KFC's Gaming Avatar May Soon Challenge Tekken

Tekken Director's Colonel Sanders Crossover Dream Remains Unfulfilled

Despite years of yearning, Tekken series director Katsuhiro Harada's ambition to feature Colonel Sanders in the fighting game franchise remains dashed. Harada revealed in a recent interview with The Gamer that both KFC and his own superiors have rejected his proposal.

Harada's desire for a Colonel Sanders cameo isn't new. He previously expressed his enthusiasm on his YouTube channel and detailed his attempts to secure the collaboration with KFC's Japanese headquarters. The response, he stated, was less than positive.

Game designer Michael Murray elaborated on the failed negotiations, explaining that KFC wasn't receptive to the idea, possibly due to concerns about the character's portrayal in a fighting game. This highlights the challenges involved in securing such crossovers.

Harada has openly admitted his vision for a "brilliant" Colonel Sanders character, developed collaboratively with Director Ikeda. However, he encountered consistent resistance from various parties, including the KFC marketing department, who doubted player reception. He even issued a public plea in the interview, urging KFC to reconsider.

While Tekken has successfully integrated characters like Akuma (Street Fighter), Noctis (Final Fantasy), and Negan (The Walking Dead), the Colonel Sanders crossover remains elusive. Harada also mentioned a similar, unsuccessful attempt to include Waffle House, further illustrating the complexities of these collaborations. Despite this setback, fans can anticipate the return of Heihachi Mishima as the game's third DLC character.