SNK announces thatSamurai Shodownwill be getting a global playtest for its implementation of rollback netcode.Rollback netcode forSamurai Shodownwas first announced at this year’s EVO, the premiere competitive fighting game tournament. While the game was originally released in 2019, it had been using delay-based netcode for its online matches. For many fighting games, a stable online infrastructure is just as important as the game’s mechanics, especially for the competitive side of the fanbase.
For the uninitiated, rollback netcode is a feature that helps a fighting game’s stability and improves upon its online functionality. This code helps cuts down the amount of delay and latency by quite a lot in comparison to other games that use delay-based netcode. AfterKing of Fighters 15had rollback netcodeimplemented, competitive players celebratedSamurai Shodowngetting it as well. The first test ofSamurai Shodown’s new netcode will be taking place early next year.
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In a tweet from the officialSNKTwitter account, there will be an open beta test that will be conducted forSamurai Shodown’s rollback netcode, meaning gamers will have a free chance to try it out. This beta test will be taking place on the Steam platform, with the expected test window to be during January 2023. The announcement notes that this rollback netcode will be coming to the PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series versions of the game.
This announcement omits two versions ofSamurai Shodownthat were released, those being the Switch and Stadia versions. The Stadia version is understandable, consideringGoogle is shutting down Stadiaand it will officially go offline in January next year. Regarding the Switch version’s omission, while a number of fighting games on the Switch do support rollback netcode, it’s likely not many competitiveSamurai Shodownplayers use said console to play the game.
Samurai Shodownis currently scheduled to getrollback netcodewithin Spring 2023, so there is an ample amount for the developers to refine the code after the open beta test. The code itself is being provided by Code Mythics, who were responsible for the GGPO solution and implementation of rollback forKOF15. Hopefully rollback will allow for more fans to try one of SNK’s understated fighting games and improve the online experience for those who have been following since launch.
Samurai Shodownis available to play on PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
