Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite (also refered to unofficially as Marvel vs. Capcom 4) is an upcoming crossover fighting game being developed by Capcom. It is the sixth entry in the Marvel vs. Capcom series of crossover fighting games featuring characters from Capcom and characters from the superhero comic book company Marvel Comics. The game was first announced at the PlayStation Experience 2016 and will be released in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Gameplay
Similar to Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes and earlier installments in the franchise, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite will feature a two-on-two battle system, instead of the three-on-three system used since Marvel vs. Capcom 2. The game will implement the Infinity Stones system, a returning gameplay mechanic from Marvel Super Heroes, where each stone provides a unique ability.

Infinite will also include a cinematic story experience, single-player modes (such as Training, Mission, and Arcade Mode) and online multiplayer with ranked and casual matches, global leardboards, and online lobbies with spectating.

Development
Following the release of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 for the PlayStation Vita in 2012, Marvel's new parent company, The Walt Disney Company, which acquired Marvel in 2009, chose not to renew their licensing deal with Capcom, instead opting to move its viable properties towards their self-published game titles, such as the Disney Infinity series; this resulted in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes being removed from the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in 2013. However, in 2016, Disney announced its decision to discontinue self-publishing efforts and switch over to a licensing-only model, allowing third-party game developers, including Capcom, to negotiate licenses with Marvel once again. On December 3, 2016, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite was officially unveiled during Sony's PlayStation Experience event; its first gameplay footage debuted on the same day following the conclusion of Capcom Cup 2016. The game is scheduled for release in 2017 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite was officially unveiled during Sony's third PlayStation Experience event in early December 2016. According to Marvel Comics and Capcom representatives, the decision to change the three-on-three battle system from the series' previous iteration was considered for a long time before ultimately settling on two-on-two fights for the sake of accessibility. Capcom's Director of Production, Michael Evans, sought to give casual Marvel vs. Capcom fans the ability to get into the game without being overwhelmed by introducing a more manageable two-character system.

To expand the number of options for players, the "X-Factor" and assist attack mechanics from Marvel vs. Capcom 3 were removed in favor of the six Infinity Stones to provide teams with additional customization, and utilizes Switch Cancel combo, akin to Street Fighter X Tekken. Marvel and Capcom compared the Infinity Stones to the "Groove System" used in Capcom vs. SNK 2. Capcom's goal with the Infinity Stones was to create a level playing field by acting as a comeback enabler, and allowing players to compensate for their characters' deficiencies and enhance their strong points. Frank Tieri, the lead writer for Marvel vs. Capcom 3, confirmed his involvement with Infinite on Twitter.

Trivia

 * Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is notable for having these distinctions in the series.
 * The first installment to include an alternate version of the original Mega Man as a playable character, not counting Zero's X costume in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
 * The first game to feature the Infinity Stones, last featured in the series' precursor game Marvel Super Heroes.