‘Dead Or Alive’ Returns: New Game Announced for Franchise’s 30-Year Anniversary

Fans of the long-running fighting series Dead or Alive finally have some good news. A new game is officially in development. This announcement was made during the February 2026 State of Play showcase. This is the first big announcement for the series since Dead or Alive 6, which came out in 2019.

Launched in 1996, Dead or Alive is one of the most perennial 3D fighting series out there. Iconic characters like Kasumi and Ryu Hayabusa deliver the game’s fast-paced combat. Despite its dedicated fanbase, the franchise went silent after Dead or Alive 6, with publisher Koei Tecmo focusing on other projects.

The development of this new project is dedicated to the franchise’s 30-year anniversary. This new game will serve as a celebration of the franchise’s legacy and an opportunity to introduce the next generation of players. With no release date, title, or featured platform, many details about the newest addition to the franchise are up in the air for fans to speculate.

Online fan reaction has ranged from hopeful optimism to enthusiastic excitement as longtime fans wait for more details to see how this title can compete in the modern fighting game landscape, led by Tekken and Street Fighter. Fans who have played through the series since the beginning are also approaching this new title with caution, hoping it can improve the competitive aspects of gameplay and address some of the criticisms made about previous titles regarding presentation and balance.

Although many details are missing, Dead or Alive is officially back sooner rather than later. Fans of one of the longest-running fighting series can look forward to new content finally coming out.