The input lag is enough to deter people like Sanford Kelly from playing the game I'm sure. He's stated he doesn't like this game (I assume that the input lag is a big reason due to East Coast having a more reactionary style of play), LI Joe's opinion of it also isn't much better. Mind you, very few are openly talking about the input lag being the reason they're not playing the game. Many do not wish to bite the hand that feeds, especially when sponsors are involved.
Joe @thisislijoe 7h7 hours ago
Ps I'm kidding over watch is fun with the boys. And I like sfv It's not ass fighter
Joe @thisislijoe 7h7 hours ago
But I probably won't play it on the real. Maybe here n there
Combined with the fact that scenes like New York and Michigan are losing players, SFV did not meet it's expected sales figures (shipped 1.4 units instead of 2 million, Pokken outsold it in retail sales figures even. Do note that shipment numbers and sales figures are different) and I would say that people (tournament players) gave SFV a shot despite knowing about the input lag, but it's just not something easy to get into. Especially with a game that legitimately pushes towards the tournament scene and not to the casual crowd almost at all, and some of these players mentioned really enjoy reactionary play instead of only having to go on reads. Anti airs are affected by this, and it makes some characters (Bison for example) with their AAs much worse.
USF4 on PS4 was once criticized because it's frames of input lag was too much, in a game where reactionary play was key. So much so, that the 360 version was preferred and with the PS4's version's bugs, they switched back to the 360 version for the CPT. Obviously, SFV has instead went the route of preemptive reads and less footsies. I do believe that this was done to mask the netcode like how Tekken has done with TTT2. The only problem is, I wouldn't mind that if five bars wasn't the only connection I could possibly play with. UltraDavid has gone on to say that the algorithm for matchmaking is jank, but this isn't about the netcode obviously, despite it being a reason that the input lag is there. Capcom will not comment on it, only furthering the speculation.
As to why the input lag's being brought up now, well it was highly overlooked to begin with due to Capcom's troubled launch with the game, and people unsure if it was going to change their opinions of game with the input lag. Some are in favor of the input lag, like Filipinoman. He feels that without it, how could you even jump in on a character like Chun-Li? Ken players also seem in favor of it, as it seems his frame traps were designed around the input lag. Birdie's EX Dolphin Dive is another move that benefits from it.
There's nothing wrong with liking SFV. There's nothing wrong in disliking it. Me personally, I have enjoyed the game here and there but ultimately I do not find the style of gameplay rewarding to play as much as other titles, and I will likely just play it here and there instead of getting serious in it. Even when Juri comes out, I find myself a little bit more excited for KOF XIV, but I am prepared for the netcode in that game to be less than satisfactory.