Author: Franz "d3v" Co

Tekken 7’s arcade cabinet, like most newer Japanese releases, is connected to the internet. This allows Bandai Namco to be able to collect all kinds of data about how the game is being played, such as which characters are the most popular.

On the Japanese Tekken-Net website for Tekken 7, Bandai Namco recently shared character usage data for the month of April. While viewing the site requires a Tekken-Net account, the folks over at Avoiding the Puddle have taken screenshots of the pages for those who don’t have one.

The data shows some interesting things about character choice. Tekken veteran King is currently the most used cast member, but newcomer Claudio comes in at second. In fact, most of the new faces are pretty popular with the exception of Lucky Chloe, who’s ranked about halfway down the list.

Meanwhile, recently added Josie Rizal is near the bottom – an expected outcome considering that she became playable only last week. That said, she still beat out Mishima patriarch Heihachi.

The full rankings have been included below.

Also, please keep in mind that these rankings do not reflect the recent addition of Gigas to the playable roster.

Source: Tekken-Net via Avoiding the Puddle

In line with the release of BlazBlue: Chronophantasma EXTEND in Japan this week, Arc System Works and Famitsu are releasing a set of color palettes that are exclusively available by way of a code included in the latest issue of the popular magazine.

This isn’t the first time that Arc System Works has created colors exclusively for Famitsu. Last year’s Persona 4 Arena Ultimax also featured such content.

Whether or not these colors will somehow make it into the western release for the game is unknown. In the meantime, check out how the characters look with these alternate colors in the gallery below.

Source: Famitsu

According to details released by Bandai Namco’s Katsuhiro Harada, a special Tekken 7 announcement is scheduled for this weekend’s Niconico Chokaigi 2015. Interestingly enough, this information will be provided through Capcom’s official broadcast.

In addition to whatever it is Harada has up his sleeve, Capcom’s stream will feature a special Street Fighter V demonstration, during which we may see more footage of the upcoming title.

Why Namco is choosing to make the announcement at a Capcom event is unknown. However, it was also revealed that Harada will be showing off previously unreleased footage during his appearance on the second day, so stay tuned for more.

Niconico Chokaigi 2015 is scheduled for April 25-26.

Sources: Avoiding the Puddle, Katsuhiro Harada

While most of Mortal Kombat X’s early competitive action has been taking place in the west, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything happening for players outside of North America and Europe. Beast of the East, in cooperation Ingram Micro, Xmashed Gear, CouchWarriors, St. Games, and Imperium, have announced the Mortal Kombat X Asia Pacific Championships.

This series will consist of four qualifying tournaments throughout the region. The top three placers at each event will receive monetary rewards and other prizes, but more importantly, the winner will be sent to the grand finals.

Details for the qualifiers are as follows:

• Manila, Philippines
  • Date: May 9, 2015
  • Location: Imperium e-Sports Bar and Gaming Lounge
• Singapore
  • Date: May 16, 2015
  • Location: St. Games Cafe
• Melbourne, Australia
  • Date: May 22 to 25, 2015
  • Location: Battle Arena Melbourne 7, CQ Functions, 113 Queen’s St. Melbourne.
• Bangkok, Thailand
  • Date: June 20, 2015
  • Location: South East Asia Major 2015, The Connection Seminar Center, Bangkok

Mortal Kombat X Asia Pacific Championships’ finals will take place on June 21, the day after the Bangkok qualifier, as part of South East Asia Major 2015. At stake is over $1,000 SGD (~$744 USD) in cash and prizes, as well as a chance to compete at Evolution 2015.

While the Mortal Kombat franchise is typically known as a North American favorite, these tournaments should provide a fantastic opportunity to see how the rest of the world takes to the latest installment.

Source: Beast of the East

While the downloadable “klassic kombatants” from Mortal Kombat X’s Kombat Pack have yet to be made available, series co-creator Ed Boon is already teasing more downloadable content beyond these two.

In response to an inquiry on whether or not the non-playable opponents found in the game’s story mode will ever join the official cast, NetherRealm Studios’ creative director had this to say.

"@LazyEyedJ @noobde So Ed are you secretly gonna patch in the NPC's from story to make them playable? EB: U mean like a "Story Pack" ?

— Ed Boon (@noobde) April 18, 2015

Prior to this, Boon had also hinted at the possibility of more fighters during his appearance on Twin Galaxies Live.

These teases don’t come exactly as a surprise. Apart from the fact that modders have already found a way to play these characters on PC, NetherRealm is known for supporting their games with a host of additions post-launch. It’s only a matter of time.

Source: Ed Boon via IPLAYWINNER