TEKKEN INDIA: Meet MH GAME one of India's Most Historic Game Centers
An interview with one of the most fascinating Tekken communities in the world-- and they specialize in Tekken 3; in 2024!
I’ve finally had the chance to catch up with one of the most incredible Tekken community organizers on the planet—MH Game. Trust me, this is one of the most important interviews we’ve ever done at Arcade Press. Decades of history are typically overlooked by the world. Now, India is in the spotlight, keeping a classic game like Tekken 3 alive, proving that it’s not all about the newest and the latest. Since Tekken 3 (1997) was so amazing, it's incredible to see India documenting their tournaments. I was so happy to see this type of no-frills, raw video footage of just great gameplay from such an interesting community, so I had to reach out to them for an interview. Thank you, MH Game, for your time and patience, and thank you to all of India’s Tekken community. I appreciate you all greatly. Enjoy the interview below.
Arcade Future: Hey bro, hows it going?
MH Game : Hello Ram, we are doing well. Thanks for taking the time to interview with us. I apologize for replying late.
AF: It’s really no worries. I’m happy we could chat. Can you tell us about MH Game? The project seems very interesting on YouTube and Instagram. What is the origin of the name?
MH: We started with Contra and Mario in 1991. Slowly and gradually, we expanded further. That's when we bought the new gaming console Saga 16-bit. Here's the cover of the cassette.
AF: What is your role in MH Game?
MH: My name is Abhishek Sharma, and I am the son of MH Game's owner, Mahendra. I have been playing and watching Tekken 3 since my childhood. I handle all the online social media and YouTube channels of MH Game. I am a big fan of the Tekken franchise. I also manage all things related to MH Game available on the internet, including images, videos of the game, YouTube video editing, and social media handles.
AF: Tell us about the fighting game community in your region.
MH: The community of the Tekken franchise is very big in my region. I don't know about other fighting game communities, but the community of the Tekken franchise in my region is very, very big. You can find the Tekken franchise's Tekken 3, Tekken Tag, Tekken 5, Tekken 6, Tekken Tag 2, and Tekken 7 players. Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag are very famous in my region because these two games are available everywhere, leading to a high number of players and available arcade machines in shops.
AF: What fighting games are currently most popular in your region?
MH: In my region, I have not seen any other fighting game offline other than the Tekken franchise. Nor do I think that most people here play any other fighting game.
Wherever there is an arcade machine, you will find some game only from the Tekken franchise. Most people in my region cannot afford PS4 or PS5, so they have no desire to play any other game. Everywhere you will get Tekken3 or Tekken Tech mostly because that is what is available, and most shopkeepers cannot afford PS5 or PS4, which is also very expensive.
AF: What do you want people to know about your fighting game scene?
MH: I want people to know that Tekken 3 is the best game in the Tekken franchise. There are many players and a community of Tekken 3 right now who play the game. Tekken 3 has so many players and a community that there could even be a Tekken 3 World Championship. In our region, you will find the best Tekken 3 players in the world. There are many players in our region who have been playing Tekken 3 for almost 10 years and are very good. We are doing tournaments so that we can help people who want to show the talent they have in eSports and want to do something, so we create a platform for them to showcase their talent.
AF: Are there any notable players we should be aware of?
MH: Yes, there are a lot of notable players here. Many good players have now retired. Because having good gameplay continuously is a very great thing, very few people can do this thing, and all good players and champions have their own era. In my knowledge, I know a lot of good players who are noticeable.
Rahul Sharma (retired) - The only player in India (2007-2011) whose name has been published in posters and advertisements is Rahul Sharma. He is the only player on whom the rewards were placed in Tekken 3.
Rahul Prajapati (retired) - He was a player whom even Rahul Sharma was afraid of because his Heihachi was the best.
Kashif - Winner of Tekken 3 Tournament Bareilly INDIA 2024, a very good player.
Aman - Winner of Tekken 3 Loin legends cup, a very good player.
Amit - Winner of Tekken 3 Taj Mahal cup tournament 2019, a very good player.
Faizan (from Moradabad city) - Winner of Tekken 3 Delhi cup 2018, an all-rounder player.
Nishu (from Delhi) - The best player of Tekken 3 in Delhi, a very good Eddy Gordo player.
AP: What are your fighting game goals in 2024?
Ans: Our Fighting Game Goal is to Organize the Next Tournament of Tekken 3 in 2024. Our first tournament, Tekken 3 Tournament 2023, was very successful and got a lot of views and a very good positive response from many people, not only online but even offline. Many people who like fighting games, whether they play well or not, when they saw our tournament video on YouTube, they all want to participate. We want to encourage them about sports, make them aware of eSports, and create a platform for them to showcase their talent. Even now, the Indian government recognizes eSports as a multisports event. We have limited resources but are doing our best to encourage and make people aware of eSports.
GREAT contribution by Mh game 👍