Game designer talks rebalancing Street Fighter 2 HD

by Scott Jon Siegel { Nov 12th 2007 at 7:30AM }

David Sirlin knows fighting games. So when Capcom tapped him to re-balance Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, and make it better than the original, they were putting the game's untarnished reputation into just the right hands.

Sirlin proves his worth in the first of a series of articles on rebalancing Super Turbo HD, revealing new details about the latest Street Fighter II sequel while discussing important decisions made to improve upon the game. Through it all, Sirlin emphasizes the need to retain and improve upon both the feel and the tournament-worthy status of what he considers to be the best in the series.

In short, Sirlin discusses how he aims to make the game more approachable to a larger audience, while rebalancing each fighter to ensure that the title is perfected for tournament play. Purists need not worry: the HD remix will allow gamers to choose to play an unaltered, arcade-perfect version of the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo, which uses the enhanced graphics and sounds but includes none of the rebalancing. The article's a good read for aspiring game designers, Street Fighter fanatics, or just fans of fighting games in general.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Tags: capcom, david-sirlin, game-design, gamedesign, ssf2hd, street-fighter, street-fighter-2, street-fighter-2-hd, streetfighter, streetfighter2hd

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Zsavior @ Nov 12th 2007 7:51AM

I have to admit even though SF always gave me trouble I don't like the idea of rebalancing. The fun of 2d fighting games was the little aspects that made some of the game cheap and over coming them with the moves you seemed to get down pat great.

But then again I love 2d fighting games, now that I think of it I love 2d in general. Even though I do understand that with todays gaming market it is a good thing to make the older more complicated games more accessible, you just don't want to see it done to the point where it dumbs the game down.

fawazr @ Nov 12th 2007 8:03AM

Did you even bother reading the article?

Zsavior @ Nov 12th 2007 8:30AM

Yes I read the article, I wasn't accusing David Sirlin of anything, I was posting an opinion as this topic might come up with other games that are fan favorites.

Hence why I said it is a good idea to balance these games, as long as they aren't dumbed down. Making the control pad more responsive to moves is a good idea, I was talking if the makers wanted to go beyond that. My mistake for giving an over all opinion on the subject. Did you bother to read my comment?

Otis Whitaker @ Nov 12th 2007 8:34AM

No matter what they change, even if it's for the good, nostalgic fans (read: Morons) are going to be all "EHHH!! EHHH!! CHANGE AM SCARE ME! EHHHHHHHH!!"

Norm @ Nov 12th 2007 9:10AM

I think for the most part people are pretty receptive to it because they will have both modes. Seems like most of the people I talk to really want to see Vega(claw) nerfed a little bit, even though they probably fall under the 'nostalgic' banner you mentioned.

I was pretty skeptical about this game too, but as much as Sirlin is putting into the balance of it, I'm getting more and more into the new version.

Jimiisama @ Nov 12th 2007 1:00PM

Unlike other gamers, competitive fighting game players realize the old game still exists. Even though Alpha 3 and Third Strike are well-played games to this day, Super Turbo is still played competitively to this day. So even if this game is going to be drastically different from Super Turbo, Super Turbo will still be played competitively.

Your Ad here 555-1923 @ Nov 12th 2007 8:58AM

About damn time SF most be one of the most broken franchises of all time but you bet purist will go for the unaltered version.

Now Capcom would you kindly release Megaman for the xlive.

(Bioshock references are L33t)

Norm @ Nov 12th 2007 9:06AM

I think mortal Kombat is probably the most broken series of all time. In the fighting game community, Super Turbo is considered to be one of the most balanced games ever, right up there with Virtua Fighter.

For another interesting read, check out this thread on SRK Where David Sirlin stands up to defend himself against purists that are debating what he did and didn't do wrong on the capcom classics collection 2 version of Super Turbo that was supposed to be perfect. (it certainly wasn't perfect)

http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=141886

Antonio @ Nov 12th 2007 9:08AM

I've read a few columns by David Sirlin and always enjoy them. I'm glad he's part of Capcom, able to advocate on the side of the hardcore fan and still see other perspectives.

Norm @ Nov 12th 2007 9:13AM

Yeah, he is an amazing guy. He wrote a great book on playing to when that I think any competitive player should check out. Its too bad that if something goes wrong with this game, he may just get the brunt of it like he did with classics collection 2, though that game did have an awesome tutorial video that he created.

Jimiisama @ Nov 12th 2007 1:05PM

Super Turbo's a great game, but I'm more of a Third Strike fan. I hated how unforgiving SF2 is both with motions and hitboxes as well as the sluggish movement. I'm not denying that Super Turbo is a great game and how amazing it is that a classic game that has gone through so many patches since the original can still be competitive today, but I still prefer the more smooth movements of Third Strike, a game that's mostly under the radar for the average gamer (most of them don't realize this game existed sadly =( or is sometimes regarded as terrible--don't ask why). Everyone has there own favorite game of the franchise, but SF2 was never my favorite personally; I'm hoping this complete rehaul of the game might reopen me to the good ol' classic characters.

NOTE: Anyone who thinks SF2 is broken and unbalanced should try playing MVC2 or CVS2 =\

ratman @ Nov 12th 2007 8:17PM

I agree - I love both series (SF2 and SF3) and am grateful to be getting HD Remix, but part of me is sad that not more people liked Third Strike. It truly is amazing game. I guess there is always AE on xbox1 to play it online... or maybe ggpo will support it one day (please please please!)