Namco has always been known for the high quality of their arcade to home console ports. With the recent arcade release of Tekken 5, featuring a bevy of new features, fans of the series have been delighted to hear that the console version is due out in Q1 2005. To get a better understanding of the arcade to console transition, and delve into the possible future of the Tekken series, we sat down with Katsuhiro Harada, director of Tekken 5. We'd like to give a special thanks to Mr. Harada and Namco Hometek for the interview.

GameDAILY: With the arcade hardware being more powerful than the PlayStation 2, how close will the transition be, and what have you done to maintain a high quality port?

Katsuhiro Harada: In developing the console version of Tekken 5 we are adamant about maintaining the high quality of the arcade version. Special attention has been paid to the character motion and game balance to ensure that there are no differences in quality between the console and arcade versions.

There are so many aspects of the game, such as optimizing the program and tweaking the graphic engine, that need to be modified when porting the game to console.

GD: With most fighting games that make an arcade to home conversion, there are a few character balancing issues that come up during the arcade release. Will there be any adjustments to character balancing or general gameplay between the arcade and PS2 versions of Tekken 5?

KH: We do not plan to make any changes for the console version.

I believe users want a pure, 100% port of the arcade version in terms of the game balance and gameplay, and that is what we aim for.

GD: Tekken 5 is the first Tekken title to introduce customizable options for the characters. How will the custom options work in the home version? Will there be any special modes of play that take advantage of the item system? Will we see more items in the home version?

KH: I cannot reveal details yet, but we are developing an easier-to-use, improved custom mode for the PS2 version. Also, there will be more than one way to obtain items.

GD: In the arcades, Tekken 5 uses a ranking system based on the skill of the opponents you have beaten. Your rank is saved on special IC cards. How will this transfer to the PS2 version?

KH: You will save the player information on a memory card, just like any other PS2 games.

I cannot go into detail, but we are developing a player ranking system for arcade and other modes.

GD: The arcade version of Tekken 5 also features ghost fighters in the single player mode. Will this feature transition over to the home version, and how will this be handled?

KH: The arcade mode in the PS2 version will offer gameplay similar to the arcade game, although the game design is not exactly the same.

GD: Every Tekken console title has featured some sort of bonus game (Tekken Bowl, Tekken Ball, Tekken Force, etc.). What kind of bonus game can we expect from Tekken 5?

KH: The bonus game to be featured in Tekken 5 will be completely different from the previous bonus games in its content, volume and quality.

GD: In a fighting game, the practice mode is very important. Each home port of Tekken has offered a slightly different practice mode. Can we expect anything new from the practice mode in Tekken 5?

KH: The practice mode in Tekken 5 will be easier-to-use and something worth spending some time on.

GD: Besides Story, Arcade, Vs, Practice, Survival, Team Battle and Time Attack, can we expect any new modes of play for Tekken 5 on PS2?

KH: The bonus game I talked about [previously], additional bonus games and the character customize mode will be added.

GD: Tekken 4 featured a match save feature that allowed players to save matches to the PS2 memory card. Will this feature be included in Tekken 5, and will there be any PS2 hard drive compatibility for additional saves?

KH: At this time, I cannot reveal the details of the feature for saving matches to a memory card.

The game will not be compatible with the PS2 hard drive.

GD: Namco has always been known for their spectacular CG sequences, especially in Tekken and Soul Calibur. Will Tekken 5 on PS2 feature any new CG sequences beyond what we've seen in the arcade version?

KH: There will be new CG sequences in Tekken 5.

The opening movie will be longer, and high-quality pre-rendered cinematics are featured for story mode endings. The volume of CG sequences is the largest in the history of the Tekken series.

GD: Capcom, Tecmo, Sammy, SNK, and Midway have all released their big fighting game titles with online play. Namco and Sega seem to be the only two companies that have not taken their fighting game franchises online. Is there any possibility of seeing Tekken go online on the PlayStation 2 or future next generation consoles?

KH: We have been keeping our eyes on online play for a long time, and we are considering implementing the online feature in the Tekken franchise some time in the future.

We believe that what users want or what they consider exciting in online play has become diversified. However, the current online features in console fighting games do not necessarily offer comfortable environment or satisfying gameplay.

We are being cautious about going online in order to maintain the in-battle response and quality that the game should offer.

That said, you can count on the future Tekken titles.

GD: Soul Calibur II was treated to a multi-console release. Is there any chance Tekken 5 will see a release on any other consoles besides the PlayStation 2?

KH: We currently do not plan to release Tekken 5 in multiple platforms.

GD: Soul Calibur II also featured special characters exclusive to the console versions of the game. Are there any plans to add new characters to Tekken 5 that were not present in the arcade version?

KH: That is a secret.

GD: With the upcoming Tekken movie, are there any plans to release a new Tekken game around the release of the film?

KH: No comment.

GD: Tekken Tag Tournament is still played heavily in tournaments and casual play around the world. Is there any chance we'll see the release of another Tag title in the Tekken franchise?

KH: That is a secret, but we are aware that there are some fans who would like to see a sequel to Tekken Tag Tournament or a Tag mode.

GD: Sony has announced that the PlayStation 3 will be unveiled in early 2005, with a full showing at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May. Tekken 1 launched with the PS1 and Tekken Tag Tournament launched with the PS2. Are there any potential plans to launch a new Tekken title with the PS3?

KH: No comment.