Overview:

In 2009, 'Street Fighter IV' revitalized the traditional fighting game genre, kicking off a decade of renewed interest from developers, players and viewers. Nonetheless, even in an era where competitive games like 'Fortnite' and 'Overwatch' are more dominant than ever, mainstream appeal seems to remain slightly out of reach.This talk surveys the ways developers have attempted to broaden the audience for one of the oldest and most exciting genres in the industry. Noah analyzes a wide variety of games released between '09 and '19, revealing how specific design and aesthetic decisions can shape player experiences in unexpected ways.