At the recent Taipei Game Show 2024, our team was honored to be invited by Bandai Namco Entertainment for an interview with the producers of Tekken 8, Katsuhiro Harada and Michael Murray, alongside media representatives from across Asia, where we delved into various behind-the-scenes aspects of the game.
The following transcript is translated from Chinese and has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
1. The main story of the Tekken series has always revolved around the Mishima family. Even in the latest Tekken 8, it seems the story is not concluded and may even expand further, making the Mishima family's conflicts more complex. Have you thought about how you want to conclude this storyline?
The main story of the Tekken series was actually established over 20 years ago during the Namco era. However, many of the original ideas have only gradually unfolded for players to see. As for how to conclude or develop the story further, we haven't thought about it at the moment.
Moreover, in Tekken 7, our initial plan was to operate for about two years. However, it was unexpectedly well-received by players. To meet players' expectations and feedback, we invested more effort, and similarly, the development of Tekken 8 will also depend on player reception.
2. Recently, the Tekken YouTube channel shared a concise yet entertaining video titled "Understand the Tekken Series Story in 1 Minute!" In this humorous depiction, the Mishima family tradition of abandoning losers is highlighted. What are the producers' reactions to this amusing take on the storyline?
Well, that video wasn't created by our team but by the Japanese marketing team, who have a great passion for the Tekken series. When I saw their video for the first time, it cracked me up. The main thing I realized after watching it was, "I guess I really don't have the talent for storytelling... Hahaha."
Why did I react that way? Well, if you're familiar with the works of another renowned producer, Hideo Kojima, it would be impossible to distill his creations into such a brief video. Personally, I find that I lack the skill for that kind of storytelling. My forte lies more in crafting straightforward fighting games.
3. It is well known that most fighting games have a high learning curve, making it difficult for new players to join. Many fighting games today tend to simplify their mechanics to address this issue, and it seems like Tekken 8 is also heading in that direction. However, it still maintains a certain level of complexity. Will Tekken 8 continue to introduce more simplifications in this regard?
Yes, we do intend to introduce more elements to the Special Styl. In the future, based on player feedback, we will make detailed adjustments and improvements for novice and intermediate players.
Regarding the perception that these games have a high learning curve, where does this mindset come from? We can look back to the era when Street Fighter 2 was hugely popular. People of all ages were engrossed in the game, but as time went on, some highly skilled players emerged. During battles, people found it challenging to defeat these skilled players, leading to the perception of a high learning curve.
This situation is similar to another game, Counter-Strike, a shooting game with simple controls and a low entry barrier. Everyone wants to try it, but once in a match, they find themselves defeated in seconds. We don't want a stark contrast between strong and weak players; instead, we aim to make the game enjoyable. Hence, we're introducing many new elements, such as the Ghost Mode, to allow players to gradually improve and adapt.
4. There have been significant changes in the character design of some characters in Tekken 8, such as Paul's new hairstyle. Why is that?
Paul's hairstyle has a tradition of changing every four installments. For example, in Tekken 4, it was let down. Therefore, in Tekken 8, we decided to let his hair down again, and you can expect him to have it standing up again in the future, perhaps in Tekken 9.
In addition, for Tekken 8, all character models underwent a complete redesign and remodeling, presenting a significant overhaul. Initially, we considered completely renewing the characters, but we were concerned that making them too new might lead players to not recognize these characters. For example, if we changed King's mask to a rabbit, no one might recognize him anymore.
5. Is there a chance for Reina, the newly introduced character in Tekken 8, to play a central role in the future storyline of the Tekken series?
Yes, there is a significant possibility of her becoming a central character in the story. However, it's interesting to note that her reception so far has taken us by surprise.
According to our original plan, we thought players would come to like this character after completing the story mode, but unexpectedly, she became popular right from the start. Personally, I don't think this character has any particularly striking features, so we didn't anticipate such a strong liking from everyone. Well, it seems now that if we don't treat this character well in the future, it might cause some dissatisfaction among the community, thus we will approach this with great caution.
6. Are there any plans for Tekken 8 to introduce crossover characters, similar to the inclusion of many crossover characters in Tekken 7?
During the initial stages of game development, we didn't have a specific plan regarding which series or franchise to collaborate with. Our decisions are largely influenced by player feedback. The abundance of crossover characters in Tekken 7 was a result of the game's positive reception, which guided our development in that direction. Consequently, Tekken 8 will also be influenced by the reactions and preferences of the players.
On a personal note, I actually wanted to collaborate with the brand KFC and include Colonel Sanders in the game. However, whether it's people around me or the development team, they strongly opposed this idea, so I've somewhat given up on that thought.
7. Why was Eddy chosen as the first DLC character, and is there any special reason in showcasing motion capture footage in his dedicated teaser trailer?
The inclusion of motion capture footage in the trailer doesn't carry any specific meaning; it's simply meant to convey that we are actively working on development. As for the choice of characters to be added, it primarily depends on the popularity and feedback from players in Tekken 7.
Producers' messages:
Katsuhiro Harada: Tekken 8 has officially launched, catering to both new and experienced players with its diverse content. The team dedicated substantial effort to finalize the story mode, while the introduction of the new arcade mode offers a nostalgic return to the arcade hall gaming experience. Future updates are planned to further enhance the game content, ensuring everyone can revel in the enjoyment and allure of the fighting game.
Michael Murray: When I was young, I didn't know how to play fighting games, so I had to continuously explore and improve. However, the introduction of the Special Style mode in Tekken 8 aims to lower the entry barrier for players. Even when facing formidable opponents, players can use simple controls to try to compete with them. In the end, I hope everyone can enjoy Tekken 8 in their preferred way!
