#evolutionxrev

     Before Abigail was revealed as part of Street Fighter V’s second season pass (who also received mixed reactions among the consumer base for various reasons), Capcom would preview new characters, Gamora of Marvel’s Guaridans of the Galaxy and Jedah of Capcom’s Darkstalkers series. After the conclusion of the last time Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 being in EVO, a Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite exhibition would be played by Combofiend and Filipino Champ. The two players used the new characters mentioned and while there were some happy reactions, there were also displeased ones. Most in which were wondering why they did not present Gamora and Jedah in a form of a trailer rather than having two well known fighting game players playing them that would result in them barely showing anything that could leave us a full impression of the characters’ designs. Granted, it is nice to see Jedah making another fighting game appearance since the horrific Capcom Fighting Jam, but it still was not enough to leave those interested to getting the game. Sadly, it is not difficult to understand why that is the case.

     When Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite was first revealed, I was a bit shocked and surprised. I never expected them to reveal a new installment so soon. Let alone, add in Mega Man X. The trailer posted was only a cinematic footage with no gameplay shown; just Ryu, X, Captain Marvel, and Iron Man clashing it out with two gems of their choosings. The next day, gameplay footage (unfinished, of course) was posted giving us a little more to know about the mechanics. The game would be revealed to be going back to traditional 2v2 that started with X-Men vs. Street Fighter, turns Active Switch in place of assists, and have a new mechanic added in called Infinity Stones. Months went slow as Capcom reps would not share any more news regarding the game until April. We received a cinematic trailer revealing some returning Marvel vs. Capcom characters, Ultron, and Sigma (already being part of the early announced DLC season pass). We would then be treated with gameplay footage and a character trailer. Until June at E3 was the day we would be receiving more Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite news. Another cinematic story trailer and character trailer of previous veterans would be posted. Black Panther would also be announced as the second character to be part of the season pass. Aside the story demo’s release, little to none direct feed gameplay were shown from E3. The only direct feed gameplay of the game was the breakdown with Yipes, Combofiend, and Mike Jones. But other than that, nothing officially from Capcom until EVO where Jedah and Gamora were revealed by a gameplay exhibition after the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 finals. Today, Capcom has uploaded new footage of revealed Spider Man, Nemesis, Haggar, and Frank West and a new Infinity Stone, the Mind Stone.

     As months passed, the game filled a majority of its audience with anxiety. With the arguably stale character choices, colorless graphics, questionable marketing, and even the most minor details to the game leaving them unimpressed. Admittedly, the only redeeming factor of Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite is the gameplay, but isn’t that to be expected from one who apparently invented the fighting game genre? Let alone, isn’t gameplay supposedly the most important factor to please the crowd? Why yes, yes it is. However, supposedly. I used to think gameplay is the only thing developers need to make me enjoy a game thoroughly. But after several cases of quality decreasing in trade of quantity, I realize there is more to pleasing people like me than just one aspect especially when companies are advertising their works. Of course, selective minds from different people work differently, the thing is some people underestimate how presentation plays a factor in game sales. I believe this is as similar as Capcom’s DmC and Street Fighter V’s performances, both in which did not do so well in the department. Regarding Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite’s performance with hyping the crowd, I would say it did worse to interest the audience than Street Fighter V.

     To sum it up, the slow updates up to now, while some may argue that it helps people keep expectations at a low, it could also make people impatient and less interested. Also because of the early leaks turning out to be true, this also affected in the loss of potential consumers and pre-orders. One would think Capcom would have learned their lesson after Street Fighter V’s PR fiasco. Though, looking at how they have been responding to the roster choices and how certain fighting game figures and fans respond to the criticism and missing potential character choices (like the X-Men), I doubt the game will be treated as well as Capcom hopes. And a Capcom rep was worried about people taking pictures of booth as opposed to trying to selling us on the game itself, that’s when you know they have a problem in the professional area.

     As for me, I’ve already made my mind. Sure, the gameplay is well panned out at best, but like DmC, the presentation failed to capitalize on what could be a great product instead of a giant advertising outlet for Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Infinity War movie. I would rather they bring back the marketing team who sold Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Those trailers definitely showed Capcom had passion for the project to succeed. Meanwhile, I don’t even sense an ounce of passion for Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite because not only does the game itself looks dry, but also because the PR team fails to convince me I am missing out on a “revolutionary” fighter. I would be convinced if the game is Arc System Works’ BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle because they have never let me down on presenting a great title as of late despite issues I had with them in regards to another subject I won’t touch on this post.