Pro Fighting and Entertainment Fighting Worlds Collide in Bandai Namco SDCC Panel “The Art of Fighting” with TEKKEN 8’s Katsuhiro Harada and Michael Murray

IRVINE, Calif. (July 19, 2023) – Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today announced Mike Tyson will headline “The Art of Fighting” panel presented by TEKKEN™ 8™ at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. The boxing legend is joined by Cris Cyborg, MMA’s only Grand Slam Champion, and WWE Superstar Xavier Woods a.k.a. Austin Creed along with TEKKEN™ game director Katsuhiro Harada and producer Michael Murray, with moderation by esports personality Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez. “Tekken 8: The Art of Fighting” is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 21, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. PDT at the San Diego Convention Center (Room 6BCF).

The TEKKEN 8 panel at SDCC brings together real world fighting and entertainment fighting worlds to discuss shared themes and look at how fight techniques have evolved, changing how fighting is portrayed in games. One of the standout features in the TEKKEN franchise is a roster of fighters with diverse styles based on more than 21 actual martial arts. TEKKEN 8 is bringing these legendary characters’ moves to life like never before, from Bryan Fury’s kickboxing and Hwoarang’s Taekwondo to King’s long-running love song to pro-wrestling and Lucha Libre.

Panelists will share personal stories from their professional careers looking at what led each of them to embrace fighting and their experience with fight culture in games and entertainment. Known for their real fighting bona fides, Tyson and Woods bring game cred to the panel. Tyson is a part of video game history, as one of the first pro athletes to become the face of a fighting game, and Woods is host of the popular YouTube channel “UpUpDownDown,” with more than 2.4 million subscribers. Cyborg is considered one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. She is the current Featherweight champ in the Bellator Women’s Championship and the only fighter ever to win the MMA Grand Slam. Together with TEKKEN director Harada and producer Murray, and with shout caster Goldenboy guiding the conversation, the panel is sure to lead to unforgettable fight stories and unmissable moments.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is featuring an immersive TEKKEN 8 installation during San Diego Comic-Con with artwork, a non-alcoholic beverage station, DJ, cosplayers, temporary tattoos, playable stations, and more. The TEKKEN 8 activation takes place July 20-23 at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center located at 200 W Harbor Drive (Suite 120).

TEKKEN 8 is the next game in the legendary fighting game franchise coming exclusively to PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam®. Developed on Ureal® Engine 5, the game promises to be the most visually stunning and visceral fighting game yet featuring stunning visual effects and character models and moves built from the ground up. In TEKKEN 8, every moment of impact is a spectacle, and every victory an epic story. For more information on the game, please visit https://tekken.com/.

For information on this title and other products from Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., please visit www.bandainamcoent.com. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoUS, check us out live on Twitch at https://twitch.tv/bandainamcous, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoUS.

About Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.

Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., part of the Bandai Namco Group, is a leading global publisher and developer of interactive entertainment for major video game consoles, PC, online, and mobile platforms. The company is known for creating many of the industry’s beloved classic franchises such as PAC-MAN®, GALAGA®, TEKKEN®, SOULCALIBUR®, and ACE COMBAT®, and publishing the critically acclaimed DARK SOULS™ series and the blockbuster title ELDEN RING™. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is also the premier publisher in the Western hemisphere for anime-based video games including GUNDAM™, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN™, DRAGON BALL™, and ONE PIECE®. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. More information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.bandainamcoent.com.

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