Fighter Maker
Agetec released Fighter Maker as part of its Designer Series for PlayStation consoles. This 3D-based game allowed users to create custom moves for their fighters. The software featured a robust character creation system that let players even design animations. One licensed character appeared in the first FM game, Street Fighter EXs Skullomania. It came complete with the original move list from the source material.
The music for the game was composed by the U.K. band INTELLIGENTSIA. They also created the in-game FX effects used throughout the experience. MIRAI, one of the band's two members, is a playable character in the game. This integration turned musicians into active participants within the fighting engine itself. The collaboration bridged the gap between audio production and interactive gameplay mechanics.
Review aggregation website GameRankings recorded average reviews for the initial release. IGN commended the game's controls as tight and solid. They called Fighter Maker one of the most unique software packages available for the PlayStation. GameRevolution gave it a mixed review just a few weeks before the game was released Stateside. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 25 out of 40 points.
2D Fighter Maker 95 was released for Windows prior to ASCII's departure from gaming. Unlike its PlayStation counterparts, this version focused on 2D-style gameplay. Users could create and import their own characters, sounds and graphics into the engine. This allowed for far more flexibility and range than the PS versions ever provided. Enterbrain later released 2D Fighter Maker 2nd as an update to the original version.
The program was pirated and fan translated to English and released on the Internet. It found a large following amongst dojin game makers and the M.U.G.E.N community. A second version became wildly popular amongst the dojin communities in Japan despite technical hurdles. Again, piracy and a fan translation followed the official release. The second version has yet to meet with the success of the first due to incomplete documentation.
In 2019, Kadokawa exclusively licensed the 2D Fighter Maker 2nd engine to exA-Arcadia. The company re-developed the engine from scratch to use hardware rendering instead of software rendering. New features included handling of coins and credits plus multiple language support. Transitioning between single player and VS games now works smoothly. CPU vs CPU demos run with 0.3 frames input latency on modern displays.
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Common questions
Who released Fighter Maker for PlayStation consoles?
Agetec released Fighter Maker as part of its Designer Series for PlayStation consoles. The software featured a robust character creation system that let players even design animations.
Which band composed the music for Fighter Maker?
The U.K. band INTELLIGENTSIA composed the music for the game. They also created the in-game FX effects used throughout the experience and MIRAI is one of their members who appears as a playable character.
What score did Famitsu give to Fighter Maker in Japan?
Famitsu gave Fighter Maker a score of 25 out of 40 points in Japan. Review aggregation website GameRankings recorded average reviews for the initial release while IGN commended the game's controls as tight and solid.
When was 2D Fighter Maker 95 released for Windows?
2D Fighter Maker 95 was released for Windows prior to ASCII's departure from gaming. Unlike its PlayStation counterparts, this version focused on 2D-style gameplay and allowed users to create and import their own characters, sounds and graphics into the engine.
Why has the second version of 2D Fighter Maker not met with success?
The second version has yet to meet with the success of the first due to incomplete documentation. A second version became wildly popular amongst the dojin communities in Japan despite technical hurdles but piracy and a fan translation followed the official release.
How does exA-Arcadia handle input latency in the re-developed 2D Fighter Maker 2nd engine?
CPU vs CPU demos run with 0.3 frames input latency on modern displays after Kadokawa exclusively licensed the 2D Fighter Maker 2nd engine to exA-Arcadia in 2019. The company re-developed the engine from scratch to use hardware rendering instead of software rendering.