King of Fighters XII

[Ragnorok64]

There are plenty of people excited about Street Fighter 4, but the game I'm really excited for is King of Fighters XII.

This latest entry will be totally hand-drawn; and thus far it looks fantastic.
http://www.fightersgeneration.com/games/kkof001.jpg .

I do have some concerns. Given that the characters are getting completely redrawn, I didn't expect a particularly large roster, and indeed it seems there will only be 20 characters. So most likely no Vanessa :frown: and we've seen not indication of King either.

In any case this game is looking simply sweet. Here's and actual gameplay vid and some links to some articles.

Articles
http://www.cyberfanatix.com/index.php?m=single&id=1432
The 3 new characters revealed for KOFXII at TGS are Iori, Andy, and Raiden. I only tried a bit of Raiden and mostly Iori. Andy not yet. I'll play him more tomorrow.

- Raiden has an alternate costume color that makes him look like he's shirtless. It's almost like an entirely new costume!

- Iori has a new costume. Looks less 80s and more like a trendy Akiba dude, lol.

- Since the ending of KOFXI showed that Iori lost his Orochi powers, this means he can't do his standard uppercut and fireball. Although most of his normals are the same, his specials now consist of slashes similar to Mature. He really plays and feels like a different character.

- Iori's DP is now an upward diagonal slash. Reminds me of another fighting character's move, but I can't remember. Hmm...

- No QCB P X3. It's an entirely new motion. QCB P does a different backward slash. Same goes with QCB K. I can't tell whether he still has his old HCB,F P grab. Dammit, I really need to play more of him tomorrow!

- Iori's super is still the same motion, and attacks look the same. But he ends it with an X-style slash.

- The booth says that the game is 65% complete. It's really a work in progress - Athena's uppercut hitbox is not accurate.


http://au.gamespot.com/news/6197909.html#


TOKYO--Back in September of 2006, SNK Playmore announced that it was giving the formerly annual King of Fighters franchise a long-overdue graphic overhaul with King of Fighters XII. Today at the Amusement Machine Show in Japan, the game was finally presented to the world with a playable build and a release date.

It's about time.

Appearing onstage at the AM Show, producer Masaaki Kukino announced that KOFXII will be released in Japanese arcades next April. Kukino also took the occasion to introduce his game to the visiting press, and he talked a little bit about the development of the game.

Kukino started off by revealing that the concept behind KOFXII is "Rebirth." With 2009 marking the 15th anniversary of the King of Fighters series, the developers decided to take the game back to its roots and to give it a new start and new graphics.

KOFXII still plays in 2D, but Kukino noted that its graphics are different from the recent 2D fighters in the market that are colored in cel-shaded animation style (like the Guilty Gear X franchise or BlazBlue). Instead, KOFXII will feature characters that are drawn in more of the traditional, hand-dotted pixel art that the series has been known for.

KOFXII's first trailer didn't appear until this February, more than one year after the game's initial announcement. But from the smoothly animating characters, it seemed apparent that the developers had been making an effort to redraw the graphics from scratch. Kukino confirmed that, in fact, the character creation for KOFXII has been very time-consuming. According to Kukino, to give a three-dimensional look to the characters and to make them move smoothly, the artists created 3D models, took a 2D image of them, and used that as a guide to draw the pixel art.

"Overall, it's a very hard process that could take 16 months for even an experienced designer to do alone. In terms of data, the character size is about four times larger [than in previous installments]. But when considering the extra errors that come about in doing the [bigger] pixel art, the trouble is more than four times what it used to be."

"Each character in KOFXII has around 400 to 600 [sprite] patterns. Every single one of them is hand-drawn, and it's something that we're proud of. I'll only say it here, but we believe that this is something that no other company can imitate, something that only SNK Playmore can do," Kukino said.

Kukino then went on to talk about KOFXII's game system, and explained that the main concept behind it is sort of a man-against-man, "fist versus fist" battle. So as a result, the developers decided to abolish the multishift system from KOFXI and to return to the simpler 3-on-3 elimination format that the game originally pioneered.

Kukino confirmed that there will be a total of 20 characters in KOFXII, 11 of which are playable in the AM Show build: Kyo, Terry, Ryo, Ash, Robert, Kim, Ralf, Shen-wu, Benimaru, Leona, and Athena. KOFXII is currently 60 percent complete in development, and there will be beta tests before the game's proper release.

"We are aiming for the ultimate 2D fighting game and ultimate 2D pixel graphics," Kukino said in closing. "I've been working in this industry since the pixel-art days, so I know the importance of a single pixel. A single pixel can vitally change the expression on a [character's] face. We've taken that skill to an ultimate level."


Pics


Raiden, Iori, and Andy Bogard game play screens -
http://www.cyberfanatix.com/img/news/tgs2008/kofxii/4.jpg
http://www.cyberfanatix.com/img/news/tgs2008/kofxii/3.jpg
http://www.cyberfanatix.com/img/news/tgs2008/kofxii/2.jpg

Raiden, Iori, and Andy Bogard designs - http://www.cyberfanatix.com/img/news/kofxii/49.jpg

Videos
New Trailer (High quality)- http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/269534.html
First Trailer -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUTaFRIJeg4&feature=related
Gameplay Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwphuB2JZkg

[Nate Grey]

I wish there was something like 50 characters instead of 20. Can't figure out what it'll offer that's different from the last one. Still, I'll check it out.

[Ragnorok64]

I don't think it'd be possible to do that many characters. every character is being hand drawn. That's 400-600 sprites per character. That's like 10,000 sprites just to produce the game with 20 characters, and I'm sure there's boss and mini boss characters too.

[Black Atom]

This is a good because honestly I've been a bit burned out on KoF for a while now. Scale it back down a little, get back to basics, and some nice new sprites to boot. Looks strong.

[C-Cool]

From what I've seen, I have three things to say.

1. Ryo Sakazaki is at his most muscled and buff I've seen him since... ever. What the heck did he do, go into a training program with Ralf and Clark (same goes with Ralf and Terry).

2. I've seen an 8 second video that had Leona in it. From that video alone, she's a must use in my part.

3. Graphics are at a level I've never seen before. It's like those KOF 2003 character posters came to life at almost 30 frames per second. Gameplay looks to become a more steady experience and I am waiting for this game BIG time.

I do art and graphics, and this game's got me hooked more than Okami did back then.

[Young Avenger]

This game is what SF4 should have been. It going to kill me to have to wait for the arcade release in April. I want to play it now

[Black Atom]

This game is what SF4 should have been. It going to kill me to have to wait for the arcade release in April. I want to play it now

Agreed. I just looked up some shots on Gametrailers on those graphics are amazing, even in crappy, non-HD videos. Looks like there's some cool lighting effect at work, too: in one video, as Kim backs up under a tree on the stage the sprite shades appropriately. This is a lot more impressive to me than the visual look of SF4, which I've seen in person.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

From what I've seen, I have three things to say.

1. Ryo Sakazaki is at his most muscled and buff I've seen him since... ever. What the heck did he do, go into a training program with Ralf and Clark (same goes with Ralf and Terry).

2. I've seen an 8 second video that had Leona in it. From that video alone, she's a must use in my part.

3. Graphics are at a level I've never seen before. It's like those KOF 2003 character posters came to life at almost 30 frames per second. Gameplay looks to become a more steady experience and I am waiting for this game BIG time.

I do art and graphics, and this game's got me hooked more than Okami did back then.

Yeah... This game looks freakin' awesome.

But... Some of the characters need to lay off the roids. I mean, Ralf looks like a Native American Raiden (Big Bear from Fatal Fury, for those who don't know).

[Xero Kaiser]

Ralf looks like a damn beast now.

I love it.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3364/kof12ryoralfzh5.jpg

[Ragnorok64]

Ralf looks like a damn beast now.

I love it.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3364/kof12ryoralfzh5.jpg

Holy crap :eek:. I wonder who the art director on this game is.

[Nerdpool]

That does look awesome. I can't wait for Marvel vs. Capcom 3 though! Yeah, yeah... I know... (sadface)

[Xero Kaiser]

SNK Playmore and Ignition Entertainment have announced the U.S. home console release for both The King of Fighters XII and Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (Samurai Spirits Sen in Japan) in 2009.

The King of Fighters XII will be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for May 2009.

Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny will also be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for June 2009.

Also, as a reminder SNK and Ignition Ent.'s first distributed title will be The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match for PS2. This title is scheduled for January 2009 at a $19.99 price point.

Source: SNK Playmore/Ignition Entertainment @ GS Managers Conference
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Sold

[Kid Kamikaze10]

SNK Playmore and Ignition Entertainment have announced the U.S. home console release for both The King of Fighters XII and Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (Samurai Spirits Sen in Japan) in 2009.

The King of Fighters XII will be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for May 2009.

Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny will also be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for June 2009.

Also, as a reminder SNK and Ignition Ent.'s first distributed title will be The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match for PS2. This title is scheduled for January 2009 at a $19.99 price point.

Source: SNK Playmore/Ignition Entertainment @ GS Managers Conference
---

Sold


.... Well, I gotta start saving some money...

[JDogindy]

SNK Playmore and Ignition Entertainment have announced the U.S. home console release for both The King of Fighters XII and Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (Samurai Spirits Sen in Japan) in 2009.

The King of Fighters XII will be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for May 2009.

Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny will also be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for June 2009.

Also, as a reminder SNK and Ignition Ent.'s first distributed title will be The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match for PS2. This title is scheduled for January 2009 at a $19.99 price point.

Source: SNK Playmore/Ignition Entertainment @ GS Managers Conference
---

Sold

SNK is releasing something soon that's not perverted (I'm talking about the damn "Doki Doki Nano Kucipan" series). It looks nice, and it's good to see KoF going back to its rooks.

[Oblivion87]

Well the game looks great, have they annouced the official roster yet?

[Young Avenger]

SNK Playmore and Ignition Entertainment have announced the U.S. home console release for both The King of Fighters XII and Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny (Samurai Spirits Sen in Japan) in 2009.

The King of Fighters XII will be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for May 2009.

Samurai Shodown: Edge of Destiny will also be available for both the Xbox 360 and PS3. It will feature online play, and be priced at $59.99. The release date is scheduled for June 2009.

Also, as a reminder SNK and Ignition Ent.'s first distributed title will be The King of Fighters '98: Ultimate Match for PS2. This title is scheduled for January 2009 at a $19.99 price point.

Source: SNK Playmore/Ignition Entertainment @ GS Managers Conference
---

Sold

I find it weird that Edge of Destiny is being released after KoFXII. That game is more complete than KoFXII. Regardless I'm getting both

[HectorP]

Will be getting this, for sure.

[Ragnorok64]

I added a new High quality trailer to the original post.

[Young Avenger]

Saw the new trailer. Looks great! Very liking Leona's new look

[HectorP]

Yeah, Leona's new outfit is great. Visual punch.

[Lonewolf 5]

For the love of god I hope Iori is also in this.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

For the love of god I hope Iori is also in this.

He is (he's been shown on a poster or two). They just haven't shown him yet.


I think he might even have a new style... Maybe even a Shingo-esque version of his regular style.

[DWEarhart]

My reasons for upgrading to an XBox 360 just doubled.

Kick ass.

[Nate Grey]

This makes me want to go back and get all the old stuff now. What are the "Nests" that came out earlier this year? And how was part XI, which was import only for the PS2 and had a huge roster?

[Kid Kamikaze10]

This makes me want to go back and get all the old stuff now. What are the "Nests" that came out earlier this year? And how was part XI, which was import only for the PS2 and had a huge roster?

The NESTS Saga is the story arc that took place from KOF 99 - 2001.

It features a new main character, K' or K Dash to some. Kyo Kusanagi, the regular main character, was still in the game, but wasn't in the spotlight like he used to.

XI and the KOFs before this one used old sprites with cooler stages for the most part, so as the consoles and arcades improved, the roster increased.

Because the entire game has been redrawn this time (it's pretty much the best looking 2d fighting game to date), the roster has been decreased.

[HectorP]

Because the entire game has been redrawn this time (it's pretty much the best looking 2d fighting game to date), the roster has been decreased.

Yeah, it's much better than Mark of the Wolves (fave), I dig it more than Guilty Gear right now, and never cared much for SF III.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Yeah, it's much better than Mark of the Wolves (fave), I dig it more than Guilty Gear right now, and never cared much for SF III.

That's the thing. This game looks better than all three, something I thought would never be possible. If the gameplay is as good as the graphics, I might not even need to play SF4.

I don't even think these characters can be put on MUGEN (if they can, that will be quite a feat).

[Young Avenger]

That's the thing. This game looks better than all three, something I thought would never be possible. If the gameplay is as good as the graphics, I might not even need to play SF4.

I don't even think these characters can be put on MUGEN (if they can, that will be quite a feat).

Can MUGEN even pull off the SF3 sprites? I haven't seen a MUGEN that used them

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Double post...

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Can MUGEN even pull off the SF3 sprites? I haven't seen a MUGEN that used them

From the MUGEN experiences I have, and the constant updates from C-Cool...


Yeah, it can. As well as later-Guilty Gear sprites.


And yet, they still can't reach Dragon-Claw level sprites. I wish the creator of that character hadn't died...

[C-Cool]

That's the thing. This game looks better than all three, something I thought would never be possible. If the gameplay is as good as the graphics, I might not even need to play SF4.

I don't even think these characters can be put on MUGEN (if they can, that will be quite a feat).

No go on the new KOF sprites on MUGEN until the zoom feature gets made/fixed.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

No go on the new KOF sprites on MUGEN until the zoom feature gets made/fixed.

They're STILL working on that?


I don't see why someone who can speak Japanese can't just ask the developers of either NeoGeo Double Dragon or Samurai Shodown how to do it...

[C-Cool]

They're STILL working on that?


I don't see why someone who can speak Japanese can't just ask the developers of either NeoGeo Double Dragon or Samurai Shodown how to do it...

Dang it, I just starting to crack into the MUGEN application to do this kind of stuff.

Wait for a patch in a year or something.

:tongue:

Oh, and Ralf is still awesomely crazy looking. It's like he really did eat Clark.

[HectorP]

If the gameplay is as good as the graphics, I might not even need to play SF4.

The clashing hits system seems blood pumping.

[Ice'Lord]

Can't wait. I wonder who the boss would be.

[nervmeister]

In the past, I've always dissed Terry Bogard as looking like a beefed up Ash Ketchum. Yet strangely now, his current form in this new game seems far more badass for some reason.

Also, why is Ash Crimson the poster child/ protagonist for this game instead of Kyo Kusanagi? From what I've read about him, he's pretty much a dick.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

In the past, I've always dissed Terry Bogard as looking like a beefed up Ash Ketchum. Yet strangely now, his current form in this new game seems far more badass for some reason.

Also, why is Ash Crimson the poster child/ protagonist for this game instead of Kyo Kusanagi? From what I've read about him, he's pretty much a dick.

Ash has been the main character since 2003.

Just like K' was the main character from 99 to 2001.



Kyo really hasn't been the protagonist since he helped trap Orochi in 97.

However... He's the main good guy in this Saga. Ash is the protagonist, but he's also the main bad guy (besides that shadowy crew that's been hinted at).

[Young Avenger]

I always found the KoF storylines to be crap. They make no sense and the text boxes move too fast.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

I always found the KoF storylines to be crap. They make no sense and the text boxes move too fast.

I don't know, I like it a lot... Especially for a fighting game.


Though it isn't as good as a Guilty Gear or a Mortal Kombat (ok, that one may be debatable, because there is some bulls**t in that story), it's definitely better than DOA, SF, and VF (yes, there is a story in Virtua Fighter, but ignore it).

But Def Jam: Fight for NY trumps all of them in my opinion when it comes to storylines.

[Young Avenger]

I don't know, I like it a lot... Especially for a fighting game.


Though it isn't as good as a Guilty Gear or a Mortal Kombat (ok, that one may be debatable, because there is some bulls**t in that story), it's definitely better than DOA, SF, and VF (yes, there is a story in Virtua Fighter, but ignore it).

But Def Jam: Fight for NY trumps all of them in my opinion when it comes to storylines.

When did VF have a story?

I never got into any KoF story. I always the plot to be idiotic, no one beyond the main characters do anything in the story, and the characters have cringe worthy dialogue. I just can't find anything to like

[Xero Kaiser]

But Def Jam: Fight for NY trumps all of them in my opinion when it comes to storylines.

That's not an opinion, that's fact. FFNY stomps pretty much every other fighting game put together as far as storylines go.

Not saying all that much, but still

[Metronome35]

I think the worst thing about KoF's story is the way they tell it. The dialogue tends to render it all as a load of nonsense.

[C-Cool]

That's not an opinion, that's fact. FFNY stomps pretty much every other fighting game put together as far as storylines go.

Not saying all that much, but still

Damn Straight. I got new favorite characters from that game. And most of them are real life rappers.

I actually became a Snoop Dogg fan that way...

[Xero Kaiser]

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/8089/attachmentjm7.jpg

Wonder how big Raiden's going to look?

[jesse_custer]

The best storyline in a fighting game was the quips in Street Fighter II.

[Young Avenger]

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/8089/attachmentjm7.jpg

Wonder how big Raiden's going to look?

It's about damn time they brought Andy back. He's one of my favorite characters to use. Iroi's new outfit is awesome

[C-Cool]

YEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

ANDY!!!!!!!!

This game is now in the awesome books!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Dang it, Geese Howard and Mai's b**ch is back....

:biggrin:


j/k. Happy to see the Fatal Fury love in this game. And yeah, Iori looks cool for once. Can't wait to see his new style.

[Wjowski]

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/8089/attachmentjm7.jpg

Wonder how big Raiden's going to look?

When did Iori start taking fashion tips from Benimaru?

[Kid Kamikaze10]

When did Iori start taking fashion tips from Benimaru?

Nah...

He's ain't on Benimaru's level yet.

Heck, Whip, Elizabeth, and Athena combined aren't even on Beni's level yet.


When he starts wearing leopard skin halter top junk with some tight-a$$ white jeans... Then he may be close.


There are few women in KOF on Beni's level, nevermind men.

[Black Atom]

When did Iori start taking fashion tips from Benimaru?

Agreed. Man-Midriff isn't really acceptable under any circumstances.

[Young Avenger]

When did Iori start taking fashion tips from Benimaru?

Why not? They have a love child in Mark of the Wolves.

[Alex]

STREET FIGHTER AM BETTER AND I FIGHT ANYONE WHO DISAGREE!!!!!!!????!!?!
SNK IS FEEBLE.
http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/dan-in-street-fighter-alpha.jpg
LOLZ!!!!!

[Metronome35]

I've always been more of a fan of "SNGay" as a childish dis.

[B. Kuwanger]

I'm so damned excited that this game and SamSho are coming to the States.

[Ragnorok64]

I updated the original post with some new pics and info.

[Kid Kamikaze10]

Raiden... Looks huge. But I'm happy he's in the game...

Andy looks like Young Geese. And I wish he had his newer costume (same with Terry). I guess the Andy-fans will be happy, but if Joe isn't in this game, I sure won't.

The details about Iori sounds great. It's funny, didn't Iori hand Vice and Mature their collective a$$es? Now he fights more like Mature...

[HectorP]

So this will be a Dream Match.... weird that the super vague Ash Saga will need the time it took to span the two first sagas in order to be completed.

I hope this will be fun to play online.