It’s my pleasure to announce that Fate/unlimited codes will be available today, exclusively on the PlayStation Store for your PSP! This deep and insanely fun fighting game is developed by Eighting, the team responsible for the Bloody Roar series and Tatsunoko Vs Capcom.

Oh, by the way, if I’m slow to respond to your questions or comments today, it’s because I’m in Seattle for PAX. If you see me at the show, perform a PlayStation Home dance and say, “Hey John D, it must be Fate!”, I’ll hook you up with some free Fate shwag! It’s the least I can do for making you perform the Cabbage Patch in this day and age.

Anyway, here’s a cool video that one of our summer interns, Arya, created to give you a quick preview of the game. (Hey Arya, don’t let school work get in the way of your partying, ok?) Check out Capcom-Unity for more of his strategy videos.

Also, Kazuhiro Tsuchiya, the producer of the game, has this to say:

Hi there PlayStation fans. I’d like to share with you an overview of the different modes you’ll see in Fate/unlimited codes. There are a total of eight modes that are available, giving you a variety of gameplay experiences.

Arcade Mode: This mode pits you against the CPU controlled opponents as you advance through the story as the character you’ve selected. Each of the selectable characters has their own storyline. Play through them all and see how each character is connected in the Fate universe.

VS-CPU Mode: Battle against a CPU character of your choice. Different characters can be selected after each battle.

Spectate Mode: Watch a duel between any two CPU characters. This is a good way to observe the tendencies of each fighter.

VS-2P Mode: Battle another player in local ad hoc matches.

Survival Mode: This mode challenges you to battle against a constant stream of opponents until your life bar is depleted.

Additionally, there is the Tutorial Mode which can be absolutely useful for both beginners and skilled players. In this mode, you learn how to execute each character’s move set. Standard and Expert settings are available to learn different levels of gameplay techniques, from basic moves to high level combos.

The Practice Mode will help you improve your skills by allowing you to configure the CPU settings such as conditions and reactions. In addition, on-screen controller/button prompts will assist you to study combos while allowing you to record and replay the inputs.

Last but not least, there’s the Mission Mode. This mode sends you on special missions, consisting of battles bound by particular conditions. Each character has a unique set of missions. New missions are unlocked for each mission cleared. The goal for each mission varies from accomplishing a set combo to defeating the opponent with a certain move. There are over 250 missions in total! This is a great way to increase your technical fighting skills. I highly recommend you try this out. Moreover, there are surprising extra missions provided for each character, such as a side-scrolling shooting game and other non-VS fighting style games.

The development staff members at Eighting not only have a deep passion for fighting games but are also top class, tournament fighting gamers themselves. The Capcom QA team also has first class gamers who are ranked at national fighting competitions in Japan. We have tapped into their vast fighting knowledge and experience to tune and balance Fate, and we’re definitely happy with how this game turned out. I can tell you with confidence that we have created a special fighting game that appeals to both the casual fighting fan and the expert tournament player. I hope you try it out today. Thank you so much for your time!

Kazuhiro Tsuchiya (CAPCOM)

Anyway, I’m here to talk about Capcom’s next fighting game, Fate/Unlimited Codes, specifically designed for the PSPgo. This game will be available next week, September 3, and is exclusive to the PlayStation Network. Fate is developed by Eighting, the talented group responsible for the Bloody Roar series and Tatsunoko Vs Capcom.

Based on the popular Japanese visual novel/anime, Fate/unlimited codes takes place in a local town in Japan where 7 pairs of ‘Masters’ and ‘Servants’ compete for the ‘Holy Grail’ that will grant them any wish. This compelling combat experience features a deep roster of characters and unique fighting moves, while employing a fast-paced, weapons-based fighting system that is sure to meet any Capcom fans highest expectations. It also features beautiful 3D graphics and a pseudo-3D fighting system. (Side-stepping evades FTW!)

Kazuhiro Tsuchiya, the producer of this game and known for his work on the Street Fighter Alpha series, loves the PS community and wants to share a few things about Fate. Take it away Tsuchiya-san!

Fate/unlimited codes is an ultimate fighting game made available on PSP, which was originally a popular arcade VS fighting game in Japan. In addition to arrangements made to fit to the PSP platform, almost all the fighting systems known for Capcom games and Fate’s original systems have been implemented to enhance the gameplay.

Speedy combination attacks are the core of this game. You’ll discover a very intuitive move canceling system that adds variety and depth to the gameplay. For instance, while you are attacking your opponent with a sequence of combos, your opponent dodges, then counters with a special move. You can swiftly cancel your own move to throw a counterattack! This is sure to excite even the most seasoned fighting gamer.

Of course, high level techniques are not all what Fate is about. Each command input is made so simple that anyone can freely play any character. The in-depth training mode will allow anyone from the beginner to the veterans to improve their moves.

Additionally, the game content is as voluminous as a packaged version. It offers 17 playable characters, 8 game modes, 250+ stage missions, and more to meet your expectations.

Next week, I’ll share with you about enriched game modes and unique characters. Stay tuned!

Kazuhiro Tsuchiya (CAPCOM)

Tsuchiya-san is one cool cat. I played against him at Comic-Con and he demolished me with his Shiro, pulling off push blocks, air combos, and special cancel links to ultra combos. I was not worthy.

I’ll leave you with these short, but flashy combo videos. ‘Till next time my friends!

-John “HIERO9D3” Diamonon