An unannounced AAA 2D fighting game is currently conducting paid player tests in Culver City, California, recruiting top-tier fighting game experts from around the world. This has sparked widespread speculation about the game's identity—is it a dream collaboration sequel like Capcom vs. SNK, or NetherRealm's Injustice 3?
According to recruitment information released by research firm Ten/O, the project recruited competitive-level players through Good Gamer Group for a four-hour offline test held from September 14 to 15, with each participant receiving $250 in compensation.
The recruitment criteria were extremely strict, targeting only players ranked in the top 25% of any major 2D fighting game. It specifically called out veteran players of Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear -Strive-, Granblue Fantasy Versus, and The King of Fighters series. The recruitment announcement described the unrevealed project as an "unannounced AAA title," offering participants the chance to playtest the game and provide feedback directly to the development team. Due to the overwhelming number of applicants, registration closed rapidly.
Neither the developer nor the publisher has been disclosed, but the description of an "AAA 2D fighting game" has ignited heated discussions within the fan community. Previous rumors suggested that Capcom was developing a new Capcom vs. SNK title, while another popular lead pointed to NetherRealm Studios potentially working on Injustice 3. The former would bring together classic characters from Capcom's Street Fighter series and SNK's The King of Fighters series, while the latter would be a sequel to the DC Comics-themed fighting game.
Currently, neither game has been officially confirmed. However, this test recruitment at least indicates that a major 2D fighting game has reached a sufficiently mature stage of development to be battle-tested by top competitive players.