Capcom's Christian Svensson responded to more Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition questions recently on the Unity Boards, while also going over a few things for the console release as well. Hit the link below for the entire post.
When playing offline: Will DLC work still? Can I pick up single player achievements?
Svensson: Assuming you are logged in to your profile account, in offline mode:
1. DLC you've purchased will also still be available for you to use.
2. Single player achievements can still be earned and will be synced with your online profile the next time you are online.
Does this mean that, within the time frame you refer, after authentication of a valid key the game will download a patch automatically and immediately have the unlocks, or does this mean that this patch is global and will be downloaded by us all after that short period of time after launch? — Arthur
Svensson: I belive title updates via GFWL live work like this (which is the same way it works on XBL):
1. Launch game as you normally would.
2. The GFWL login process happens.
3. Game checks with GFWL to see if there's any needed updates.
4. When it detects that there's an update, it will automatically bring it down at that time.
In short, everyone will get pushed this update and you shouldn't be able to connect to any online services until it's received (that way everyone has the same version).
Any plans for SSF4 AE LIVE Cross-platform play between the 360 and PC? — Cirno
Svensson: Extremely unlikely. Cross platform play is a very non-trivial thing.
This is really strange. I mean, even BlazBlue has cross platform play and they're not into the PC market at all. Capcom, why? — Raine
Svensson: One reason could be that BlazBlue isn't a 3D rendered fighter that has hardware performance issues to contend with, so the chances of mismatched specs versus a fixed spec on console is a much lower consideration. Our issues are quite different from theirs.
What's up w/ the DLC on Steam? What happens to Steam users who bought the SFIV DLC already? And when's the Yun/Yang rebalance coming? — 2n2
Svensson: Unfortunately, DLC from SFIV will not carry over to this edition.
There is no Yun/Yang rebalance planned. Balance is working "as intended".
Strange, I would've imagined that the DLC purchased on the Steam version *would* transfer over to AE, seeing as how the DLC transactions are still performed through GFWL, thus tying them to your account. Unless there's DLC being offered directly through Steam, which I haven't really checked on.
Or is he talking about DLC in general, as if it'sn ot Steam specific? I won't be too terribly upset, but I do love me some Vanilla Alt Costumes.
Cross-platform play has been possible going all the way back to the Dreamcast version of Quake 3, which was the most technically advanced 3D game at the time. BlazBlue isn't a true 2D game either. The backgrounds are 3D. It has the same system requirements as SF4, in fact. As long as frame-skipping (fixed framerate) is FORCED, hardware differences are completely irrelevant. Both Shadowrun and BlazBlue did this to ensure that a slow PC and an Xbox 360 could sync together without creating the 'under water' effect you get in the PC version of SF4 when you're playing with somebody who disables frame-skipping (variable framerate). It sounds like Capcom of Japan still hasn't learned how to properly code a PC game.
I think it would be nice for PC to be compatible with 360, people like having lots of opponents.
Since the software on PC and the 360 comes from the same company, there's a chance of it in the future. Anyway, it's not too big of a deal I guess. Can't wait for AE.
@ 7
Men are all buffed regardless of age, and women aren't according to the Japanese. E.Honda and Hakan shouldn't be a buff as they are, but no one complains about that stuff. SF will always be full of funny stereotypes and ridiculous things that we can all laugh about.
who plays on pc? wait....how do u play on pc? wait.....why the flup would you want to play on pc?
Sounds like this really IS the last version of SF4.
Way to end on such a sour note, CAPCOM!
Whats up with PC haters this days..
I have an xbox 360
but iam not being a console fan boy or anything..
Its like your treating pc gamers
That they dont deserve this game at all...
were all gonna pay for it so why the hate??
Anyway iam glad were being heard now...
nice move capcom.
@5 And you could do it better I suppose? There's a difference between talking about it and doing it.
#18
Yes, I know how to force frame-skipping in any program with moving graphics and I'm not even a very good programmer. That aspect of the code is really simple. It's one of the first things you learn when you start working with graphics. In fact, there's no reason NOT to when you're dealing with a PC game because it prevents the kind of problem that people were complaining about in the PC version of SF4: slow motion 'under water' gameplay when one person has a weaker machine. By forcing weaker machines to skip frames, you ensure that the game is running at the same speed on vastly different levels of hardware.
Capcom has already 'done it', too. That's what the fixed framerate setting does. The problem is that they don't force it when you play online. Instead, they're going to implement hardware-based matchmaking, which will limit the numbers of opponents you have access to. This is the worst possible way to address the problem since it segments an already limited player base.
Next time you guys ask about the Yun/Yang rebalance, you should ask if the status of "working as intended" is a final assessment or not. It seems way too early in AE's life cycle to have decided everything is fine. It may be too early to call for a patch but it's definitely also too early to call it the end of patching.
#20 agreed. A lot of PC users bash console players all the time because they have a system that can be upgraded and is more expensive (I guess) so console is suppose to be beneth it all.
Well at least thats what I get from it. They just like to act like they all that because it makes them feel good that they paid 3000 dollars for a rig that will be obsolete in 12 months.
Capcom is really treading on thin ice with me lately, to the point I'm not even thinking of them positively any more. This PC support is a trainwreck. GFWL is completely unnecessary for a game on Steam and is just a terrible, slow, buggy, and ultimately useless piece of bloatware.
The cross-platform excuse doesn't make any sense. The balance "working as intended" excuse doesn't make any sense. They didn't even GIVE an excuse for why SF4 DLC doesn't carry over. Worst of all they still haven't fixed the framerate issue which not only makes the game unplayable at serious levels on PC, but would be braindead simple to fix by forcing the framerate for all players, and would easily enable cross-platform play.
I don't know how they can be so frustratingly stupid about this. It just adds further insult with the amount they're overhyping/sometimes straight up lying about 3S Online, a 12 year old game repackaged with no actual new features and sold at a modern price.
Now I'm just waiting for them to announce Super Marvel 3 as a disc only semi-sequel which forces everyone who wants to continue playing the game seriously to pay another 40 dollars. Capcom is really reminding me why I hold such a low opinion of console gaming.
I feel like this is only really a great year for fighting game fans if those same fans enjoy buying every "new" Madden or Call of Duty title that comes out, because that's how Capcom is treating their franchises. They're looking more and more like EA these days.
@27,
I don't expect to change your mind, that's fine, but I think your EA comparison is a bit off.
EA still charging $60.00 per year.
I'm getting this for $15.00 with three years of dlc fully intact.
PC's operate on a multitude of different platforms. Certain things cannot always be transferred.
I suggest, if you want cross compatibility for all of your purchases, buy a console.
@31
You're getting it for 15 on console, PC players are chewed out and don't get to keep their DLC (for no reason). Also, Arcade Edition has barely any new content. It's 3 characters plus an Akuma reskin, and 2 of those 3 new characters are unanimously considered game breaking. The rest of what's included are balance changes and interface updates that SHOULD have been provided free with Super by any reasonable modern standard of game support.
"I suggest, if you want cross compatibility for all of your purchases, buy a console."
I don't understand that statement at all.
Besides, why should I have to settle for inferior graphics, controls, convenience, and no moddability in all my games? The only reason I even own a PS3 is because it has exclusives. There's really no reason not to play something on PC (and a gaming PC that gets better graphics than consoles is not expensive) instead unless the port is as atrocious as Capcom makes them.
in addition to that.. GGPO is still the best way to play 2D fighters and practically resurrected the ST/3rd Strike/KOF98 & 2002/even Alpha2 scenes across the world. GGPO had lobbies, replays and spectating long before Capcom implemented any of those in their games.. and they still lag behind in terms of netcode.
it only gets better when you have alternatives like Supercade or ArcLive.. but what do you kids know? you'd have to play more than SSF4 to appreciate that. go back to mashing your DP shortcuts online or better yet: go back to Halo and COD
Ok, so who's bashing? I wasn't bashing anyone. I was pointing out that I seem to be having less problems with my version of the port. You PC kings didn't even get Super!
How exactly is it better if you don't even get the game?
Oh, and calling ppl "kids" is really funny. Actually, you come off sounding like a total douch.
Take me for example:
House, two cars, Married, 4 kids. And I've played since SF1!
So, in closing, take your PC and your "kids" comment and blow them out your ass. Peace.
@36
You were bashing all PC gamers and you called me a "disgruntled clown" for not liking how Capcom is treating its customers. You're a troll and you're immature (and can't spell) so I can see why he thought you were younger than you actually are.
And you also reminded me why I quit reading the comments on this site which I think I'm going to actually do this time.
Well amen to that. You can spout off all you like about how great PC is home slice. Your PC is only as good as the support it gets.
And in the case of SF, it would seem your coming up short. Otherwise you wouldn't be complaining like a disgruntled clown.
And lol, sorry if I made a spelling error teach, I type pretty fast.
Capcom Capcom Capcom!