Tekken 8 Announces Major Updates Including Fahkumram DLC and Pac-Man Stage

Tekken 8 developers announced several major updates during Evo Japan 2025, including a new DLC character and upcoming balance changes.

The fighting game will receive three major updates over the coming months, with the first arrivied on May 12.

Fahkumram, the Muay Thai fighter previously introduced in Tekken 7, will join the roster as the next DLC character. While some fans have expressed mixed reactions to this choice, the addition expands the game's already diverse fighter selection.

Version 2.01 update brings significant balance adjustments. The Tekken team stated these changes aim to "address the game's attack-heavy balance" and tackle issues that players have frequently reported.

Some key adjustments in this update include:

• Reducing moves with "excessive return" relative to their risk

• Lowering aerial combo damage across all characters

• Adjusting Heat Burst tracking to make it easier to avoid with sidesteps

• Reducing chip damage from Heat Smash attacks

The update also introduces the Tekken Ghost Showdown mode to the Tekken Lounge, along with the Cyber Phantom Pack and Vigilante Tech Pack.

Looking ahead, Version 2.02 will arrive on June 3, 2025, bringing another round of balance changes. This update features a collaboration with the upcoming "Karate Kid: Legends" movie, adding character hoodies, a "vision takeover" for a stage, and classic costumes for Kuma, Panda, and Dragunov with additional color options.

Perhaps the most exciting announcement for long-time Bandai Namco fans is the Pac-Man collaboration coming in Version 2.03 this summer. This update will include:

• A new Pac-Man-themed stage called "Pac-Pixels"

• Special Pac-Man hit effects

• In-game Pac-Man t-shirts

• A plushie ghost pack

• Pac-Man Ball (a variation of Tekken Ball)

• Wearable Pac-Man head cosmetics

The Tekken team has also acknowledged issues with the ranked match system introduced in Season 2. Players have experienced problems with matchmaking and rank point fluctuations. To address these concerns, the upcoming update will:

• Reduce point loss for defeats in certain ranks

• Adjust point fluctuations based on rank differences

• Prevent immediate demotion after promotion (for ranks below Tekken God)

• Expand win streak bonus points to more ranks

Katsuhiro Harada, the game's director, recently clarified that Tekken 8 has returned to its previous team structure for balancing after briefly working with a new team.

The announcements come at a crucial time for Tekken 8, which has faced criticism following its Season 2 update. Bandai Namco had to release an emergency patch to fix numerous issues introduced in that update. While some fans remain skeptical about the game's direction, these upcoming changes represent the developer's efforts to address community concerns and revitalize interest in the 3D fighting game.