The Tekken 8 beta has been quietly added to Steam today, hinting at a closed network beta in the near future. This was spotted on SteamDB, a website that monitors and tracks updates to popular PC storefronts.
Tekken 8 has undergone offline closed alpha testing at this year’s real-world tournaments, including Evo Japan in March and Combo Breaker weekend. However, it is not yet available to the public worldwide, and certainly not online.
Looking at the assets uploaded with the Steam beta, you can clearly see the letters “CNT”. This may represent some variation on “closed network testing,” a common practice among modern fighting game developers to test their games’ online infrastructure with a limited player base around the world. It’s also a great way to spot failed combos or other bugs, as hordes of enthusiastic players will take the game apart trying to spot the best combos and other tricks.
There’s no word yet on how Tekken 8’s closed beta testing will open up to the public. Here’s hoping Bandai Namco can avoid the disastrous situation Capcom encountered with its Street Fighter 6 closed beta, which was quickly cracked open to those with a modicum of expertise months before release.
This marks the second major leak in as many days by Bandai Namco and the Tekken team, who only recently leaked Bryan’s latest trailer online ahead of schedule on Bandai Namco EU’s social media.The trailer showed off a new addition to the Tekken 8 roster, meant to surprise Combo Breaker 2023 audiences, but instead ‘Tekken 8’ director Harada and producer Michael Murray frustrated.
We’ve reached out to Bandai Namco to ask if they can confirm when this closed beta test will be available for download, or what will be included in the closed network test. We have not heard back yet.
Are you excited to experience Tekken 8 for yourself? Let us know below, and when you think you’ll be able to download the beta of the game!
For more articles on Tekken 8, check out our article on Tekken 8 getting crossplay, and cameo characters that aren’t currently a priority for Tekken 8.
