The release of Street Fighter 6 has sparked a debate in the gaming community as to whether a wired or wireless connection is more effective for online play. The developers of the game have included wifi indicators that appear next to players heading into online lobbies. While the new game has an improved netcode, the stigma surrounding wireless connections still remains.
The argument about wired and wireless connections has been ongoing for years, especially in genres where a stable connection is critical. In the early days of online gameplay, wireless connections were known to result in unplayable matches. However, as the netcode has improved, wireless connections have become more reliable, though doubts persist.
Some tournament organizers have taken a stance against wifi, stating they will kick players with wireless connections from Street Fighter 6 tournaments. This approach has been criticized for potentially alienating people from playing with others. Social media posts are being shared, mocked and memed in a variety of online fighting game spaces, including Reddit and Twitter.
On the other side of the debate are new breed of wifi defenders who have had successful online matches from different parts of the globe. They believe that the ethernet cable was a weapon of the dark days, and that the time has come for an upgrade. While a wired connection is generally considered better, in some cases, such as playing against opponents from different regions, the difference for a wireless connection is negligible.
People being assholes to dudes who aren’t wired for SF6 are nuts. Not everyone can get ethernet set up in their home. And I’ll tell you this, I played SF6 both wired and unwired during the beta and the experience was virtually unchanged for both sessions. You dudes are crazy
— Subjugating Heaven and Earth (@WuffFluff) May 30, 2023
It is still believed that a wired connection is better, but how do we convince online fans to abandon years of campaigning, especially when the difference in gameplay is minor? Street Fighter 6 tournaments have just begun, and there is a fear that only those with wired connections will be welcome to play, leaving others in the cold. Some even question whether wifi warriors are trying to justify sub-optimal setups.
The Street Fighter 6 wifi war will continue, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the game’s longevity and popularity. Are you on team wired or wireless? Let us know what your preference is in the comments, and for more Street Fighter 6 content, check out our pages on Capcom’s president’s hopes for the game’s sales.
