"A fight is about who’s left standing" - fighting game veteran explains why Tekken is still kicking while Soul Calibur's in limbo

GamesFightingTekken"A fight is about who’s left standing" - fighting game veteran explains why Tekken is still kicking while Soul Calibur’s in limboWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesFightingTekken"A fight is about who’s left standing" - fighting game veteran explains why Tekken is still kicking while Soul Calibur’s in limboWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Bandai Namco) Bandai Namco’s general manager and longtime fighting game director Katsuhiro Harada has delved into the sibling rivalry thatTekkenand Soul Calibur had within the company for decades, while implying that the latter series is somewhat in limbo. “After observing the industry for 30 years, I can say that in the case of fighting games, there have been many instances in which a series has stagnated or ceased to exist when a key player in the franchise leaves or disappears,” Harada explains. “The reasons for the disappearance of these key persons are often not only their own problems.” Harada then points to Bandai Namco’s long-running, big-swords fighting series Soul Calibur as an example: “Having seen it up close and personal… this was not simply a matter of sales and marketing, but I can tell you that the organizational changes and decision-makers at Namco Bandai had a great deal to do with it.” The full tweet embedded below gets into the interesting nitty-gritty of fighting game history, how the transition from arcades to consoles killed several acclaimed fighting series, and how Soul Calibur was once seen as the publisher’s golden goose thanks to its higher sales in North America and potential for multimedia expansions. “Even I, at the time, had a certain appreciation for the hypothetical possibilities,” Harada writes, despite being firmly based in the Tekken camp. Okay, since it’s lunchtime, let’s talk a little about the differences between Soul Calibur (Project Soul) and TEKKEN Project.Before we get to that subject, you mention “game mechanics” as a prime example of how to talk about the survival of a game, but things are not that… https://t.co/pxrA5TDzZpJune 25, 2024 Okay, since it’s lunchtime, let’s talk a little about the differences between Soul Calibur (Project Soul) and TEKKEN Project.Before we get to that subject, you mention “game mechanics” as a prime example of how to talk about the survival of a game, but things are not that… https://t.co/pxrA5TDzZpJune 25, 2024 “However, as you all know, as the industry expanded, it became larger and larger, and companies merged with each other,” Harada continues. “Bandai Namco is no exception and has changed for better or for worse.” He then explains how organizational changes left Soul Calibur “struggling to survive.” Meanwhile, Tekken thrived after Harada became “the head of a new department called Global Business Development” because he somewhat “manipulated the creative and budget planning.” Despite sitting in the freezer for now, Harada still thinks that the “fire” of Soul Calibur hasn’t been extinguished at the publisher. “There are still a few people in the company who have the will to do it. I would like to believe that they are just not united now.” The series last reared its head with Soul Calibur 6 in 2018, which went on to sell two million copies within a year and received two season passes - one of which featured Geralt of Rivia, of all people. On the other hand, its rival continued the longest-running video game storyline earlier this year in Tekken 8. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more For now, check out thebest fighting gamesyou can play now. CATEGORIESPC GamingXbox Series XPS5PlatformsXboxPlayStation CATEGORIES PRODUCTSSoul Calibur 6Tekken 8 PRODUCTS More about tekkenTekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy"Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER"Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about tekkenTekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy"Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER"Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about tekkenTekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy"Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER” More about tekken Tekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy"Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER” Tekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy” Tekken 8 boss gives broken Tifa stans hope after Clive got to join the fighter instead: “It’s not like we’re only limited to one character from Final Fantasy” Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER” Final Fantasy 7 fans have been begging for Tifa to be added to Tekken 8, so they’re taking the news of FF16 star Clive being added as well as you’d expect: “IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN HER” Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► Latest 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” See more latest► Most Popular Elder Scrolls modders have released a playable part of the ambitious Project Tamriel, which aims to recreate all of the beloved RPG’s regions in Morrowind Disney Plus' new Spider-Man show is no longer canon in the MCU because it was “not fun” to put limitations on its story Master Chief’s absence from Halo Wars wasn’t Bungie’s fault, it was a move to make players “care about everybody else” in the RTS One of Sonic 3’s writers threatens us with a good time in a future movie: “We gotta get Big the Cat in there in some capacity” This nifty gadget turns any M.2 SSD into a portable drive, but it’s great for when you’re upgrading your PC too League of Legends co-creator responds to 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30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew 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in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”