When talking about arcade fighting games, it is hard to imagine the arena without thinking of "Tekken" titles. The fact that the latest installment, "Tekken 7," is seen only in Japanese arcades since March 2015 internationally didn't stop fans from waiting for its anticipated worldwide release.
GameSpot was able to interview producer Katsuhiro Harada and game designer/translator Michael Murray during the King of the Iron Fist Tournament North American Finals held last Nov. 9, 2016 in San Francisco.
When asked how "Tekken 7" fits in the evolving world of eSports and fighting games, Harada mentioned there are avid players in North America and Europe and that it may be slow now due to lack of home versions, but it will change once the game is released internationally. Despite the growing popularity of fighting games, "Tekken 7" will still have a niche of its own as the only 3D arcade game.
Furthermore, Harada added that once home versions are introduced, a story mode is going to be included. There will be one or two lines exchanged by the players, and they would only rely on multiple factors, such as health and who the opposing fighters are.
One noticeable aspect of the game is the presence of Akuma, a well-known Street Fighter character. Harada explained that Akuma is a part of the Tekken story, thus being a playable character. When asked about including more Street Fighter characters, he said it's not something they are actively thinking about, but can be a possibility given the way they tease details.
"Tekken 7" is going to be released on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC platforms, but questions arise on whether it will also be introduced to the upcoming Nintendo Switch. MobiPicker thinks so, considering the earlier statement of support from Capcom to the hybrid's development. Although no confirmed reports have been made yet, Switch support would widen the Tekken community nonetheless.
No definite date is announced, but "Tekken 7" is going to be launched early 2017.
