The recent rollout of the Closed Beta for Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls has generated significant buzz, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Slated to occur from September 5 at 09:00 PM PT to September 7 at 08:00 AM PT, this beta promises to allow players to dive into the highly anticipated fighting game. However, many in the gaming community, especially fans from the fighting game community (FGC), are questioning the execution of the event.
Limited Accessibility
First and foremost, the Closed Beta is only accessible to PlayStation 5 owners who successfully registered via the PlayStation Beta program. This exclusivity has already limited the potential player pool, especially considering that several prominent players and content creators, including those featured in marketing materials, reported not receiving the coveted invite. This oversight has left many feeling disenfranchised, as they witness friends and peers participate while they remain on the sidelines.
Short Playtime and Awkward Scheduling
Adding to the frustrations, the beta features a fragmented schedule comprised of four separate sessions, which are riddled with long breaks. Players will face nearly 14 hours of downtime interspersed throughout what is effectively a 35-hour window. The inconvenient timing of these sessions, with the first three spaced by two-hour gaps and the last one boasting an eight-hour break, has only inflamed sentiments of dissatisfaction.
To break it down: After substracting the mandatory 30 minutes of CPU battles across all sessions, players are left with a mere 21 hours of online gameplay spread over three days. Many community voices have labeled the arrangement as "mishandled," and they share a collective incredulity towards how a beta for one of the most anticipated titles can feel like such a sparse opportunity for engagement.
Community Backlash
The frustration among players has been palpable on social media platforms. Prominent FGC figures have taken to their Twitter accounts, expressing disbelief and disappointment in the limited access. For many, the beta testing period serves not just as a promotional tool but also as a vital avenue to engage with the mechanics, features, and gameplay of an upcoming title. Accordingly, the limited playtime has led to concerns that players won’t have enough opportunity to evaluate the game thoroughly.
The sentiment is echoed in comments highlighting the excessive time taken up by CPU battles, which many players feel detracts from valuable hands-on gameplay. Exploring the game’s various attributes and getting a feel for different characters is critical for forming opinions and establishing pre-release hype. The current setup hinders this process, leading many to declare that this has been one of the most ill-thought-out beta tests recently seen in the fighting game genre.
Comparisons with Other Titles
The imminent 2XKO Closed Beta, occurring just after Marvel Tokon, presents a stark contrast to the latter. Early insights suggest that 2XKO is capitalizing on a more inclusive approach by inviting a larger player base, which could end up providing richer feedback and community involvement. Observers are already predicting that the player response to both titles will be evaluated in light of each other, which may further exacerbate Marvel Tokon’s perceived shortcomings.
Opportunities for Engagement
Despite the evident shortcomings, it’s important to recognize that players who gain access will still have the opportunity to engage with six confirmed characters during the beta. Competitive players could potentially host small-scale tournaments or even develop tier lists to gauge the viability of each character leading into the official release. This aspect remains a silver lining, as dedicated fans can still wrangle some enjoyment and analysis from the limited tenure.
Moving Forward
There are clear lessons to be learned from the Marvel Tokon beta experience. With so much disappointment stemming from account eligibility and poor scheduling, future titles aiming for closed testing periods might consider extending invites to a larger pool of players across multiple platforms. This could help combat the disenchantment experienced by many beta testers and create a robust foundation of anticipation and community involvement prior to launch.
While the Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls Closed Beta may not be the smooth sailing that participants had hoped for, the fervor surrounding it serves as a reminder of just how invested players are in the game. The prospect of a new Marvel fighting game holds immense potential, and with constructive feedback from this beta phase, developers could still refine the product ahead of its official debut.
In summary, the Marvel Tokon Closed Beta may be fraught with issues, but it also has an opportunity to pave the way for constructive dialogue between developers and players. By listening and adapting based on this feedback, the developers can build a strong community and ensure that the eventual release lives up to the hype.
