SF4 prod pours cold water over March 09 release rumour

Capcom’s Yoshinori Ono has poured cold water on recent rumours suggesting the console version of Street Fighter IV will be released to coincide with the release of the new movie in March 2009.

In an interview with VideoGamer.com from Leipzig Games Convention, producer Ono-san said that Capcom’s R&D team had no idea about the suggested timing, and stated that the publisher still doesn’t know when the console version of one of the most anticipated fighting games in recent memory will be released.

When asked about the rumoured March 2009 release period, Ono-san replied: “Our R&D team didn’t know much about this timing! They are just put under pressure by those people sitting outside. So at the moment development time wise, we’ve just about managed to take on the arcade version on console. Obviously we have to balance the game and add on the other features for the console version. We’re just working on it. We still don’t know.”

The arcade version of Street Fighter IV is currently out in Japanese arcades, leading some fans to express their frustration that the console versions are still without a confirmed release date.

Ono-san, however, moved to reassure those fans, saying that Capcom may be able to release the game on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC “on the early side”.

He said: “I also attended Comic Con in San Diego. A lot of users expressed their frustration that the arcade version is only released in Asia and they still can’t put their hands on Street Fighter IV. I’m thinking as long as the game has the basic tool function for everyone to enjoy, we may be able to release it on the early side. We still don’t know.”

We suspect an announcement will be made at the Tokyo Game Show later this year.

For all the latest Street Fighter IV coverage, be sure to check out our game page, where you’ll find exclusive gameplay videos and hands-on previews.