Arslan Ash Talks Tekken 8 and Red Bull Golden Letters Tournament: “Too Many 50/50s in the Game” (Exclusive Interview)

Arslan “Arslan Ash”Siddique is among the top competitors in the Tekken 8 community, participating in this weekend’s Red Bull Golden Letters tournament. A prominent figure in the esports scene, the Pakistani player is recognized as one of the greatest Tekken players in history. With five EVO championships under his belt, his remarkable skills have spotlighted the Pakistani fighting game community.

Prior to the tournament, I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with this esteemed pro player. In our previous discussion, Arslan Ash shared his aspirations for Tekken 8. In this follow-up, he delves into the current dynamics of the game, shares his experience as a contender in the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament, and much more.

Insights from Arslan Ash on the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament, Tekken 8 balance, and more

Q. Hello! Thank you for joining us today. For those unfamiliar with your work, could you introduce yourself?

Arslan Ash: Hi, I’m Arslan, hailing from Lahore, Pakistan. I’m a professional Tekken player, a representative of Red Bull, and I compete for Twisted Minds Esports.

Q. As one of the pros invited to the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament and a Red Bull athlete, how are you feeling leading up to the event?

Arslan Ash: I’m incredibly excited to finally participate in Red Bull Golden Letters. It’s been a tournament I wanted to be part of for a long time, but I couldn’t make it in the past. Now, I’m here and ready to compete.

Q. Since this isn’t your first trip to the UK for competition, are there any players in the UK scene that you’re particularly eager to face?

Arslan Ash: I don’t have a specific British player in mind that I’m looking to clash with. I’m the type of player who simply wants to compete against strong opponents and win the tournament.

Q. You’ve been active in Tekken 8 throughout 2024. Reflecting on the changes from Tekken 7, how do you feel about them?

Arslan Ash: Tekken 8 feels drastically different from Tekken 7; it’s like a whole new game. I’ve had to adapt my playstyle from being more defensive to now being much more active and aggressive.

Q. Many consider you one of the all-time greats in Tekken, being a five-time EVO Champion and the Tekken World Tour champion. Based on your deep knowledge of the game and its players, what are your tournament predictions? Who should fans keep an eye on?

Arslan Ash: I believe I stand a good chance of winning the Red Bull Golden Letters, but I also think Ulsan is a strong contender.

Q. You’ve been focusing on Nina in Tekken 8 during competitive play this year. With three DLC characters having been revealed, are Eddy, Lidia, or Heihachi intriguing to you?

Arslan Ash: I’m not especially interested in trying Lydia or Eddy. However, I might explore Heihachi depending on how strong he is. He appears to be quite powerful, so I’ll consider using him if he lives up to that.

Q. One aspect I admire about events like this is that open-qualifier international tournaments can launch unknown players into the spotlight. Do you see this as a significant advantage for those involved in the Red Bull Golden Letters tournament?

Arslan Ash: Red Bull Golden Letters is always an exciting event! With a mix of qualifiers and invitational players, combined with the best of five format incorporating “PERFECT” and “GREAT,” there’s a real chance for newcomers to make their mark.

Q. While Tekken 8 has received praise from many within the fighting game community in 2024, there are still critiques. What changes do you believe the game could benefit from right now?

Arslan Ash: I think there is room for improvement in gameplay balance. I would like to see reduced chip damage overall, and too many 50/50 situations, especially with Dragunov, feel excessive. A better balance would mean less guessing and more solid strategic gameplay.

Q. You’ve enjoyed considerable success in the fighting game realm. Would you say that your prominence has contributed to the growth of the Pakistani fighting game community?

Arslan Ash: I believe my career has significantly increased visibility for the fighting game scene in Pakistan. It’s gratifying to see more people realizing their dreams as professional players and securing sponsorships to support their journeys.

Arslan Ash: To all my fans, I want to say that I will give it my all, and thank you for your unwavering support! I’m committed to making you proud.

The Red Bull Golden Letters event is taking place from September 28 to 29, 2024, and can be watched on Twitch and YouTube. You can also follow Arslan on Twitch, YouTube, and X.

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