Fighting EX Layer

Fighting EX Layer is a fighting video game developed by Arika. It is a spiritual successor to Fighting Layer and the Street Fighter EX series, and features many of the same characters from the latter. The game was released for PlayStation 4 in June 2018, with ports for Microsoft Windows and arcades currently in development.

Fighting EX Layer is played in a 2.5D environment. Battles take place in closed arenas, which vary in size and width. The gameplay retains many of the mechanics from Arika's previous fighting games, such as Super Cancels and running. Additionally, the game features ground chain combos, an auto-combo system, and an optional Progressive mode which simplifies command inputs. Fighting EX Layer also introduces Gougi Boost, which grants players additional bonuses and enhancements during a match. These boosts can be customized by selecting different Gougi decks before the match begins.

Following failed pitches to Capcom for a continuation of the Street Fighter EX series, staff at Arika began working on a 3D fighting game prototype to familiarize themselves with Unreal Engine 4. They decided to record some footage of the then-untitled prototype and release a trailer on April Fools' Day in 2017. The positive reaction from fans led Arika to turn the project into a full-fledged game, which they officially confirmed at Evo 2017.

The game is available in two versions: A lower-priced "light" version of the game includes twelve playable characters and five Gougi decks. The standard edition of the game includes all of the content from the light version, along with the playable character Hokuto and ten additional Gougi decks. Arika also stated their intentions to add four more characters from Street Fighter EX as downloadable content if their first-month sales targets were met.

On July 11, 2018, Arika announced that a single-player Arcade Mode would be added to the game in a future update, along with additional Street Fighter EX characters Pullum Purna and Vulcano Rosso being added to the game for free. The Arcade Mode update was released two weeks later on July 27. At Evo 2018, Arika announced Pullum and Rosso would be added in an update on September 5, along with a further revision to the game's Arcade Mode, and that they would be developing a version of the game for arcades in collaboration with Taito. Arika also teased three more forthcoming characters: returning Street Fighter EX characters Sharon and Area, and guest fighter Terry Bogard from SNK's and  series. On September 27, Arika announced a port of the game for release on Microsoft Windows via Steam.