Whereas the preventing recreation group (FGC) is basically nonetheless operated as a grassroots operation by unbiased event organizers and gamers, the final decade has seen aggressive occasions supported and even outright hosted by recreation publishers on the highest stage. Bandai Namco could be very concerned with its recreation’s professional scenes, operating circuits for a few of its larger video games like Tekken World Tour.
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The TWT was put into place with the worldwide console launch of Tekken 7 in 2017, which put an actual concentrate on letting gamers conflict at in-person and on-line occasions to show they’re strongest on the earth irrespective of the place they arrive from. And that is one thing that may proceed to increase as Tekken 8 enters the image and shakes the aggressive scene to its core.
Chief producer Katsuhiro Harada and producer Michael Murray have used tournaments, such because the TWT 2022 Finals, as phases to showcase extra particulars about T8 to the franchise’s hardcore viewers. And, whereas at a hands-on occasion with journey bills supplied by Bandai Namco, each builders shared a little bit of perception into how the TWT’s future is at the moment being dealt with.
Since Tekken 8 doesn’t have a launch window but, the 2023 TWT was introduced in February with Tekken 7 because the featured recreation. This may doubtless be an analogous occasion to what Capcom did with the 2022 Capcom Professional Tour, having already introduced Road Fighter 6 however operating one last yr of the occasion circuit on the earlier recreation main as much as its launch.
Capcom additionally set the tone for upcoming preventing recreation circuits too, saying that the 2023 CPT would characteristic a $2 million prize pool for SF6’s debut—the most important prize providing in preventing recreation historical past.
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Because of that bombshell, loads of gamers began taking a look at their very own video games and the assist being supplied by builders, questioning if these firms would observe go well with and improve the prize pool. Clearly, that isn’t possible for each developer since preventing video games are nonetheless area of interest in lots of instances, however Tekken is a large franchise and Bandai is an equally profitable firm.
For Harada and Murray, Capcom dropping such a giant announcement was thrilling, and each agree it’s going to be extremely impactful for the FGC. The duo and their workforce at Bandai, nonetheless, are taking a look at it by way of the lens of sustainability and what this might sign as an entire.
In terms of the prize pool alone, Harada notes that the distribution of the prize pool is simply as essential in the long term as the general quantity. Whether or not you determine to go the route Capcom has the place a majority of that $2 million will go straight to the highest finisher otherwise you cut up it up over a number of tournaments in order that extra gamers have one thing substantial to struggle for is a key think about constructing out a circuit.
Murray provides {that a} choice to incorporate a prize pool like that additionally brings with it a stage of duty for the corporate behind the circuit as a result of so many gamers and whole communities may stay or die primarily based on how issues play out.
“Perhaps that is simply advertising and marketing or no matter, but when we had been going to do the identical factor we really feel accountable that it’s important to have a long-term plan in place so that you just don’t simply do it one yr for the sport’s launch after which be like ‘okay, we’re accomplished,” Murray mentioned.
“Individuals might need their livelihoods attacked to [the events] after that or one thing, so you’ve gotten this type of duty to maintain that up. And we wish to make certain we undoubtedly can, which entails so many alternative components it’s important to take into consideration and are onerous to make sure.”
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Whereas Harada and Murray wouldn’t go into specifics for T8’s aggressive plans or upcoming occasions, the aim for Bandai seems to be sustainability over flashy bulletins that may probably work as further advertising and marketing—not less than in the case of issues with aggressive implications.
That isn’t to say Capcom’s prize pool isn’t going to stay at that stage and was merely a approach to attract eyes for SF6’s first yr in the marketplace, however Murray particularly mentioned that if he and the workforce are going to decide to one thing like that they “must make it for the long run” whereas being 100% certain they may assist the mannequin.
We doubtless received’t hear extra concerning the aggressive way forward for Tekken 8 and the way the subsequent technology of the franchise will form occasions till nearer to launch, however followers can not less than loosen up a bit figuring out that the workforce is conscious of the altering panorama and approaching it with a stage head.
