Harada suggested using a different name for the stage to avoid licensing issues.
One of the most requested features from Tekken 8 fans is a Waffle House stage for the game. And although Tekken 8’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, has responded to fans saying he has been actively pushing for it, it seems like the idea is still far from reality.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Harada responded to another tweet by X user @MartyParty12xYT, stating that he “fully understands the fans’ requests” and had “already been thinking about it quite a while ago.”
He said that he had tried to contact Waffle House through several different channels over the past year, but did not receive any response.
“I suspect that the lack of response may be due to the fact that the project I'm known for revolves around 'fighting-themed video games',” he added, also noting that it’s very rare for him not to get any response.
Even without a response from Waffle House, Harada isn’t giving up on the idea
And while it looks like Tekken characters won’t be duking it out at the Waffle House any time soon, Harada suggested using a different name.
“That said, if, like I suggested earlier, using a different name or format is acceptable as long as the core message is maintained, then I would be willing to seriously reconsider and explore this again,” he said towards the end of his reply to the tweet.
@MartyParty12xYT mentioned in their tweet that the “name of the stage is not the most important”. According to them, people are more excited about the idea of fighting inside a restaurant, “and then being thrown out the window, where you continue fighting in the parking lot.”
The series of tweets started when X user @AndresL_1997 posted a video of a fight taking place in a Waffle House, saying, “Still waiting for my Waffle House stage @Harada_TEKKEN.”
Harada also replied to the original tweet, suggesting the name “Hustle House”, to which other X users responded positively, or suggested similar names to the popular breakfast chain, such as “Scuffle House”, while others said that any name would do—as long as it’s a diner.
