'Tekken 7' rumor: Console version to release early next year?

Tekken 7 gameplayBandai Namco

One of the titles anticipated to launch next year is the next installment for the long-running and popular "Tekken" franchise. Launched as an arcade game earlier this year, Bandai Namco recently announced that "Tekken 7" will indeed come to global players via a console version.

While speculations have been floating online about a possible Xbox One port, it has already been confirmed that PS4 players will have a chance to play "Tekken 7" as it will be released for the Sony console system next year. However, game producer Katsuhiro Harada has not yet set a definite date for the release.

Recent reports suggested that to keep up with the competition, the most noted one being Capcom's upcoming fighting title, "Tekken 7" will see an early 2016 release.

According to TechnoBuffalo, Bandai Namco would have to position "Tekken 7" to newcomers to the fighting genre as a long-established franchise. This means that it would have to release earlier next year, to tackle head-on another franchise installment, Capcom's "Street Fighter V."

Meanwhile, an early start would also be advantageous to Bandai Namco to build up its fanbase. Although the PS4 version of "Tekken 7" is already a ported title as the original version is meant for arcade gaming, Bandai Namco can capitalize on the recent rave reviews that global players and observers have showered on the original arcade version. An early release for "Tekken 7" will accomplish that.

In addition, the early release of the title for the PS4 means that more players can experience VR gaming. "Tekken 7" is one of a handful of titles that were exclusively picked by Sony PlayStation to provide VR support for its PlayStation VR system (previously called Project Morpheus).

Though it has already been speculated, Bandai Namco still has to confirm the specific release date for "Tekken 7."