An FAQ for the upcoming release of VF5FS Ver.B was released on SEGA's official VF site today. For arcade goers in Japan, it contains important information in regards to continuation of VF.Net services, card upgrades, and so on. But most importantly for the rest of us, it confirms that this upgrade will contain no changes to game balance.

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The specific FAQ entry confirming no changes to game balance:



Q: Is the game balance changing?
A: The game balance from VF5FS VERSION A REVISION 1 will not be changed.

This news, along with the closure of certain network features, all but confirms that Final Showdown Ver.B is the last iteration in the VF5 series.

What will come next?!

Translation of the FAQ, provided by @Modelah:

Spoiler: VF5FS Ver.B FAQ Translation

FAQ Translation

Changes in VF5FS version B

Q: What is VF5FS version B?
A: It is a version that will NOT be supported by the ALL.NET network.
・Because there will not be any network support some VF Terminal items will differ from some in-game items.
・Version B will not be connected to VF.NET.

Q: What's changed, exactly?
A: The following changes will be made:
・All items acquired through VF.NET can be acquired through VF Terminal. (※)
・A players' Team names, match statistics, winning background screens and other settngs from VF.NET will be transferred to VF Terminal.
・The 'Apprentice' and 'Card Re-issue' functions will be removed.
・'Bingo Festa', 'Four-way God Battle', 'Hapirusu', various nationwide/regional arcade rank data, high score rankings, official tournaments, official open battles, arcade event support services (for arcade events with special titles and related achievement plates) will not be held/implemented.

※Some items will be automatically granted upon upgrading to VF5FS version B. Please note that there will be no refunds for VF.NET purchases made before VF5FS version B's release.

Items granted when updating to VF5FS version B
・Various character demos (moving demos and backgrounds)
・Biorythm Stars
・Assorted Banner/Flag items
・Men's Fiery Eyemask
・Ladies' Fiery Eyemask

Q: Will there be any game-balance changes?
A: The game balance from VF5FS version A revision 1 will not be changed.

Q: What will happen to players' VF.NET data?
A: For information regarding the transfer of items and settings from VF.NET, refer to 'Cards' below.
For information regarding VF.NET contents refer to 'VF.NET' below.

Q: Will new cards be available?
A: Yes, cards will be available for purchase at arcades with VF5FS version B machines.

Cards

Q: Can cards used to play previous versions be used with version B?
A: Yes, they will be compatible. The card will be updated automatically when first used with a version B machine.

Q: Can cards used to play version B be used to play older versions?
A: No, they will not be backwards compatible. Once the card has been updated it cannot be used on versions earlier than VF5FS version A revision 1.

Q: What will be updated on the card once it has been synced with VF5FS version B?
A: The following items and settings will be updated:
　・Items
　・Ringname (※1)
　・Self-promo (※1)
　・Rank
　・Match Statistics
　・Match Statistic display settings (※1)
　・Costume settings (※1)
　・Demo movie settings (※1)
　・Winning backgound settings (※1)
　・Team names (※1)
　・Knockout Trial Special progress
　・Tournament Statistic plaques (※2) 　
　・Special Rank Titles (※2) 　

※1. These can be edited in VF Terminal once the card has been updated.
※2. These will be updated but will not be able to be edited after the update. Note that only the last settings saved will be transferred over.

Q: The card I updated to VF5FS version B doesn't show the contents and settings I had beforehand in VF.NET.
A: The data on the updated card will only be from the cards' last successful sync with ALL.NET.

When previous game data is not deemed 'new' (for example, items have been bought from VF.NET but the player hasn't yet played on a VF5FS version A revision 1 machine) it is highly recommended that players update their cards by playing a VF5FS verion A revision 1 machine that is connected to the network before playing a VF5FS version B machine (VF5FS version B is planned for March 2015).

※In the near future, 'Previous Play Data' will be added to the 'Card' menu in VF.NET. Changes and purchases made in VF.NET after 'Previous Play Data' is accessed will not be transferred to VF5FS version B.

Q: Will info about the number of times I've used my card be transferred over?
A: VF5FS Version B will not display this information. Players will be able to play VF5FS version B no matter how many times their card was used previously.

※Cards that show that 0 plays remaining will need to be renewed.
※Cards can be renewed on VF5FS version B machines.

Q: Aren't Orbs transferred over?
A: Orbs will not be transferred over. When updated to VF5FS version B a players' Orb count will be reset to zero. It it is recommended that players use these items before updating to VF5FS version B.

※Orbs earned in VF5FS version B can still be used in VF Terminal.

Q: What about Fight Money Item Tickets?
A: Fight Money Item Tickets and other items acquired through VF.NET will not be transferred. This is because VF5FS version B will not be connected to VF.NET. As there will be no avenue to use these items it is recommended that players use them before updating to VF5FS version B.

VF Terminal

Q: What will be added to VF5FS version B's VF Terminal?
A: The following functions will be added:
　・Match Statistic Display Settings
　・Winning Background Settings
　・Team Name Settings
　・Item History
　・'Outlaw Kill Stats' (players will be able to track their Outlaw Kill Stats from the Knockout Trial Special mode.

Q: What will be removed from VF5FS version B's VF Terminal?
A: The following functions will be removed:
　・Applications for card insurance
　・Card renewals
　・Apprentice Free Battle mode
　・VF.NET deregistration

VF.NET

Q: Will players be able to use the Match Movie Maker service?
A: No. The Match Movie Maker service (VF.NET for PC/i-mode version) was discontinued in May 2013.

Q: How long can we use the existing versions' contents?
A: Players can use related content from VF5FS version A revision 1 until March 2015.

Q: What am I supposed to do with the Orbs and Fight Money I have now?
A: Follow the discontinuation of network services for VF5FS version A revision 1 after April 2015, related VF.NET contents, including 'Shop' (on the 'Card' page of the 'Items For Sale' menu) will also be discontinued. From that point players will not be able to use acquired Orbs, Fight Money, Item Tickets, Lottery Tickets and Special Rank Title Rental Vouchers so it is recommended that players use these items before updating to VF5FS version B.

Q: Exactly what content and services will be discontinued after April 2015?
A: Content related to the game cabinet such as Self-promo editing and costume management, and Shop related content such as Item and Special Rank Titles, to name a few. A more detailed list will be added to this FAQ page in the near future.

Q: What will happen to Monthly Presents?
A: Monthly Presents, Monthly Lottery Ticket Presents and Introductory Gift Vouchers will be discontinued as of March 2015. Presents will no longer be valid after April 2015.

Q: What about New Member Sign-up and Continuation bonuses?
A: These bonuses will be discontinued in March 2015. Unfortunately, new members who signed up in January/February 2015 will be unable to use thier bonuses (Fight Money and Orbs) after April 2015.

Q: How long will players be able to have cards re-issued?
A: Cards may be re-issued until February 28 2015, then the service will be discontinued.

※This date has since been extended.
※VF5FS version B will not have any card re-issuing function.

Other

Q: What about the Knockout Trial Special mode in VF5FS revision B?
A: It will be identical to the VF5FS version A revision 1 mode. When a card is updated, player statistics will be automatically transferred over.

※'Virtual Apprentice' is no longer featured. Player data that was featured on a card played at the same arcade will now appear as 'A.I.'
※Players will be able to track their Outlaw Kill Stats from the Knockout Trial Special mode in VF Terminal.
※Because VF.NET is not supported, players will no longer be able to access or view the 'Knockout Directory'.

Q: Will I be able to use cards made before VF5FS version A revision 1 on a version B machine?
A: No, they cannot be used with VF5FS version B. Card re-issue services will be discontinued as of February 28 2015, players will be able to access their VF5FS version A revision 1 data until then.