It’s been over two months since Tekken 8 was released. Many fans have been tagging Katsuhiro Harada, producer behind Tekken 8 at Bandai Namco, about DLC content that they’d like to see for the game in the future.
It’s interesting to note that fans aren’t just simply making character requests of Harada. As it turns out, there have been a lot of suggestions to add a Waffle House stage to Tekken 8 as DLC content.
Of course, Waffle House is said to be an American owned restaurant with over 1,900 locations in 25 states of the United States. Being that Harada resides in Japan, his curiosity was piqued as to why so many fans thought Waffle House would be an appropriate stage for Tekken 8.
“Okay. I will only ask once about this request,” begun Harada over on Twitter regarding the constant requests for a Waffle House stage. “Why do some communities send me requests for ‘Waffle House’?”
It was clear that Harada was interested in a detailed and serious explanation about a Waffle House stage. Could it be that he could actually be persuaded on the idea depending on the explanation?
“Please be sure to explain the basis for the request, including the original story, history and background,” continued Harada. “I look forward to an explanation from someone who knows more.”
Ok, I will only ask once about this request.
Why do some communities send me requests for “Waffle House”?Please be sure to explain the basis for the request, including the original story, history and background.
I look forward to an explanation from someone who knows more. https://t.co/w8ozUnJ1mY
— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) March 30, 2024
Admittedly, even as an American myself who lives in a town where there is a Waffle House that is open 24 hours a day, I too was not really sure why people specifically wanted this restaurant to have a stage dedicated to it in Tekken 8. However, the responses did a good job of explaining why it could be an interesting stage.
According to commenters, Waffle House has a history of seeing a lot of fights at their locations due to them typically being open for 24 hours. After a drinking bar closes for the night, drunk people have a tendency to go to Waffle House locations and pick fights with other customers or the staff.
Supposedly, even the employees are trained to defend themselves due to this being a frequent occurrence.
Waffle House is a US chain restaurant that, culturally, is heavily associated with brawling because the employees are trained to defend themselves because the clientele are inexplicably predisposed to fighting each other or the staff.
— (J.K.O.) (@BlackIceSheep) March 30, 2024
It’s a popular chain that’s open 24 hours and is a common spot for drunks to go and crash after the bars close down this has resulted in many funny fight videos.
They famously stay open during weaker hurricanes and natural disasters as well.
— aaron nagy (@AaronSNagy) March 30, 2024
This is where many fist fights in America take place. It will make many people angry, because it’s true, which will only sell more copies.
If the fight starts inside, then we smash through the windows into the parking lot, it will your most famous stage. I guarantee it.
— George Alexopoulos (@GPrime85) March 30, 2024
Original History and Background of Waffle House:
Waffle House is a chain of diners famous for its round-the-clock service and classic American diner fare, including its namesake waffles. Founded in 1955 by Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner, the first Waffle House opened in Avondale…
— Web3Domainz (@Web3Domainz) March 30, 2024
Upon seeing these explanations, Harada would respond indicating that he may make a proposal for a Waffle House stage, though this is something that he’d obviously need permission from the Waffle House brand to implement.
It’s certainly worth noting that Harada originally added Negan from the Walking Dead series as a DLC fighter in Tekken 7 due to fan requests, so this feels like it could be in the cards if Waffle House’s owners are onboard with the idea.
“The restaurant has both the trademark and the rights to the restaurant, so if the restaurant chain’s headquarters refuses to accept my proposal, it will not happen,” responded Harada.
Thanks for the explanation guys.
And I understand that many people are requesting it.
However, I think you are missing one important point.
The restaurant has both the trademark and the rights to the restaurant, so if the restaurant chain’s headquarters refuses to accept my… https://t.co/tnvss5w09j— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) March 30, 2024