Hello :8):
I had this crazy idea stuck in mind for a while, and I'm finally starting to make something out of it; so it's safe to post here.
To further explain:
Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty
I like to appreciate every bit and aspect of the dream matches that the KoF series established. The way SNK wanted to celebrate each story arc of their biggest franchise, with KoF '98/2002 and their constant, "Ultimate & Unlimited" revamps, is outsandingly nice in my opinion.
As a longtime KoF fan, my urge to play around with this concept is making me share all ideas and resources I can eventually come up with, regarding that concept, in order to try and overspread it to the remaining titles of the KoF storyline: the games made during the "Tales of Ash" period (KoF 2003 ~ XIII).
The point of building up a fangame w/ this in mind is that, I afraidly think that SNK will probably never be willing to get through that "definitive KoF compilation" formula again - because this time it would require much more extra work from their part just to put everything together; due to the drastic engine & style differences between the source games. They most likely wanna spend their future resources in more brand new works - a reasonable thing to do.
With that said, I will reiterate the main concept of this fangame idea, which is to depict what a "UM sequel" could really look like. Using all the features I can currently come up with, w/ lots of analysis and inspiration from the oficial games. And of course, make use of the "fangame card" and go the extra mile a little. ;D
In short, I just want to see a game that merges the best of KoF 2003, XI, XII & XIII in a cohesive, balanced way. But beyond that, it would also incorporate stuff from the spinoffs/crossover titles from that period, which shared a good portion of elements w/ this period of KoF - regarding style and some other technical stuff. That means SVC Chaos and Neo Geo Battle Coliseum will also be taken into account. :D
With all that said, here's my try at picturing a ideal roster for a game of this theme:
(https://i.imgur.com/IDm2tHS.png)
All fighters that were playable in the aforementioned games, and are directly tied with KoF - including Garou, Buriki One, AoF, Savage Reign, Metal Slug, and even ADK and World Heroes (ya know they almost made it into KoF '95? And well, since they also appear on the Unlimited Match backgrounds, I'll considerate them)
What's gonna be actually made?
Well, as a single human, I can't make an accurate projection of how much of my free time a big project like that requires. But I can have some fun with this "uncertanity" by making some stretch goals and see how far everything can go. :) And with a time length calculation in mind, I gonna call those stretch goals...
- Short-Range project: release a screenpack, share my ideas for the roster, and just have fun in the classic way w/ a MUGEN compilation. :kugoi:
- Mid-Range project: do some optimization work to the compilation - make all chars share the same system FX using the common cns, fx and snd. Maybe do some little tweaks here and there. :karate:
- Long-Range project: make an enhanced system with guard break, drive gauges, tag mechanic and add EX moves for all chars. Also build up in-game VS and Victory screens that make use of the enhanced system features. :yuno:
To further proof my interest in getting this done somehow, here's what I have done with the screenpack until now:
• http://www.mediafire.com/file/h87k8zpwlw5p8an/%2521KOF-Uncanny_Match%2521.rar/file (http://www.mediafire.com/file/h87k8zpwlw5p8an/%2521KOF-Uncanny_Match%2521.rar/file)
It's got some cool features, already :]
(https://i.imgur.com/cXdD2xJ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/QdMTvyj.png)
Well then, just wanted to put this out of my mind. I gotta work slowly on things, as I have other MUGEN projects to accomplish.
All in all, has anyone been interested on a project like this?
I had a roster planned too for this before, but without SNK vs. Capcom Chaos, Neogeo Battle Coliseum characters and also the guest characters in King of Fighters XI. Here is my roster planned, but I can't figure out a few characters to be in a team though :P:
Spoiler, click to toggle visibilty
Ash, Duolon, Shen
Kyo, Benimaru, Daimon
Iori, Mature, Vice
Ryo, Robert, Takuma
Terry, Andy, Joe
Leona, Ralf, Clark
Kim, Jhun, Chang
Tung, Duck, Hwai
Malin, Hinako, Momoko
Athena, Kensou, Chin
Yuri, Mai, King
Mary, Vanessa, Ramon
Raiden, Billy, Geese
Tizoc, Gato, Jenet
Mr. Big, Eiji, Kasumi
k', maxima, kula
left over: Hotaru, Chizuru, Shingo, Elisabeth, Oswald, Yamazaki, whip