Following their departure from the pachinko business in Japan and their focus on excellence with The King of Fighters XIV, SNK Playmore is now furthering their efforts to win back the trust and love of fans (via GamesIndustry).
The company has now adopted their old logo (featured above), which features their original name, SNK. They’ve also embraced their old slogan, “The Future Is Now,” which many fans will remember seeing from the company back during the 1990s.
“Following the changes of market trends in recent years, SNK Playmore ended its pachi-slot activities from last autumn,” the company said in a statement. “On the eve of its 15th anniversary this August, SNK Playmore has decided to change its corporate logo and slogan in light of the restoration of its principle business as video games, ushering in a new era for the company.”
“This change marks a return to SNK’s rich gaming history,” the company said. “Through the huge success of many of its game franchises in the past, SNK is still a brand supported by countless fans from around the world to this day. The new logo and slogan chosen for this turning point, signifies both a return to the origins of SNK, and revival of our pioneer spirit to always offer long-time fans of SNK, as well as newcomers, entertainment of an even higher quality moving forward. Via this change, we will keep creating games and expand on our cherished IPs in the future.”
This new change in branding is the latest in their aggressive pursuit of chasing their former and even potential new fans, despite the company being acquired by Chinese company Leyou Technologies. One of their new goals is to sub-license and contract new games with their classic IPs like Metal Slug, the King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, and Samurai Shodown.
The company’s latest upcoming release, The King of Fighters XIV is launching for PlayStation 4 on August 23rd in North America and on August 25th in Japan.
vonSanneck
April 25, 2016 at 2:26 pmBy going to their roots could we ask them to experiment as well with smaller releases and games as well?
Immahnoob
April 25, 2016 at 2:27 pmWell, this means we’ll probably see them more often.
We need more new shit.
deadeye
April 25, 2016 at 2:27 pmSNK gonna save video games.
Anon_Amous
April 25, 2016 at 2:28 pmTalk is cheap but this is great news!
Chocolate ISISCream
April 25, 2016 at 2:38 pmHow many times have companies claimed they would return to traditional gaming or their “roots”, only to end up disappointing their fans? Fuck off with this former glory shit, or at least keep it to yourselves.
Sheba
April 25, 2016 at 2:39 pmCapcom vs SNK 3 please.
ivanchu77
April 25, 2016 at 2:43 pmWhat a complete 180 this company did in barely 1 year holy shit…and to be honest, with the fighting game genre living a second youth nowadays, it was only fitting that one of the most iconic companys of the genre joined the fray too, can´t wait to see them making tons of games again
Narmy
April 25, 2016 at 2:44 pmIs the bubble finally starting to burst? It may be too late for Konami though. :^)
Offendatron_5000
April 25, 2016 at 3:01 pmI’ll reserve judgement for KOFXIV and any games to follow. Its all about the games.
mrwizeass
April 25, 2016 at 3:05 pmI’d suggest REALLY doing a push PR and marketing-wise, as well as ramping up quality control if SNK is serious. I loved their games back in the 90’s, but unfortunately for them, everyone I talked to about them always said they took 2nd or 3rd place behind SF and MK.
Also, PC gaming has become a force to be reckoned with in today’s industry. They’d do well not to ignore it.
Master Bating
April 25, 2016 at 3:17 pmLet me at least pretend I care.
I miss the Golden Days.
NuclearCherries
April 25, 2016 at 3:31 pmWelcome back, SNK.
The future is now, and the future looks bright.
Uncle Slick
April 25, 2016 at 3:46 pmNew Metal Slug?
Sign me up!!!
Uncle Slick
April 25, 2016 at 3:47 pmGlass is half empty?
Uncle Slick
April 25, 2016 at 3:49 pmSNK is my most favorite video game company of all time.
Glad to hear this.
Pepperkeet
April 25, 2016 at 4:02 pmNow make a good game… KOF is all you have right now… it’s not enough
Mr0303
April 25, 2016 at 4:17 pmReleasing an uncensored version of The Last Blade 2 was a good start and KOFXIV looks great so far, so I’m optimistic that they really mean that.
Just don’t forget your fans in Europe, SNK. We’ve been in an abusive relationship for a while, but we still love you.
scemar
April 25, 2016 at 4:21 pmEasier said than done but good luck to them.
If they’re smart and still got the skills, they can pull it off.
Tho I’d usually say the first step should be to embrace multiplatform mindsets, the vast PC market, and use their strengths the best, use what they’re known to be good for.
And sadly judging by their new king of fighters….I don’t think they will pull it off.
LazyBoy
April 25, 2016 at 4:38 pmHoping that this will make them hire graphic designers for the next Metal Slug. And good game designers too. Because editing graphics to try to make them look like new ones is what SNK/Playmore is used to do since Metal Slug 4. And bad gameplay with that.
GamesGoodMeGood
April 25, 2016 at 4:39 pmAs well as Capcom vs SNK 3, I would personally love to see a NeoGeo Battle Coliseum 2… I loved that game.
sanic
April 25, 2016 at 4:51 pmI’m not huge on fighting games but I’ll keep my eye out.
Diego Dereshi
April 25, 2016 at 5:22 pmMaking their games exclusive to only one console is a bad start though.
Siveon
April 25, 2016 at 5:43 pmMetal Slug? METAL SLUG? Alright, first, lag free collection with even more extras for PC, PS4 etc. Now, I want a new Metal Slug, but it’ll probably be in 3D but we shall see.
Ugh, HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE HYPE
Neojames82
April 25, 2016 at 6:18 pmWell we need them to give us more…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TIn95f1okw
sAy_YaS
April 25, 2016 at 6:31 pmJust release all the NEO GEO games on steam with controller support, graphical filters, online play and achievements and i’ll be a happy camper.
grgspunk
April 25, 2016 at 6:31 pmYou want to win back the the real gaming community, eh SNK? Then I’ve got some advice for you:
DITCH THE FUCKING SUMAFON GAMES.
And bring over Doki Doki Majo Shinpan while you’re at.
Black_Bob
April 25, 2016 at 6:47 pmLook, so far everything this company is doing is a step in the right direction. After this last trailer was released: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c20M1gnuvJ0
I don’t need them to self-censor, and I don’t need just talk. I need them to put their words to action and fuck the sociopolitical atmosphere that’s crept into our games and hobbies.
For the love of your fans SNK, do better. The new KOF is hopefully just the beginning.
2501
April 25, 2016 at 7:48 pmReading this is pretty incredible, SNK has been through a lot since their heyday at the end of the ’90s (bankruptcy, loss of their “Esaka” building, outsourcing their IPs to other studios etc.) it’s bit of a miracle that they are still around today. Bringing back their old slogan tells me that they want people to believe that SNK can still deliver quality goods, and l hope they do.
Yabloko Molloco San
April 25, 2016 at 8:13 pmFuck, I just hope they do great.
rBeowulf
April 25, 2016 at 9:34 pmThey give us a sliver of hope… and they they crush it?
Casey
April 25, 2016 at 9:52 pmWindjammers hd if you please! Show us you still care! Also, rerelease your neo geo games on steam!
ProxyDoug
April 25, 2016 at 10:52 pmRight in the feels, I even teared up a bit.
Spikey Buddy
April 25, 2016 at 10:53 pmHopefully this means a new Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury, World Heroes, Metal Slug, HOLY…there’s too many great games to name from this company! Here’s hoping for some either sequels or revivals from them.
Thanatos2k
April 26, 2016 at 1:06 amWell, we’ll see if the games are any good first.
Yabloko Molloco San
April 27, 2016 at 10:12 amNeo Geo BC for steem, pls
Chosen Unbread
April 27, 2016 at 4:29 pmPlease make more awesome 2d Metal Slug games. I want to see more real sprite art instead of the shit indie devs churn out nowadays!