Do you think we'll see EX options in the STRIVE as either an update patch or part of a Season Pass? There was an interview last year where ASW revealed that there was a ton of gameplay content that didn't make it into the base game due to time constraints and living conditions, but that they would implement them as time went on. Also, what are your thoughts about the four Season 2 characters?
In terms of what is considered "scrapped content" versus what content they will "actually use" is still up in the air.
Based on what GGST Modders have done so far, they've managed to add Sin Kiske, Goku, Gran, and even give Sol Badguy his Dragon Install back, along with Sidewinder and Ky's Greed Sever and Stun Rays Forcebreaks.
But, of course, none of that is Official content released by ARC System Works, and with the Testament and Another Story Update (not to mention the Digital Figure Mode add-ons)... all previous mods may no longer be compatible by the time next weeks' Official Update arrives (the DLC Season 1 final update, that is).
By and large, I can't really predict what ASW's plans are for Strive at this point, other than keeping things relatively simplistic and acceptable for Mainstream Appeal (which, to many hardcore GG fans, isn't something we necessarily want).
I said this before, but the more options and optional content ASW adds to this game, the better it will be.
EX Characters and alternate fighting styles were ALWAYS optional. Guilty Gear Generations Mode (GG Mode and GGX Mode, along with EX mode and Extra Menu from Accent Core) were always side functions that let you tweak how you wanted to play the game on your own terms.
But the question is this: will EX or Boss (Gold/Darkside) versions of characters return?
Darkside has already shown itself in Strive's Survival Mode, as Infinite Tension Bosses appear every 10 levels, like has been the case in older games. However Darkside Characters aren't playable in an official capacity yet.
In addition, in Accent Core there was also the "special Arcade Modes": Gold Arcade Mode, Gold EX Arcade Mode, Gold Survival Mode (with no upgrades), these were all the equivalent of "Unlimited Mars" Mode in older BlazBlue titles... the proverbial "Boss Rush" super boss run game mode.
EX Characters, in the past, represented a side of gameplay that was reserved primarily for nostalgia. Characters obtained moves from previous incarnations and early incarnations of their fighting styles, and a great deal of care was given to not only balance them, but to add and throw in any unused and scrapped ideas as much as was possible. Even references to other fighting game characters and anime was sometimes thrown in for good measure.
But... all of that is a ton of effort on the part of the developers. Making such possible requires a great deal of passion, time, and effort. Not to mention taking EX characters in to consideration for Online Netplay among friends.
Even in the case of Fan Game Modders who merely release modded characters as part of their hobby and interest in fighting game development... sometimes it's a toss-up as to whether such ideas will function well in the game or not... some things might cause the game to crash, or simply lead to broken frustration in gameplay... as broken characters are often known to be the cause of.
There's still a ton of ideas still sitting on the table here... some may be used, some may be scrapped.
All we can really do is support the game's lifespan for as long as it persists.
Accent Core was fortunate to have a long run, and lots of support, even including all the various platforms it was ported to over the years.
Will Strive get the same treatment? Only time will really tell. The fanbase will really play a critical role in determining Strive's lifespan and content.
Not just for side content, but for main content like Season 2 and Season 3 rosters... or even Season 4 or 5 if we are extremely lucky.
As a traditional Guilty Gear player, I have always valued and treasured each and every game mechanic this series has shown us: Roman Cancels, Instant Kills, Danger Time, Slashback, Blitz Shield, EX Mode, Darkside Mode, Gold Mode, Dead Angles, Awakening Mode, Charge Attacks, Charge Cancels, Instant Air Dash, Break Dash Attacks, Chaos Cancels, Cyclone Blast Drift, Dramatic Slow Motion Endings, Dynamic Camera Angles, Impossible Dust, Jump Install, and many many more.
I keep repeating myself, but Ishiwatari said he wants to put as many former GG characters in the roster as possible... even new characters we've never seen before!
What ASW decides to do is largely up to them, but I think they are still thinking about both new and old players as much as they can.
And even if they don't always produce what we want, we can still show them what else we want through talent, guts, effort, and passion.
