Daily Archives: April 10, 2025

Editorial, Games, Gaming, News

Understanding the whole Tekken 8 Season 2 initial reception

The Tekken franchise has long been a cornerstone of the fighting game community, evolving from its humble beginnings in the mid-90s to the global phenomenon it is today. However, Tekken 8’s Season 2 has sparked a wave of controversy, highlighting the delicate balance between innovation and community expectations.

The Season 2 Patch and Emergency Response

Tekken 8’s Season 2 launched on March 31, 2025, with over 1,500 changes aimed at refreshing the gameplay experience. These adjustments included new moves, balance tweaks, and system changes. While some players appreciated the effort to innovate, the majority of the community—both casual and professional—voiced strong dissatisfaction. Key issues included uninterruptible combos, such as Paul’s “Hammer of the Gods” and Jack-8’s “Make Some Noise” string, which disrupted the game’s competitive integrity.

The backlash was swift and severe, with players review-bombing the game and some professionals threatening to leave the competitive scene. In response, Bandai Namco announced an emergency patch scheduled for mid to late April. This patch aims to address high-priority issues like throw break chip damage and unintentional uninterruptible moves. Katsuhiro Harada, the face of the Tekken Project, acknowledged the disconnect between the community’s expectations and the tuning results, promising that the Battle & Tuning team is working tirelessly to resolve these issues.

Community Concerns and Harada’s Response

The Tekken community has always been vocal, and the response to Season 2 has been no exception. Players criticized the patch for favoring aggressive gameplay at the expense of defensive options, a departure from the technical depth that has defined the series. Harada’s public statements emphasized the importance of listening to community feedback and improving the game for the better. While his transparency is appreciated, some fans worry that the damage to Tekken 8’s reputation may be irreversible.

Comparing Tekken 8 to Early Tekken Titles

The controversy surrounding Tekken 8 Season 2 invites comparisons to the franchise’s earlier days. Tekken 1 through 4 were marked by experimentation and growing pains. Tekken 4, in particular, faced criticism for its uneven balance and controversial mechanics, such as the introduction of uneven stages. However, these early missteps were instrumental in shaping the series’ identity and paving the way for beloved entries like Tekken 5 and Tekken 7.

Unlike Tekken 8, the early titles benefited from a smaller, less fragmented community. Feedback was less immediate, allowing developers more time to refine their vision. Today, social media amplifies community concerns, creating pressure for rapid responses and emergency patches. While this dynamic fosters accountability, it also highlights the challenges of meeting diverse player expectations in a globalized gaming landscape.

Tekken 8’s Season 2 serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in balancing innovation with tradition. As the Tekken Project team works to address community concerns, the franchise’s legacy hangs in the balance. Will Tekken 8 emerge stronger from this controversy, or will it join the ranks of divisive entries like Tekken 4? Only time will tell.

For now, the fighting game community watches closely, hoping that Tekken 8 can reclaim its place as a shining example of competitive excellence.

Games, Gaming, News

Ubisoft will make the fight at The Crew gamers suing the company

Ubisoft, the renowned French video game publisher, has recently found itself at the center of a legal storm following the closure of servers for its popular racing game, The Crew. The decision to shut down the servers rendered the game unplayable, sparking outrage among dedicated fans and leading to a class-action lawsuit. Here’s a detailed look at the backstory, the lawsuit, and Ubisoft’s response.

The Backstory: A Decade of Racing Adventures

Released in 2014, The Crew was celebrated for its expansive open-world setting, allowing players to traverse a scaled-down version of the United States. Developed by Ivory Tower and Ubisoft Reflections, the game offered a unique experience with its persistent online environment. Over the years, Ubisoft provided consistent support, but in December 2023, the game was removed from digital storefronts. By April 2024, the servers were officially shut down, marking the end of an era for The Crew.

The Lawsuit: Ownership vs. Licensing

The server shutdown did not sit well with some players, who argued that Ubisoft had misled them into believing they were purchasing ownership rights to the game. The plaintiffs claimed that Ubisoft’s actions violated California consumer protection laws, including false advertising and unfair competition. They pointed to activation codes with expiration dates as far off as 2099 as evidence that the game was expected to remain playable for the foreseeable future.

Ubisoft, however, countered these claims by emphasizing that players were purchasing a limited license to access the game, not ownership rights. The company argued that this licensing model was clearly stated in its terms of use and product packaging. Ubisoft’s legal team described the plaintiffs’ approach as a “kitchen sink” strategy, alleging multiple causes of action without a plausible claim.

Ubisoft’s Response: A Firm Stance

In its motion to dismiss the case that Polygon got to see, Ubisoft reiterated that The Crew was designed as an online-only game with a revocable license. The company stated that it had fulfilled its obligations by providing access to the game for nearly a decade. Ubisoft also highlighted the introduction of offline modes for its newer titles, The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, as a way to address player concerns.

This lawsuit raises important questions about digital ownership in the gaming industry. As more games adopt online-only models, players are increasingly confronted with the reality that their purchases may not guarantee indefinite access. Ubisoft’s stance aligns with industry trends, where digital licenses are becoming the norm.

The outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how publishers handle server shutdowns and communicate licensing terms to consumers. For now, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding digital ownership and the evolving relationship between players and publishers.