Dead or Alive 6 Director is Helping with Tekken 8’s Development

Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8 is out next month and is arguably one of the most anticipated fighting games. However, amid all the news, one big revelation is that Dead or Alive 6 director Yohei Shimbori is involved.

Announcing the news on Twitter, Shimbori was initially “going to keep it quiet until the release date, but now that it’s out and the company has given me the OK, I’ve rewritten my profile.” He’s currently helping with Tekken 8’s development, and though he couldn’t discuss further details, he hopes to “be able to talk about it someday.”

Though he co-directed Dead or Alive 5, Shimbori was the sole director for Dead or Alive 6, which had a new engine, more realistic character designs, a more accessible combo system via Fatal Rush, and more. It also offers the option to customize costumes and featured characters like Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond from The King of Fighters.

We’ll have to wait for more details on his role in Tekken 8, which launches on January 26th, 2024, for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC. Check out the latest story trailer, which hypes up the battle between Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima. You can also check out the free demo, which is live for PS5 players.

I was going to keep it quiet until the release date, but now that it's out and the company has given me the OK, I've rewritten my profile.

— しんぼり (@shimbori_x) December 17, 2023

I'm currently helping with the development of Tekken 8. I can't talk about the details, but I hope to be able to talk about it someday. I hope everyone enjoys our new game.

— しんぼり (@shimbori_x) December 17, 2023