For quite some time now, fans of the *Tekken* franchise have been vocal about one particular request: a stage set in Waffle House. Naturally, this isn't a real-world dining suggestion, but rather an in-game location they’d love to see featured in *Tekken 8*. Although it may sound like a long shot, there's clear enthusiasm behind the idea—and the game’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, is definitely listening.
On X (formerly Twitter), Katsuhiro Harada engaged with players who are still hopeful for a Waffle House-themed stage in *Tekken 8*. This has become a recurring fan request that continues to gain momentum, especially since Harada himself has shown openness toward exploring the idea further.
Harada confirmed he "fully understands" what fans are asking for. In fact, he’s not only considered the possibility—he’s taken actual steps to make it happen.
“Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels,” said Harada on X/Twitter. “However, and this is purely my own speculation, 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 that when it comes to licensing opportunities, a lack of response is fairly unusual. He also hinted that if certain adjustments—such as using an alternative name or slightly altered branding—could be made while keeping the essence of the concept intact, he would be open to revisiting the idea seriously.
So, for now, it seems unlikely that Kazuya and Jin will be duking it out under the iconic glow of a Waffle House sign. However, Harada hasn’t completely ruled out something similar—a parody version or a fictionalized equivalent like “Hustle House,” which he mentioned in a follow-up post, could very well be in the cards.
Meanwhile, *Tekken 8* is gearing up for its next big update with Patch 2.01, which includes the official addition of Fahkumram to the playable roster. Back in April, Harada also addressed concerns from players regarding Season 2 content, assuring fans that the tuning team is working “around the clock” to incorporate player feedback and improve future updates.
