The arrival of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. has been a long time coming, and its upcoming release is one that is met with anticipation by the community. Incorporating 13 years of player feedback to deliver a refined and exhilarating experience, this latest installment is committed to meeting the players head-on, providing modern improvements like rollback netcode to usher the series into modernity.

We got a chance to speak with Legacy VIRTUA FIGHTER Project Producer Seiji Aoki and ask him about his thoughts on Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., the development process of the game, and its future in esports.

*This interview has been edited for clarity

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. Interview With Seiji Aoki

Q: Can you walk us through and give us insight on the development process of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.? What were some of the key challenges and milestones during its creation?

Seiji Aoki (SA): We started planning R.E.V.O. toward the beginning of 2024. When we released Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown in 2021, we heard a lot of feedback that many fans wanted the game balance to be adjusted or wished the game would come to PC, and we shared those sentiments. However, we needed the development conditions from 13 years ago to make that happen, which involved bringing in and collaborating with the staff from that time.

It took us a while to recreate those conditions, but we finally kicked off development around June of 2024.

Q: What are the standout new features in Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. that you believe will excite both long-time fans and newcomers to the series?

SA: One of the game’s new key features is the introduction of rollback netcode. We felt it was an absolute must since online multiplayer is standard in fighting games nowadays. PC specs make it a lot easier to implement rollback netcode, and it’s a great fit for Virtua Fighter since it often uses an advanced input system. With rollback netcode, we believe players will have a great experience with online battles.

Q: With the introduction of rollback netcode and other enhancements, how do you see Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. fitting into the competitive esports scene? Are there any plans for official tournaments or leagues?

SA: Starting with Frosty Faustings XVII 2025, one of the largest fighting game events in the US, we plan to bring R.E.V.O. to major tournaments like EVO Japan 2025 and EVO 2025 (Las Vegas). We’ll also host an official global tournament, the Virtua Fighter Open Championship, to make it a major part of the competitive landscape.

Q: How has community feedback influenced the development of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.? Can you share any specific examples of changes or features that were directly inspired by player input?

SA: During R.E.V.O.’s Open Beta, we received feedback and suggestions from many players through the VIRTUA FIGHTER OFFICIAL Discord server. There are things you can’t realize unless you know how each character plays in depth, so their feedback helped immensely. We’re extremely grateful for the help and are actively using their suggestions to improve the full version of the game.

Q: Virtua Fighter has a rich history, but it can be intimidating for new players. What steps have you taken in R.E.V.O. to make the game more accessible and inviting for newcomers?

SA: Through the official website and Virtua Fighter YouTube channel, we’ve prepared a series of videos that serve as beginner-friendly guides for each character. We’re also interested in streaming content geared toward new players in the future.

Q: How does Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. set the stage for the future of the Virtua Fighter franchise? Are there any hints or teasers you can share about what fans can expect next?

We hope to apply the knowledge and skills we’ve gained working on R.E.V.O. to future Virtua Fighter titles. Please stay tuned for more updates about the series, including details about the New Virtua Fighter project.

Q: How does the development of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. align with the new untitled Virtua Fighter project being developed by RGG Studios? Are there any synergies or shared goals between the two projects?

The entire R.E.V.O. team, including me, is working on the New Virtua Fighter Project. We are also collaborating with SEGA AM2 staff who’ve previously worked on the series and members of RGG Studio on developing this project.

We’d like to thank Aoki-san and SEGA for ths special opprortunity!

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is now available on PC via Steam.