Games

Insights into Tekken 9 Development Plans by Harada

Exploring the thoughts and plans of the director and producer on the future of the Tekken series.
Insights into Tekken 9 Development Plans by Harada

Highlights

  • Harada intends to retire post-Tekken 9, marking it as his final contribution to the franchise.
  • Tekken 8 has garnered immense success, surpassing two million copies sold since its debut in January.
  • The roadmap for Tekken 9 remains uncertain as Harada discusses prospective launch schedules.

Tekken 8's director and producer, Katsuhiro Harada, has expressed that Tekken 9 is envisioned as his swan song in game development. With Tekken 8 already a blockbuster hit, having crossed the two million sales milestone since its recent release in January, it stands out as a standout title in the renowned fighting game series.

Renowned for his transparency, the director of Tekken 8 frequently engages with fans through social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube, where his show, Harada's Bar, offers a more laid-back environment for discussions. A recent episode of Harada's Bar featured Harada himself, the trailer voice of Tekken 8 Lenne Hardt, and associate producer Michael Murray, delving into the future of the Tekken franchise.

In a segment titled 'Harada, Lenne, and Michael,' Murray prompts Hardt to inquire about their plans for Tekken 9 and its potential release date. Harada revealed that Tekken 9 is likely to be his final project before stepping away from game development. He emphasized, 'Tekken 9 will mark our farewell from the industry,' referring to himself and Michael Murray. Discussing the timeline for the sequel to Tekken 8, Harada mentioned the initial plans for Tekken 7 and its follow-up, indicating a delayed development process compared to their original estimations.

Harada's Vision and the Future of Tekken 9

Reflecting on the current popularity of Tekken 8, Harada and the team contemplate the ideal timing for Tekken 9, acknowledging the inevitability of aging and hinting at an expedited release. Harada envisions the next console generation post-PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as an opportune moment for launching the game, stating, 'I believe the release would align with the debut of PlayStation 6 or the next Xbox series. I aspire to introduce [Tekken 9] promptly at that juncture, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain.'

Anticipating shifts in gaming technology, Harada and Murray speculate on a future where gaming transcends traditional platforms, envisioning a landscape where consoles and PCs might not dominate gaming interactions. Hardt adds to the conversation by suggesting advancements in technology by the time Tekken 9 hits the market. Harada concludes by expressing his eagerness to see Tekken 9 also grace a Nintendo platform in the future.

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