A Peek into the Mind of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Director Katsuhiro Harada

As I walked into the Namco Bandai Global Gamers Day, I couldn't help but feel like I had stumbled into a rabbit hole. The room was air-conditioned, and Harada, the director of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, was resplendent in his white pin-stripe suit, complete with matching waistcoat, black shirt, white tie, and oversized sunglasses. It was a sensory overload that left me reeling, but it was also an opportunity to speak with one of the most iconic figures in the gaming industry.

Harada's passion for Tekken is evident in every aspect of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, from its roster of approximately 50 fighters to its innovative gameplay mechanics. When asked if the roster was excessive, Harada smiled and revealed that even Dead or Alive creator Itagaki has suggested as much, but he believes the team is okay up to around 60.

The conversation turned to the game's balance, with Harada explaining that his team analyzes arcade data to establish where tweaks are required. According to their analysis, the results of tag versus solo matches are roughly evenly split. However, when it comes to character DLC, Harada acknowledged that there may be legitimate reasoning behind the decision not to include all characters on the disc.

'If it wasn't on the disc, it'd have to be downloaded every time I fight against someone who's using that character, increasing the load time for matches,' he said. This raises questions about the impact of DLC on the gaming experience and whether it's fair to players who choose not to purchase additional characters.

Despite these concerns, Harada remains optimistic about the future of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and its ability to expand the audience of the series. With a roster of 50 fighters and innovative gameplay mechanics, the game is poised to appeal to both new and veteran fans alike.

As I left the conference suite, I couldn't help but feel excited for the possibilities that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 holds. With Harada at the helm, it's clear that this game is in good hands, and fans can look forward to an experience that will satisfy even the most discerning gamers.

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