Tekken 8 players divided as devs add “Tekken Shop” with microtransactions

Tekken 8’s devs have officially confirmed that a “Tekken Shop” will be coming to the game, something that has players divided on whether Tekken 8 getting microtransactions is a good thing.

In the modern era of gaming, microtransaction shops are common even in full-price releases. This is especially true of games like Tekken 8 that plan to release new content for years to come and have to be able to support those development costs.

According to an in-game message Tekken 8 players received upon logging in, the new “Tekken Shop” feature is getting added to the game. And, while some were optimistic that it’d be a new shop that uses the in-game Fight Money, the ESRB rating getting updated to say the game has “In-Game Purchases” killed that theory.

That said, the response has been mixed, with some excited to see what might be on offer. Fans of Tekken 8 seem willing to dish some extra money for skins as long as the price is right.

Tekken 8 devs confirm post-launch microtransations

Bandai Namco

Tekken 8 certainly wouldn’t be the first of the modern fighting games to get in on a more modern business model when it comes to microtransactions; both Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 have a number of cosmetic items available for purchase with real money.

However, the pricing of these microtransactions hasn’t gone over well for either game. Between Street Fighter 6’s full collection of alternate costumes for base characters costing more than $100 and Mortal Kombat 1 selling Fatalities for more than $10, it’s easy to see why.

These prices aren’t all that outlandish when compared to something like Apex Legends or Call of Duty, but fighting game fans aren’t having it. This leaves us with the announcement that Tekken 8 will be introducing microtransactions via the Tekken Shop.

Longtime Tekken community member YellowMotion pointed out Tekken 8’s microtransaction shop may not be a bad thing, especially if it gives players the ability to buy legacy skins and other customization options for a “reasonable price”.

Everyone’s opinion on this is a bit different, with some feeling as if adding a post-launch microtransaction shop is a universally negative move, while others feel as if it’s justified considering just how good Tekken 8 is.

There’s also a distinct possibility that the Tekken Shop will have items players can use their accumulated Fight Money on, and that real money purchases will be attached only to the DLC characters.