Tekken 8 Version 1.08 is big not just because of Heihachi’s return, but also because of the new story content that it will add for free. What makes this a big deal is that it’s the first time that a Tekken game is getting post-launch story content.
Ahead of the Version 1.08 launch, we go to try the new story content out, and we also got to chat with producer Michael Murray in a roundtable session with other SEA media. Among the things Murray mentioned was the decision to make new story content for free.
One of the main reasons is that they wanted to make the Tekken 30th anniversary celebration special. The decision to make new singleplayer story content was also based on an increasing number of new fans who are invested in the Tekken storyline.
Murray explained:
“We’ve noticed that the Tekken fanbase has always had a variety of different interests. You have players who are strictly interested in rank matches. You had certain people who would customize their characters all day long, and that’s pretty much all they did. Or you had some people who would play the scenario campaign.
One growing trend that we noticed was that more newer players care a lot about the story, and it motivates them to see what’s going to happen to their favorite character or with the story arc from the previous installment, and how is that going to wrap up, etc.
We realized a lot more people asking for story content post-launch, and so there was that need from the player base, and then there was the strong need to make a convincing story arc about Heihachi’s return. At the same time, we really wanted to explore the additional characters, Lydia, Eddy, etc, without just kind of throwing them the game.”
The Season 1 characters are also a key reason for the development and upcoming release of free story content. Aside from explaining what Heihachi, Lydia, and Eddy have been up to during the events of Tekken 8, the new story chapters also give players a chance to try the characters out for free so that they might consider getting the Season 1 Pass.
“We can’t just, you know, give away characters, because we have so many people working on development for these things, and they cost money, but it’s a good balance. to let people at least try them before they purchase it so it’s something new. We’re not sure how it’s going to work out, but I think it’s a worthwhile experience experiment to see if that’s a good balance between what the players want and what we have to achieve as a product.”
While it would be nice to see more story content for future Tekken 8 seasons, it’s not clear if more will be made or if this will be a one-off. Hopefully we get to see more given that many players would no doubt love to have new campaign chapters for upcoming characters.
Tekken 8 Version 1.08 will be released in Fall 2024 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.