Director of Tekken 8 leaves Bandai Namco after two decades

Kohei Ikeda, the name behind Tekken 8, has decided to bid farewell to Bandai Namco after two decades with the company. This news came as a surprise to many fans since Ikeda is a key figure in the development of the series.

In a heartfelt message on social media, Ikeda expressed his passion for fighting games and his admiration for his fellow Tekken development team members. "I am deeply proud to have had the chance to create games alongside amazing people who put their hearts into this work," he stated.

Ikeda's departure happens at a challenging time for Tekken 8. Despite the ongoing support and the recent announcement of a DLC featuring the character Grappler Baki, fans are displeased with the significant changes introduced in the game's third season. Emergency patches have been promised, yet the community's frustration is clear.

Now, the question remains about the future direction of the franchise. Meanwhile, former Tekken team members are pursuing new opportunities, such as the veteran Katsuhiro Harada, who has already secured a new project in collaboration with SNK. Regarding the future with new leadership, Harada believes that the series still has a long journey ahead.