Arslan Ash talks TEKKEN 8 at Evo Las Vegas: “I never thought that I would make this far. I’m so happy I have come this far.”

The TEKKEN 8 tournament at Evo Las Vegas 2024 is in full momentum, and one of the contenders generating much excitement is Red Bull eSports’ own Arslan “Arslan Ash” Siddique. Recently, he granted an exclusive interview to esports.gg.

Arslan Ash defends his crown at Evo Las Vegas 2024

At Evo Las Vegas 2024’s opening day, Arslan Ash emerged victorious and moved on to the next stage of the competition. This progression brings him one step closer to competing against the elite players at the TEKKEN World Tour Finals 2024. In an interview with esports.gg, Arslan Ash shared his experiences from Evo Las Vegas so far and expressed his determination to retain the title of TWT 2023 champion. According to him, maintaining a strong focus on his own gameplay is essential for securing victory.

Arslan Ash told esports.gg, “I’m not one to seek revenge or crave a fight after a loss. Instead, I prefer an uncomplicated path to victory. I hope the leading players are eliminated, allowing me a chance to win.”

After that, the player revealed his training regimen, mentioning that he spent a great deal of time honing his skills in Pakistan and put in seven to eight hours of practice every day prior to competing in tournaments.

As a gamer from Pakistan, I put in extra hours to represent my country well. When major tournaments like Evo approach within two or three weeks, I dedicate seven to eight hours daily for intense practice and matchup learning. This is how I prepare and stay on top of my game. Additionally, I have a bootcamp where we gather, train together, and explore new characters in TEKKEN 8. We sharpen our skills as a team, keeping both myself and the community strong.

The impact of Red Bull Gaming: From Pakistan to across the globe

Arslan Ash is deeply gratified by the opportunity to participate in Evo Las Vegas 2024, DreamHack Dallas, and CEO 2024 as a representative of Pakistan’s fighting game community (FGC). In an interview with esports.gg, he shared memories of his inaugural Evo journey in the US in 2019. At that time, Arslan lacked sponsorship and encountered numerous obstacles.

In 2019, I attended Evo USA for the first time as an unsponsored player, feeling out of place and uncertain on that stage. All I had was a bottle of water to quench my thirst, and there was little support around me. I stayed in a terrible hotel and fell ill with food poisoning, experiencing one misfortune after another. To add to it all, I struggled with the English language. But now, things have drastically changed. At Evo, people recognize me and offer Red Bull instead of water. The challenges I faced back then seem like distant memories. I feel blessed and incredibly happy for how far I’ve come.

The difference between offline and online TEKKEN 8

When questioned about the beginning of Pakistan’s Fighting Game Community (FGC) and his recollections, Arslan Ash looked back at the nostalgic old arcades where he spent hours playing video games alongside his cousins, siblings, and classmates.

Growing up, there was an arcade right outside my home. After school, my cousins, brothers, and I would often gather there along with my classmates. This is where my video game journey began.

He went on to mention that arcades continue to exist in Japan, yet their popularity has waned compared to the past. According to Arslan Ash, there’s been a significant move towards online gaming instead. Previously, when the online gaming scene was underdeveloped, gamers had to physically go to arcades to engage in offline fighting games. This shift occurred worldwide, including the U.S. Nowadays, however, the focus has changed. Despite this transition, Arslan Ash remains a strong advocate for in-person events and acknowledges their pros and cons.

As a passionate fan, I strongly believe that Pakistan’s offline TEKKEN scene stands out for me in TEKKEN 8 and the series as a whole. Other scenes offer excellent online experiences, but we have unique advantages and disadvantages. The downside is that we can’t access a vast roster of characters offline due to geographical limitations. Gathering large numbers of players for offline events is challenging since many live far away and cannot attend daily. Conversely, playing online provides us with exposure to a diverse pool of players, allowing us to learn various characters and matches.

He went on, stressing that offline training holds greater significance for him since it entails exchanging ideas and tactics. In his opinion, this dedication to offline practice plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s thriving and prosperous TEKKEN community.

Arslan Ash talks TEKKEN 8 patch 1.05

The Red Bull esports athlete expressed his opinions on TEKKEN 8’s newest iteration, mentioning that it didn’t significantly influence his approach for Evo Las Vegas 2024. He acknowledged the improvements, which have enhanced both aggressive and defensive playstyles, making them more equitable. Nevertheless, he suggested a few additional adjustments to ensure perfection.

At first, I requested adjustments for nerfs and balance. After a while, my suggestions were taken into consideration, and I’m thrilled with the game’s current progression. There are still areas that require fine-tuning, such as possibly reducing chip damage. However, overall, I’m elated that the game now caters to both defensive and offensive players. Additionally, I fervently hope for a buff for Jun as I enjoy playing her.

As for parting words, Arslan Ash thanked the community and his supporters.