Tekken 8 needs to restructure its ranked system
As with many modern fighting games, Tekken 8’s ranked mode is where players can test their mettle against others of similar skill levels. Winning ranked matches nets points that increase a player’s rank and allow them to fight tougher opponents (this is independent of players’ Tekken Prowess, which indicates how much they play ranked). Losing matches results in ranked points being deducted and can lead to demotion. This to-and-fro of ranked points is the core of Tekken 8’s competitive online scene and incentivizes players to become better at the game.
Tekken 8 utilizes a system similar to past entries wherein each rank has a name attached to it. Matchmaking can be controlled to an extent but there are many times where players are pitted against others who are of much lower or higher ranks. Apart from fixing its ranked matchmaking, Tekken 8 might need to rework its traditional ranking system in favor of something fairer and more practical.
Tekken 8 ranks are fewer and more simplified
There are 30 ranks in Tekken 8 – seven less than there were in Tekken 7. While it is impossible to de-rank in Beginner, 1st Dan, and 2nd Dan (the three lowest ranks), the other ranks are where players’ skills are truly put to the test. Before a player queues up for a ranked match, they are given the option to choose their opponents’ Internet connection type and strength as well as the ranked parameters for matchmaking. Ranked search parameters can be set as narrow as players within 2 ranks above or below, or as wide as those that are 6 ranks above or below. Increasing these parameters can result in more frequent fights but it also runs the risk of fighting foes that are much stronger or weaker.
The problem with Tekken 8’s fewer ranks is that they negatively impact matchmaking. It would be acceptable if the game only allowed players to choose to fight higher-ranked enemies but being able to fight weaker ones just makes things unfair. Add the uneven search parameters to the limited 30-rank system and it’s no wonder certain matches can feel one-sided at times.
To put things in perspective, Street Fighter 6 has seven ranked tiers – six of which have five sub-tiers. That makes 37 tiers in total. This evenly spreads players to each rank and helps ensure that matchmaking won’t result in uneven matches. As an example, a Street Fighter 6 player in Silver 1 might be paired with someone in Bronze 5 (one tier lower than them) but it will be less likely for them to match up against a Gold 2 player.
Some ranks in Tekken 8 are bad for both new and experienced players
While fewer ranks may look like they make the ranked climb easier, this is not always the case. Less experienced players or those with less time on their hands may find the initial climb quite forgiving. Unlike past Tekken games, demotions in Tekken 8 only require a couple of wins to offset the loss. Promotions are the opposite as they award extra ranked points so that players aren’t in immediate danger of deranking. The point thresholds become stricter in the upper ranks which makes it harder to rank up. This eventually leads players to a softcap of sorts where they find it harder to climb up to a certain rank until they improve their fighting skills. Since there are fewer ranks in Tekken 8, some series veterans might feel cheated that their rank may not be as high as it used to be in previous entries.
Those proficient with Tekken games, on the other hand, may find it far easier to reach the highest rank in Tekken 8. Once they have achieved the title of Lord of Destruction, some might be less motivated to get better at the game for lack of a higher goal. There aren’t many instances of this happening (dedicated fighting game fans tend to stick with their chosen titles for the long haul) but the fewer ranks can reduce player interest in Tekken 8 until more content or ranks are added.
Adding more ranks and better matchmaking will be good for Tekken 8
To ensure Tekken 8’s longevity, it would be wise for Bandai Namco Entertainment to increase the number of ranks, add per-character placement matches like in Street Fighter 6, and improve its matchmaking (there shouldn’t even be an option to fight weaker players). Doing so would help improve players’ opinions of the series as a whole. For too long Tekken has been perceived as one of the more toxic fighting games online; with its poor ranked system, a tendency for players to disconnect from matches (also known as “plugging”), and inconsistent game mechanics, to name a few issues. Defining the game’s ranks better won’t solve all these problems but it will make the game a bit fairer and fun to play for everyone.
Tekken 8 is available for the PC (Steam), PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
