Takayuki Nakayama

How Tifa Joined Street Fighter 6 And Why She's Not a Trend

Tifa Lockhart's inclusion in Street Fighter 6 has sparked excitement among fans, but Capcom's Street Fighter 6 director, Takayuki Nakayama, clarified that her addition is not the start of a flood of guest characters. Tifa, the first Street Fighter character from outside Capcom and fighting games, was chosen for her martial arts background, which made her a natural fit for the game. Nakayama emphasized that while guest characters like Tifa help attract new players, the team remains committed to honoring the existing Street Fighter roster. The inclusion of Tifa was a three-year process, beginning around Tokyo Game Show 2023, and was seen as an organic fit for the game's evolving strategy.

Kotaku

Tifa Joins Street Fighter 6 With Custom Magic System

Tifa Lockhart, a beloved character from Final Fantasy 7, is set to appear in Street Fighter 6 as part of the game's Year 4 roster. According to Final Fantasy 7 director Naoki Hamaguchi and Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama, Tifa will be reimagined with a unique magic system based on her Materia powers, and her design and movement will be tailored to fit the Street Fighter 6 universe. The character's arrival is part of a broader expansion that includes new fighters like Yasmine and Arjun, with Tifa expected to launch in early 2027. This marks Tifa's return to a fighting game after her appearances in Ehrgeiz and other series, with fans having long requested her inclusion in Tekken.

Kotaku