Street Fighter Producer: Fitness Game Is A Possibility [UPDATE]

Legendary producer of the Street Fighter series, Yoshinori Ono, has told Videogamer that he wants to break down the barriers that come with hardcore fighting games and create a spin-off title that would appeal more to the masses. Specifically, he said that a fitness or exercise game could be a "possibility."

Now, Street Fighter has one of the most dedicated following of fighting game fanatics who won't dare to settle for anything less than Focus Cancels, frame analysis and kara-throws. Would that audience take well to such a dramatic change in formula?

"I've been interested in motion-sensing for a while, ever since Wii was launched," Ono explains, most likely with a bit of a grin. "But I don't think it fits the way Street Fighter is played at the moment. It does broaden the appeal to casual users simply because of the instinctive controls, but it just doesn't quite fit an intricately balanced game such as Street Fighter.

"Now, there is a possibility of doing something called Street Fighter Fit, or Street Fighter Exercise, that is more suited for motion-sensing games, but that would obviously be a slightly different-themed game."

Say it isn't so! Are we truly on the cusp of a new generation of physical fitness? Will we soon know how it truly feels to attempt Spinning Bird Kicks on a Wii Balance Board? Of course, knowing Ono, it's entirely possible that he was having a laugh. That sounds much more likely, but who knows? Only Ono it seems.

We've asked Capcom for comment either way. We'll let you know if anything comes of it.

UPDATE: A Capcom spokesperson has responded to Ono's comment in perhaps the best way imaginable; "We don't comment on rumour and speculation. But if we did make a Street Fighter Fit game, it would be the greatest fitness game of all time, simply because you'd get fit by copying Street Fighter special moves. Probably. Making the sound effects would be optional, but hard to avoid."