Daily Archives: May 12, 2025

Games, Gaming, News

What you can expect in Summer for Tekken 8

EVO Japan 2025 has wrapped up, leaving the fighting game community buzzing with excitement—and, in some cases, frustration. Tekken 8, one of the biggest titles at the event, had its fair share of announcements, including new content, balance updates, and a controversial DLC reveal. Let’s break down everything that went down at Tokyo Big Sight.

Fahkumram Returns as DLC

One of the biggest reveals was the return of Fahkumram, the Muay Thai powerhouse who first appeared in Tekken 7. While some fans were excited to see him back, others were disappointed, feeling that Bandai Namco could have introduced a fresh character instead. His teaser trailer showed him dropping onto the battlefield, breaking free from his restraints, and declaring his opponent his next victim.

New Content Roadmap

Bandai Namco outlined its Season 2 roadmap, which includes:

  • Balance Update (May 13, 2025) – Adjustments to character strengths and weaknesses.
  • Ghost Showdown Mode – A new feature in the Tekken Lounge.
  • Karate Kid: Legends Crossover (June 3, 2025) – Free cosmetics inspired by the upcoming Karate Kid movie, including a hoodie and themed billboards.
  • Pac-Man Collaboration (Summer 2025) – A new stage called Pac-Pixels and various Pac-Man-themed cosmetics.

Despite these additions, the community’s reaction was lukewarm. Many players expressed disappointment, feeling that the updates lacked meaningful gameplay improvements.

Competitive Scene: Knee Dominates

On the tournament side, legendary South Korean player Knee once again proved his dominance, winning the Tekken 8 championship at EVO Japan 2025. Using Bryan, he defeated Mulgold in a thrilling 3-2 grand final match. His victory secured him 800 points for the Tekken World Tour 2025 and a spot in the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025.+

Community Reactions

The Tekken 8 community has been vocal about its concerns. While some players appreciate the new content, others feel that Bandai Namco is focusing too much on cosmetics and collaborations rather than addressing core gameplay issues. The Season 2 update had already caused problems, requiring an emergency patch, and many fear that future updates may not be enough to fix the game’s balance.

With EVO Japan 2025 setting the stage for the Tekken World Tour, all eyes are now on upcoming tournaments and potential future updates. Will Bandai Namco listen to player feedback and make meaningful changes? Or will the community’s frustration continue to grow? Only time will tell.

Games, Gaming, News

SEGA reminded us about what’s next for Virtua Fighter

Fighting game fans were in for a surprise at EVO Japan 2025, as SEGA officially announced the next installment in the Virtua Fighter series: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. The reveal took place at Tokyo Big Sight, where SEGA hosted a dedicated booth featuring gameplay demonstrations, tournaments, and exclusive merchandise.

This announcement marks a significant milestone for the franchise, as Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is set to launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, making it the first proper Virtua Fighter game to arrive on a Nintendo platform in 32 years. The game will feature rollback netcode and crossplay support, ensuring a seamless online experience for players across different platforms.

The Legacy of Virtua Fighter

Virtua Fighter debuted in 1993, pioneering 3D fighting games with its realistic physics and deep combat mechanics. Developed by Yu Suzuki and his team at SEGA-AM2, the franchise set new standards for the genre, influencing titles like Tekken and Dead or Alive. Over the years, Virtua Fighter has maintained a dedicated fanbase, despite SEGA’s sporadic support for the series.

The last major entry, Virtua Fighter 5, was released in 2006, followed by updates such as Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown and the Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown remaster in 2021. However, fans have long awaited a true revival, and SEGA has finally answered their calls.

What to Expect from Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.

SEGA’s Seiji Aoki, the franchise’s director, expressed excitement about bringing Virtua Fighter back to the forefront of fighting games. He emphasized that Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is more than just a port—it will include new content, enhanced visuals, and refined mechanics.

Key features include:

  • Rollback Netcode: Ensuring smooth online matches.
  • Crossplay Support: Allowing players across different platforms to compete.
  • Expanded Content: SEGA has hinted at additional modes and characters, with more details to be revealed in future updates.

Virtua Fighter’s Return to Nintendo

One of the most exciting aspects of this announcement is Virtua Fighter’s arrival on Nintendo Switch 2. Despite SEGA’s long history with Nintendo, Virtua Fighter has never had a proper presence on the platform. This move signals SEGA’s recognition of the growing fighting game community on Nintendo consoles, following the success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Dragon Ball FighterZ.

The Future of Virtua Fighter

With Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., SEGA is reaffirming its commitment to the franchise. The game’s presence at EVO Japan 2025, alongside tournaments and community events, highlights SEGA’s dedication to revitalizing Virtua Fighter for both veteran players and newcomers.

As the fighting game community eagerly awaits more details, one thing is clear: Virtua Fighter is back, and it’s ready to reclaim its throne

eSport, Events, Gaming, News

EVO 2025 had it’s 2025 jumpstart with EVO Japan 2025

EVO Japan 2025 has wrapped up, leaving behind a trail of intense battles, shocking upsets, and exciting announcements for the fighting game community. Held at Tokyo’s Big Sight East Exhibition Halls, this year’s event saw thousands of competitors from around the world vying for glory across multiple titles. Let’s dive into the biggest moments from the tournament, including the winners, key matches, and major news.

Tournament Winners and Standout Performances

Street Fighter 6

Dominican powerhouse MenaRD defended his title successfully, becoming the back-to-back EVO Japan Street Fighter 6 champion. His journey to victory was anything but easy, facing fierce competition from Japan’s Ryukichi, whom he defeated in a thrilling 3-2 upper bracket final before sealing the championship with a 3-1 win in the grand finals. MenaRD’s victory speech included a challenge to legendary player Daigo Umehara, setting the stage for a potential showdown later this year.

Tekken 8

Tekken legend Knee added another trophy to his collection, securing his fourth EVO title with a dominant performance using Bryan Fury. His final match against Mulgold was a nail-biter, with Mulgold clawing his way back through the losers’ bracket for a rematch, only to fall 3-2 against Knee’s relentless offense.

Guilty Gear -Strive-

In a stunning display of loyalty and skill, Daru_I-No took home his first EVO title, playing his namesake character I-No. His reverse sweep in the finals cemented his place among the top Guilty Gear players in the world.

The King of Fighters XV

Taiwanese veteran Lin “ET” Chia-hung successfully defended his King of Fighters XV title, securing his second consecutive championship with a 3-1 victory over Japanese competitor mok. His dominance in the bracket was undeniable, maintaining an undefeated record against mok throughout the tournament.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves

Though not a main event, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves had a special side bracket, where Xiaohai emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Fenritti. His performance showcased the depth of talent in SNK’s latest fighting game.

Major Announcements and Game Updates

Beyond the competition, EVO Japan 2025 was packed with exciting reveals:

  • Tekken 8 announced new characters and major updates, keeping fans hyped for upcoming content.
  • Guilty Gear Strive revealed Unika’s release date, adding another fighter to its roster.
  • Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising showcased new gameplay footage and a release date for Galleon, expanding its universe.
  • Street Fighter 6 surprised fans with a collaboration with Overwatch, bringing unique crossover content to the game.

Looking Ahead to EVO 2025

EVO Japan 2025 marks the beginning of the fighting game community’s summer circuit, leading up to EVO 2025 in Las Vegas later this year. With new champions rising and legendary players defending their titles, the road to the next major tournament is already shaping up to be an exciting one.

Games, Gaming, Nintendo

Nintendo updated its EULA ahead of Nintendo Switch 2 launch and debates didn’t wait

Nintendo has recently updated its End User License Agreement (EULA), and the gaming community is buzzing with reactions. The changes, which took effect in May 2025, introduce a significant shift in how disputes between users and Nintendo can be resolved. Specifically, the new EULA prevents users from filing class-action lawsuits against the company, instead requiring arbitration on an individual basis.

What Changed in Nintendo’s EULA?

The most controversial update is found in Section 16, which explicitly states that users waive their right to sue Nintendo in court, participate in a class-action lawsuit, or have a trial by jury. Instead, disputes must be resolved through arbitration, a legal process that typically favors corporations over consumers due to its private nature and limited appeal options.

Nintendo does offer an opt-out clause, allowing users to reject the arbitration requirement by sending a written notice to Nintendo within 30 days of agreeing to the EULA. However, many gamers feel this is an inadequate safeguard.

The response from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly negative. Many players see this move as an attempt by Nintendo to shield itself from future lawsuits, particularly regarding hardware issues like the infamous Joy-Con drift.

On gaming forums, users have expressed frustration, with some calling the update “scummy” and others questioning its legality. Some players believe the clause won’t hold up in court, especially in countries where consumer rights laws prevent companies from enforcing such agreements.

Others speculate that Nintendo is preemptively protecting itself from potential lawsuits related to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and its new Joy-Con 2 controllers. Given the backlash Nintendo faced over Joy-Con drift in the past, this change seems like a strategic legal maneuver.

What Does This Mean for Gamers?

For now, Nintendo users must decide whether to accept the new terms or opt out within the 30-day window. While arbitration can sometimes lead to quicker resolutions, it also limits consumer power by preventing collective legal action.

This update raises broader concerns about corporate accountability in gaming. As more companies adopt similar legal strategies, gamers may need to pay closer attention to the fine print before agreeing to new terms.

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