Guilty Gear tries something new: Preorders give arcade mode as instant bonus

Guilty Gear developer Arc System Works is trying something new -- and clever -- with the latest release in its signature fighting game franchise, Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator.

Players who preorder the game will receive an instant download of an early version of the title -- some two months before the full, final version, which will include expanded modes and three more characters -- is released.

This version is based on the Japanese arcade release of the game, and includes the same roster as that edition, as well as arcade, versus, and training modes.

The game is one of the featured titles in this year's EVO tournament, giving players outside of Japan -- where it's been available since last year in arcades, but not on consoles -- a chance to practice the title, as well as letting casual fans enjoy the game prior to its full, final release.

It's an interesting tactic, and a neat idea: Give fans something subtantial now while they wait for the next big update. Calling it "Early Access" would be a stretch, since it's a final, released game (at least in Japanese arcades) but it shares a similar ethos. 

The series is famous for its art direction -- make sure to watch this free GDC 2015 talk from technical artist Junya C. Motomura, who showcases the workflow behind its non-realistic rendering under Unreal Engine.