3 fighting styles is not the same thing as 3 variations of special moves.

If watching the plethora of interviews hasn't provided enough of an explanation as to "what the point of 3 variations is," then no one can fucking help you.

1 word; vareity.

Let's say you have 1 main that you constantly use, and from time to time, you constantly get bored of using that character, but you don't wanna switch. The variations are there to make it seem like you're playing as a different character even though you're not.

"This shit is just attempt to be original, but it's not. Just give the 3 styles to the fighter like in MK:DA. "

Uhh no...Troll thread

It's a great idea that adds variety and a layer of depth to competitive play. Special Moves/some combos are different in all 3 variations. Thus allowing the ability to play as the old variation or a new variations of old characters. This makes the competitive scene far more interesting and should prolong the game on the tournament scene.

Putting all 3 variations into one style would be overkill. Half of the special moves wouldn't even get used. It would also be a lot more difficult for newer players to try and memorize all of the commands for one character. Some people have trouble just doing sub-zeros freeze ball.

More ways to Incorporate combos and tactics. Gives the game a different balance when less is more and vice versa, Every MK game outside the 3D ones have been similar to some extent. But Variety like this played a different role. Especially in MKDA etc having a weapon out meant more damage dealt to you on wiff. Slower startup frames etc. This will be interesting to say the least. I'm excited on the different strategies and patterns players will create through variations.

Really? It's been explained in every interview.

It changes up the competition. Giving more variety.

Variety and innovation

Okay, I have to say this:

I saw this thread on the main page and I immediately thought to post this exact same thing; same format and all (yeah, I put that much thought into it). You could probably care less, but great minds think alike I guess.

Nope it doesn't give any variety at all. You still can use all the moves but only when you switch at the given style and fuse them.

The 3 styles that were in previous MKs were naked and only had few moves + the button combos. This 3 variation thing is the update I wanted when first played MKDA so they did it, but decided to go "original" and separate the styles.

Nobody here could give me good answer why 3 variations are better then fuse them in one. Who the hell needs the same "3" characters for "variety" ?
I want to use the full power and all the moves of my main and decide what style is better to kill my opponent when fighting and switch to it or fuse them.


That is 10 times better. And that shit with the "if someone selects Kano A you will select Rayden B, cuz he could kill Kano A easily than Rayden B" is so stupid.
If there isn't stealth select already, it sucks again cuz everyone will wait the other to select first. This is wack!

The only possible solution I can give "you" is there's to many special moves to combine all into one variation without making the directional and command properties being un-equally configured in dial properties. For example maybe they don't want to use F,F,D,X or F,F,F,D,X and maybe more simplified like F,D,X to make commands easier to dial during combos. Having to many in one style with similar properties but less or more button inputs might have them come out wrong or at non needed times. Having all of them would just kill the balance of that character. Just a guess simply for you...

This stuff you posted is dumb. Stop posting dumb things.

Variations > Styles. If you can't understand that by now then you prolly should skip MKX. Fire up DA. It will listen to your problems.

This was brought up on Gamefaqs. Some guy gave the perfect answer:

---

Ahh yes....I love when someone who doesn't understand the dynamics of fighting games, comes into a fighting game thread and starts lecturing us on how things should be.

First of all, Ekie, you don't understand how balance and playstyle work in fighting games. Every character's individual moveset is designed with every other character's moveset in mind, but that doesn't mean that all movesets play similarly. The goal with the variations is to create multiple dynamics with the same character.

Based on how you've chose to respond to posts in this thread, it's obvious that you don't understand the difference between say a "rushdown" character versus a "zoning" character. On top of that, there are multitudes of different sub-categories within those playstyles. So, for instance, you might have a "rushdown grappler" or a "keep-away zoner".

You could have a character that's a good keep-away turtler like Guile, and he's one of the strongest characters in the Street Fighter universe. It would totally unbalance the game if he was given a rushdown strategy as well, or if he could teleport across the screen. That's how balance works in fighting games. You give individual characters a moveset that allows for a specific strategy, but doesn't overpower them.

What makes the variation system so cool, is that now you COULD have a Guile that uses rushdown tactics, but at the cost of some of his other moves. Otherwise, it would be unbalanced and it wouldn't be fair. It's really a very unique and revolutionary system. See, now I would agree with you if the variation system worked more like the "styles" system from MK:DA, Deception, and Armageddon. THAT was how you implement the system badly. Changing the normals in a character's repertoire is a bad idea, because that's where most of your BnBs come from. It was unwieldy because you had to push an extra button (sometimes twice) to get to the style you needed to counter a move. The variation system fixes all of this because it seamlessly integrates the variation moves into your character's existing repertoire of normals and unique specials.

Great post. ^

Also, if youve ever played an RPG, then you understand the concept of Character Classes. Think of Variations as Classes. You wouldnt have a character that was a Tank, Healer, and Striker or whatever all at the same time. The Classes literally perform different functions in the game. Same with Variations. Now we can pick different builds of our favorite characters and play the way that benefits the matchup.

In terms of originality, he is correct. Street Fighter(yes every thing fighting game wise has to be done by street fighter first *sigh*) did do the variation thing first with the ism system in Alpha 3. However, they both stole the Idea from Cosmic Carnage(Cyber Brawl for the moonspeakers) all down to the appearance changes. Even though that game is terrible.

Unless you're a paladin. Healing and tanking at the same time, who wouldn't enjoy that?

[quote="FROID"]In terms of originality, he is correct. Street Fighter(yes every thing fighting game wise has to be done by street fighter first *sigh*) did do the variation thing first with the ism system in Alpha 3.[/quote] The same can seemingly be said when it comes to switching styles/"variations" during a match. Gen has had this capability since the alpha-series. From what I can tell (haven't played any Street Fighter games in years) the character has maintained this trait until now. I guess this would indicate that such a pursuit is viable.
I'm not really saying you should be able to change your character's variation during a match, but it may add a bit of "diversity". It wouldn't really be unfair either since your opponent would have the same advantage.

Beyond the valid points already made, it's worth mentioning that mixing things up simply for the sake of doing so is a hallmark of the series. What's the point of variations? What was the point of the run button, interactive objects on the ground or style switching? To differentiate from the previous title. It's the difference between "a new Mortal Kombat" and "It's Virtua Fighter again".

Because giving every move to one character that you can come up with is one hell of a balancing effort, and no, it does lead to innovation, because a character having everything is only one mode of play.



This whole shit comes from some entitlement issue, that you must have everything at once. You are not entitled to jack shit.

I personally feel it is good that each variation feels different and more cohesive, as opposed to one character that is all over the place.

Your argument is objectively false and unreasonable.

There has already been a thread discussing this topic.

..and last time the people who shared the OP's opinions got worked just like he is getting worked.

all three variations combined, first of all, would be a nightmare to balance. In fact the game would not come out balanced at all much like MKDA. There is a reason MKDA was not a tournament fighter.

With balance in mind, it allows the developers to add way more special attacks for each character. In MKDA each character had the same special attacks for each "style" for a reason. In MKX the developers can explore new ground with returning characters and build upon their classic special attacks while adding new ones. That way the public wont complain their favorite special attack is missing and they can still add new ones.

I don't know why I am even bothering..

Asesino: Acting stupid since 1995.

Actually, I think you'll find it is.

Again, it's all down to creating something new. NRS doesn't want to remake what's already been done. The 3 variations to me is a throwback 'nod-to-the-audience' reflection of the fact that there used to be 3 styles, but it's now being implemented in a completely new and different way.

Right! The only response that makes sense. So are there really that many special moves that they can't put them in just one variation ? Tell me how many are there ? Adonbilivit.

It is not the number of special's that is important. It is what those special attacks DO that is the important thing.

With three variations NRS can effectively make one character into 3 different fighting styles, whether that be a zoning variation and rush down, defensive, or buffing/debuff character.

If you mashed them all together it would lose its purpose and its balance.

Funny you said that.

Here's something I want you and everyone to read.

Click

I'm sorta in that small boat with you Asesino, but the suggestion in the thread is the only way to give both parties what they want.

Ahh yes. Good digging weapontheory.