At EVO 2025 in Las Vegas, fans gathered for a panel discussion offering new insights into Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, the upcoming 4v4 tag-based fighter developed by Arc System Works and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The event featured representatives from Marvel Games and Arc System Works, who discussed the development process, gameplay systems, and the philosophical foundation behind the game’s unique structure.
Moderated by a returning EVO Vegas host, the panel opened with introductions and quickly turned to the partnership between Marvel Games and PlayStation Studios. Michel Francisco, product development manager at Marvel Games, emphasized that the collaboration aimed to craft a fighting game that does justice to both the Marvel brand and the fighting game community. This panel built upon earlier comments made in June, where the team briefly touched on the game’s concept.
One of the major topics discussed was the decision to make Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls a tag-based fighter. Arc System Works cited the Japanese concept of onko-chishin—learning from the past to create something new. Three core principles guided their decision. First, the developers wanted to retain the traditional team-based format that longtime Marvel fighting game fans recognize. Second, they stressed the need to carefully represent the Marvel IP, particularly the spirit of teams assembling to fight together. Third, they aimed to appeal to both seasoned fighting game veterans and Marvel fans new to the genre.
In a bold move, Arc System Works implemented a 4v4 structure—a first for a Marvel fighting game. Inspired by the company’s internal philosophy of Action, Revolution, and Challenge, the development team wanted to explore new territory. According to the team, the 4v4 concept initially raised concerns among both Marvel Games and PlayStation Studios, leading to an extended pre-production phase. This phase lasted more than twice as long as usual for fighting games, giving the developers time to build a convincing prototype that eased those early doubts.
The shift to a 4v4 format presented a major challenge: keeping the gameplay manageable without sacrificing depth. To resolve this, the developers introduced a shared health bar for the team, simplifying the experience for newcomers. The game also features an “Assemble” button for calling in assists, combined with directional inputs to increase variety. These features allow players to start with one character and gradually learn to control the rest of the team, a structure that also encourages experimentation with different team compositions.
Michel Francisco shared Marvel’s internal goals for the game, which included emphasizing the layered relationships and team dynamics seen in comics like X-Men, Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Francisco explained that prior Marvel fighters had not always captured the depth of these connections, and this was something the team sought to rectify in Fighting Souls.
In another departure from genre norms, the developers introduced a new kind of comeback mechanic. Instead of giving players boosts when they fall behind, the system builds power as the match progresses. This concept, drawn from the pacing of comic storylines, encourages players to strengthen their teams and develop synergy rather than relying on last-minute turnarounds.
Gameplay elements familiar to fans of Arc System Works titles are also present. One of the more notable examples is the incorporation of the wall break system seen in Guilty Gear Strive. Here, wall breaks serve an additional purpose, triggering new team-based sequences that keep momentum high during fights.
The team spoke highly of their internal collaboration. The director mentioned the enjoyment of seeing their developers translate broad ideas into playable mechanics, visuals, and audio. They also highlighted the importance of community feedback, particularly from those attending the EVO showcase and trying the game firsthand.
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls was officially announced in June 2025 and is scheduled to launch in 2026 for PlayStation 5 and PC. It marks the first Marvel-based fighting game since 2017’s Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite. Combining Arc System Works’ mechanical expertise with Marvel’s broad character roster, the title aims to offer both accessibility and strategic depth in a fresh new format.
