Pakistan has emerged as an unexpected powerhouse in the global Tekken scene, with four of its players now ranked among the top ten worldwide. Despite the country’s meteoric rise in the professional circuit, Tekken's director, Katsuhiro Harada, admits he still doesn’t understand how this phenomenon came about.
The Japanese-developed 3D fighting game, Tekken, first launched 30 years ago, and its eighth installment was released earlier this year. Traditionally, top players hail from East Asia, but Pakistan has taken the esports world by surprise with its recent dominance.
Tekken's most renowned player from Pakistan, Arslan "Arslan Ash" Siddique, shot to stardom after winning the prestigious EVO fighting game tournament in 2019. His stunning victory marked the beginning of Pakistan’s rise on the global Tekken stage. Arslan went on to win the EVO title four more times, cementing his status as one of the game's greatest competitors.
However, the 29-year-old’s performance at the Red Bull Golden Letters Tournament in London saw him exit early, leaving him ranked 10th in the world. Fellow Pakistani, Atif Butt, currently holds the second position in the global standings, further showcasing the country’s growing presence in competitive Tekken.
Speaking to the foreign news outlet at the recent tournament, Harada confessed his bewilderment at the sudden rise of Pakistan’s Tekken scene. “It came out of nowhere. We never knew they were playing Tekken,” he said. “Even now, we’ve never been to Pakistan, so I’m still interested to hear why they became so obsessed with Tekken and so good at the game.”
Michael Murray, the game’s producer, also expressed his amazement at Pakistan’s growing influence. Recalling Arslan Ash’s rise to fame, Murray said, “No one knew him, and then out of nowhere, he came along and said it’s not just him, but many strong players in Pakistan. Everyone was like, ‘What?’ It was such an amazing story.”
Tekken's competitive scene has flourished since the release of *Tekken 7*, and the game's popularity continues to soar globally. At the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament, South Korean player Lim "Ulsan" Soo-hoon claimed first place, defeating fellow countryman Jae-hyun "CherryBerryMango" Kim in the grand final. The tournament drew participants from the USA, Japan, Europe, and beyond, further illustrating the game's global appeal.
Reflecting on Tekken's journey, Harada expressed pride in the series’ longevity and success. However, he also shared some sadness over the decline of 3D fighting game rivals. “It would be more interesting if there were other rivals, right?” he remarked, hinting at the lack of competition in the genre.
Despite his early struggles in convincing his family about a career in video games, Harada is now celebrated for his contributions to the industry. “They’re like, ‘Wow, you’re actually doing something with it,’” he said with a smile.
