2D Fighting Game Research and "Goths Vs Jocks" Game Brief

After looking in to different game genres, I noticed that pretty much all modern 2D fighting games were done in an anime style, usually featuring scantily clad female women.  

Skullgirls (Lab Zero Games, Reverge Labs, 2011) features all female characters in an anime-esque style.  The game was criticised for its inappropriately dressed  characters and "juvenile animations."

Mortal Kombat 2 (Midway, [arcarde] 1993) is a rare example of a 2D fighting game in a non-Anime style.  The developers strove for realism however as this was developed in 1993, the graphics are obviously not as advanced as today.

BlazBlue:  Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works, 2010) is a traditional anime style fighter.

Persona 4 Arena (Atlus, 2013) is a fighting game based on an Anime television series.  As a result it is heavily story driven with a story mode that can be difficult to follow.  However the game has some fantastic, edgy UI and beautiful environments that will be worth looking in to further.

After researching this genre further I have decided to design a 2D fighter for my game concept, avoiding the previously addressed trivialities.  A 2D fighter also allows a lot of scope for interesting character, environment and UI design.

My game idea revolves around the concept of high school stereotypes and is entitled "Goths Vs Jocks."

Brief:

You are the lead artist for the upcoming game "Goths Vs Jocks" - a 2D fighting game for the gamers of Generation Y (14+) and fighting game enthusiasts.  The game will feature a range of bizarre characters inspired by the subcultures of the millennial generation's high school years.  A tongue-in-cheek comment on the exaggeration of these stereotypes in our culture.

You are in charge of conceptualising the over all feel for the game, including environments, GUI and characters.  Character designs will be based on caricatured versions of the following stereotypes:

Goths; jocks; burn-outs; hipsters and nerds.