In a recent conversation between Bandai Namco's Katsuhiro Harada and PlayStation's Shuhei Yoshida, there's a notable discussion about the evolving gaming meta and the future of the Tekken franchise.
According to the Tekken director, many young people nowadays miss the thrill of participating in fighting games. Some just want to avoid losing that's why they choose other game genres.
Appealing to Younger Audiences
Harada emphasizes the importance of appealing to younger generations in order to keep Tekken relevant. He acknowledges that younger players have a different approach to competition, contrasting with the more definitive mindset of older generations.
While older players may prefer clear winners and losers, younger gamers are more inclined towards shared responsibility, especially in team-based games.
Changing Dynamics in Gaming Culture
According to EventHubs, the traditional notion of competition, where victory or defeat rests solely on individual performance, is evolving. Harada highlights the growing preference among younger players for games where the outcome is influenced by team dynamics rather than individual skill.
This shift is particularly evident in team-based shooters, where players attribute wins to their contributions but blame losses on team performance.
"Most young people nowadays are the opposite. They're rarely eager to engage in one-on-one showdowns. Because fighting games pit you by yourself against a single opponent, you have to accept all the responsibility if you lose," Harada said.
Adapting Tekken for the Future
Despite Tekken 8's recent release, Harada hints at potential changes to adapt to evolving player preferences. While Tekken traditionally focuses on one-on-one combat, future iterations may need to incorporate elements that resonate more with younger audiences.
The game creator also suggests that modifications to the gameplay dynamics may be necessary to sustain interest in the fighting game genre among younger gamers.
Harada's Retirement and Tekken's Legacy
Interestingly, Harada hints at his eventual retirement from game development, signaling the end of an era for the Tekken franchise.
After achieving significant milestones in his career, Harada contemplates passing the torch to the next generation of developers. As he reflects on his legacy, it raises questions about the future direction of Tekken and who will carry forward its iconic legacy.
Last week IGN revealed that Eddy Gordo, the capoeira fighter from the previous Tekken installments will be the first new character for the Playable Character Year 1 Pass.
Tekken fans who miss playing Eddy will soon be able to do handstands in combat. Here's the full patch notes that Bandai Namco released last time.
While Tekken 8 is a game-changer for fighting game enthusiasts, some players said Bandai is greedy when it announced the Battle Pass.
The Battle Pass will be available starting April 1 until May 31. Of course, you need to pay for it for a price of $70. It comes in two tiers. The Season Pass costs $30 and the Premium Pass and Premium Pass Plus are valued at $6 and $20 respectively.
