This weekend, the highly anticipated 2024 Red Bull Golden Letters kicks off, and I had the pleasure of catching up with three prominent players from the UK competing in the Tekken 8 – Kane tournament: Kane ‘KaneandTrench’ Heartfield, Richie ‘Ayorichie’ Olusanya, and Hasan ‘JoKa’ Rehman. We discussed the event, the current state of the UK FGC, and their aspirations for the future of Tekken 8.
Current State of the UK Fighting Game Community
Kane and Trench: "There are definitely players who have some reservations, particularly regarding their characters right now. A number of competitors are on the fence about participating until they observe some improvements. However, many British Tekken players are stepping up to adapt to the game. While Tekken 8 has brought new challenges compared to previous entries, we are keen to absorb all this information and move forward. Overall, the community is in a solid place, but it would be naive to assume that everyone views it through overly rosy glasses."
Ayorichie: “A lot of players will stick around simply out of love for Tekken. Some are too focused on the past titles and are drawing comparisons. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this is a brand new game—it’s still in its early days, and we need to understand that it will evolve over time. I genuinely believe this could be the best launch we’ve seen for any Tekken game!"
JoKa: "The growth in the community is just phenomenal! We recently had one of the best open tournaments, and it feels like we’re in the golden age of fighting games. I see new faces at monthly tournaments every time I attend, which is incredibly encouraging."
Reflecting on his early success, Kaneandtrench shared, "Honestly, it’s crazy that I managed to win 4-0 in my Red Bull Golden Letters group. I’m excited to have my rematch against Arslan, and my reads were spot on throughout all four games. I feel great and ready for Day 2’s bracket! Good luck to all the competitors!"
UK FGC vs. Global Scene
Kane and Trench: "I’m proud to say that our community is quite active and passionate. The UK has made notable strides not just in Tekken, but across various fighting games as well. We have strong competitors like ProblemX and Finale Walker leading the charge. The UK FGC is thriving at the moment!"
Ayorichie: “I believe the British scene is performing admirably, as exemplified when JoKa clinched his victory at the Baaz Gauntlet, taking down some of the world’s best. Our online training conditions present a challenge, but if we gather at tournaments, there’s a good chance one or more of us will shine.”
JoKa: "There’s no denying we have exceptional players; however, the sad fact is that some of our talents remain unnoticed. I’d really like to see more sponsors and organizations recognize the strength in our players who have competed on a world stage. There are so many dedicated gamers putting in the work, and I hope that effort gets acknowledged. Also, I think the British Esports Association could do more to support Tekken and fighting games in general. They are still niche, but I hope they begin to shine a light on this vibrant community."
Predictions for the 2024 Red Bull Golden Letters
Kane and Trench: "If I had to pick, I’d say ULSAN will likely dominate with his Dragunov; he’s been on point all year and feels untouchable right now. But I’ll definitely do my best to challenge him. My character, Yoshimitsu, can be quite effective in snatching up those golden letters. Anyone has the potential to cause upset, especially in this format, so we’ll see what happens!"
Ayorichie: “Well, the surprise will be that I come out on top (smirking). Seriously though, I sense there are a few players who might throw a wrench into the works—like SourPiggy and Nino. They’ve made quite the name for themselves with their bear characters and their playstyle can be quite unexpected. Plus, the SAM-brother is definitely one to watch!”
JoKa: "In this type of competition, everyone is a threat—I definitely don’t underestimate anyone. I’ve prepared extensively, I have my notes, and I’m ready to put my best foot forward in an attempt to secure the tournament win."
Experience at the 2024 Red Bull Golden Letters
Ayorichie: “It’s absolutely fantastic! There are ample opportunities to qualify, which is beneficial for aspiring players looking to show their skills. The fact that anyone can enter is amazing and a huge part of how I found my own opportunity. It’s great to provide a platform for both local and global competitors.”
JoKa: "It’s incredible to compete at Golden Letters again, especially for the first iteration of Tekken 8. The tournament has a relaxed atmosphere, with unique rules and formats. I couldn’t be more grateful to be participating and I’ll do my utmost during the event."
State of Tekken 8
Kane and Trench: "Initially, the game seemed quite unstable—the balance felt off and certain characters were overpowered. However, balance has improved gradually, although some characters still dominate. We’re hopeful that an upcoming balance patch will address these concerns. Essentially, we’re looking forward to seeing how season two rectifies the issues we faced in year one."
Ayorichie: "The developers have made regular patches, which changed the game quite frequently at first, but things have become a bit stale recently. Players are eager for adjustments to characters they consider too strong, and as a competitor, I get that. They’ve generally managed things well, but there’s room for improvement."
JoKa: “I just wish there was a bit more communication and frequent balance patches from the developers. It would help both veterans and casual players understand the rationale behind certain changes and what to expect in the future.”
Character Wishlist for Tekken 8
And don’t forget to catch the thrilling matches of the Red Bull Golden Letters 2024, live-streamed on Red Bull’s Twitch and YouTube channels starting at 11:30 AM BST on September 28 and 10:30 AM BST on September 29!
