Capcom has gifted SF6 players with something quite strange and the reaction to it is very much predictable; a muscle man-like Russian wrestler with ASMR content brings about such a reaction. The official Street Fighter account has sent out a tweet with the challenge urging players to prepare for an ASMR session where Zangief is donned in his soon-to-be-released Outfit 4 which comes with the C.Viper update on October 15. Wow, you didn’t miss it – Zangief ASMR.
But what exactly is taking place here? Seemingly, Capcom has planned this audio challenge in which the sound you listen to is… of a certain kind, maybe even related to Zangief in his novel costume. The tweet does not come with the video but only teases a sensory experience that is so weird that it has split the fighting game community in half. Some are really appreciating it while others call it the most tedious thing ever. To be honest, typical fighting game community interaction.
The insights given in the tweet replies are so vast that they show how crazy people are invoking over this matter. One player, @HaloLorden, was overly concerned with the price right away, saying, “with the amount of hype videos for this one skin I feel like it’s gonna cost 30 bucks 😓” which, in the context of modern gaming pricing, might actually be the truth. On the contrary, @twokatsstudio merely replied with “Oh my gosh! 😱” which could convey anything from shock to joy.
Additionally, @naklyaFGC stretched it to the point of saying “This shit is so lame man” whereas @TakiOneLove made the rather (perceived) funny comment “Sounds to me he needs some lube…” which, alright then. Fighting game community, your reactions are, as always, the foremost source of entertainment. Never.
It’s quite funny how many players are already becoming askers for other characters’ ASMR content the most. @Leslie_Toons questioned “Can we get a Jamie ASMR?” while @The_Viksonian was still joking about waiting for “that Alex ASMR next year!” and then another user proposed “Alex’s’ What’s That Smell?’ Challenge” which good honestly sounds both horrific and fascinating at the same time.
Nonetheless, there are some gamers who have praised the standard of these costume reveals. @Thesupernintend shared his opinion by stating “So much quality is put into these, no wonder they take so long” while @D_Willy253 immediately and openly called for “More of this type of stuff capcom!! 🔥” Hence, it is quite clear that there is a somewhat mysterious audience for the content.
However, let’s be truthful – @MarshalAny probably voiced the question that everyone else was cattle prodded with: “Who’s getting off to this lol 🤣” Because yes, Zangief ASMR does indeed sound like that it might be looking for fans in certain corners of the internet. But on a different note, @emezie admitted “These are a little difficult lol” thus raising the question of how exactly the challengers are being told to pick only through audio.
On the other hand, Zangief’s new outfit very much looks like a hot cake. Outfit 4 is going to be the one that will give him the classical bodybuilder look, all shiny and very mobile for foes at the same time. @DubC_FGC commented “Naaaah that’s too peak. Capcom you just created an army of new grapplers” which could be the real point here – it can only be because of the existing trend that this would actually lure people into playing grapplers and that can be either fantastic or dreadful depending on which side of the SPD you are in.
As fighting game community behavior goes, players instantly started to demand more assets. @4everbuffy was quite vocal about it by saying they “Release more Outfits 4 with the C. Viper update” most likely because one stunning Zangief outfit just isn’t enough. @airj23mes cried out “more costumes, more colors please 🙏🏾” while @boyZoutfitZ particularly requested a “Decapre Shadaloo Doll COSTUME for Cammy” revealing that every one of us has a favorite character who is entitled to premium treatment.
The timing of this reveal is strange as it comes right before the C. Viper update, which brings back Street Fighter IV character. It seems like Capcom is trying to create extremely strong hype for this update, and judging by the replies, it indeed works for a segment of the player base. The negative comments get no less engagement, and let’s just concede that people who complain about something in fighting games would still buy it anyway.
What is really fascinating is how Capcom keeps surprising us with different ways of marketing SF6 through the various modes – world tour mode, fighting ground updates, and now… ASMR challenges? Who knows? No one. Absolutely no one. But the discussion has already begun and in the content space that’s what matters.
The company has certainly put in so much effort in the costume reveals that it clearly expects a lot from SF6 post-launch support. We are not only getting new characters – we are getting high production value teasers for alternate outfits which, in fact, is more than most fighting games can even afford. However, @websantoro did question, “Do I need to pay for putting on my headphones?” which might not be so far from reality.
No matter if you consider Zangief ASMR to be a brilliant concept or if you think of it as the strangest thing done by Capcom thus far, still you can’t deny that it draws attention. The SF6 team keeps on highly surprising in unexpected manners and for mostly good or bad the game is still a part of the major updates conversation. Rounding off, the C. Viper update on the 15th of October can’t come quickly enough just to find out what other surprises they will have. Just don’t forget to keep your headphones handy – you never know when the next weird challenge will require them. PlayStation and Xbox players alike are waiting.
