Super Street Fighter IV confirmed [Updated]

The rumours and speculation can be laid to rest: it's officially announced Capcom are developing a new version of Street Fighter IV (SF IV).

The new standalone game (not DLC) is called Super Street Fighter IV (SSF IV), and on top of the current set, will pack eight new characters -- T. Hawk and the Tae Kwon Do-based Korean fighter Juri are confirmed; the others will be old and new (as for how many of each, that will depend on fan feedback). Update: Famitsu has confirmed Dee Jay is another. Other plans include tune-ups to existing characters, complete with new Ultra Combos, and a lobby system or something very akin to it for the online mode. The new game will not be full price.

As for why they didn't go the DLC route, producer Yoshinori Ono explained it was due to the design process for Street Fighter IV -- apparently it wasn't set up in such a way to allow the aforementioned new features. Capcom had considered DLC, but according to Ono, it became clear adding the new content on to the old game was not possible.

Those considering picking this one up should note SSF IV's online features will not be compatible with its predecessor's, though a bonus (not yet revealed) is in store for those who have purchased both.

If you're thinking to complain about this, let's just be thankful they've at least skipped over The World Warrior, Champion and Hyper Fighting editions, hm?

Super Street Fighter IV will launch Spring 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360 -- no word yet on a PC version.