Week of September 29th to October 5th, 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.
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.
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.
Capcom Pro Tour Singapore [ Saturday ] [ 1PM Singapore | 1AM EDT | 10PM PDT Friday ]
- Singapore plays host to the final Asian CPT Qualifier before the Asia finals.
- More information is available here.
- This festival will feature tournaments for TTT2, USFIV, MK and UMvC3 in Lodz, Poland.
- This event continues through Sunday.
- More information is available here.
- USFIV joins many other eSports games at Gigacon in Oslo, Norway.
- Capcom Pro Tour Qualifier
- More information is available here (Norwegian).
- Japan's elite Topanga League continues it's qualifiers in the B League for USFIV.
- 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 our most saturated member, Riposte!
What fighting games do you currently play, what is your all time favourite and why?
Truth be told, I havent touched a fighting game lately, as in not at all this year. Im trying to find a game to go all in on for a change. Thinking GGXrd, Smash Wii U, or UNIB.
Picking a favorite is hard, because I love the variety. I have this bad habit of appreciating variety more than any one thing, making me indecisive. However, thinking about this makes a convincing case for Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. FS hits a spot for me like no other; its where I feel most engaged with the other player and the mechanics do a good job of getting that across. I think theres an elegant beauty to how the intuitive main systems like evasion, side/turn mechanics, and frame advantage interact. Im grateful for the lower execution barrier (more effort spent on reads, where FS improved on) with the simplicity and leniency of inputs. Although some combo situations ought to be less lethal (FS seems worse here), theres a welcomed lack of dead weight along the lines of comeback mechanics. People say the aesthetic is lame, but I actually like it (dated as it was in 2012): Its clean and grounded while also a charming throwback to old 3D arcade games.
Funny enough, outside VF, my tastes is aligned towards 2D fighting games, particularly those with a lot of flashy systems (love me some bars and special buttons). Completely contradictory, but there you go.
What are your favorite mechanics from the current selection of fighting games and why? What are your least favorite and why?Picking a favorite is hard, because I love the variety. I have this bad habit of appreciating variety more than any one thing, making me indecisive. However, thinking about this makes a convincing case for Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. FS hits a spot for me like no other; its where I feel most engaged with the other player and the mechanics do a good job of getting that across. I think theres an elegant beauty to how the intuitive main systems like evasion, side/turn mechanics, and frame advantage interact. Im grateful for the lower execution barrier (more effort spent on reads, where FS improved on) with the simplicity and leniency of inputs. Although some combo situations ought to be less lethal (FS seems worse here), theres a welcomed lack of dead weight along the lines of comeback mechanics. People say the aesthetic is lame, but I actually like it (dated as it was in 2012): Its clean and grounded while also a charming throwback to old 3D arcade games.
Funny enough, outside VF, my tastes is aligned towards 2D fighting games, particularly those with a lot of flashy systems (love me some bars and special buttons). Completely contradictory, but there you go.
To avoid rehashing what I said above, Ill go with a concept fundamental to many 2D games: air dashing. Its not the only way to add a layer of aerial mobility/verticality to a game (e.g., multi-jumps and platforming of Smash), but its the most explored and identifiable one (hence airdashers). Air dashing (often alongside air blocking) can change the expectations of spacing (whats risky/safe) in a way that doesnt diminish its importance, but instead increases the complexity (possibility space) of it. I find novel variations such as Arcana Hearts homing or Marvels flight mode very interesting. And the whole concept is a pretty cool break from reality to begin with (in an
anime sort of way).
As for least favorite the gems of Street Fighter vs. Tekken are a really shitty way to do arcanas from the aforementioned Arcana Heart, but I didnt see the worst of it. A lazy choice would be X-Factor from MvC3. Now, the mechanic isnt all bad and arguably theres worse there, but it was handled poorly. I have no love for comeback mechanics in the first place, but one that aggressively powerful, in a game that momentum based, really rubs me the wrong way.
What got you into fighting games? Are there any other genre of games you play?As for least favorite the gems of Street Fighter vs. Tekken are a really shitty way to do arcanas from the aforementioned Arcana Heart, but I didnt see the worst of it. A lazy choice would be X-Factor from MvC3. Now, the mechanic isnt all bad and arguably theres worse there, but it was handled poorly. I have no love for comeback mechanics in the first place, but one that aggressively powerful, in a game that momentum based, really rubs me the wrong way.
Ignoring the I grew up in the 90s with arcade cabinets and console ports cliche, why I have become so invested in fighting games owes a lot to an apartment complex near where I lived in my early to mid teens. It wasnt a good neighborhood and my mom wanted me to stay away, but oddly enough its where I found an oasis of hardcore (poverty?) gaming. Before then I was getting more into tabletop games than videogames, but this crowd reversed the trend (card games aside). Melee was played the most with 3rd Strike and Marvel 2 behind it, eventually being joined by Guilty Gear X2 and skirting by a bunch of other games along the way. Ultimately that broke apart, I moved away, and fell into the Final Fantasy XI vortex. My most passionate days with the genre are no doubt behind me, but Im no less interested in it (and once in awhile I find myself trying to play three games at once). The fact Im now more obsessed with game design and player psychology also makes the subject fascinating.
It would be easier to list the genres I dont play and Im always trying to make that list smaller. Its not that Ill play anything; Im dedicated to playing everything (not so much this year). I think the top 10 lists I do for GAFs GOTY threads (my homepage) sums it up well. Third Person Shooters are probably my favorite.
What is your favorite fighting game character and why?It would be easier to list the genres I dont play and Im always trying to make that list smaller. Its not that Ill play anything; Im dedicated to playing everything (not so much this year). I think the top 10 lists I do for GAFs GOTY threads (my homepage) sums it up well. Third Person Shooters are probably my favorite.
This is not something Ive thought about in the grander sense. I guess my de facto choice is Dante from the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 series, but favorite isnt the right word here, its more like most impressive. Not only is Dante an excellent adaptation of the characters concept, an ideal crossover games should strive for, but also one of the most intricate, complex fighting game characters ever thanks to what they were adapting. While I didnt main him and dont even like lengthy combos, I recall spending a lot of time exploring the moveset and having a ball just messing around in training mode.
For what it matters though, my favorite character of the game I named as my favorite is Lion, who I do main and find myself very comfortable with. I really like that I can be utterly annoying (like his stupid voice) staying on the defensive, then flip my approach completely when my opponent (who is flustered, ideally) is adapting and least expects it (or demands it) and do my best Chibata impression (Lions offense is really vicious and what hes most known for, but I never got to where I wanted to be with it). Im not very good, but I managed to get the best of people who were clearly better than me ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Describe your style of play, and how do you play (local, online, etc.).For what it matters though, my favorite character of the game I named as my favorite is Lion, who I do main and find myself very comfortable with. I really like that I can be utterly annoying (like his stupid voice) staying on the defensive, then flip my approach completely when my opponent (who is flustered, ideally) is adapting and least expects it (or demands it) and do my best Chibata impression (Lions offense is really vicious and what hes most known for, but I never got to where I wanted to be with it). Im not very good, but I managed to get the best of people who were clearly better than me ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I dont recognize myself having a characteristic style and spend more effort just trying to adapt after every match, learning each lesson the hard way. Knowing my limitations/priorities, I end up trying to pick something easy (read: dumb), not intimidating to pull off, and/or can squeak by with fundamentals or psychology (Im pretty shameless about it too). Those are understandably vague descriptors, so theres not really a lot of consistency I guess. In 3S(OE), I mainly played Makoto (like a hyperactive child), in MvC3 I went with scruby, online-friendly teams, in SFIV I primarily used Boxer (very defensively). Sometimes I challenge myself to do more than that, but then my wanderlust kicks in. My internal conflict is trying to balance the pressures outside the game (such as other games) and learning in a slow, organic fashion that I find most fun.
Im pretty much an online warrior. Something I wouldnt mind changing (this makes Smash more appealing given Im on a college campus anyway).
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a player?Im pretty much an online warrior. Something I wouldnt mind changing (this makes Smash more appealing given Im on a college campus anyway).
I would say my biggest weakness, as Ive alluded to, is that I dont dedicate myself to any one game or genre. On a normal year, I make it a point to play several dozen games extensively, covering every genre I can. Additionally, I tend have a hard time retaining highly specific knowledge and muscle memory in this mix. I hope that isnt interpreted as an excuse though, because I still have a strong sense of pride in seeing myself progress (or surprising myself) in this context and am fairly comfortable with getting beat up by better players as I inch closer. I guess my strength would then be having become so used to picking up new games that Ive become fairly used to the learning process, if not rather good at it. I tend to have a good eye for what I need to experiment with and what I ultimately need (and dont need) to accomplish for some minor goal I set, all while never becoming too frustrated (well, I curse and shout like a mad man, but thats part of the appeal). This doesnt translate to success at a higher level, but it means I can hold my own enough to get what I want done and learn/appreciate/critique the systems and in this Ive been fairly successful. If it wasnt clear, Im not only talking about fighting games.
Best and worst moments in the your fighting game career?
Career lol. Having a hard time making stuff sound entertaining and Im running out of space anyway. As a tangent though, my favorite moment as a member/lurker of FGW had to be the crazy Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3s roster leak. The worst was that entire Lupinko riddle BS. Come on.
What do you want from future fighting games?
Virtua Fighter 6.
For something more practical: Id like to see developers learn from each other when it comes to polish and features: Training mode options, online capabilities, easier button checks, etc. Mike Z. of Skullgirls really has a good head for these things.
Who should be on next week's GAF Player Spotlight?For something more practical: Id like to see developers learn from each other when it comes to polish and features: Training mode options, online capabilities, easier button checks, etc. Mike Z. of Skullgirls really has a good head for these things.
Unison :3
Or someone who doesnt live in the states.
Or someone who doesnt live in the states.
Code:
09/30 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (NA) (EU: TBD)
10/03 Super Smash Bros. for 3DS (NA/EU) (AU: 10/04)
10/15 Killer Instinct Season 2 (NA) (EU: TBD)
11/13 Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax (JP) (NA/EU: TBD)
12/04 Guilty Gear Xrd -Sign- (JP) (NA/EU: TBD)
Q4 Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!! (EU)
Q4 BLADE ARCUS from Shining
Q4 Rise of Incarnates
Q4 Skullgirls Encore
Q4 Yatagarasu: Attack on Cataclysm
XMAS Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
SPRING Dead or Alive 5: LAST ROUND
04/15 Mortal Kombat X
2015 Dragon Ball Xenoverse
2015 Rivals of Aether
2015 Under Night In-Birth (NA/EU)
TBD Beast's Fury
TBD Next The King Of Fighters Title (tentative)
TBD Tekken 7
TBD Tekken X Street Fighter
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 Cross Counter Live rises a new discussion show from Gootecks and Mike Ross!
- 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.
- Level|Up 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.
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If you have any suggestions for the OP, please do not hesitate to post in this thread or PM me to let me know.
