other SNK games
the majority of SNK fans want KOFXIV above all other SNK games, so that's what KOF's producer should focus on. Any other type of SNK game isn't going to hold attention as long as a new quality KOF can. I'm not saying they should rush it. But once they can fit like 1-3 more teams in there, and add a dreammatch boss like Rugal and maybe tweaking KOFXIII's system a little, KOFXIV could be a new favorite for fans and improve the series as a whole.
I want to see KOFXIII GROW in the competitive play field before we see a KOFXIV. It's way too early to be talking about a XIV.
KOF98 and KOF2002 continue to be played regardless of the new KOFs that are released. A KOFXIV would not hurt KOFXIII's competitive field, but would infact, offer more new KOF experiences for fans. besides, online wise KOF still has yet to meet mainstream standards. Hardly anyone plays online, and it's still not quite up there with online communities like Super SF4. So there's still a lot for KOF to catch up on since KOF12 started a new foundation and level of quality, and KOFXIII refined it.
So KOFXIV could be the new popular dreammatch like KOF98 or KOF2k2 that fans would greatly benefit from. It's really the only fighting series with the greatest expansive potential and timeless qualities.
but the devs have to start working on KOFXIV now! They've already attempted to bring back Garou and it didn't succeed. They tried 3-D and it didn't succeed. Samurai Shodown isn't as appealing as KOF. Neo Geo Battle Coliseum is too much of a gimmicky atmosphere to take as seriously as KOF.
When you succeed at making the company's #1 fighting franchise reach a new level, you don't just leave it on the bench.
But on the positive side, if they decide a new Garou, that could transition new fighters/teams to KOF XIV (including Rock!)
so I dunno, considering how much work it takes as it is, and how behind they are with bringing back KOF characters/teams, I'd say working on a KOFXIV now would be better.
I'm not saying they should make a KOFXIII AE. SSF4 AE is a waste of money, only 2 "new" characters and 2 alternates. What a half baked attempt compared to SSF4 expanding SF4 with so many more characters and improvements.
But KOFXIV should be like how KOF2k2 brought back everyone from the saga that finished, and adds a bit more. Considering how much work was put into 12 and 13, KOFXIV should have all of 12 and 13's stages too (DLC included), and bring back teams as playable like Agents team, a team with Kasumi, etc. And of course Rugal since they are traditionally the dream match boss now. They can potentially add 6-7 more characters to KOFXIV if they start work on it ASAP and don't throw away any KOFXIII content.
They should avoid the mistake Koei made with DW7 Xtreme Legends. They sold Xtreme Legends without the previous DW7's Story and Conquest modes, basically resulting in XL only providing Legend and Challenge modes by itself (though it at least brought back all the characters and added 3 more.) But the point is, DW7 XL would have sold more if it brought back all the CONTENT and features of the previous one, and add more to it! That Remix upload feature was a redeeming factor, but it still brought down DW7 XL's value when played by itself.
That's what KOFXIV development should keep in mind. There is no shame in reselling previous content as a sequel/new edition/DM as long as you add new content beyond that. And especially for a fighting game it's excusable because new editions should be bigger, better and more complete!
It's the reason why SSF4 was such a great improvement because it brought back all the important stuff from SF4 and expanded on the roster and everything,
including online features!
There are ways to make a new KOF right without making it half baked attempt like SSF4 AE, or incomplete like DW7XL. And of course KOFXIV would be the necessary step to make the next KOF even better with a better roster of returning fighters as well as brand new team(s).
but leaving KOF dormant now isn't going to make KOF better anytime soon!
Samurai Shodown's popularity is no longer what it was before KOF, it wouldn't deliver the financial and marketing impact that KOFXIV would easily receive.
I mean look how bad Samurai Shodown II sold on XBLA. Not enough people care about Samurai Shodown anymore. For every person wanting Samurai Shodown series ports, you have dozens to hundreds of people wanting things like KOF98UM and KOF2k2UM.
Soul Calibur series is still holding onto the modern weapon fighting game crown. SS couldn't deliver in 3-D, and 2-D it definitely wouldn't receive a big fanbase. I mean maybe it could happen, but it took two new KOFs before they met and raised modern 2-D fighting standards. a new Samurai Shodown would hardly make a ripple.