Mai Shiranui Boosts Street Fighter 6 Popularity

Street Fighter 6 enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement as they return to the game to test out a new fighter: Mai Shiranui from the Fatal Fury series. This iconic character marks a significant addition to Capcom's successful fighting game, which has sold an impressive 4.4 million copies as of December 31, 2024. Despite some fans feeling that the game has been lacking in content, the developers have thrilled the community with this latest addition.

Mai Shiranui is the third fighter introduced in the second season, and her arrival has had a substantial impact on the game's popularity. On the day of her release, the peak online player count on Steam soared to over 63,000 players, a stark increase from the usual peak of 24,000 to 27,000. This surge marks the highest player count since May 2024, highlighting the significant draw of the new character.

Players with a Battle Pass can access Mai Shiranui and engage with her in various game modes. In World Tour, players have the opportunity to develop relationships with Mai, learn her unique moves, and then put those skills to the test in Battle Hub. Additionally, a second costume inspired by her appearance in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves has been added, enhancing the customization options for the fighter.

To add to the excitement, Battle Hub is currently hosting a temporary guest, Professor Woshige, a renowned developer and legend in the fighting game community. Players can try out this special character until March 10. Alongside these additions, the game has introduced new Master League ranks and rewards, offering players even more to strive for.

Capcom has released a trailer showcasing Mai Shiranui's techniques, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect from this exciting new addition to Street Fighter 6.