Short answers, pulled from the story.
Fighting Layer was released in December 1998 by developer Arika and publisher Namco. The game utilized the powerful Namco System 12 hardware to deliver a 3D fighting experience that stood apart from its contemporaries.
Fighting Layer remains the only arcade fighting game from the late 1990s that never received a home console port, leaving it as a ghost in the machine of gaming history. This decision to keep it exclusive to arcades has turned Fighting Layer into a rare artifact, a piece of gaming history that exists only in the physical cabinets scattered across the world.
Fighting Layer introduced safe falls and a dodge and charge system that allowed fighters to dodge attacks while simultaneously charging their super gauge to its maximum potential. The game also featured universal guard-break attacks and the ability to cancel supers into other supers to create a chain of powerful moves.
Allen Snider and Blair Dame stood out as returning veterans from the Street Fighter EX series in the Fighting Layer roster. Allen Snider was a former soldier turned mercenary, while Blair Dame was a mysterious assassin who added an element of unpredictability to the mix.
Fighting Layer ranked as the eleventh most-successful arcade game of the month according to Game Machine's the 1st of February 1999 issue. The game's success in Japan demonstrated its appeal to a wide audience despite its lack of a home console release.
Fighting Layer's legacy has been preserved through its spiritual sequel, Fighting EX Layer, which was released in 2018. This sequel allows a new generation of players to experience the game's unique mechanics and deep roster.