Week of January 12th to the 18th, 2014.
Fighting Games Weekly is the weekly discussion thread for all things fighting games. News, events, streams, videos, players, drama, everything fighting game related.
Don't know what to watch right now? Check the FGCPros Twitch Group or Jaxel's Stream Viewer. If you want to watch multiple streams at once, you can use Jaxel's customizable multiviewer as well. If you are looking to see what events are coming up past this week, check out the FGC Event Calendar that our own Malice215 put together.
New to FGC-GAF is the FGC-GAF Index which lists the fighting games GAFers plays as a neat reference with some rough statistics to boot. To add yourself to the index, quote this post and use the survey link below. Please remember to save/bookmark the "Edit your response" link so you can edit your responses if/when you buy a game already on the list or a new game that releases in the future.
Last week's thread. An archive of previous FGW threads is available here.
Fighting Games Weekly is the weekly discussion thread for all things fighting games. News, events, streams, videos, players, drama, everything fighting game related.
Don't know what to watch right now? Check the FGCPros Twitch Group or Jaxel's Stream Viewer. If you want to watch multiple streams at once, you can use Jaxel's customizable multiviewer as well. If you are looking to see what events are coming up past this week, check out the FGC Event Calendar that our own Malice215 put together.
New to FGC-GAF is the FGC-GAF Index which lists the fighting games GAFers plays as a neat reference with some rough statistics to boot. To add yourself to the index, quote this post and use the survey link below. Please remember to save/bookmark the "Edit your response" link so you can edit your responses if/when you buy a game already on the list or a new game that releases in the future.
Last week's thread. An archive of previous FGW threads is available here.
Minor updates to FGW
- Added Malice215's very helpful FGC Event Calendar to the top of OP.
- Following the split between Level|Up and Super Arcade, some ongoing adjustments to the weekly stream schedule are being made. Still kind of confused what's what though. Help me out.
- TorontoTopTiers kickstarts their 2015 season of majors with CECC2, now taking place at the Ontario Science Centre.
- This event continues through Saturday.
- More information is available here.
- Versus Gaming Center and Gaming Knights collaborate to create a new, annualized Smash tournament series, that features many big name attendees and pot bonuses from the likes of Twitch.
- This event continues through Sunday.
- APEX 2015 Qualifier
- More information is available here.
- Monster Island Tournaments presents a multi-game tournament out of a Dave and Busters in New York.
- More information is available here.
Every week, FGW will spotlight one GAFer to get a better picture of their history with fighting games, their preferences, and much more. For this week's FGW Player Spotlight, we will be taking a closer look at Sayah!
What fighting games do you currently play, what is your all time favourite and why?
I am currently only playing Super Smash Bros. 4 (Wii U).
As far as my all-time favorite, I would go with TTT2. I have spent over 1,000 hours into the game and the level of depth and strategy, for me, is unparalleled and unprecedented. It has been a very exhilarating experience playing TTT2 and I have really been able to enjoy the game thanks to its superb netcode, excellent balance, and well-thought out/innovative tag mechanics (tag assault, tag crash, health/netsu management).
What are your favorite mechanics from the current selection of fighting games and why? What are your least favorite and why?As far as my all-time favorite, I would go with TTT2. I have spent over 1,000 hours into the game and the level of depth and strategy, for me, is unparalleled and unprecedented. It has been a very exhilarating experience playing TTT2 and I have really been able to enjoy the game thanks to its superb netcode, excellent balance, and well-thought out/innovative tag mechanics (tag assault, tag crash, health/netsu management).
My favorite mechanic is definitely tag assault from TTT2. I love combo creativity and really enjoyed pairing different characters together and seeing how far I can take them. Even up to this point, more than two years after TTT2's release, the tag mechanics have not been fully exhausted and people are constantly discovering new things.
Discovery can make fighting games a truly enjoyable experience and I find tag assault to be a beacon of discovery potential. There are many times I've felt I discovered amazing things on my own without consulting youtube for optimal combos. It truly feels like an accomplishment when I learn and find new things on my own.
As far as least favorite mechanic, I would go with tripping in Brawl. I don't mind it as much as other people do but it's the worse thing I can think of as far bad game design goes.
What got you into fighting games? Are there any other genre of games you play?Discovery can make fighting games a truly enjoyable experience and I find tag assault to be a beacon of discovery potential. There are many times I've felt I discovered amazing things on my own without consulting youtube for optimal combos. It truly feels like an accomplishment when I learn and find new things on my own.
As far as least favorite mechanic, I would go with tripping in Brawl. I don't mind it as much as other people do but it's the worse thing I can think of as far bad game design goes.
Both Tekken and Smash Bros. got me invested into not just fighting games but gaming by and large starting with Super Smash Bros. N64 and Tekken 3. I have very nostalgic memories of both games. Both franchises are still holding my interest in the genre.
As far as other gaming genres, I really enjoy certain action and turn-based RPGs (Dark Souls, Kingdom Hearts, Paper Mario, Valkyria Chronicles, Fire Emblem) and a few other franchises (Uncharted, Resident Evil, Legend of Zelda).
What is your favorite fighting game character and why?As far as other gaming genres, I really enjoy certain action and turn-based RPGs (Dark Souls, Kingdom Hearts, Paper Mario, Valkyria Chronicles, Fire Emblem) and a few other franchises (Uncharted, Resident Evil, Legend of Zelda).
I have a few. I really enjoy agile, rushdown characters.
A). Nina Williams (Tekken)
http://i2.minus.com/jrRSg9k3P3zY6.jpg
She is the most badass female fighter in any game in any aspect (imo) from her design, to her personality, and to her actual moveset. Using her movelist is a true joy (various sidestep cancels and power hitting moves like blonde bomb and bad habit)
Favorite move: Bitch slap (qcf+2) especially when hitting grounded opponents.
B). Anna Williams (Tekken)
http://i7.minus.com/jDsYJWTTMBBfx.jpg
Very sassy, amazing personality and extremely fun moveset. She tackles with her butt, she slaps like a wizard, and she laughs like the wicked witch of the west. What's not to like?
Favorite move: QCF+1 and Chaos judgment.
C). Trish (Marvel vs. Capcom)
http://i2.minus.com/jDZun65Gy1l8y.jpg
Definitely, by far, my favorite "new" fighting game character from the PS3/360/Wii generation. I love the rushdown capabilities she has and her playstyle is extremely fun. I love floating in air, I love setting traps, and I especially love her combos. So fun to play as. The agility and exhilaration while controlling this character is extreme.
Favorite move: Hopscotch.
And that completes my trinity of favorite fighting game characters. I have other favorites (Pikachu, for instance) but I will go on forever if I list every character.
Describe your style of play, and how do you play (local, online, etc.).A). Nina Williams (Tekken)
http://i2.minus.com/jrRSg9k3P3zY6.jpg
She is the most badass female fighter in any game in any aspect (imo) from her design, to her personality, and to her actual moveset. Using her movelist is a true joy (various sidestep cancels and power hitting moves like blonde bomb and bad habit)
Favorite move: Bitch slap (qcf+2) especially when hitting grounded opponents.
B). Anna Williams (Tekken)
http://i7.minus.com/jDsYJWTTMBBfx.jpg
Very sassy, amazing personality and extremely fun moveset. She tackles with her butt, she slaps like a wizard, and she laughs like the wicked witch of the west. What's not to like?
Favorite move: QCF+1 and Chaos judgment.
C). Trish (Marvel vs. Capcom)
http://i2.minus.com/jDZun65Gy1l8y.jpg
Definitely, by far, my favorite "new" fighting game character from the PS3/360/Wii generation. I love the rushdown capabilities she has and her playstyle is extremely fun. I love floating in air, I love setting traps, and I especially love her combos. So fun to play as. The agility and exhilaration while controlling this character is extreme.
Favorite move: Hopscotch.
And that completes my trinity of favorite fighting game characters. I have other favorites (Pikachu, for instance) but I will go on forever if I list every character.
I enjoy a very rushdown heavy playstyle. I like aggressiveness but I will also resort to playing defensively when I feel like it.
I play both online and locally (with family/friends) but am not very active in the tournament scene for any game.
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a player?I play both online and locally (with family/friends) but am not very active in the tournament scene for any game.
Biggest strength: I generally can learn things fast and adapt to different games quickly if I put my mind to it.
Biggest weakness: I am very impatient. If an opponent turtles or plays super defensively, I will rush after them instead of playing more strategically.
Best and worst moments in the your fighting game career?Biggest weakness: I am very impatient. If an opponent turtles or plays super defensively, I will rush after them instead of playing more strategically.
My most favorite moment is actually this set of matches against pokchop (a known, rather good Tekken player active in the tournament scene).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4i1YOnujxI
I just played without a care in the world and really enjoyed myself and made good comebacks based on constant pressure.
Worst moment: I would say Apex 2013. I didn't play to my full potential because I was very much used to playing Tekken with shoulder buttons and didn't know if the tournament allowed button binding or not. I played extremely terribly in the only tournament I've been to as a result. Plus, tourney nerves.
What do you want from future fighting games?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4i1YOnujxI
I just played without a care in the world and really enjoyed myself and made good comebacks based on constant pressure.
Worst moment: I would say Apex 2013. I didn't play to my full potential because I was very much used to playing Tekken with shoulder buttons and didn't know if the tournament allowed button binding or not. I played extremely terribly in the only tournament I've been to as a result. Plus, tourney nerves.
1. Excellent netcode. I play online a lot of the time and can no longer enjoy games that have bad netcode.
2. Very well, thought out tutorial. I think this is integral for converting casual fighting fans into hardcore fans that can enjoy the competitive aspect of fighting games.
3. Very good training mode. I am saying this after being very disappointed with the Smash Bros. 4 training mode.
4. Compelling storyline. To attract more casual interest, the overall game story needs to be very compelling and interesting. Characters should also be very well designed and have good background stories.
5. More mini games. I loved playing Tekken Ball and Tekken Bowl and am having a hard time understanding why mini games like that have not caught on and even Tekken has abandoned the trend it contributed to/started? (Wii U version Tekken Ball doesn't count).
6. Online training mode as a standard.
7. I like AAK's idea very much of having developers supporting local game scenes IN GAME through in game announcements of gatherings in a player's local area. But this would also have to be monitored carefully to prevent bogus entries so a blacklist of sorts should also be there.
8. Balance. Obviously, we can't ever have perfect balance but game designers should aim towards it. I am annoyed when certain characters are superior to other characters by a VERY WIDE margin while some characters are left being useless.
Who should be on next week's GAF Player Spotlight?2. Very well, thought out tutorial. I think this is integral for converting casual fighting fans into hardcore fans that can enjoy the competitive aspect of fighting games.
3. Very good training mode. I am saying this after being very disappointed with the Smash Bros. 4 training mode.
4. Compelling storyline. To attract more casual interest, the overall game story needs to be very compelling and interesting. Characters should also be very well designed and have good background stories.
5. More mini games. I loved playing Tekken Ball and Tekken Bowl and am having a hard time understanding why mini games like that have not caught on and even Tekken has abandoned the trend it contributed to/started? (Wii U version Tekken Ball doesn't count).
6. Online training mode as a standard.
7. I like AAK's idea very much of having developers supporting local game scenes IN GAME through in game announcements of gatherings in a player's local area. But this would also have to be monitored carefully to prevent bogus entries so a blacklist of sorts should also be there.
8. Balance. Obviously, we can't ever have perfect balance but game designers should aim towards it. I am annoyed when certain characters are superior to other characters by a VERY WIDE margin while some characters are left being useless.
Manbig (manny)
Since Dahbomb strongly encourages pre-orders, what games do you plan to buy that have been officially announced?
I will definitely pre-order Bloodborne. Not much else in the near future that has caught my interest. Might buy MKX if I like the gameplay after trying out a demo somewhere. And will buy DoA5 on steam when it gets price dropped and once online features are available.
Code:
WINTER The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
02/17 Dead or Alive 5: LAST ROUND (EU: 02/20)
04/15 Mortal Kombat X
2015 Dragon Ball Xenoverse
2015 Rivals of Aether
2015 Skullgirls Encore
2015 Under Night In-Birth (NA/EU)
TBD Beast's Fury
TBD Next The King Of Fighters Title (tentative)
TBD Rise of Incarnates
TBD Street Fighter V
TBD Tekken 7
TBD Tekken X Street Fighter
TBD Yatagarasu: Attack on Cataclysm
TBD Yatagarasu: Legend of Raven
Super Desperation Radio [ 9:30PM EDT | 6:30 PDT ]
- Hellpockets and various other members of the KoF community discuss KoF and happenings in the FGC.
- Out of the ashes of The BOX Arena, comes the San Diego FGC's newest organized weekly for UMvC3.
- Weekly FGC show dedicated to match analysis, teaching, commentary, news, debates, and more! Hosted by UltraDavid and James Chen.
Kachitagari TV (JP) [ 9PM JST | 8AM EDT | 5AM PDT ]
- Bon-chan, Kazunoko and Fuudo's new show, focusing primarily on SSFIV AE ranked matches but is branching off into other games as well.
- NYC VF crew presents VF5:FS tournaments casuals out of The Next Level arcade in Brooklyn.
- New Jersey's largest weekly featuring UMvC3 and Injustice.
- JamessMK & DarKNaTaS host a raw and uncut weekly talk show discussing events in the FGC with various FGC personalities.
- Weekly FGC show dedicated to match analysis, teaching, commentary, news, debates, and more! Hosted by UltraDavid and James Chen.
- iPlaywinner hosts a weekly talk show featuring alpha stream monsters Harrison and Honzo Gonzo.
Game Spot Versus KoF Casuals (JP) [ 7PM JST | 6AM EDT | 3AM PDT ]
- KoF 1998UM, KoF 2002UM and KoF XIII C action from Japan.
- Description needed.
- NYC's biggest weekly at The Next Level Arcade in Brooklyn featuring SSFIV AE, UMvC3 and TTT2. If the Teamsp00ky link is not working, it is likely on the backup stream on Arturo's channel.
- Often, WonderChef will stream Injustice pools up until Top 4.
- SoCal's biggest weekly at Super Arcade in Walnut, featuring Injustice and SSFIV AE. Season details are available here.
HBTB Live [ 8PM EDT | 5PM PDT ]
- Hold Back To Block hosts a weekly roundtable discussion of various happenings in the FGC.
- A bi-weekly Smash podcast discussing recent events, news and issues in the Smash community, hosted by Scar, Prog, Cactuar and Sheridan.
- Galloping Ghost Arcade presents an Injustice weekly out of Chicago.
- A weekly FGC talk show hosted by iPlaywinner, featuring a varying, ensemble cast of prominent members of the fighting game community.
- Aris' new weekly show, discussing whatever he wants to! The format resembles old ATP podcasts.
- The UMvC3 and KoF XIII branch of Wednesday Night Fights also hosted at Super Arcade in Walnut, California.
The Smash Break Bi-Weekly [ 6PM EDT | 3PM PDT ]
- The Break hosts a new Melee bi-weekly to replace Rokunaya Bi-Weeklies which are ending.
- Arturo streams a BlazBlue and Guilty Gear bi-weekly out of Next Level arcade in Brooklyn.
- For those who know how to use Nico Live, also join the GODSGARDEN community page on Nico to know when Ura KaoTV! goes live.
- A bi-weekly Skullgirls event hosted by members of the Skullgirls development team, often featuring preview builds of the game.
Rebel Up [ 7PM EDT | 4PM PDT ]
- Super Arcade's anime bi-weekly, featuring GG, BB, P4A, SG, Gundam and older anime games as well.
GGPO VanBats [ 4PM EDT | 1PM PDT ]
- Weekly GGPO Vampire Savior ranbats streamed by GAFer Rotanibor.
- SuperDojo and Team OXY partner up to create a new weekly for the SoCal Melee community, featuring doubles and singles.
On GAF we have various members that stream fighting games from time to time too. If you would like to add your channel to this thread, send me a PM.
Often, some fighting games can seem intimidating to players new and old. Below are a bunch of resources that may be of aid to new players, or handy as references.
- Learn How To Play Fighting Games Free eBook from Shoryuken is a fantastic primer for new players to the genre.
- Footsies Handbook is a guide to the potentially elusive, but integral part of doing well in any fighting game.
- NeoGAF's Arcade Stick Thread is the place to go for questions about anything arcade stick-related.
- Step Up Your Game is an editorial series by Justin Wong that covers a multitude of topics, notably focusing on strengthening your mental game and playing smarter instead of harder.
- Tips for first time competitors will help you straighten out those nerves and expectations when you head out to your first tournament.
- Domination 101 is almost a cult classic article in the FGC, which has Seth Killian telling us how he really feels about the idea of "cheapness" in fighting games.
- Team-building Guide by our very own Karsticles, which helps make it easier to approach team-building in MvC games, and games with similar synergistic elements.
- - -
If you have any suggestions for the OP, please do not hesitate to post in this thread or (preferably) PM me to let me know.
How humble of you to not mention how you were 1 game away from eliminating the previous EVO champion that same tournament 
