This is a copy/paste of a summary I wrote up for VFDC. If you want to see the original thread then it's here: http://virtuafighter.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/202225#Post202225
all of this info is in the May issue of Arcadia magazine.
New character talk
In regards to the new characters, they will have their own interesting systems powering them, but Kataoka didn't reveal what exactly they would be. For the "familiar" character (the sumo guy), he still gives off the impression that he's a bit hard to take down. Right now he thinks that they'll be adding in new elements like unique throws (for the characters throwing him) and graphics. Duh. The interview comments about if the sumo wrestler can actually do Offensive Move (down or up and P+K+G) at all lol, and Kataoka laughs and says of course he can do it, even though he looks a little bit too big to pull it off. They actually tried to do a lot of different things with the sumo wrestler, such as taking away the ability to jump, taking away OM, and other stuff, but they felt that going that far didn't really work out.
For the other new character (karate guy), Kataoka says that it's a bit hard to explain, but he uses a striking style. He states that it's a style that is new to the series and hasn't really been done before in VF. He states that him and his team are creating a type of character and style that people can have fun with. At the moment he can't give any other details, even something as simple as the name. I guess there will be some sort of detailed breakdown on this new character in the future, and Kataoka doesn't want to spoil the surprise for us.
System Talk
The stages seem to be remixed a bit. There's a screenshot of what seems to be Shun's stage, but now instead of an open ring it's a low wall ring. The background has also changed so it doesn't look like early morning with the mist, but mid-afternoon with blue skies. BLUE SKIES! One thing they point out is that the stages will be remixed, and depending on the round, there will be open walls or closed walls (Not sure I'm reading this right, I just skimmed through it). So, round 1 might be the high walls and then round 2 might be the low walls that you can launch people over. Sounds interesting if what I'm reading is correct.
Breakable walls will be reintroduced, but not in the same way as in VF4. Now, there will be breakable walls but entire sides of walls can be broken in one shot. In other words, if one segment of the wall is broken, then the whole thing comes down.
The new side guard system is indeed in place, and was implemented as they felt that in VF5 there were a lot of opportunities where you could use a side guard. It's mentioned that the time it takes for the guard to "harden" (I'm guessing execution time) is longer than a usual guard, so it's not like a regular guard. The interviewer asked "So it'll be easier to land a big hit if you're turned sideways?" and Kataoka simply answered "Yeah, you got a good imagination."
When asked if the side guard is the main change to the VF5 system, Kataoka replies that along with the side guard, there will be a bunch of other changes to the game. Stuff like command inputs for moves may be changed, so something like d/f, d/f may be changed to just forward, and stuff like that. However, they want to ensure that players don't end up in situations where they think "eh? I read this guy perfectly but the move I wanted didn't come out", so they're aiming for commands that match the move. On the subject of modifying existing moves, Kataoka says that they're definitely going to change up some of the moves already in the game. They'll do their best on their end.
Finally, at the end of the interview Kataoka says that there should be new ranks for VF5R.
Anyway, I feel that other than the Karate guy, Kataoka gave out some pretty interesting details in this interview. I guess he doesn't want to reveal too much about the new characters since they use new sub-systems that could potentially be copied easily, but oh well. I guess we'll find out more in the coming months.
all of this info is in the May issue of Arcadia magazine.
New character talk
In regards to the new characters, they will have their own interesting systems powering them, but Kataoka didn't reveal what exactly they would be. For the "familiar" character (the sumo guy), he still gives off the impression that he's a bit hard to take down. Right now he thinks that they'll be adding in new elements like unique throws (for the characters throwing him) and graphics. Duh. The interview comments about if the sumo wrestler can actually do Offensive Move (down or up and P+K+G) at all lol, and Kataoka laughs and says of course he can do it, even though he looks a little bit too big to pull it off. They actually tried to do a lot of different things with the sumo wrestler, such as taking away the ability to jump, taking away OM, and other stuff, but they felt that going that far didn't really work out.
For the other new character (karate guy), Kataoka says that it's a bit hard to explain, but he uses a striking style. He states that it's a style that is new to the series and hasn't really been done before in VF. He states that him and his team are creating a type of character and style that people can have fun with. At the moment he can't give any other details, even something as simple as the name. I guess there will be some sort of detailed breakdown on this new character in the future, and Kataoka doesn't want to spoil the surprise for us.
System Talk
The stages seem to be remixed a bit. There's a screenshot of what seems to be Shun's stage, but now instead of an open ring it's a low wall ring. The background has also changed so it doesn't look like early morning with the mist, but mid-afternoon with blue skies. BLUE SKIES! One thing they point out is that the stages will be remixed, and depending on the round, there will be open walls or closed walls (Not sure I'm reading this right, I just skimmed through it). So, round 1 might be the high walls and then round 2 might be the low walls that you can launch people over. Sounds interesting if what I'm reading is correct.
Breakable walls will be reintroduced, but not in the same way as in VF4. Now, there will be breakable walls but entire sides of walls can be broken in one shot. In other words, if one segment of the wall is broken, then the whole thing comes down.
The new side guard system is indeed in place, and was implemented as they felt that in VF5 there were a lot of opportunities where you could use a side guard. It's mentioned that the time it takes for the guard to "harden" (I'm guessing execution time) is longer than a usual guard, so it's not like a regular guard. The interviewer asked "So it'll be easier to land a big hit if you're turned sideways?" and Kataoka simply answered "Yeah, you got a good imagination."
When asked if the side guard is the main change to the VF5 system, Kataoka replies that along with the side guard, there will be a bunch of other changes to the game. Stuff like command inputs for moves may be changed, so something like d/f, d/f may be changed to just forward, and stuff like that. However, they want to ensure that players don't end up in situations where they think "eh? I read this guy perfectly but the move I wanted didn't come out", so they're aiming for commands that match the move. On the subject of modifying existing moves, Kataoka says that they're definitely going to change up some of the moves already in the game. They'll do their best on their end.
Finally, at the end of the interview Kataoka says that there should be new ranks for VF5R.
Anyway, I feel that other than the Karate guy, Kataoka gave out some pretty interesting details in this interview. I guess he doesn't want to reveal too much about the new characters since they use new sub-systems that could potentially be copied easily, but oh well. I guess we'll find out more in the coming months.
