Dead or Alive 6 Last Round Project Manager Tsuyoshi Iuchi has ignited a debate within the fighting game community after revealing that Koei Tecmo is reducing the frequency of overtly sexy costumes in the game. This decision, aimed at making outfits more appealing for consistent use by players, has been met with backlash from a segment of the franchise's fanbase.
Dead or Alive, a long-standing fighting game series, is known for its prominent "fanservice," characterized by jiggle physics, dating-sim elements in spin-offs, and revealing character outfits. Despite the upcoming development of Dead or Alive 7, the current iteration, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round, continues to receive content updates, including a recently announced character, Minato.
The controversy stems from a Famitsu interview where Iuchi explained the rationale behind the shift away from sexually suggestive attire. He suggested that such costumes are often used less frequently in competitive play due to "embarrassment and other factors." Iuchi pointed out that even in ranked matches, swimsuit-style costumes are rarely seen on opponents, indicating a player preference for more practical or character-consistent attire. The stated goal for new costumes is to create outfits that "people who like that character will continue to use," with an emphasis on minimizing overtly sexy elements.
Director Akihiro Nakamura also addressed player observations about Minato's moveset bearing similarities to Honoka's. Nakamura clarified that while the techniques might overlap, their origins differ. Honoka possesses an innate ability to imitate techniques she witnesses, whereas Minato learns through dedicated study and effort, driven by a dancer's consideration for visual appeal and enjoyment. This explanation, coupled with the costume design change, has led to frustration and disappointment among players online.
Fans have expressed concerns on social media, with some questioning Koei Tecmo's commitment to the franchise and predicting a similar approach for Dead or Alive 7, citing potential issues like the absence of crossplay or rollback netcode at launch. Comparisons were made to the current game's perceived shortcomings, such as limited customization options and content transferability.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round, released in June, received mixed reviews, with criticisms frequently citing the lack of rollback netcode and cross-platform play at launch. Players are hopeful that feedback from the community will be considered for future installments in the series.