Tekken 8 is facing backlash over paid DLC that players feel should have been included in the game’s season pass. Read on to learn more about the specific DLC in question and the community’s reactions.
Tekken 8’s Genmaji Temple Stage DLC Has Fans Fuming
Genmaji Temple Sold Separately, Ignites Review Bombing
⚫︎ Screenshot from Tekken 8's Steam Page
Just when Tekken 8 seemed to be finding its footing after the initial Battle Pass fracas, the fighting game has faced another round of review-bombing on Steam, pushing the title’s overall rating back down to "Mostly Negative." This time, the ire stems from the release of a new paid stage, Genmaji Temple, which comes at an additional cost of $4.99 even for those who already purchased the game’s season pass or Ultimate Edition.
The outrage surrounding the Genmaji Temple DLC stems from its perceived lack of value. Players argue that the stage should have been included in the season pass they already purchased, especially considering the season pass presumably covers additional future content. For many, the DLC then feels like a cash grab, especially considering the hefty price tag of the base game itself and its season pass.
This isn’t Tellen 8’s first brush with review-bombing. Back in April, the inclusion of a battle pass system, dubbed the "Fight Pass," drew criticism from fans who felt it was unnecessary in a full-priced game that’s retailing at $69.99. Battle passes are more commonly seen in free-to-play titles, and its presence in Tekken 8 was seen as a blatant attempt to nickel-and-dime players.
In response to the outcry, Tekken’s Katsushiro Harada said in a now-deleted tweet, according to IGN, "As the person in charge of the Tekken franchise, I apologize." He explained that the Tekken project is managed by two separate companies: a game development studio and a publishing company responsible for game sales.
"The development side and publishing side each have their own roles, and there are differences in the way they think and the responsibilities," He continued. "I, who should be the one to act as a bridge between the two, have not been able to properly participate in the publishing (sales) decision-making process… As a result, I think that there were parts of the process that did not take the Tekken community’s opinion into account."
The reason for Harada's decision to delete his tweet remains unclear, but many see it admirable for the head of Tekken to apologize for the aggressive monetization practices that fans have been criticizing.
In Defense of Tekken 8’s Monetization Practices
Despite this, veteran game developer Del Walker, with experience at studios like Naughty Dog, Rocksteady, and Respawn, offered insights into the financial realities of AAA game development. He explained that the high cost of producing a game like Tekken 8, coupled with its relatively niche genre, necessitates aggressive monetization strategies to ensure profit.
Walker mentioned Harada’s statement, saying that a single stage in Tekken 8 can cost around $350,000 to develop. This figure takes into account labor costs, which can quickly escalate due to the specialized skills required for creating complex fighting game environments.
"The fan base, while passionate, isn't growing enough and seems uninterested in the financial realities," Walker remarked. "They review bomb these sustainability efforts, then wonder why franchises like Soul Calibur or Virtua Fighter are gone." Essentially, Walker summed it up in ten words: "If you don’t like it, just don’t buy the DLC."
As the cost of producing AAA games rises, publishers are increasingly relying on microtransactions and DLC to generate revenue. However, this approach can alienate players who feel exploited, leading to negative backlash and potential damage to a franchise's reputation. While aggressive monetization may be necessary for survival, perhaps it must be implemented carefully to avoid alienating the very fans who have supported the franchise for years.
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Del Walker Tweet Defending Tekken 8’s Monetization Practices
