Bandai Namco’s iconic fighting game franchise, Tekken, has been a fan-favorite for years. With each new iteration, the series has only grown stronger, and Tekken 7 was no exception. Released eight years ago, Tekken 7 continues to captivate players worldwide, making the prospect of creating a sequel a daunting task. However, the team behind this successful franchise was up to the challenge and announced Tekken 8 in September 2022. We had the opportunity to speak with Katsuhiro Harada, the longstanding creator and director of Tekken, as well as producer Michael Murray, about their approach to developing a new game and their thoughts on the fighting game genre as a whole.
One of the first questions we had for Harada and Murray was how they approach making a new Tekken game when the previous installment has been such a massive success. They pointed out that starting the conversation is a crucial step, and in the case of Tekken 8, it’s unique in that it is the first game in the series to be released first on consoles rather than in arcades. This shift poses both challenges and benefits. From a development standpoint, it requires the team to reconsider how they create the game, but for players, it means a simultaneous global release.
When asked about the significance of arcade releases and why they have historically come before console releases, Harada and Murray highlighted the pioneering role Tekken played in incorporating extra modes and content, such as story modes and mini-games, into the fighting game genre. In the early days, Tekken was the first to introduce these elements, providing players with engaging experiences beyond just the core battles. In the past, the team would focus on fine-tuning the battle portion of the game in the arcade version before expanding the content for the console release. However, with Tekken 8 being a console-first release, all of these aspects need to be integrated from the start, which requires more resources and time.
The conversation then shifted to the decline of arcades in Japan and the loss of the experience of seeing people play in a physical location. Harada and Murray acknowledged that arcades held a special place in gaming culture, but they believe that changes in people’s preferences and the rise of other entertainment options, such as smartphones and streaming services, played a role in their decline. They emphasized their commitment to addressing the needs of the current generation of players within Tekken 8, although they didn’t provide specifics at this time.
In terms of gathering feedback on the game, Harada and Murray explained that they utilize online tests as well as hands-on opportunities for players to provide input. These methods help them ensure the functionality of the game and gather valuable data. In the past, location tests in arcades focused more on game balancing and financial performance, but now the team relies on a combination of online tests and player feedback to refine their game.
In conclusion, with the announcement of Tekken 8, the team behind this beloved fighting game franchise faces the challenge of delivering another successful installment. They are reevaluating their approach to development, considering the shift to console-first releases and incorporating player feedback more extensively. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Tekken 8, it’s clear that Bandai Namco is committed to maintaining the legacy of the franchise while adapting to the changing landscape of the gaming industry.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
