Is Negan from The Walking Dead in Tekken 7?
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Yes, Negan, the charismatic yet brutal antagonist from The Walking Dead, is indeed a playable character in Tekken 7. He was added to the game as part of the Season Pass 2 downloadable content (DLC), bringing his signature barbed-wire bat, Lucille, and his ruthless fighting style to the world of the Iron Fist Tournament. His inclusion was a surprise to many, but he quickly became a fan favorite due to his unique moveset and faithful representation of the character.
Why Negan’s Inclusion Made Sense (And Cents)
At first glance, a character like Negan might seem out of place in a fighting game like Tekken 7, known for its diverse roster of martial artists, cyborgs, and anthropomorphic animals. However, the decision to include him was driven by a few key factors:
- Fan Demand: The creators of Tekken 7, Katsuhiro Harada and Michael Murray, were reportedly huge fans of The Walking Dead and recognized the character’s popularity. They understood that adding such an iconic figure would generate significant buzz and attract new players to the game.
- Unique Fighting Style: Negan’s fighting style, heavily reliant on Lucille, offered a fresh and distinctive approach to combat within Tekken 7. His moveset incorporated baseball swings, taunts, and brutal strikes, making him a compelling and unpredictable opponent.
- Cross-Promotional Opportunity: Including Negan provided a fantastic cross-promotional opportunity for both Tekken 7 and The Walking Dead. It exposed fans of one franchise to the other, potentially increasing sales and viewership for both.
Negan’s Reception in the Tekken Community
Despite some initial skepticism, Negan was generally well-received by the Tekken community. Players praised his unique moveset, his faithfulness to the source material, and his overall effectiveness in combat. While some argued that his inclusion felt jarring or out of place, the vast majority embraced him as a welcome addition to the roster. His intro and outro animations are perfectly in character, his fighting style reflects his persona, and he brought a fresh new playstyle.
The arrival of Negan underscored the willingness of Bandai Namco to experiment with guest characters, further expanding the reach and appeal of the Tekken franchise. It’s this willingness to embrace new ideas that has helped Tekken remain relevant to new audiences. This also sparks conversation among students studying game design. You can learn more about educational opportunities in the gaming space at the Games Learning Society: GamesLearningSociety.org.
Tekken 7: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Negan’s presence in Tekken 7 and other related topics:
1. Was Jeffrey Dean Morgan involved in Negan’s character in Tekken 7?
According to IMDb, Jeffrey Dean Morgan is credited as the voice of Negan in Tekken 7.
2. What game was Negan playing in the flashback before the apocalypse?
In The Walking Dead, Negan is shown playing Gears of War 2 before the apocalypse. However, the actual gameplay shown on the screen is from the game’s single-player campaign, not multiplayer.
3. Who are the guest characters in Tekken 7?
The guest characters in Tekken 7 are: Akuma (from Street Fighter), Negan (from The Walking Dead), Noctis (from Final Fantasy XV), and Geese Howard (from Fatal Fury).
4. Can you unlock Negan in Tekken 7 for free?
Unfortunately, no. Negan is a paid DLC character in Tekken 7. You need to purchase him either individually or as part of the Season Pass 2.
5. Does Tekken 7 have secret characters that can be unlocked?
Yes, Tekken 7 has a few unlockable characters such as Devil Kazuya.
6. Why was Negan free in The Walking Dead at some point?
This is a plot point within The Walking Dead TV series and is unrelated to Tekken 7. Negan was released from prison by Carol in exchange for infiltrating the Whisperers and killing Alpha.
7. Who is the “drunk” fighting character in Tekken 7?
Lei Wulong is a character known for his “drunken kung fu” fighting style in Tekken.
8. Who is considered the most overpowered (OP) character in Tekken 7?
Many consider Akuma, due to his unique mechanics and high damage output, to be one of the most overpowered characters in Tekken 7.
9. What is Negan’s full name in The Walking Dead?
Negan Smith is Negan’s full name in the television series The Walking Dead.
10. Who did Negan smash first in The Walking Dead?
Abraham Ford was the first character Negan brutally killed with Lucille in The Walking Dead.
11. Why did Tekken 7 add Negan as a guest character?
Negan was added to Tekken 7 because the developers, Katsuhiro Harada and Michael Murray, were fans of The Walking Dead and believed Negan would be a perfect fit for the game’s roster and be a welcome addition for fans of the show.
12. When did Negan become available in Tekken 7?
Negan joined the roster of Tekken 7 on February 28.
13. What is Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s height?
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the actor who portrays Negan, is 6’1″ tall.
14. Who is the weakest character in Tekken?
Kuma and Panda are frequently considered to be amongst the weakest. They are often portrayed as more comical than competitive. However, every character has the potential to win in the right hands.
15. Why did Negan turn into a villain?
Negan turned into a villain after the loss of his wife, Lucille, to cancer, which he was struggling to find treatment for amid the apocalypse. This trauma, combined with the breakdown of society, led him to adopt a ruthless and survival-at-all-costs mentality.