Koei Tecmo to Scale Back 'Sexy Costumes' in Dead or Alive 6 Last Round

Koei Tecmo is scaling back the production of provocative attire in Dead or Alive 6 Last Round to better accommodate the competitive scene. The decision marks a notable shift for a franchise historically defined by its heavy emphasis on fanservice.

Project Manager Tsuyoshi Iuchi confirmed the move during an interview with Famitsu, stating that the company is minimizing "sexy elements" in costumes. According to Iuchi, the shift is intended to provide players with outfits they can use without feeling "embarrassed" during ranked matches or tournament play. "I understand that some people are hoping for sexy costumes," Iuchi said, "but actually, sexy costumes tend to be used less frequently in competitive games due to embarrassment and other factors."

Community Friction

The announcement has triggered significant backlash from the fighting game community (FGC), which views the move as a departure from the series' core identity. This frustration is compounded by the introduction of a new character, Minato, whose moveset is strikingly similar to that of the existing character Honoka.

Director Akihiro Nakamura addressed the similarity between the two fighters, explaining that while they utilize the same techniques, their origins differ. Nakamura stated that Honoka imitates techniques she sees, whereas Minato acquires his skills through hard work and the use of a device.

Technical Tensions

The controversy over costumes and character design arrives amid a broader period of instability between Koei Tecmo and its player base. The community has expressed ongoing frustration over the game's technical infrastructure, specifically the absence of rollback netcode and the lack of cross-platform play—features that have become industry standards for modern fighting games.

For many loyal fans, the decision to dial back the series' signature aesthetic, combined with perceived technical shortcomings, signals a growing disconnect between the developer's current direction and the expectations of the audience.

What's Next

As Koei Tecmo navigates this transition, the FGC will be watching to see if the studio addresses the more pressing technical demands of the community. While the costume philosophy has shifted toward competitive viability, the long-term impact on the brand's identity and the resolution of netcode complaints remain the primary points of contention. The balance between maintaining a legacy of fanservice and evolving into a serious competitive title remains a delicate tightrope for the developer to walk as they attempt to modernize the experience.