For fighting games, the definitive experience has always been local play, thanks to a variety of factors that used to make online play more of a hassle than it’s worth. Some competitive games today still have this issue, likeSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatestill utilizing delay-based netcode for multiplayer, as well as old fighting games likeUltra Street Fighter 4. However, the implementation and widespread adoption of rollback netcode has genuinely helped remedy this problem with newer titles likeGuilty Gear StriveandSkullgirls. That being said, forArc System Worksgames in particular, older/legacy games are also getting the rollback netcode treatment as well.
Starting withGuilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R,Arc System Workshas been working to implement the more efficient and accurate netcode technology in more classic games in its roster. Especially after the renewed success ofPlus Rwith GGPO, and the largely positive reception ofGuilty Gear Strive’s implementation of rollback netcode, ArcSys had stated it was considering the implementation of rollback netcode into several classic fighting games in its lineup as well. That desire is being realized withBlazBlue: Central FictionandBlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle, which means additional legacy ArcSys games could get the same treatment, likeGuilty Gear Xrd.
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Rollback Netcode Coming to BlazBlue is Just the Beginning
Until recent years, fighting games' online multiplayer has largely functioned on delay-based netcode. Delay-based netcode is antiquated because of the degree of input lag and latency issues it can cause, especially as the distance between players increases. Server-based netcode like GGPO/rollback netcode has existed in larger-scale multiplayer games for years, but rollback specifically came in response to the terrible online netcode implemented inStreet Fighter 2 Turbo: Hyper Fighting. Fast forward to 2021,rollback netcode drastically reduces input lag and latency issues, leading to a much more refined fighting game experience online.
Arc System Works' implementation of rollback intheGuilty Gearserieshas lead to an expansion by the developer into other franchises; most recently withBlazBlue: Central Fiction, and soon withBlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. That’s in tandem with the existingGuilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus Rrollback netcode, as well asGuilty Gear Strive.
Presumably, future Arc System Works games will have rollback netcode implemented for online multiplayer as well as a result.DNF Duel, a new ArcSys fighting game based onDungeon Fighter Online, likely wouldn’t release without rollback netcode at the risk of alienating or disappointing fans. EvenPersona 4 Arena Ultimax’s re-release likely wouldn’t come out without rollback netcode as well, because fans at this point would expect better netcode, even if that expectation may not be realistic.
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Guilty Gear Xrd and More Will Likely Receive Rollback
Given that an olderGuilty Geargame already has GGPO implemented, it’s very likely thatGuilty Gear Xrd Rev 2could receive the same treatment in time. Granted it likely wouldn’t be any time soon, but withCentral FictionandCross Tag Battlereceiving rollback implementation, the chances for older games receiving the same treatment are even greater. With games likeGranblue Fantasy VersusorDragon Ball FighterZ, it’s a bit tougher to say. Arc System Works has commented on the possibility (from a technical perspective) of implementing rollback netcode in these games, but conflicts with the publisher could affect those games in particular.
That kind of response can be make-or-break for a new fighting game release, so it makes sense that rollback netcode would be a priority for Arc System Works, and any other fighting game developers out there as well.King of Fighters 15wasn’t planned to have rollback netcode implemented initially, but vocal feedback from fans asking for #SNKRollback on Twitter seems to have swayed the developers into implementing rollback in the final release. Rollback netcode is going to be a staple in the future of online fighting games, especially during a time where pandemic concerns forces players to stay at home. Arc System Works clearly recognizes that.
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