Tag Archives: Bandai Namco

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.

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.

Business, Gaming, News

Bandai Namco grew at Q3 2025

Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. recently released its consolidated financial report for the third quarter (nine months) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their earnings:

  • Net Sales: $6.29 billion, a significant increase of 23.8% compared to the same period last year.
  • Operating Profit: $1.34 billion, showing a remarkable growth of 129.0%.
  • Recurring Profit: $1.41 billion, up by 106.9%.
  • Profit Attributable to Owners of Parent: $1.00 billion, an increase of 113.1%.
  • Basic Earnings per Share (EPS): $1.97.
  • Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS): $1.97.

Financial Position (in USD)

  • Total Assets: $7.50 billion as of December 31, 2024.
  • Net Assets: $5.50 billion as of December 31, 2024.
  • Equity Ratio: 73.2% as of December 31, 2024.

Cash Dividends (in USD)

  • Annual Cash Dividends: $0.60 per share for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

Bandai Namco has revised its projections for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, with an optimistic outlook for continued growth in net sales and profits.

Bandai Namco’s impressive financial performance reflects its strong market position and successful strategies. The company’s focus on innovation and expansion is likely to drive further growth in the coming years.

Games, Gaming, News

First Look at The Blood of Dawnwalker with a trailer

Interest on the new studio called Rebel Wolves from Warsaw, Poland went high after last year’s Bandai Namco announcement that they were going to be the publisher for their first game and also, because the studio was founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz who served at CD Projekt Red’s The Witcher 3 Game Director and head of production/secondary game director for Cyberpunk 2077.

The result is The Blood of Dawnwalker.

“The Blood of Dawnwalker” is an upcoming single-player, open-world dark fantasy action-RPG set in 14th-century medieval Europe and follows the story of Coen, a young man turned into a Dawnwalker, who must navigate the line between the world of day and the realm of night.

The game’s first trailer, released on January 13, 2025, showcases the game’s cinematic and gameplay elements. The trailer reveals the dark and brutal world of Vale Sangora, where vampires seize the opportunity to rise from the shadows and claim power. Players will have to use Coen’s vampiric strength and human resolve to save his loved ones and face various foes, including humans, monsters, and the ticking clock.

Rebel Wolves team also includes Bartłomiej Gaweł, who was The Witcher 3’s art director, as well as writer Jakub Szamałek (The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Thronebreaker), design director Daniel Sadowski (The Witcher), animation director Tamara Zawada (The Witcher 3), CFO Michał Boryka, studio head Robert Murzynowski and Mateusz Tomaszkiewicz as creative director.

The game will is being made with Unreal Engine 5 and will have a full gameplay reveal at summer (probably at Summer Game Fest 2025) and it is slated to be released on Playstation 5, Xbox Series S & X and PC.