Samurai Shodown Rollback Netcode Update Announced

The online experience for Samurai Shodown is set to offer more. SNK announced that an update to bring the much-requested rollback to Samurai Shodown is in the works. The update is planned for the PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC version available on Steam and the Epic Games Store. That said, testing for the implementation will begin with the Steam PC edition in January 2023.

【SAMURAI SHODOWN】
Rollback netcode is coming to SAMURAI SHODOWN!
An Open Beta Test is planned for January 2023 on Steam.
Look forward to more information coming up in the future!#SNK #SamSho pic.twitter.com/aZjkLcD1V9

— SNK GLOBAL (@SNKPofficial) November 24, 2022

For the uninitiated, rollback is a form of communication protocol that allows two remotely connected computers to “talk” to each other and process input. The more common form of netcode has historically been “delay-based”. Delay netcode is generally seen as suboptimal for internet-based matches, because it’s less able to handle long distances or higher latency, a common situation for fighting game fans outside Japan. Rollback uses prediction and other techniques to ensure a smoother gameplay experience. In recent years rollback has become increasingly popular to include by default in a new fighting game (like Street Fighter 6), and even older games (like Guilty Gear Xrd REV2) are being retroactively updated for rollback.

The version of Samurai Shodown getting rollback is the 2019 reboot of the franchise. Prior to its release, the last new game in the series was 2008s Xbox 360-exclusive Samurai Shodown Sen. The series takes place in Japan during the 18th century Tenmei era, a time of turmoil. With the dread spirit of Shizuka Gozen threatening to topple the land into destruction, warriors from across Japan and beyond its shorts unite to investigate and vanquish the evil.

Samurai Shodown is available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. Tests for rollback in Samurai Shodown will begin in January 2023 on the PC version via Steam. The Nintendo Switch edition has not been announced for rollback implementation.