Sega Teases ‘New Era, New Energy’ Game Awards Announcement, Fans Think It’s Virtua Fighter

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Sonic, Persona, and Yakuza/Like a Dragon publisher Sega is teasing a “new era, new energy” announcement for The Game Awards, which many fans think is Virtua Fighter-related.

Twitch streamer Curiousjoi posted a video on X/Twitter of a letter she and other influencers received from Sega, which alongside the vague “new era, new energy” headline, said: “Make sure to tune in to The Game Awards December 7.”

A big reveal from Sega certainly wouldn’t be out of place at the event, which typically includes a string of video game announcements alongside the awards themselves. Another streamer, Maximilian Dood, also received the letter, and noticed a link as he and Curiousjoi are both big fighting game players.

It seems to use the same font that the VF5 Ultimate Showdown trailer used, just in blue/not italicized. VF6 likely pic.twitter.com/GrP3dUTHAD

— Brodoof 🐈 (@Brodoof) December 2, 2023

“I got one too,” he said. “Curious, have these gone out to others that are not huge fighting game creators?” As for why fans think it’s specifically related to Virtua Fighter, X/Twitter user @Brodoof noticed a connection.

“It seems to use the same font that the Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown trailer used, just not in blue and not italicised,” they said in response to Maximilian Dood. “Virtua Fighter 6 likely.” Whether or not a full sequel is “likely” remains to be seen, but it would definitely signal a “new era”.

That’s because the last full game, Virtua Fighter 5, was released in arcades way back in 2006 and for PlayStation 3 in 2007. Various editions have released since, but none since a PlayStation 4 version of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown launched in 2021.

Fans will just need to wait and see what Sega announces at The Game Awards though. The pre-show will begin at 4:30pm Pacific / 7:30pm Eastern on December 7, meaning 12:30 midnight UK on December 8, while the full event will start 30 minutes later and last around three hours. Though many developers and publishers have remained quiet, Xbox has announced it will attend with “major announcements”.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.