The expected release timeline for Mai Shiranui in Street Fighter 6 is early 2025. Capcom has confirmed that she will not be playable in the game until then. Previously, the developers stated that Mai was planned for a Winter 2025 release, and it seems that the release window remains the same.
The inclusion of guest characters like Mai Shiranui and Terry Bogard in Street Fighter 6 is a significant departure from previous entries in the series. This is the first time that non-Capcom characters have been included in a Street Fighter game. In the past, guest characters were limited to other Capcom properties, such as Final Fight and Rival Schools.
The decision to include Mai and Terry, both from SNK's Fatal Fury series, marks a new direction for the franchise. This is particularly notable given the long-standing rivalry between Capcom and SNK, which has softened in recent years. In fact, this collaboration between the two companies was foreshadowed at Evo 2022, where posters featuring characters from both Street Fighter and Fatal Fury were distributed.
The inclusion of guest characters from another fighting game series is a significant event in the history of Street Fighter. It remains to be seen how this will affect the series in the long term, but for now, it represents a bold new direction for the franchise.
Capcom chose Mai Shiranui and Terry Bogard as guest characters in Street Fighter 6 for a few specific reasons. Firstly, both characters come from SNK's Fatal Fury series, which has a history of collaboration with Capcom. This collaboration dates back to the late 90s with the Capcom vs. SNK games, and there is a lot of overlap between the two companies in terms of staff and mutual respect for each other's work.
Secondly, the inclusion of Terry and Mai serves as a potential test bed for a future Capcom vs. SNK game, which SNK has expressed interest in. These characters were chosen as they are iconic representatives of the Fatal Fury series, and their addition to Street Fighter 6 could generate interest and excitement for both the game and the possibility of a future crossover project.
Lastly, the choice of these characters also aligns with the promotion of SNK's upcoming project, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. By featuring Mai and Terry in Street Fighter 6, Capcom is contributing to building hype around the release of this game as well.