Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classicshas been released to immediate acclaim, and with it comes the revival of some of the most beloved titles in fighting game history.Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroesis among the most classic titles in the collection, and its return has left fans hopeful about the future of the series.Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionmay be testing the waters for future games, but fans shouldn’t hold their breath while waiting forMarvel vs. Capcom 4.
Development ofMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionhas been largely attributed to a fan campaign from a few years ago. Previous titles in theMarvel vs. Capcomwere infamously delisted, and made functionally inaccessible to the vast majority of fans.Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionis a clear effort to amend that, and a direct response to fan demand. Unfortunately,Marvel vs. Capcom 4is battling against forces even stronger than fan demand.
Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection Could Be the Series' Last Dance
Capcom Listened to Fan Demand for Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection
The movement known as “#FreeMvC2” was launched by fighting game YouTuber Maximillian Dood, who credits its rapid momentum and mainstream success solely to the dedicated efforts of his audience. This outcry was further supported by Justin Wong, a formidable fighting game champion in multiple titles, includingMarvel vs. Capcom 2. After the announcement ofMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection, many named FreeMvC2 as a potential motivator for its development.
After all, FreeMvC2 was a trending topic on social media for quite some time. It even managed to draw the attention of celebrities like Michael B. Jordan, with fans of the series showing their support from all walks of life. In short, FreeMvC2 likely showed Capcom the legitimate demand forMarvel vs. Capcom’s classic titles. Likewise, it seems reasonable to believe thatMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionis gauging interest forMvC4.
Capcom first delistedMvC2in December 2013. Although this was immediately controversial, thecampaign to freeMarvel vs. Capcom 2didn’t hit full swing until 2021. Three years later, fans are seeing the results of their engagement, and this comes with good news and bad news. Capcom is undoubtedly paying close attention to the reception ofMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection, and this means there may be a similar gap to the one that occurred after FreeMvC2 first began.
In fact, the wait will almost certainly be longer.Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collectionis a bundle of classic games that were already completed years ago. Of course, this is no small task for a number of reasons, but it just doesn’t compare to the undertaking of developing a brand-new game. In fact, many previous games relied heavily on reusing assets, butMarvel vs. Capcom 4wouldn’t necessarily have this privilege.
It’s possible thatMarvel vs. Capcomwill never get a new game, thanks to the controversy caused byMarvel vs. Capcom Infinite. However, theFighting Collectionis certainly cultivating goodwill towards the series' past, and faith in the series' future. Capcom can’t afford to pass up this opportunity to revive the series in full.
Marvel vs. Capcom 4 Could Strike While the Iron is Hot
Capcom likely wants time to gauge interest as they did with FreeMvC4. Even after the interest check period is over, developers would then need much longer to actually create and polish the game. Despite the likelihood of this possibility,Marvel vs. Capcom 4doesn’t have to be a distant daydream, but only if the producers at Capcom bet big.
Marvel vs. Capcom 4could be announced or released much earlier than expected. Although this seems unlikely at a glance, it would say a lot aboutCapcom’s confidence in the franchise. The potential sequel could come much faster if development has already begun, and the implications of this choice would drastically raise the stakes. An early announcement forMarvel vs. Capcom 4would mean that theCapcom Fighting Collectionwas never about gauging interest, it was about guaranteeing it.
Marvel vs. Capcom 4could be announced soon, or it could never be developed at all. In the wake ofMarvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection’s success, both options seem far-fetched. More likely than not, fans will simply have to sit through a long waiting period, as they did before theCollection. Cautious optimism and patience are the highest virtues for an audience that has been burned on this subject before. Until there is legitimate reason to believe any rumors, positive or negative,Marvel vs. Capcomfans can rest easy.
