[public] Tokido talks about his retirement

Summary

In this engaging discussion, producer Harada reveals the decision behind not releasing an arcade version for TEKKEN 8, citing company restructuring and the shift to project-based management. He discusses the challenges of developing for arcades, including rising costs and the need for profitability. The conversation also explores the potential for PlayStation 2 games like 'Urban Reign' to be ported to newer platforms, the complexities of large company operations, and the importance of customer feedback over internal evaluations. Additionally, the chat delves into the evolution of fighting games, the impact of game design on player experience, and the future of arcade gaming.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The TEKKEN series is notable for its absence of an arcade version in TEKKEN 8, a first for the franchise.
• 👥 The gaming demographic at arcades is diversifying, with more young people, including women, showing interest in games like Street Fighter.
• 🏢 The decision not to release an arcade version of TEKKEN 8 is tied to internal company restructuring and the shift towards project-based operations.
• 💵 Arcade game development is becoming less viable due to rising costs and the difficulty of recouping investments, especially with limited development budgets.
• 💻 There's a trend towards testing games on platforms like Steam before considering arcade adaptations, influenced by the need for profitability.
• 📊 A worldwide survey conducted for TEKKEN 4 led to many changes based on player feedback, but it also resulted in a game that was too different from the series' identity.
• 📈 TEKKEN Tag Tournament was born out of a joke idea but became a massive success, challenging initial expectations.
• 👴 Ageing can affect professional gamers' performance, with factors like reduced focus time and eyesight issues becoming more prevalent.
• 👓 The use of eye drops like Rohto Z is common among older gamers to alleviate presbyopia and maintain their gameplay.
• 🎯 TEKKEN 8 and Street Fighter 6 are designed to allow less experienced players to compete effectively against higher-ranked opponents, which is seen as a positive change.
• 🕹️ Pro gamers sometimes play different genres to take a break from their main competitive games, such as sound novels or roguelikes.

Q & A

Why is there no arcade version planned for TEKKEN 8?

The producer, Harada, explains that it's the first time they're not releasing an arcade version for the TEKKEN series due to various reasons including ownership of arcades, company structure changes, and the decline in the number of arcades.

How has the popularity of TEKKEN in arcades changed over the past 20 years?

Harada mentions that TEKKEN has been the most popular fighting game in arcades for the past 20 years, but the number of arcades is decreasing, and the company's structure has changed, affecting the development and release of arcade versions.

What is the current business model for arcade games in the context of TEKKEN?

The amusement arcade team is now a different company, and they have to make profits on their own. Development costs are rising, and it's challenging to recover costs with a limited development budget for arcade games.

Why is it difficult for large companies to release arcade versions of their games?

Large companies face high operating expenses, and it's costly to develop arcade versions themselves. It's more profitable for them to commission smaller companies to do the work, as seen with the arcade archives on Switch.

What is the current approach to releasing games for different platforms according to the producer?

The producer discusses the idea of lending the Steam version of games to arcades for a limited time and mentions receiving offers from other companies to create arcade versions of their games.

What is the significance of Urban Reign in the conversation?

Urban Reign is highlighted as a game that didn't sell well but is highly praised by hardcore gamers. It's an example of a game that could potentially be released on modern consoles like the Switch through emulation.

How does the producer of TEKKEN view the feedback from customers and the market?

The producer believes that internal evaluations don't matter as much as receiving good feedback from customers and the market, emphasizing that the customer always comes first.

What was the initial concept for TEKKEN Tag Tournament, and how did it come about?

The initial concept for TEKKEN Tag Tournament was a joke idea from Harada about a game where characters would disappear for a moment during a tag change. Surprisingly, this idea was accepted and became the basis for the game.

What was the response to TEKKEN 4 when it was first released?

TEKKEN 4 received mixed responses. About 80% of players felt it wasn't really TEKKEN, while 20% appreciated its innovative approach. Over time, some players have come to view it as a masterpiece.

How does Tokido, a professional player, feel about the increasing number of competitive players and his potential retirement?

Tokido plans to retire when he's no longer needed as a competitive player. He acknowledges the rise of younger players and the increased competition but intends to continue playing games even if he retires from professional gaming.

What are Tokido's thoughts on the current state of fighting games and the impact on players?

Tokido appreciates the current state of fighting games, noting that they allow younger players to defeat higher-ranked players, which boosts their motivation. He also mentions that games like Street Fighter 6 and TEKKEN 8 have fast-paced gameplay that appeals to players.