In recent months, the rumor mill has delivered rumors and leaked information about Tekken 8. However, amid all of the chatter, the name of a controversial anti-piracy software, Denuvo, has become rather contentious.
To many, Denuvo is an unwelcome visitor that sneaks into their gaming parties unannounced. Known to accompany big titles like Payday 3 and Far Cry, Denuvo is notorious for its alleged interference with game performance. Such claims are far from unreasonable. In spite of multiple attempts to refute accusations over the years, there’s evidence proving that games using Denuvo DRM software experience significant performance loss, either in terms of frame rates or boot times.
Given the controversial nature of this anti-piracy system, it was hardly surprising that a recent discovery in the End User License Agreement (EULA) of Tekken 8, indicating the inclusion of Denuvo, caused a stir. The evidence seemed solid. As explicitly stated, “This game is protected by Denuvo Anti-Tamper technology.”
this EULA is probably simply a copy/paste of TEKKEN7 or something (I'm not a registered this but sure).
Anyway, I’ve no plans to introduce Denuvo or anything else in TEKKEN8, so stop your tedious allergic reactions to every single thing & sit quietly (sit the hell down). https://t.co/oT1Wj9VTpd— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) August 7, 2023
However, as quickly as the controversy started, the long-time Tekken director, Katsuhiro Harada, was even quicker, if a bit miffed, to defuse it.
In a world where developers often respond to fan complaints with rehearsed PR responses, Harada’s style is refreshingly direct. When a fan – going by the Twitter name PC_enjoyer – pointed out the presence of Denuvo as per the EULA, he had quite the response. He boldly declared, “This EULA is probably simply a copy/paste of TEKKEN7 or something… Anyway, I’ve no plans to introduce Denuvo or anything else in TEKKEN8.” And, lest anyone miss his point, he added, “Stop your tedious allergic reactions to every single thing & sit quietly (sit the hell down).”
Harada’s response was so impactful, it led to the deletion of the initial tweet by PC_enjoyer. For many in the community, this exchange was reminiscent of previous occasions where Harada made his feelings known.
Earlier this year, when Bandai Namco Europe inadvertently revealed a character ahead of time, Harada didn’t hesitate to voice his frustration in a tweet that was soon deleted.
Yet, one can’t help wonder about the origin of Denuvo’s inclusion in the EULA. Was it genuinely copied from Tekken 7, a game that did use Denuvo? Even as Harada’s words seem to put the matter to rest, questions persist. After all, the EULA on Tekken 8’s Steam page, at the time of this writing, still mentions Denuvo, although there’s speculation that this will change as the game’s launch nears – whenever that is.
The broader gaming community has developers are rethink the use of Denuvo. Games like Resident Evil Village haven’t used DRM for a while after featuring it for years. The skepticism about Denuvo, combined with its potential impact on game performance, makes it a hot topic for any game’s release.
For fans who’ve followed the Tekken series since its inception, their primary concern might be simpler – such as whether they’d see Heihachi throw his grandson out of a helicopter again in Tekken 8.
Amidst all the drama and controversies, it’s essential not to lose sight of the game itself. Early interactions with Tekken 8 have shown it to be a visually impressive experience with a new Heat system that defines characters uniquely.
While Tekken 8’s release date remains a mystery, the conversation around it is very much alive, driven not just by player expectations but by candid responses from its makers.
As the game’s release approaches, it’s clear: Tekken 8 is shaping up to be more than just another installment in an iconic franchise – it’s becoming a reflection of the evolving relationship between game developers and their passionate community.
Speaking of Tekken 8, Bandai Namco most recently confirmed the latest additions to the fighting game after an earlier leak. Finally, while the release date of Tekken 8 remains unlocked, Street Fighter 6 is already out while Mortal Kombat 1 will follow suit on September 19.
