New SNK esports initiative to fund player travel for future events

A newly announced addition to SNK's esports program is aiming to help King of Fighters players make it out to more events around the world.

The "e-Sports Support Program for Top Players" will cover the costs of plane tickets to future tournaments for players who excel at events of the company's choosing. In 2019, SNK will offer support to the three players who achieve the top three placings in King of Fighters XIV at Evo Japan 2019.

According to SNK, the support will last for one year and each player will have a cap on the amount of monetary support they will receive, although that amount was not disclosed at this time. Players will also have the option to bring one addition player with them to events, but the additional cost will count against their overall spending cap. In addition, it's important to note that SNK clearly states only "flight ticket cost" will be covered, so other expenses like hotel, food and local travel will be covered by the players.

The SNK e-Sports Support Program for Top Players is open to all players from all regions, including those who are already sponsored by other teams, companies or organizations.

KOF XV planned for 2020, Samurai Shodown platforms announced

During SNK's recent IPO conference in South Korea, the company discussed more about its upcoming titles including the next King of Fighters and the reintroduction of Samurai Shodown.

Although it has been more than a year since Yasuyuki Oda claimed that King of Fighters XV "will be a reality," the game is currently scheduled for a 2020 release. Nothing more was said about the title, which is likely in the very early stages of development.

As for Samurai Shodown, the game will apparently be coming to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam in addition to PlayStation 4. According to TeamPowerGeyser on Twitter, footage of the game was shown but recording and photos were not allowed. SNK also announced that Samurai Shodown is currently set to release sometime in the second quarter of 2019.

SNK reveals new Samurai Spirits game, coming in 2019

SNK has chosen to revive another of its classic franchises with a new entry in the weapon-based fighting game set in early modern Japan.

Samurai Spirits, the series known as Samurai Shodown in the U.S., will see a new entry released sometime in 2019. A teaser trailer for the game shows off gameplay for Haohmaru, Jubei Yagyu, Galford, Earthquake and Nakoruru while Cory Bell on Twitter has pointed out that art shown in the trailer seems to reveal Tam Tam, Genjuro, Kyoshiro, Hanzo, Uyko Tachibana and possibly Charlotte.

Readers can check out the brief teaser trailer for the title after the jump. Samurai Spirits is set to be released on PlayStation 4 sometime in 2019.

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New SNK game to be announced on Sept. 10, 2018

SNK has unveiled a countdown clock that is leading to the reveal of a new game from the company.

The countdown website will expire early in the morning of Sept. 10, 2018, for U.S. audiences and features the tagline "A NEW DAWN RISES."

Rumors have circled in the last couple years about SNK continuing classic franchises with new titles, but nothing concrete has ever materialized up to this point. For now, players are left to guess about what the company will announce in a week's time.

New arcade location test footage of SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy from Aug. 18-19

With SNK's all-female tag team fighting game nearing its early September release date on home platforms, footage of the arcade version's second location test in Japan has appeared.

Fukuoka-based arcade G-Stage Nanakuma streamed hours worth of SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy. They were one of the four chosen places to be part of the Aug. 18-19 test. Despite the rough game capture, the stream archives did show how Japanese players were treating this game so far. You can find the videos after the jump.

Other locations from the test included Sapporo's MAXIM HERO, Tokyo's Taito Station Ikebukuro West and Kobe's Playground Magical. Location test participants received a special promotional card.

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy will be available for Switch and PlayStation 4 on Sept. 7, 2018. The release date for the arcade version is to be determined but will be powered by Taito's NESiCAxLive 2 digital distribution arcade service.

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Sylvie Paula Paula, Zarina join SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

A new trailer released by Nintendo has revealed the two newest additions to SNK's all-female fighting game.

Zarina and Sylvie join the cast of SNK Heroines from their debuts in King of Fighters XIV, and the footage shows off the moves they retain from that title as well as their new Heroines appearances.

Readers can check out the trailer after the jump. SNK Heroines comes home for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles on Sept. 7, 2018.

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SNK Heroines adds Shermie, game release on Sept. 7, 2018

During the SNK panel at PAX EAST 2018, the company revealed Shermie as the newest playable character in SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy, as well as the game's release date.

Shermie comes to Heroines with many of her classic King of Fighters moves. Her inclusion marks her first playable appearance in a SNK fighter since NEO GEO Battle Coliseum, which was released in 2005.

Readers can check Shermie's trailer, which also detailed the game's September 2018 release, below. SNK Heroines will release for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles on Sept. 7, 2018.

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Nakoruru joins SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy

A new trailer released by SNK has revealed that Samurai Shodown's Nakoruru is the sixth character announced for the upcoming SNK Heroines tag game.

Much like the rest of the game's characters, Nakoruru has had a radical visual transformation and appears dressed as a vampire while Mamahaha has changed from a bird into a bat. In the small gameplay footage shown in the trailer, however, Nakoruru seems to retain at least some of her classic moves.

Readers can check out the new trailer below. SNK Heroines releases for the Switch and PlayStation 4 systems sometime during summer 2018.

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Pick a card: Oswald joins King of Fighters XIV

First teased by SNK in December 2017, Oswald will be coming to KOFXIV as an upcoming DLC character.

Oswald is a professional hitman who assaults opponents with playing cards. He has previously only appeared in King of Fighters XI as a playable character.

According to PlayStation Europe, Oswald will be one of four new DLC characters—along with original character Najd—coming to KOFXIV in April 2018.

Readers can check out his debut trailer after the jump, and those attending Evo Japan will get to try out Oswald during the event on Jan. 26-28, 2018.

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SNK Heroines coming to Switch, PlayStation 4

During the Nintendo Direct Mini on Jan. 11, a new tag team fighter was announced as coming to the Switch in summer 2018.

SNK Heroines: Tag Team Frenzy is a combined effort from SNK and NIS America and will feature many of the former's iconic characters doing battle in two-versus-two matches. Heroines will feature one-button special moves and items that can sway the battle, as well as special Dream Finish moves to finish the match.

The game will feature online play and the ability to spectate and bet in-game points on matches, and a customization mode where players can personalize their characters. Confirmed characters for the game so far include Athena Asamiya, Mai Shiranui, Leona Heidern, Kula Diamond and Yuri Sakazaki.

The NIS America website has confirmed a PlayStation 4 version of the game and has also revealed a $120 special edition containing an artbook, Fatal Cutie hat, two-disc soundtrack, lapel pin set, sleeveless shirt, workout towel and wrist sweatband all coming in a collector's box.

Readers can check out the game's trailer after the jump.

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SNK announces King of Fighters XIV 3.0, character reveal at Evo Japan

A new update is coming for The King of Fighters XIV, and players at Evo Japan will be the first to try out a new fighter coming to the game.

The new update, and a brand new inclusion to the title, will be playable at the SNK booth during the event. It is not clear at this time how expansive the update will be or who the new character is, but the inclusion of a playing card in the announcement image points to someone like Oswald.

If that is true that will make two new characters coming to KOF XIV. Also coming to the game will be the original character "Najd," who is the result from a design contest earlier in 2017.

SNK titles discounted on Steam until Sept. 10

Steam is currently running a big sale on its collection of SNK titles through the beginning of September 2017.

The company's most recent offering, King of Fighters XIV, is marked down to $34.95 and its collection of DLC characters now only costs players $9.99. SNK's other offerings, meanwhile, have all seen much bigger markdowns as players can purchase the KOF Triple Pack—KOF XIII Steam Edition, KOF '98 UMFE and KOF 2002 UM—for $10.49 and both Last Blade 2 and Garou: Mark of the Wolves are half off at $4.99.

There are also big deals on SNK's other titles, including the Metal Slug series, Twinkle Star Sprites and more. For the complete list of sales head over to the Steam website.

Yasuyuki Oda discusses the history of Real Bout Fatal Fury

In honor of the release of Fatal Fury: Battle Archives vol. 2 for PlayStation 4 on March 27, 2017, SNK has collaborated with the PlayStation Blog to reveal interesting tidbits on the history of the titles.

In a small article, King of Fighters XIV director Yasuyuki Oda, who also served on the Real Bout games, talks about some of the weird history of the games. From a debug command remaining in Real Bout Fatal Fury to having to recall Real Bout Special due to Billy's jumping A having no hitbox, there are several eye-opening anecdotes that serve as a look inside the development of the series.

Fatal Fury: Battle Archives vol. 2 collects Real Bout Fatal Fury, Real Bout Fatal Fury Special and Real Bout Fatal Fury and will be available on the PlayStation Store for $14.99.

SNK releases player list, new schedule for KOF XIV World Championship

SNK has altered the schedule for its King of Fighters XIV World Championship, reducing its number of days from two to one.

Originally scheduled as a two-part tournament that would take place in both Japan and China, the event will now be a one-day event happening in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 18, 2017. SNK states the change was as a "response to requests from the tournament players."

The player list for the event has also been finalized. Invited players include: Alioune, Cipher, ET, Xiaohai, Fionel, gxbridget, KaneBlueRiver, Ball HK, MADKOF, Dakou, Lancer, Naiwang, Picnic, Reynald, M' and Toshi.

For the full announcement, readers can head over to SNK's website.

Winter Steam Sale brings discounts to many fighters

The annual Winter Steam Sale has arrived, bringing big discounts to many fighting games offered through the platform.

Arc System Works has cut prices on many titles including Arcana Heart 3 LOVE MAX!!!!!, Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code, Battle Fantasia and older versions of the Under Night, Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series.

SNK is once again offering low prices for King of Fighters XIII, 2002 Unlimited Match and '98 Ultimate Match Final Edition, as well as The Last Blade 2.

Lastly, there are also sizable discounts for Street Fighter V, Mortal Kombat XL, Skullgirls, Blade Arcus, Koihime Enbu and many other titles. Sadly, it seems recently released titles such as Guilty Gear Xrd -Revelator- and Garou: Mark of the Wolves are not included in this year's sale. For a list containing most of the titles, head over to Steam.

SNK announces two-part King of Fighters XIV World Championship

The KOF XIV world champion will be decided at two separate events, according to new information released by SNK.

First, 16 players who have qualified for the world championship will compete in what is being called the "Four Kings" Tournament in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 18, 2017. That event will decide four finalists who will then compete in the grand final tournament sometime in mid-March in Beijing, China.

SNK says details on both tournaments, as well as the rest of the World Championship qualifier events, will be available soon. There are currently only four players officially qualified for the KOF XIV championships: Xiao Hai, Reynald, Dakou and Cypher.

King of Fighters XIV version 1.10 improves visuals, playable at PSX2016

SNK has announced that a new update to KOF XIV, version 1.10, will be playable at PlayStation Experience on Dec. 3-4, 2016.

While SNK is currently saying nothing more about the new update, players have already noticed the graphical upgrade that seems to be part of the revision. 

With PSX rapidly approaching, it will be interesting to see what other surprises version 1.10 has in store for players when they get their hands on it.

SNK announces King of Fighters XIV e-Sports Support Program

SNK has launched a program aimed at helping tournaments gain official prize and publicity support through the company.

The KOF XIV e-Sports Support Program will consider the application of any event that fulfills a small number of requirements, including a minimum number of 20 players in an offline tournament. Applications are then sent to SNK, which will then notify the organizers within seven business days whether the company will help the event.

If SNK agrees to lend its help, the company will decide on support that may include official advertising and assets, prize money, a World Championship qualifier spot and SNK merchandise.

Applications will be considered only for events that happen by Aug. 31, 2017. For the complete details, head over to SNK's website. 

SNK Arcade Archives series coming to North American PS4

The PlayStation Blog has announced that King of Fighters '94 and other SNK Arcade Archives titles will be coming to the West.

Starting with the release of KOF '94 on Oct. 27 (the same day as the Japanese release), the PlayStation Network plans to offer Samurai Showdown, Metal Slug, Alpha Mission II, Fatal Fury and World Heroes all before the end of 2016. Nam-1975 and Neo Turf Masters are scheduled to follow sometime in 2017.

No prices have been listed for the games, but their Japanese equivalents will cost roughly $8 so that may be a decent estimate. 

Corrections made to King of Fighters XIV English patch notes

Since the English translations to KOF XIV version 1.03 were released early on Oct. 19, some players have noticed inconsistencies with the original Japanese patch notes.

Reacting to that information, SNK has revised the English notes hoping to remove any mistranslations. The patch notes can be found on the SNK website.