. Wish there was more info about the beta but oh well.

[@PLATINUM_Rook]

Doing gods work, my man

[@bluegrave4376]

Yes! Confirmed beta test! I'm conflicted on if I want it to also be on pc or not because I plan to primarily play it on pc, so I want it tested on there, but I also don't want it to get datamined lol

[@2DFightergaming]

Imo, nothing should ever be on PC prior to launch. Those people hack any multiplayer game they get their hands on. Unless devs want their beta to be hacked (like SF6 with hackers playing for 6+ months before the game released), they definitely should exclude PC from the beta.

[@Lexicon865]

​@@2DFightergamingOr they can just make it so that datamining the PC version doesn't reveal anything unintended. Really stupid how most ppl's solutions are to exclude a whole demographic, as if the console versions can't be leaked and datamined too

[@2DFightergaming]

@@Lexicon865 it’s not just datamining and leaking that is the problem. I mentioned people hacking and playing a hacked version of the SF6 beta for months on end until the game was fully released. It became such an issue that Capcom had to start making statements about it. And that wasn’t the only game. It happened with Strive too. I get it that you don’t want PC to be excluded. But until the hacking problem has a solution on PC, the only real answer is to exclude that platform in order to avoid the hackers. you can’t even pretend as if this is an equivalent problem on consoles.

[@user-zx7tt5uc6l]

@@2DFightergaming and that did nothing to sf6, it was wildly successful, as t8 was. Nobody cares about that, there should be pc beta

[@lonnelwright318]

@@user-zx7tt5uc6l nah. it ruined the battle hub for the first 2-3 months of the game's release, because all those damn beta hackers were just running around farming wins off brand new players for the first few months. tournaments were pretty messed up too for the same reason. I agree with 2DFightergaming, PC needs to be isolated until they get the hackers under control. it's not fun switching on a game day-1 and being run over by hackers using Guile's infinite that they had half a year to work out on the cracked beta. any competitive game that gets a pc release goes through this kinda problem. the problem died own once they added those little icons so console players could tell if our opponents were on PS or cross-play so we could reject them based on that. but man, I play strive too and on top of the beta hackers, that game had a problem for about a year with hackers who would make your game unplayable... slowed everything down to a slide show crawl for you, just so they could win. sorry bro, but pc sucks. you guys let way too much cheating stuff fly without any punishment.

[@santiagoparedes4794]

I don't know why I feel there will not be a deep Story Mode. I hope I am wrong tho

[@user-zx7tt5uc6l]

You're probably right, looks like you will get some arcade ending and this episodes of southtown lore bites

[@YOG3NSHA]

Mai's Costume should not be tied to a transformation. Please change it into a costume select if you want my sale.

[@kvltovpersonality6290]

Should note this is just this guy’s channel, idk if it’s officially affiliated w/ SNK. Need to bitch at SNK if we’re gonna get any answers

[@No1FGC]

good interview man

[@ggamemaster1689]

With the Raiden question, the developers seem to give a wink and a knod for Raiden being the character of that amusement park stage and they may be misleading us, btu they said we have to wait and see what happens.

[@jenisia3600]

Will the Kaphwans & Freeman make the cut? Also Mai having her og as a Hidden Gear and not as an alternate will piss off the majority of people, feels like a cop-out.

[@SY-jd7dm]

They better retain the original roster before adding new characters. This is not a KOF game, but a Fatal Fury game.

[@BlackMasamuneX]

Awesome work Nabil!

[@KimSamaVideos]

Great interview

[@SALMORE]

so they have other games coming before Art of Fighting 4 ?! interesting

[@Luscifier]

These comments are getting dumb. SNK didn't censored Mai, if that was true than they would of never showed her original outfit to begin with, if you're actually SMART, it is obviously gonna be future DLC just like Terry Bogard, its amazing how some people turn traitors over one little thing that can be added in later, ridiculous.

[@Luscifier]

One last thing, at least be smart and complain about it on their Twitter instead. -_____-

[@Waltersop]

Only 6 characters left before launch. Kain, Gato and Honotomaru are coming fore sure. Andy and Joe are likeky too. Then the sixth one is likely freeman since he is mentionned in Brian's bio

[@ggamemaster1689]

I thought in the trailer they said 22 characters?

[@rendezyt]

@@ggamemaster1689 17 characters + 5 DLC

[@TheRealSSKM]

Did you ask them about the reason for the changes of the Hidden Gear commands off screen yes or no

[@NeoGeoNow]

Yes. Outside the interview, i did. The reason is that these hidden motoons would only stay hidden for less than a day. So they streamlined the motions.

[@TheRealSSKM]

@@NeoGeoNow Okay thanks love the vids btw

[@ashmyrmondestin6291]

This is awesome can't wait

[@TheWildBois]

Mai costume censorship = no buy.

[@Strephen]

how is it censorship when B. Jenet is right there, moron?

[@sladejosephwilson2300]

I wish someone would ask them about the rights to the ast. I know pony canyon owns some of the rights to the ast. But we don't know if it is possible for SNK to make a deal with them for the ast.

[@Warbandit-iv5zi]

Great Job!!!

[@mousanabil7185]

Really great Interview Nabil, good job! the cameo question & SamSho question that somthings I was want to know! plus a lot more! but I wonder how far AoF4 & SamSho RPG wil be! plus if I am not wrong they said there is other project in the work they plan to get release first! right!? Is KOF 16 will relesas before AoF for example!?

[@bloodfurypk666]

thank for the interview sadly snk dev dodge most question he want too know

[@hermontarmand2404]

No they didn't. Besides some things can't be spill too early, other things because where's the surprise factor then when the official release of things come?

[@bloodfurypk666]

@@hermontarmand2404 not agree , young player, dont understand , older legacy player question matter, dont waste my time plz thank you

[@Gr0tesco]

You should ask about if it will be possible to turn off the annoying audio of COUNTER HIT, WILD PUNISH, REVERSAL, CROSS UP....

[@majedsaeed3192]

شغل ممتاز ،ماشاء الله عليك

[@theblackrabbit1710]

The Kane thing will forever sound weird to me.

[@danielpark3872]

KOF 30th anniversary for 3 days later

[@winterice2022]

i just hope hotaru and rock becomes a couple like terry and mary

[@Yume.Cherry.Blossom]

I agree because they need to interact more and show love and romantic chemistry and become close and start dating and their so cute together!🥺💖

[@winterice2022]

@@Yume.Cherry.Blossom mhm🥺

[@terry-]

Great!

[@leonun]

nice 👍

[@gamer590x]

Ojala snk revivan por lo menos 5 franquicias como Metal slug 8 The last blade Beast buster Savange reing ( reinicio ) Athena awakening ( remake ) Ojala nos escuchen ya que arika se alio con snk 😢

[@danielpark3872]

AOF 4 will develop

[@CCXjapan]

Hahahaha , interview resume is all Nabil question: SNK response : NO No costumes for COTW, nothing new for KoF 15... really super sad

[@No1FGC]

man oda is boring why he dont want to comment on that..

[@jenisia3600]

Is his nature

[@BC-js8ye]

It would be awesome if you could divide every question in the video so we can skip questions we've already heard answered.

[@NeoGeoNow]

Noted! Will do it later today after the event.

[@BC-js8ye]

@@NeoGeoNowyou’re the best thanks

[@shadowggt8881]

Nabil look really nervous in this interview

[@NeoGeoNow]

I have met Oda san, Josh, and KK multiple times now. But i was nervous about the audio. I kept thinking what if the audio recording is bad. I always have this fear of doing an interview and finding later the audio did mot record or is mediocre.

[@wishingW3L]

Censored Mai means I will not be purchasing this game. Sorry.

[@danielpark3872]

Guten tag everyone

[@LuminescentShine]

Oooooh

[@user-cb4vt3qm3j]

They need to either make Mai's classic outfit a full selectable costume or actually man up and have her wear the new suit at all times. If you're making a change at least commit to it.

[@carlosaugusto9821]

2d has no future in these veteran and famous franchises, we can see that not even the bigger and wealthier fg companies care anymore. But i believe there's some remaining realistic potential for 2d in non niche genres. Like if SNK makes (or outsource) a retro style line of games like platformer, beat em up, rpg, etc. Those never stopped being popular thanks to the indie scene, the retro culture, etc.

[@user-jk3ti9hc3k]

No regional price = no buy and bye bye

[@Xagrate]

Not having Mai's outfit be selectable is a massive blow. Stop being cowards SNK. I was so close to preordering. Now I am gonna rethink my decision.

[@norbosneogeo558]