In the history of video game development, certain pitches stand out for their ambition and the path not taken.
One such story involves Yuzo Koshiro, renowned composer and developer, and his Ancient studio, who once sought to bring Streets of Rage 4 to Sega's Dreamcast platform with a bold new vision.
Decades before the official revival of the Streets of Rage franchise, Koshiro and his team assembled a presentation reel to propose a new direction for the iconic side-scrolling beat 'em up series. Initially known for its classic 2D gameplay, Streets of Rage made its mark on Sega's hardware in the 1990s and developed a loyal international following.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as 3D graphics became the industry standard, Ancient and Koshiro aimed to transition the series for the Dreamcast with a 3D visual overhaul.
Notably, this version of Streets of Rage 4 included both the signature brawler action and an experimental mode featuring first-person combat, directly inspired by Koshiro’s appreciation for influential shooters like Team Fortress Classic, itself a key member of the FPS lineage that began with DOOM. Addressing fans on social media, Koshiro recently shared, "Many years ago, together with @Karu_gamo, we created a demo reel to pitch Streets of Rage 4 as a Dreamcast title.
Its aesthetic and gameplay style bore visible traces of first-person shooter influences—something new for the franchise, shaped by my admiration for Team Fortress Classic." Despite the innovative blend of gameplay elements, the pitch did not achieve the hoped-for reception from Sega's North American arm.
Koshiro explained, "When we presented the concept, Sega of America did not respond favorably.
In retrospect, the style was probably ahead of its time for the series." Although this unique Dreamcast vision of Streets of Rage 4 was never greenlit, the franchise eventually returned with the critically acclaimed Streets of Rage 4 in 2020.
Developed by Dotemu, Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games, and available on platforms including Nintendo Switch and via the eShop, the modern iteration honors the legacy of Sega's original series while updating its visuals and mechanics for a new generation.
As Koshiro continues to reflect on the franchise’s evolution, the story of Ancient’s Dreamcast pitch remains a testament to creative risk-taking in game development. For industry observers, the history of Streets of Rage 4 is a reminder of how bold ideas sometimes precede their era.
Thanks to the dedication of developers like Koshiro and the enduring legacy of Sega’s classic titles, the franchise remains a touchstone for beat 'em up enthusiasts worldwide.
One such story involves Yuzo Koshiro, renowned composer and developer, and his Ancient studio, who once sought to bring Streets of Rage 4 to Sega's Dreamcast platform with a bold new vision.
Decades before the official revival of the Streets of Rage franchise, Koshiro and his team assembled a presentation reel to propose a new direction for the iconic side-scrolling beat 'em up series. Initially known for its classic 2D gameplay, Streets of Rage made its mark on Sega's hardware in the 1990s and developed a loyal international following.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, as 3D graphics became the industry standard, Ancient and Koshiro aimed to transition the series for the Dreamcast with a 3D visual overhaul.
Notably, this version of Streets of Rage 4 included both the signature brawler action and an experimental mode featuring first-person combat, directly inspired by Koshiro’s appreciation for influential shooters like Team Fortress Classic, itself a key member of the FPS lineage that began with DOOM. Addressing fans on social media, Koshiro recently shared, "Many years ago, together with @Karu_gamo, we created a demo reel to pitch Streets of Rage 4 as a Dreamcast title.
Its aesthetic and gameplay style bore visible traces of first-person shooter influences—something new for the franchise, shaped by my admiration for Team Fortress Classic." Despite the innovative blend of gameplay elements, the pitch did not achieve the hoped-for reception from Sega's North American arm.
Koshiro explained, "When we presented the concept, Sega of America did not respond favorably.
In retrospect, the style was probably ahead of its time for the series." Although this unique Dreamcast vision of Streets of Rage 4 was never greenlit, the franchise eventually returned with the critically acclaimed Streets of Rage 4 in 2020.
Developed by Dotemu, Lizardcube, and Guard Crush Games, and available on platforms including Nintendo Switch and via the eShop, the modern iteration honors the legacy of Sega's original series while updating its visuals and mechanics for a new generation.
As Koshiro continues to reflect on the franchise’s evolution, the story of Ancient’s Dreamcast pitch remains a testament to creative risk-taking in game development. For industry observers, the history of Streets of Rage 4 is a reminder of how bold ideas sometimes precede their era.
Thanks to the dedication of developers like Koshiro and the enduring legacy of Sega’s classic titles, the franchise remains a touchstone for beat 'em up enthusiasts worldwide.
