Pakistan has surged as a surprising force in the global Tekken scene, with four of its players ranked in the top ten worldwide. This unexpected development has left Tekken’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, puzzled and intrigued.
Launched 30 years ago by its Japanese developers, the 3D fighting game Tekken has seen steady popularity, culminating in its eighth instalment released this year. While East Asia has traditionally dominated the game, Pakistan’s rise has stunned the esports community.
Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique, Pakistan’s top player, gained global fame by winning the EVO fighting game tournament 2019. This victory marked Pakistan’s ascent on the Tekken stage, with Arslan securing the EVO title four additional times, establishing himself among the game’s legends.
Despite this, Arslan had an early exit at the London Red Bull Golden Letters Tournament, placing him 10th globally. Meanwhile, fellow Pakistani Atif Butt holds the second spot in the world rankings, underscoring Pakistan’s strong presence in the sport.
Michael Murray, the game’s producer, also shared his surprise, especially about Arslan Ash’s sudden appearance on the scene. “No one knew him, and then he emerged, showing the strength of many players in Pakistan. It was an incredible story,” Murray stated.
Since the launch of Tekken 7, the competitive landscape has grown significantly, and the game’s popularity has expanded globally.
Despite early skepticism from his family about his career choice, Harada is now recognized for his significant contributions to the gaming industry, which he noted with satisfaction: “They’re like, ‘Wow, you’re doing something with it.’”
