Jae-Hyun Kim, widely recognized as “CherryBerryMango,” is among the elite players invited to participate in the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament. This highly esteemed event will showcase some of the best Tekken 8 players globally, alongside a talented roster of competitors who earned their spots through open qualifiers. Scheduled for September 28-29, 2024, this tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience.
We had the opportunity to interview CherryBerryMango, discussing various topics, including the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament, the balance of Tekken 8, and his anticipation for the new downloadable content (DLC) characters, notably the upcoming Heihachi Mishima.
CherryBerryMango Discusses Tekken 8, Red Bull Golden Letters, Heihachi, and More
Q. Thank you for joining us! Please introduce yourself to our audience.
CherryBerryMango: Hello, I’m Jae-Hyun “CherryBerryMango”Kim from South Korea. I am a professional TEKKEN player representing KWANGDONG FREECS.
CherryBerryMango: I am thrilled to compete against all the top-tier professionals and invited players at the Red Bull Golden Letters. However, with a limited pool of players, I have been watching previous professionals compete online to help me prepare—I don’t yet have insights into the open qualifier players!
Q. Are there any specific players you are particularly eager to face in this tournament?
CherryBerryMango: I am especially looking forward to competing against renowned international players like Yagami and Arslan Ash. I haven’t faced Yagami at such a high level before with Reina, and I am also eager to challenge Arslan Ash again. I lost to him at EVO 2024, but since then, I’ve developed new strategies that I’m excited to test out.
Q. You’ve had considerable success this year with Jin Kazama. How do you feel about the DLC characters, Eddy and Lidia? And with Heihachi Mishima’s imminent arrival, are any of them on your radar for competition?
CherryBerryMango: I wasn’t particularly interested in playing as Lidia or Eddy, so I’ve focused on learning how to combat these characters instead. However, I’m very enthusiastic about Heihachi Mishima, as I am a fan of using Mishima characters. While I can’t say I plan to use him in tournaments, it’s definitely something I want to explore.
Q. Having competed in TEKKEN 7, how does TEKKEN 8 feel for you so far? Do you think the changes in balance and game mechanics are improvements?
CherryBerryMango: TEKKEN 8 offers more tools and mechanics that cater to players with aggressive play styles. Previously, I felt that TEKKEN favored defensive strategies through tools like back dash and side step, providing passive players a greater advantage in winning.
Now, with the introduction of features like chip damage, the heat system, and power crush, TEKKEN 8 encourages more dynamic and thrilling gameplay.
Q. Although TEKKEN 8 is successful, where do you see areas for improvement that developers could address?
CherryBerryMango: I’ve noticed a trend in recent tournament grand finals often featuring Sergei Dragunov. While I wouldn’t classify him as broken, many casual players believe some adjustments could benefit Dragunov.
To enhance the aggressive play styles encouraged by the heat system, I think it would be beneficial to introduce something like a heat gauge or a new system that aids players in escaping challenging situations. While aggression can dominate the game, providing opponents with the chance to counterattack could create a more enjoyable and engaging gameplay experience.
Q. As a fighting game competitor, do you believe open-invitation tournaments are beneficial for players to showcase their skills?
CherryBerryMango: Yes, tournaments like the Red Bull Golden Letters open up avenues for gaining experience and significantly enhance visibility, as players have better opportunities to showcase their skills on stream.
Q. How has the balance in TEKKEN 8 been thus far? Are there characters that currently emerge as overpowered or underpowered?
CherryBerryMango: The balance among TEKKEN 8’s characters has become quite a contentious topic. I believe most professional players generally agree on the top four or five characters, indicating a noticeable imbalance in character strength that I hope will be revised soon.
Q. As an experienced fighting game player, what advice would you give to fans hoping to transition from casual gaming to competitive play?
CherryBerryMango: I didn’t start out as a professional gamer either; taking part in various tournaments boosted my confidence. My advice is to do your best and don’t hesitate to compete.
CherryBerryMango: It is a significant honor to be invited to such a prominent event, and I look forward to expressing my enjoyment for competition through my participation. Thank you for your ongoing support!
The Red Bull Golden Letters tournament is set to occur on September 28-29, streaming on Twitch and YouTube. You can follow more of CherryBerryMango on Twitch, YouTube, and X.
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