Why it took NRS so long

[God Confirm]

Let's go over the FACTS here, with absolutely no opinions or subjectiveness added, just the facts that we do know.

- GGPO was given its first stable release in 2011.
- High profile games were released using their as soon as 2 days following its original release.
- MKX was released in April of 2015, 4 years later.
- MKX is a property of NRS, a subsidary of Warner Brother, a multi billion dollar company
- MKX was not released with GGPO, or any sort of improvement or even netcode of competing quality.
- MKX was released with some of the lowest quality netplay in the industry of the genre, rivaled only by other NRS games.
- MKX was one of the highest selling games of 2015
- NRS has shown absolutely no signs or motivation of improving their Netplay over the course of 9 months since their initial release, up until January this year.
- Starting January 19th, MKX out of nowhere announces they are beginning beta trials for an improved netcode using GGPO netplay, and will likely be finalised sometime in February.
- In mid February this year, SFV, the latest expansion of the most high profile Fighting game franchise next to Mortal Kombat and thus their direct and main and some might say "only" competition, is being released.
- A flawless/significantly improve netcode will undoubtably garner a lot of positive PR coverage and publicity for MKX both within the fighting game scene and larger video gaming media as a whole.
- WB's latest release, Batman Arkham Knight, was released in such a poor state that it prompted even the notoriously uncaring customer service of Steam, to change their refund policy as a direct result of the response and demands concerning this game, for the first time allowing people to get refunds on purchased games.
- WBs experienced first hand and better than anyone, the effect that this change will have on the profitability of games released with promised features non being present or being well below industry standard
- MKX was released well before this change, and saw the bulk of its sales being completely non-refundable.
- WBs next upcoming release is Injustice 2. It will be released after these changes, and will be fully refundable if consumers are unsatifie



I'm not going to give any opinions on these facts, just posting what we know. Perhaps someone more perceptive than myself could take these facts and read between the lines and see if there is any connection to them, or to the fact that they are deciding just now to start trying to implement a working netcode. Or maybe it's all just completely unrelated. Who knows.

 

[trufenix]

lol at people saying nrs didn't do this out of fear of stiff competion looming in the horizon

Do people actually think a beta test for a netcode update to a year old game is sending people back to the store for a $60 purchase?

Is that why you buy games?

 

[GreatKungLao]

I think @GreatKungLao just wants people to take it easy on NRS. That part I'm not too sure.

Sort of, yeah. Though I'm still angry about 4 guest characters instead of 8 Mortal Kombat characters or AT LEAST 6 with onle 1 guest per Kombat Pack (Predator and Alien for AvP matches). I hate that 4 DLC slots were wasted even more than the current online. But while they are going to fix online entirely, they still didn't promised Kombat Pack 3 without guest characters, with 2 female and 2 male Mortal Kombat characters istead. Online might be forgiven if they do a fine job with the current idea. The 4 wasted DLC slots though - never.

 

[spitefulsnake]

Do people actually think a beta test for a netcode update to a year old game is sending people back to the store for a $60 purchase?

Is that why you buy games?

Why don't you ask the sf5 community who's been testing their beta for months. You got kp2 releasing most likely in the same time frame so........

 

[bumpyface]

I hope NRS can improve the netcode. MKX is fun as hell but the online is Shit. It's almost 2 different games on n offline. I hope I get into the beta. Im grateful nrs is trying to improve the game but its 2016. From now on out they need to seiously consider having solid online prior to release. SFV will do well, but being limited to PS4 n PC will probably keep it from surpassing mkx numbers. I aint trippin at all tho. I"ll be playing KI, MKX, Sign and SFV this year

 

[Cameronwinss]

We should be happy they doing something about it. We should be happy they actually listen to us when we complain about anything and everything we don't like. We could be like capcom and wait a long ass time just for another game.

 

[looktotheluna]

NRS outsourced MKX to hell and back.. Read the credits some time. I wouldn't be surprised if they outsourced the new netcode implementation.

As long as it is not High Voltage

 

[MKF30]

More facts: not opinions- NRS give you more bang for your buck and have been very successful since MK 9-now then their competition and don't charge you to upgrade/update. It's just free.

We should be happy they doing something about it. We should be happy they actually listen to us when we complain about anything and everything we don't like. We could be like capcom and wait a long ass time just for another game.

Exactly or make various versions of the same game, thankfully NRS waits at least until their DLC, extras are all done then release one big ultimate edition for people to buy who don't have the initial game. I have some friends who actually wait a year purposely and just buy that version out of convenience.

To be honest, sometimes I read threads on here and think to myself "Why do these people even bother playing the game lol? Know what I mean?

 

[God Confirm]

More facts: not opinions- NRS give you more bang for your buck and have been very successful since MK 9-now then their competition and don't charge you to upgrade/update. It's just free.

That's not a fact mate that's an extremely subjective statement that at this stage is actually factually INCORRECT


http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-street-fighter-5-gameplay-dlc-will-be-free-if-/1100-6429002/

Remember the day 1 DLC that MKX had, and the fact that 2 Kombat Pack's in and I've bought the game twice? ALL the DLC in Street Fight V will be unlockable without paying a cent for it, I'm sorry but that is much better bang for your buck lol




I posted a list of FACTS without my personal input, you posted one "fact" and couldn't even get that right lol learn what subjectivity is

 

[Eldriken]

That's not a fact mate that's an extremely subjective statement that at this stage is actually factually INCORRECT


http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-street-fighter-5-gameplay-dlc-will-be-free-if-/1100-6429002/

Remember the day 1 DLC that MKX had, and the fact that 2 Kombat Pack's in and I've bought the game twice? ALL the DLC in Street Fight V will be unlockable without paying a cent for it, I'm sorry but that is much better bang for your buck lol




I posted a list of FACTS without my personal input, you posted one "fact" and couldn't even get that right lol learn what subjectivity is

While they are all free, we don't know what the grind is going to be like to unlock them.

What I'm about to say is purely speculation and I wouldn't be surprised if it's the case. Capcom could make it take quite a bit of grinding in order to unlock characters, thus leaving you tempted to just spend the money on it instead. On top of that, it could also become increasingly more expensive the more you buy with the in-game currency or it takes more time the more currency you gain or the more characters you unlock.

Like I said, the above is just speculation. It may not be the case at all. But let's not put it past any developer to tempt you to want to eventually spend money on something to get it right away versus having to work for it.

 

[MKF30]

That's not a fact mate that's an extremely subjective statement that at this stage is actually factually INCORRECT


http://www.gamespot.com/articles/all-street-fighter-5-gameplay-dlc-will-be-free-if-/1100-6429002/

Remember the day 1 DLC that MKX had, and the fact that 2 Kombat Pack's in and I've bought the game twice? ALL the DLC in Street Fight V will be unlockable without paying a cent for it, I'm sorry but that is much better bang for your buck lol




I posted a list of FACTS without my personal input, you posted one "fact" and couldn't even get that right lol learn what subjectivity is

Actually, you're wrong. Did you read what I said? I said since NRS MK 9-now. You're talking about SFV NOW which isn't even out yet just the beta, I'm talking historically speaking dude. I'm not talking about SFV exclusively, I'm talking about SF4 and Capcom in general...Also just want to add no WB or NRS game has ever charged fans for "a real ending"

It's a fact NRS gives you more for your money, than Capcom has. You do the math with SF4-SF Ultra, you're talking over 200 bucks in money spent between on disc costumes, content, "updates and upgrades" and required versions to play with everyone up to that point unlike NRS who just has DLC which is 100% optional to buy mind you, they don't force you to buy it to play with others who have everyone or other DLC....

Besides, we still don't know yet what Capcom will want in return for "their free" stuff, given their shady history I don't buy everything will just be free not to mention they're shooting themselves in the foot with their "PS4 and PC exclusive" bs.

 

[Slymind]

Maybe they couldn't get the online they wanted in release time, so they needed post release time to work on that.

I know it's not the same department, but, for what is worth, given the variation system, character dialogues, single player content and whatnot, they sure put a lot of effort into this game.

 

[Treadmill]

Anyone who thinks this is a NRS problem is out of their minds. To assume that NRS didn't care about the people concerned about netcode is wrong. This is a WB problem. They gave NRS a shot with MKvDC, they made a lot of money. They gave them more time and certain resources to make THEIR game in mk9 which made more money. They continued this pattern with injustice, and now with MKX they are going to allow NRS the time and resources to make their own GGPO net code. It is in no way NRS. IT's not like they said, "hey wb, let's continue to make shit online" this was WB allocating resources and time as they saw fit. Once they saw how passionate and successful they could be making the competitive scene happy they gave in to what we all wanted. This is a GREAT sign that WB is all in on NRS and how they want to appeal to the competitive side.

 

[MKF30]

Maybe they couldn't get the online they wanted in release time, so they needed post release time to work on that.

I know it's not the same department, but, for what is worth, given the variation system, character dialogues, single player content and whatnot, they sure put a lot of effort into this game.

Indeed, they did then there's a deep story, depth, finishers, stage interactions, unlockable brutalities, faction kills, DLC, updates, patches, quick fixes etc, etc and the synced mobile version which is free and a great overall game.

 

[God Confirm]

Actually, you're wrong. You're talking about SFV NOW, I'm talking historically speaking dude. I'm not talking about SFV, I'm talking about SF4 and Capcom in general...

It's a fact NRS gives you more for your money, than Capcom has. It's a fact. You do the math with SF4-SF Ultra, you're talking over 200 bucks in money spent between on disc costumes, content, "updates and upgrades" and required versions to play with everyone up to that point unlike NRS who just has DLC which is 100% optional to buy mind you, they don't force you to buy it to play with others who have everyone or other DLC....

Besides, we still don't know yet what Capcom will want in return for "their free" stuff, given their shady history I don't buy everything will just be free not to mention they're shooting themselves in the foot with their "PS4 and PC exclusive" bs.

SF4 is not the release competiting with MKX's thats SFV lol but whatever, I guess you did say NRS as a whole so fair enough on that point, however if that's what you were referring to (that all NRS releases were better value with the definitive exception of MKX) then I struggle to see how that fact is at all relevant when the thread, topic, and facts posted are about the reason NRS waited till now to give MKX a playable NetCode, so this just seems like backpedaling. Then on top of that, even if MKX WAS better value than what we know about SFV, I don't see the point of this "fact", is it meant to justify having to wait until sometime in the near future for a possible chance at what I payed to have 9 months ago? Because it doesn't.

On top of that, it's still a super subjective statement, SF4 had a playable online making it infinitely better value in that department for MK9 imo, while buying two versions might cost more it's STILL more bang for your buck. However that's my personal opinion, and hence why I cut such subjective statements out of my list of facts

While they are all free, we don't know what the grind is going to be like to unlock them.

What I'm about to say is purely speculation and I wouldn't be surprised if it's the case. Capcom could make it take quite a bit of grinding in order to unlock characters, thus leaving you tempted to just spend the money on it instead. On top of that, it could also become increasingly more expensive the more you buy with the in-game currency or it takes more time the more currency you gain or the more characters you unlock.

Like I said, the above is just speculation. It may not be the case at all. But let's not put it past any developer to tempt you to want to eventually spend money on something to get it right away versus having to work for it.

Yeah honestly you are probably right, in fact I bet there is an exponential system, where the more you want to unlock the harder it gets, just giving you a number of free DLC starting off easy but encouraging you to play more and start buying when they get super time consuming to unlock. So I guess we'll have to see when the time comes, however being able to unlock it for free in any manner is indisputably better "bang for your buck" than MKX. And whether that is the case or not, just going off what we do know, at this stage it's certainly not fair to say that MKX will be better value for the dollar than SFV, objectively speaking.

 

[Eldriken]

Yeah honestly you are probably right, in fact I bet there is an exponential system, where the more you want to unlock the harder it gets, just giving you a number of free DLC starting off easy but encouraging you to play more. So I guess we'll have to see when the time comes, however being able to unlock it for free in any manner is indisputably better "bang for your buck" than MKX. And whether that is the case or not, just going off what we do know, at this stage it's certainly not fair to say that MKX will be better value for the dollar than SFV, objectively speaking.

Oh, I agree. If you can unlock all of a game's content, including future character releases by just playing the game itself, that's definitely a good thing. It's especially good considering how devs try to nickel and dime you to fucking death as of late.

Capcom made some awful decisions over the recent years, but I think they learned their lesson and are on the right track to redeeming themselves. But it will probably take more than what they're doing with SFV to change peoples' opinions on them after the whole on-disc DLC fiasco with SFxT. Can't really blame people for that one, y'know? But at least they're trying and what better way to do it than to do what they're doing?

 

[God Confirm]

Indeed, they did then there's a deep story, depth, finishers, stage interactions, unlockable brutalities, faction kills, DLC, updates, patches, quick fixes etc, etc and the synced mobile version which is free and a great overall game.

That game was disgusting, mindless freemium trash that NRS locked awesome skins behind hours upon hours of gameplay. That is NOT a positive of MKX in any way lol

 

[usedcarsalesmang]

Actually, you're wrong. Did you read what I said? I said since NRS MK 9-now. You're talking about SFV NOW which isn't even out yet just the beta, I'm talking historically speaking dude. I'm not talking about SFV exclusively, I'm talking about SF4 and Capcom in general...Also just want to add no WB or NRS game has ever charged fans for "a real ending"

It's a fact NRS gives you more for your money, than Capcom has. You do the math with SF4-SF Ultra, you're talking over 200 bucks in money spent between on disc costumes, content, "updates and upgrades" and required versions to play with everyone up to that point unlike NRS who just has DLC which is 100% optional to buy mind you, they don't force you to buy it to play with others who have everyone or other DLC....

Besides, we still don't know yet what Capcom will want in return for "their free" stuff, given their shady history I don't buy everything will just be free not to mention they're shooting themselves in the foot with their "PS4 and PC exclusive" bs.

NRS doesn't compare to Capcom in quality or quantity.
Capcom has been making original AAA games for decades and has a constant, loyal fanbase.
NRS has made a few games that sell good because of Batman and MK nostalgia.

Thats why Capcom fanboys are willing to put up with Capcom's BS
and most NRS fanboys aren't willing to put up with NRS's BS.

NRS is going re-do the netcode and call it "Enhanced Netcode" what a joke.
Listen to what that implies, they are such a bunch of corporate scumbags that they can't even admit that
the old netcode was pure shit and they make it sound like the netode just needs to be enhanced.

 

[God Confirm]

Oh, I agree. If you can unlock all of a game's content, including future character releases by just playing the game itself, that's definitely a good thing. It's especially good considering how devs try to nickel and dime you to fucking death as of late.

Capcom made some awful decisions over the recent years, but I think they learned their lesson and are on the right track to redeeming themselves. But it will probably take more than what they're doing with SFV to change peoples' opinions on them after the whole on-disc fiasco with SFxT. Can't really blame people for that one, y'know? But at least they're trying and what better way to do it than to do what they're doing?

Yo I missed it with SFxT, can you tell me a bit more bout that? I bought that game like all other fighters but I wasn't a very competitive fighting game player back then so I wasn't tuning in enough to realize anything like that

 

[MKF30]

SF4 is not the release competiting with MKX's thats SFV lol but whatever, I guess you did say NRS as a whole so fair enough on that point, however if that's what you were referring to (that all NRS releases were better value with the definitive exception of MKX) then I struggle to see how that fact is at all relevant when the thread, topic, and facts posted are about the reason NRS waited till now to give MKX a playable NetCode, so this just seems like backpedaling. Then on top of that, even if MKX WAS better value than what we know about SFV, I don't see the point of this "fact", is it meant to justify having to wait until sometime in the near future for a possible chance at what I payed to have 9 months ago? Because it doesn't.

On top of that, it's still a super subjective statement, SF4 had a playable online making it infinitely better value in that department for MK9 imo, while buying two versions might cost more it's STILL more bang for your buck. However that's my personal opinion, and hence why I cut such subjective statements out of my list of facts

That's not what I said, and not my point. It's still their direct competitor and was MK 9's main competition. I mean regarding MKX and SFV...I'm talking more so about WB, NRS and Capcom more so NRS though in this case vs. Capcom's team. Even MK X is still a good bargain, I remember people complaining about Goro not free? WTF! But he actually WAS free and even NRS confirmed this in their streams by simply preordering, there were stupid people who actually thought "they were paying extra for him" but all they had to do was go to gamestop be like, I want MK X, put down 5 bucks which they take from the 60 dollar total, it not only guaranteed you a copy of the game but you got Goro for free. The packs, KP etc dude at least they're not forcing us to buy them or upgrade to another version of the game.

At any rate, I posted all that stuff for those people who think "Capcom is so perfect and NRS isn't" all because of one subject the netcode. Netcode for one as I've said many times is really average on most games anyway, sure we're improving and it was better then 10 years ago but can you honestly tell me every fighting game and every game online is "offline perfect"? Not at all.

But again I'm not talking about MK X vs. SFV here, since SF V hasn't even come out yet but NRS vs. Capcom in regard to overall bargains, game content for less money.

The rest is your personal opinion on how you feel that's fine but I'm referring to the fact of difference between MK 9, Injustice versions vs. Capcom's SF4--Ultra SSF4. That is not subjective it's a fact, I'll explain here as best I can, Capcom made people buy other games to play the "latest version" of their game, if you had SF4 you could NOT play Ultra online with other people nor use those extra newer characters, modes etc....this is what you seem to not be getting. NRS on the other hand, if you say bought MK 9 at first but not the MK KE or bought Injustice, and not Injustice Komplete Edition you could play with others who had those games unlike in Capcom's case with SF4....to Ultra SSF4.

 

[Eldriken]

Yo I missed it with SFxT, can you tell me a bit more bout that? I bought that game like all other fighters but I wasn't a very competitive fighting game player back then so I wasn't tuning in enough to realize anything like that

Capcom claimed that there was no on-disc DLC for the game and folks datamined it and found out that there was quite a bit of DLC locked away on the disc.

Let me see if I can find the article. My memory about it is a bit hazy and I could be missing some stuff.

Edit: Here you go: http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Capcom-Gets-Busted-Disc-DLC-Discovered-Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-40114.html

 

[sinosleep]

@ Sinosleep: I'm sorry but that's bs, nobody is entitled to shit! yes, we're the consumers but nobody is forcing you to BUY their shit, the rules are the developers whether we like it or not meaning, you either choose to buy a game or not. You don't get to be like "I'm buying your game so that means you have to lick my boots and give me whatever the fuck I want" no, no, no it doesn't work that way. Hell If I was the developer someone said that shit on my twitter I'd be like, excuse me says who? I'm not forcing you to buy my product.

Some "fans" are just spoiled, entitled brats who need to get off their high horse since I know for a fact they can't do a better job otherwise they'd be working on games instead of bitching on a forum board.

It's obvious that even though I broke it down crayola style the entire point of my post sailed over your head. You've made a rebuttle to an argument I didn't make. The fact that we aren't forced to buy their product HELPS my point.

Once upon a time NBA Live was the dominant NBA franchise. Then they kept delivering a bunch of garbage games a bunch of people realized they weren't forced to buy it, bought NBA 2k instead and now it's so bad that NBA Live hasn't even had a release in like 4 years. NRS would be wise to learn from EA's mistaken belief that just cause people put up with their bullshit for a while that they'ed do it forever.

Considering that there's actually been some movement on this front I think perhaps they have. The consumer has literally ALL the power in these kinds of things unless they decide to be like you and clam up instead of speaking out when they're disappointed with something.

 

[usedcarsalesmang]

i guess MKF30 forgot about the option to pay for easy fatalities or the krypt unlock.
yeah, NRS and Capcom are so different

 

[MKF30]

It's obvious that even though I broke it down crayola style the entire point of my post sailed over your head. You've made a rebuttle to an argument I didn't make. The fact that we aren't forced to buy their product HELPS my point.

Once upon a time NBA Live was the dominant NBA franchise. Then they kept delivering a bunch of garbage games a bunch of people realized they weren't forced to buy it, bought NBA 2k instead and now it's so bad that NBA Live hasn't even had a release in like 4 years. NRS would be wise to learn from EA's mistaken belief that just cause people put up with their bullshit for a while that they'ed do it forever.

Considering that there's actually been some movement on this front I think perhaps they have. The consumer has literally ALL the power in these kinds of things unless they decide to be like you and clam up instead of speaking out when they're disappointed with something.

Actually I read your case full well but you kept saying "people are entitled" unless you were being sarcastic but you sounded serious. Honestly, please don't compare NRS or almost anyone for that matter unless it's Capcom to EA because it's not even close dude. EA is known to be not only one of the worst but greedy gaming companies out there for reasons much of you listed.

But your last point I disagree, if you really feel that nobody forces you to buy something then you'd see my point. The consumer has NO power once they purchase the game, sure feedback is useful but you're misunderstanding my point regarding such. In terms of "if I buy your game, you play by my rules" no they have no power and rightfully so. You buy a car, you want it to drive itself even though that's not an option within the case that you knew prior? No. You accept it for what it is, you don't like it trade it in buy another car. This case, if people are really that displeased with MK, they can just sell it and buy another game.

i guess MKF30 forgot about the option to pay for easy fatalities or the krypt unlock.
yeah, NRS and Capcom are so different

I guess you forgot to mention that, that's optional to PAY for easy fatalities? Seriously, name 5 people you know who actually paid for easy fatalities? lol Exactly. I rest my case and yes NRS and Capcom are very different. NRS doesn't force you to upgrade to a new game every few months like Capcom.

NRS doesn't compare to Capcom in quality or quantity.
Capcom has been making original AAA games for decades and has a constant, loyal fanbase.
NRS has made a few games that sell good because of Batman and MK nostalgia.

Thats why Capcom fanboys are willing to put up with Capcom's BS
and most NRS fanboys aren't willing to put up with NRS's BS.

NRS is going re-do the netcode and call it "Enhanced Netcode" what a joke.
Listen to what that implies, they are such a bunch of corporate scumbags that they can't even admit that
the old netcode was pure shit and they make it sound like the netode just needs to be enhanced.

Actually, it's better now. And quantity means shit, it just proves how much greedier Capcom is to NRS where they wait a year for a complete edition. Your first statement is your opinion anyway, I'm pretty sure MK X sold more then both MK 9 and SF 4 mind you, so I disagree with your quality part especially.

MK also has a loyal fanbase for decades, where you have you been?

MK is also original. Do you know how many biteoffs of MK there have been over the years?

No, has nothing to do with Batman. NRS just had the proper tools, money to make solid games. WB owns MK and DC, that is the only remote connection to "Batman" they have on top of the MK vs. DC crossover, but if you're going to say that then I guess MVC2 was only good because of "Marvel" characters....by that logic.

Capcom fanboys willing to put up with their BS yet complain over NRS are stupid and hypocritical flat out.

It's not a joke, it's good and how would you know exactly? Have you played the new netcode? No, so you're speculating, what's a joke is Capcom's greed and why they're for sale...

I don't just judge a game nor company based on "netcode" alone anyway, since their overall products are great quality and unlike Capcom don't rip off their consumers. And don't even me started on outside successful media between MK and SF, because we both know MK stomps the fuck out of SF in that medium be it movies, shows or comics.

 

[God Confirm]

Capcom claimed that there was no on-disc DLC for the game and folks datamined it and found out that there was quite a bit of DLC locked away on the disc.

Let me see if I can find the article. My memory about it is a bit hazy and I could be missing some stuff.

Edit: Here you go: http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Capcom-Gets-Busted-Disc-DLC-Discovered-Street-Fighter-X-Tekken-40114.html

Damn that's fucking despicable. Absolutely no business ethics there. Thanks for the knowledge

That's not what I said, and not my point. It's still their direct competitor and was MK 9's main competition. I mean regarding MKX and SFV...I'm talking more so about WB, NRS and Capcom more so NRS though in this case vs. Capcom's team. Even MK X is still a good bargain, I remember people complaining about Goro not free? WTF! But he actually WAS free and even NRS confirmed this in their streams by simply preordering, there were stupid people who actually thought "they were paying extra for him" but all they had to do was go to gamestop be like, I want MK X, put down 5 bucks which they take from the 60 dollar total, it not only guaranteed you a copy of the game but you got Goro for free. The packs, KP etc dude at least they're not forcing us to buy them or upgrade to another version of the game.

At any rate, I posted all that stuff for those people who think "Capcom is so perfect and NRS isn't" all because of one subject the netcode. Netcode for one as I've said many times is really average on most games anyway, sure we're improving and it was better then 10 years ago but can you honestly tell me every fighting game and every game online is "offline perfect"? Not at all.

But again I'm not talking about MK X vs. SFV here, since SF V hasn't even come out yet but NRS vs. Capcom in regard to overall bargains, game content for less money.

The rest is your personal opinion on how you feel that's fine but I'm referring to the fact of difference between MK 9, Injustice versions vs. Capcom's SF4--Ultra SSF4. That is not subjective it's a fact, I'll explain here as best I can, Capcom made people buy other games to play the "latest version" of their game, if you had SF4 you could NOT play Ultra online with other people nor use those extra newer characters, modes etc....this is what you seem to not be getting. NRS on the other hand, if you say bought MK 9 at first but not the MK KE or bought Injustice, and not Injustice Komplete Edition you could play with others who had those games unlike in Capcom's case with SF4....to Ultra SSF4.

1. Pre-order bonus gated content is still terrible

2. I don't think Capcom is perfect. I do think they might be better than NRS, however thats entirely subjective, and irrelevant, because even if it isn't the case, justifying bad practices by pointing at someone even worse, isn't justification at all.

3. "I'm not talking about MK X vs. SFV here" yeah, you are having to deliberately find ways to exclude it from the conversation although it is the most relelvant, because otherwise it would destroy your argument. MK9/Injustice value vs SFIV is not at all relevant to the discussion of MKX getting an improved NetCode at a date competing with the release of SFV, so stop talking about irrelevancies.

4. If we MUST talk about these past games value even you are still wrong, as you can still, to this day, buy Arcade and play that online with other Arcade players of which there are still many, so bam you pay for 1 game you got playable online. MK9 and Injustice did not have a netcode in a playable state. Even paying for the upgrade ($15, not the price of the game twice or anything) still leaves you way better bang for your buck than either MK9 or Injustice, as these games have fucking atrocious abysmal online, aka the most important content of a fighter. You personally may not care as much about a working online as other components of the game, and thats fine are entitled to your personal preferences, but the whole point here is that is completely and absolutely subjective, and not a fact at all, as you labelled it.