Tekken, already a popular game in Pakistan, has now gained massive attention as Pakistani players dominate the global stage. Many young gamers, who initially played it for fun, have now become fierce competitors in professional e-sports. Despite this success, the game’s director admits he is unsure how Pakistani players managed to reach such heights.

Tekken was first introduced in Japan 30 years ago, and its eighth version launched this year. Initially, the professional Tekken scene was dominated by players from Korea, Japan, Europe, and North America. However, today, four of the top ten Tekken players are from Pakistan.

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, Tekken’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, expressed his surprise, stating, “This domination by Pakistani players came out of nowhere, and no one saw it coming.”

Tekken is a 3D fighting game where players compete in three-round matches. Pakistan’s Arslan “Ash” Siddique rose to international fame in 2019 when he won the prestigious EVO tournament, a feat that turned him into a superstar overnight.

In that same year, BBC featured a special article on his victory, highlighting how Arslan became the first player in Tekken history to win both EVO tournaments in a single year—an achievement that stunned the gaming world. His victory made him the first player to win both tournaments on their debut.

Today, Arslan remains a top player, but fellow Pakistani Atif Butt ranks second in the global standings. Harada remarked, “It’s clear that Pakistan has become a global force, but I still don’t know how they got here.”

Harada also expressed curiosity about why Tekken is so popular in Pakistan, saying he has never visited the country but is eager to learn more about the passion Pakistani youth have for the game.

Tekken’s producer, Michael Murray, echoed Harada’s amazement. He recalled how Arslan’s emergence in the gaming world captivated everyone, and soon after, it became clear that Arslan was not alone—there were more talented players from Pakistan.

The Tekken scene in Pakistan continues to grow, with its players showing no signs of slowing down. Their rise to dominance in the gaming world remains an inspiring story that has left the game’s creators and the global gaming community intrigued.