As a long-time Tekken enthusiast, I can’t help but feel like I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster with Tekken 8. The initial release was nothing short of spectacular, and it felt like we were finally getting the sequel we’d all been waiting for. But then came the monetization practices that left a sour taste in many players’ mouths. I’ve seen my fair share of controversial decisions in gaming, but this one really took the cake.
In terms of favorable reviews, Tekken 8 is leading the charge. The newest addition to Bandai Namco’s popular fighting game series has found itself among the top contenders on numerous “best games of 2024” lists, released in January 2024 to widespread critical praise. On review aggregator OpenCritic, Tekken 8 boasts a top critic average of 90 and an astounding 99% critic approval rating. This is particularly noteworthy when compared to Tekken 7, which earned a more modest score of 82 on the same platform. The glowing reviews for Tekken 8 have not only made it one of the highest-rated games of the year, but also the second highest-rated game in the series, trailing only 1997’s Tekken 3.
Despite an initial positive response, the reception for Tekken 8 has become more divided among fans due to concerns over its monetization strategies. The primary source of player discontent is the aggressive use of battle passes and microtransactions by Bandai Namco. Shortly after its launch, Tekken 8 introduced these elements through an update, which was unexpected given that it’s a full-priced game and not free-to-play or budget. This move didn’t sit well with many players, leading to negative reviews on platforms like Steam. In the following months, Tekken 8 has been embroiled in controversy after controversy, culminating in Bandai Namco promising to address these issues and make amends with fans.
Bandai Namco Recently Promised to Rectify Tekken 8’s Latest Controversy
Tekken 8 Has Received Several DLCs Since Its Release, Both Free and Paid
Similar to numerous contemporary combat games, Tekken 8 has been subject to regular updates and paid downloadable content (DLC) following its launch. One of the initial DLC characters introduced in the game was Warrior Prime Minister Lidia Sobieska, priced at $8 as a standalone purchase. Coinciding with her debut on July 26, Bandai Namco rolled out a fresh gaming arena for the title, the Seaside Resort, via a free update. Despite ongoing criticisms regarding Tekken 8‘s overall monetization strategy, the provision of this arena to all players without additional charge at least partially offset the fact that characters like Lidia were made available only through paywalls.
Heihachi Mishima’s Stage DLC Being Locked Behind a Paywall, While Lidia’s Was Not, Upset Fans
In the latest update for Tekken 8, Bandai Namco introduced a new character – Heihachi Mishima, the once presumed deceased antagonist from the Tekken series. However, this addition stirred up controversy when on October 3, the company made the playable character available as an $8 DLC for the game. Alongside this, they also released a new stage, Genmaji Temple, as a paid $5 DLC instead of a free update, unlike Lidia’s stage. The gaming community’s response to the pricing strategy for Genmaji Temple was largely negative, and it didn’t help that the stage wasn’t included in any of Tekken 8’s expensive premium editions costing over $100.
Bandai Namco is Giving Tekken 8 Players Some Free In-Game Content to Make It Up to Them
In light of the constructive criticism received, Bandai Namco revealed on October 17th that they would adjust the approach for future DLC releases related to Tekken 8. The upcoming stage, slated for winter release, will be free for owners of the Playable Character Year 1 Pass. This pass is available only with the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions of Tekken 8. Additionally, Bandai Namco plans to reward every player who logs into Tekken 8 between October 29th and November 26th with 500 Tekken Coins. Equivalent to $5 in-game value, this virtual currency can be used to buy the Genmaji Temple stage.
The general response to this decision appears predominantly favorable, yet some might contend that it would have been more ideal if Bandai Namco had gifted Genmaji Temple to everyone for free instead of persisting with its monetization. Despite this, it’s encouraging to see the company responding to Tekken 8 player input and modifying their plans accordingly. Here’s hoping Bandai Namco avoids releasing any further DLCs that may upset the Tekken 8 community.
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2024-10-26 16:34