If you had mentioned a new fighting game called Shot One Fighters was being developed to me, and then said it was by an indie developer called Red Moon Workshop, the most interest I'd probably be able to muster would be best described as mild, at best. However, if you throw the name Justin Wong in that sentence, not only would you have my curiosity, you would also command my attention. Throw in JM Crofts in there, and well FOLKS, you've got me all hot and bothered.
So, what is Shot One Fighters?
The press release I received said Shot One Fighters is Street Fighter-inspired. What that means is not totally clear. It probably means 2D without insane movement, like most anime fighters, and probably very footsie-based fighting.
Shot One Fighters is being developed as a back-to-basics brawler with enough complexity to attract fans of both old-school fighting games and those who enjoy an engaging but not overly-punishing learning curve. Helenek has previously described it as a middle-ground between Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike and Street Fighter IV.
OK, so if it's between SFIII and SFIV, two games with such an incredibly high skill ceiling, then it should be a throw back to old school fighting games with such a high level of skill expression with one-frame links and things of that nature.
Here are some latest screenshots of the game's development.
I kinda dig the originla red and white look of Volley without the eye patch but this works too. The only thing the main menu really shows us is that there are two main modes versus and online. There will also be training of course, no fighting game is complete without one.
Check it out - kinda back to basics. We have a timer in the middle, a life bar, a round win counter, and what seems to be a super meter, labeled EX.
In this screenshot, one of the characters doesn't have an EX bar and the one who does have it looks different from the previous screenshot. Could it be like an -ism system where you can pick to not have a meter but have buffed up damage? Interesting.
The team at Red Moon Workshop brought their game to PAX East, where it was received quite well.
How are Justin and JM involved?
A mainstay of the esports community and a fighting game virtuoso, Justin Wong boasts nine Evo championships among his numerous accolades. His involvement with the project will entail regular meetings with the team to provide valuable feedback on evolving builds of the upcoming fighter, focusing on character design, gameplay mechanics, and additional features. These insights will infuse his unique perspective and expertise with Red Moon Workshop's vision. Additionally, a vital component of his role will involve content creation, keeping his extensive audience informed of the game's latest developments through a variety of social channels, including popular platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Also contributing to the development process is John 'JMcrofts' Crofts, a fighting game enthusiast and popular influencer with over a decade of competitive fighting game experience. A respected figure in the genre, Crofts frequently acts as a commentator at high-level events and maintains an active presence on YouTube and Twitch. His deep knowledge was a key draw for the Shot One Fighters team.
The game's only been in dvelopment for a few years, so it might still be ways out, but it's a game I'm definitely keeping my eyes on. Check out their official website and sign up for their newsletter to keep up-to-date with all the Shot One Fighters news!