Tekken 8 Interview: The State Of 3d Fighters With Katsuhiro Harada + Michael Murray

In this interview with Tekken 8's executive producer, Katsuhiro Harada, and producer, Michael Murray, Brian Shea from Game Informer dives into the current state of the fighting game genre in 2023. The discussion begins with the excitement surrounding the release of new installments from major fighting game franchises this year, such as Street Fighter and maybe even Mortal Kombat. Additionally, esports has become a significant factor in the popularity of fighting games, with events like Evo attracting massive audiences.

The conversation then delves into the unique position of Tekken in the 3D fighting game landscape. While franchises like Mortal Kombat have returned to the 2D realm, Tekken stands alone as a top-tier 3D fighting game. Harada explains that the transition to 3D was a massive leap in technology for the genre, but Tekken has remained at the forefront due to its innovative gameplay mechanics. It's a bit disheartening that other 3D fighters have not seen as much success, likely due to the cost and complexity of creating a 3D environment and character models.

Shea asks Harada and Murray about their favorite 3D fighting game franchises that they would love to see come back. While Murray mentions Virtua Fighter, Harada expresses excitement about the potential for a new Soulcalibur game. Both producers discuss the advancements in technology that have allowed for more detailed character models, breathtaking environments, and immersive experiences. Tekken 8 takes full advantage of these advancements, with an emphasis on changing environments, dynamic lighting, and intricate particle effects.

The conversation then shifts to the use of Unreal Engine 5 in Tekken 8. Harada and Murray explain that utilizing the power of this engine is not as simple as people might think. It requires careful tuning and fine-tuning to achieve the desired look and feel of the game. It's like having a powerful racing car that needs expert tuning for each unique course. Unreal Engine 5 provides the tools, but it's up to the developers to harness its potential.

Lessons Learned from Tekken 7 and the Development of Tekken 8

Tekken 7's long development cycle and success presented challenges when it came to creating Tekken 8. Harada mentions the difficulty of making changes to a game that fans have fallen in love with. The numbering of the installment creates a sense of pressure to incorporate significant changes, but it's challenging to predict if these changes will be well-received. As a result, the team couldn't rely on specific learnings from Tekken 7, but rather had to focus on creating something entirely new. Murray adds that with each new game, there are always trade-offs and decisions to make regarding priorities.

Murray also points out that having a diverse team, with younger members bringing fresh perspectives, allows for a balance between maintaining the success of previous installments and taking the franchise in new directions.

Meaningful Single Player Content and Balancing Game Mechanics

The discussion then turns to the importance of meaningful single-player content in fighting games. Harada highlights Tekken's past successes in this regard, with various modes, bonus content, and even mini-games adding depth to the experience. While the producers cannot reveal specific details about Tekken 8's single-player content at this time, they assure fans that they have their bases covered in terms of story elements and immersive gameplay.

The conversation concludes with a discussion on balancing the many game mechanics in Tekken 8. Harada and Murray explain that their overarching design philosophy is to create an intuitive and accessible experience. They want players to be able to pick up the game and gradually learn its intricacies without needing a manual. They highlight the special style feature in Tekken 8 that allows players to seamlessly transition between different modes, catering to beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. This design philosophy aims to create a cohesive experience where all the game mechanics work together harmoniously.

Conclusion

In this insightful interview, Harada and Murray shed light on the current state of the fighting game genre, Tekken's unique position as a 3D fighter, the advancements in technology used in Tekken 8, the challenges of game development, and the importance of meaningful single-player content and balanced gameplay mechanics. As fans eagerly await the release of Tekken 8, it's clear that the producers have put great care and consideration into creating a game that will captivate players and push the boundaries of the fighting game genre even further.