Gaming
esports
Evo champion Arslan Ash gears up for Tekken 7’s new season
Even with a new Tekken 7 season filled with uncertainties in the meta, Arslan Ash looks forward to the heightened competition.
One of the biggest stories in fighting game history was the rise of Pakistan in the community. For years, the focus of talent was on other regions. The broader community has been largely ignorant of the strength of players from that area. But all were enlightened the hard way when Red Bull athlete’s Arslan ‘Arslan Ash’ Siddique smoked the competition last year. He did what nobody else could by winning both Evo Japan 2019 and Evo 2019 Tekken 7 tournaments in the same year. His notoriety exploded, as did that of his country when many Pakistani players began toppling highly established players.
Ash introduced an entire territory with his accomplishments. Without the e-Fight Pass program, and the dedicated community member running assistance in his travels to the US’s largest fighting game tournaments, none of this would have occurred.
Then and now
“Sherry Jenix runs a program in the US for talented gamers who cannot go to US for two reasons,” answers Ash. “One, the visa fee is a whopping 27,500 Pakistani rupees ($178) and secondly, the people belonging to nations like Pakistan face quite a bit of difficulty in obtaining the visa. So, the e-Fight Pass is more for visa facilitation and I used it both the times I traveled to the US.”
This act changed the face of the scene and inspired other players from Ash’s region to travel, compete and make their own mark. “The whole gaming scene in Pakistan has drastically improved,” he says. “I recently won a tournament PPG Battle of Champions organized by PPG (Pakistan PC Gamers) which had the biggest prize so far at PKR 100,000 ($650).”
There are big gaming events being held in my country which wasn’t a very normal thing.
The landscape of esports is much different now than it used to be, but in a positive way. Opportunities are presented to Pakistani players that weren’t there before. “These events didn’t happen if we rewind a few years back, but gaming is a passion for many people now, and it shows,” he says. “Many companies are sponsoring the gaming scene in Pakistan now to bring it to an international level so much so that people can support their families if they take up gaming professionally.”
But it’s not perfect, and there are still hurdles that prevent the region from growing in esports even more. Compared to traditional sports, it’s not equal just yet. “Gamers are representing Pakistan at an international level the same way as Pakistani cricketers but the facilities and the status is nowhere equal,” he says.
“If you’re a cricketer, you live a celebrity lifestyle but it’s harder for e-gamers. That’s what needs to change to bring the gaming scene in the spotlight.”
Top tier choices
Though already toned down once by a patch soon after Evo 2020, Leroy remains a problem in the competitive world due to oppressive offensive options and devastating defensive moves like his parry. Top players have started gravitating towards him on the character select screen in the dozens, but Ash is holding off for now.
“In February, an update in the game will weaken Leroy,” he says, mentioning how it was a mistake to not take the character down a peg before a major tournament. “They didn’t do this before Evo Japan which, in my opinion, is not a very good thing because all the professional players who are normally in the top 15 in the tournaments – like Knee, LowHigh and me – were nowhere to be seen because of Leroy.” Ash himself is sticking it out with another recent DLC character, one that he enjoys piloting.
“I really like Zafina, and even my mother likes her,” he mentions, talking of the success he’s found with her unconventional movement. “I play using that character, and I have won many tournaments playing as her. She’s not just good looking but also is a really strong character. I use a defensive strategy when playing as her because her back-dash is awesome for defending against opponent’s attacks.”
Arslan Ash relaxing on the subway in New York
© Drew Gurian/Red Bull Content Pool
Practice makes perfect
It’s the off-season for Tekken 7 players, but Ash is keeping his play fresh. “I have many invitational Tournaments lined up,” he says. “They keep me in practice so it’s not much of an off-season for me.” The necessity to get better has increased ever since his colossal achievements have pulled the spotlight in his direction. Ash, and other Pakistani players, set a bar that drove the Tekken scene to improve.
“See, the pressure is obviously immense as the competition is continuously becoming stronger, but at the same time, there is also a lot of support from Red Bull and my family as well,” Ash says, feeling more empowered now.
My family has started supporting me and all of these things have helped in making gaming fun for me.
“There was more fear than excitement in me before, fear of losing and fear of not being able to overcome the challenges, but the support from everyone, especially Red Bull, has made gaming fun for me. I have started believing in myself more than ever and I rely on God to help me further as well.”
The love of strengthening his play and fighting strong opponents is important to Ash. It’s where he wants to put his talents to work.
“Landing the Red Bull sponsorship had been my dream for quite some time, so you could imagine my excitement when I found out that my dream had turned into a reality,” says Ash. “My reaction was one to look at – I thought this was it!”
My whole outlook on gaming has changed for me ever since I got this sponsorship. I feel excited and satisfied because I actually have more of a family now.
Having the backing allows him to improve with his mind at ease. “This comfort and relaxation help me focus on the game more and aids in making me better,” he says. “An athlete’s life depends upon winning. That’s what drives me, the income gives me satisfaction but the ambition of maintaining my position and staying in the spotlight keeps me hooked and focused on continuous improvement.”
