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Street Fighter 6 producer Shuhei Matsumoto recently discussed the precarious state of the franchise during the Street Fighter V era. Alongside director Takayuki Nakayama, Matsumoto identified that the series faced potential obscurity within a decade if significant changes were not implemented to attract new players.
The team recognized that the Street Fighter V player base was aging, with many users aged 35 to 45. Matsumoto noted that relying solely on this demographic was unsustainable, especially as the game had become a distant presence for many who recognized the brand but were not actively playing.
To address these challenges, the developers approached Street Fighter 6 as if the current generation had no prior knowledge of the series. This strategy included the introduction of the Modern control scheme, the Battle Hub, and real-time commentary to make the game more approachable for newcomers.
This strategic pivot proved successful, as Street Fighter 6 has become one of Capcom's most successful titles. As of summer 2026, the game has achieved over seven million lifetime unit sales, maintaining a large and active player base across consoles and Steam.
