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Samurai Shodown’s (Samurai Spirits in Japan) PC release date has been a very strange subject to the game. This is reinforced by the fact that Nintendo Switch and even Google Stadia getting releases before PC. For a while, it seemed like PC was mostly forgotten for SNK’s newest fighter.
That all changed last night when Samurai Shodown got a release window for PC, this Spring. However… it’s coming to the Epic Games Store. This decision is an almost direct contrast of their wording on the matter back in 2019.
For context on SNK initially denying Epic Games Store exclusivity:
'사무라이 쇼다운' SNK 쿠로키 노부유키 디렉터 "부담되지만 자신있어"https://t.co/kZMo5YPHJh
— Gatoray (@gatoray_kof) June 13, 2019
Tranlsated Summary:
Kuroki director said, some PC download platform wanted an exclusive release on the condition of a pre-order of hundreds of thousands, but SNK CEO rejected because he thought Samurai Shodown will be for sale million copies.#Samuraishodown https://t.co/ux0y7kHLn7
— Gatoray (@gatoray_kof) June 13, 2019
Samurai Shodown on Epic Games Store Might Not Be Great
The sudden decision to add this game to the Epic Games Store comes with additional complications aside from backlash received on Twitter. For one, it means that players initially wary of the store now are required to download it, should they want Samurai Shodown. Another concern is that controller users are potentially out of luck if they don’t own an Xbox One controller.
Epic Games Store titles only use XInput as their medium for controller support, in contrast to using both X and DInput. XInput is used for Xbox and Windows 10 controllers and hardware, and DInput is used for PlayStation 3 and 4 controllers.
A few other potential aftereffects were brought to light about SNK’s decision. Alex Valle, a figurehead in the general fighting game community, composed a tweet about the disadvantages of Samsho on Epic. That tweet can be found here:
SamSho on the Epic Store, what does that mean?
1. On PC but, in a platform with little to no FG player base
2. No cross platform play so no hope in playing with ppl online
3. Splitting the community again which is already spread thin
4. Can’t play local during pandemic!
— Alex Valle ➡️⬇️↘️+? (@TheAlexValle) March 23, 2020
In it, he regards that while the game is on PC, it’s in a platform with little to no player base in fighting games, as one of his key points.
What do you think of Samurai Shodown’s decision to move to the Epic Games Store? Do you think they should have gone to Steam? Or do you think their decision made sense? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you like Samurai Shodown, be sure to check our coverage on the Season Pass 2 characters here.
