In a move that's bound to have fighting game enthusiasts asking "well then, what's the point?", Persona 4 Arena Ultimax won't have rollback netcode when it launches for PlayStation 4 in March next year. For those totally out of the loop, rollback netcode quite simply provides the best online experience for fighting games. It's the kind of netcode that Guilty Gear Strive uses, allowing for buttery smooth online matches against other players in your region. Hell, it can even pretty good if you're up against someone on the other side of the planet.
The push for rollback netcode to become standard has been happening for years, but it's Guilty Gear developer Arc System Works that finds itself at the forefront of the movement these days. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is an Arc System Works game, but it's ultimately up to publisher and Persona IP holder Atlus to greenlight enhancements like rollback netcode.
At this point in time, fighting games that release without good rollback will struggle to maintain an audience beyond the most hardcore fans. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a really fun fighter, but without rollback, its PS4 port isn't going to stick the landing.
All hope is not lost, however. Atlus has told Famitsu that it's considering adding rollback netcode at a later date. Hopefully it happens, and hopefully we won't have to wait very long.
[source ryokutya2089.com, via personacentral.com]
Comments 11
Then it will be dead on arrival.
If a AAA company like Atlus can't put a functioning online in their ported fighting game, then I won't be bothered in spending money on it.
No need to encourage this behavior.
I'm buying this one only for the story, because I didn't play it on PS3.
It comes with all DLC right? It was really expensive buying all the stuff where I live.
Recent events show that even older games can be revived by the addition of rollback so it might not be ultimately doomed - unless Atlus figures it's not worth updating because of low sales.
@Voltan Yeah it unfortunately all depends on whether Atlus thinks it's worth paying Arc System Works to implement. And that decision could come down to how well this re-release sells, which seems a bit unfair!
I'm buying this for the Story anyway, I don't care about the online in fighting games as I always get demolished which isn't much fun at all so I prefer to play locally with my real life friends.
what will it have then? I assume 2nd class post code
I'll still pick it up. Sure rollback is preferred but it's never been a deal-breaker for me. SFV apparently has a not good version of rollback bit I enjoyed it just fine online.
@Mauzuri They'll be coming shortly after I'd bet
Altus definitely needs to add rollback here.
"Will consider adding at a later date"??? I am assuming they will make this decision based on sales, but the sales will be bad since it won't have roll back. (I know some people will still buy it, but I think a large percentage of fighting game players now expect good roll back netcode, I know I do).
Looks like I will be sticking to GG Strive.
@RubyCarbuncle Same opinion here when it comes to multiplayer games.
Unless it's with close online friends that aren't pros.
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