Week of July 28th to August 3rd, 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.
Exit 8: Level 3 [ Additional stream: PS3 ] [ Saturday ] [ 11AM EDT | 8AM PDT ]
- A South Carolina tournament featuring a variety of current games.
- Location, schedule, fees, rules, format, payout and more information is available here.
- The Steam Co. and Brokentier present the latest Resistance tournament, featuring a wide variety of current games being run.
- Location, schedule, payout, fees, format, platforms and 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 secret GAF insider, Oichi!
What fighting games do you currently play, what are your all time favourites and why?
Still playing Virtua Fighter 5: FS and Soulcalibur 5 on the weekends, since the Japanese community is pretty tightknit and hold regular online tournaments. I'm also playing Arcade Edition at work... we don't have Ultra in Japan yet.
My all time favorites are VF5R and Soulcalibur 1/2. I think Final Showdown is alright but some of the changes they made like the heavy back stagger on backdash were a little too much. I also like the stages and music much better in 5R compared to Final Showdown. My character Taka-arashi was considered super low tier in the game but I thought he could still hang with any character in the game. Plus I think Akira and Jacky can be flat out dumb in FS! They're a little bit too strong.
Soulcalibur is one of those series that really clicked with me when I first picked it up, much like Virtua Fighter when I started playing it. The guard impact system to me was amazing and I haven't found anything as compelling in any other fighting game. The art direction and animation is still amazing, and I could just watch those special exhibition katas all day long. I hold Soulcalibur in high esteem because excelling at a high level in those games got me my start in the games industry (don't laugh!). I won a Soulcalibur 1 tournament at E3 one year and started getting offers for freelance work at IGN/1up/EGM/etc. and then when Soulcalibur 2 came out it gave me an opportunity to establish a strong community in Toronto, made me some industry contacts and even helped me with my job interview at the company I'm at now. Being able to explain fighting games stuff in Japanese was REALLY helpful.
What are your favorite mechanics from the current selection of fighting games and why? What are your least favorite and why?My all time favorites are VF5R and Soulcalibur 1/2. I think Final Showdown is alright but some of the changes they made like the heavy back stagger on backdash were a little too much. I also like the stages and music much better in 5R compared to Final Showdown. My character Taka-arashi was considered super low tier in the game but I thought he could still hang with any character in the game. Plus I think Akira and Jacky can be flat out dumb in FS! They're a little bit too strong.
Soulcalibur is one of those series that really clicked with me when I first picked it up, much like Virtua Fighter when I started playing it. The guard impact system to me was amazing and I haven't found anything as compelling in any other fighting game. The art direction and animation is still amazing, and I could just watch those special exhibition katas all day long. I hold Soulcalibur in high esteem because excelling at a high level in those games got me my start in the games industry (don't laugh!). I won a Soulcalibur 1 tournament at E3 one year and started getting offers for freelance work at IGN/1up/EGM/etc. and then when Soulcalibur 2 came out it gave me an opportunity to establish a strong community in Toronto, made me some industry contacts and even helped me with my job interview at the company I'm at now. Being able to explain fighting games stuff in Japanese was REALLY helpful.
The Bound mechanic from Virtua Fighter (which Tekken ripped off 
) is probably my least favorite as it makes combos look too samey. I like Street Fighter combos because they can look really different from character to character.
My all-time favorite mechanic is guard impact from Soulcalibur 1/2, but right now my favorite is Overdrive from Blazblue for the same reason why I don't like Bound. I like how the system gives every character something different, instead of just a general buff. Overdrive is what X-Factor should've been in my opinion.
What got you into fighting games? Are there any other genre of games you play?) is probably my least favorite as it makes combos look too samey. I like Street Fighter combos because they can look really different from character to character.My all-time favorite mechanic is guard impact from Soulcalibur 1/2, but right now my favorite is Overdrive from Blazblue for the same reason why I don't like Bound. I like how the system gives every character something different, instead of just a general buff. Overdrive is what X-Factor should've been in my opinion.
A convenience store near my house had Street Fighter 2, so I'd go there after school a couple of times a week. I was only 11 or 12 at the time and most of the players were 15 or 16, so I could only watch. Every time people were there I'd watch what they'd do and then play when they left. Eventually I was able to play with the big boys and held my own... sometimes.
Other than fighters I play pretty much anything so long as it looks interesting. I'm heavy into Monster Hunter now that I'm helping to direct the latest one, but I'll play anything. Yes, even anime games.
What is your favorite fighting game character and why?Other than fighters I play pretty much anything so long as it looks interesting. I'm heavy into Monster Hunter now that I'm helping to direct the latest one, but I'll play anything. Yes, even anime games.
MAKOTO. When I look at her 3rd Strike sprites I just see an insane amount of detail. Her SF4 is okay, I guess, but her 3s version is amazing. The way she animates and how oomph behind all of her attacks is just on point all the time. I love how she's just this little kid who hits like a fucking Mac truck. It's awesome, she's the best.
Describe your style of play, and how do you play (local, online, etc.).
I tend to play big characters/grapplers so I play a patient game while trying to constantly get in on my opponent. I'm pretty shitty at combos so doing big damage with throws is what I try to do.
Even though I'm in Japan I play almost exclusively online unless there's some sort of tournament or location test going on. I used to be in the arcades every day but ever since I got married I have other things that demand my time (and money).
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a player?Even though I'm in Japan I play almost exclusively online unless there's some sort of tournament or location test going on. I used to be in the arcades every day but ever since I got married I have other things that demand my time (and money).
I feel I can read opponents fairly well, especially in 3D fighting games. Converting into max damage combos is something Im not very good at, especially if I have to switch to a different combo on the fly.
Best and worst moments in the your fighting game career?
Worst moment was almost getting kicked out of Monte 50 (the best arcade in Osaka) for slamming my fists against the panel. I lost maybe 30 straight to some of the top VF players there and I just got super pissed off and went nuts.
Best moment was getting invited to play in the first World Game Cup in France in 2004. It was for Soulcalibur 2, and I got a personal invite from the French organizers. I did pretty shitty in the singles tournament -- the format was WACK, but I lost because I lost confidence in my Astaroth -- but I was part of Team Canada for the team tourney where we ended up tied for 3rd behind the US and France. That was the first time I ever traveled for a fighter and it was a fantastic experience. I also met Kayane there for the first time when she was 11 years old... and I think I lost to her 11 - 3.
What do you want from future fighting games?Best moment was getting invited to play in the first World Game Cup in France in 2004. It was for Soulcalibur 2, and I got a personal invite from the French organizers. I did pretty shitty in the singles tournament -- the format was WACK, but I lost because I lost confidence in my Astaroth -- but I was part of Team Canada for the team tourney where we ended up tied for 3rd behind the US and France. That was the first time I ever traveled for a fighter and it was a fantastic experience. I also met Kayane there for the first time when she was 11 years old... and I think I lost to her 11 - 3.
I want them to better emulate the arcade experience, for sure. I'm a huge fan of GGPO and how you have a giant chat room where you can challenge anyone available and spectate on any match. Matchmaking in particular needs to improve a lot. Giving the community the tools to set up and maintain themselves is also super important. Stuff like teams and customizable match replays is a start, but I wanna see it go further. Like have a mode where a player can set up personal challenges (i.e. "Do 5 hit combo off a counterhit") for themselves, then they can share those with their friends so everyone can compete.
Who should be on next week's GAF Player Spotlight?
Nabs or A Pretty Panda
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 weekly Skullgirls event hosted by members of the Skullgirls development team, often featuring preview builds of the game.
Rebel Up [ Secondary ] [ 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.
Additionally, if you want to really get involved, you may want to check out the various OTs for specific games:
Additionally, if you want to really get involved, you may want to check out the various OTs for specific games:
- BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma
- Chaos Code
- Darkstalkers: Resurrection
- Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate and Core Fighters
- Divekick
- Gundam Extreme VS Full Boost
- Injustice: Gods Among Us
- JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle
- Killer Instinct
- The King of Fighters XIII
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Origins
- Mortal Kombat
- Persona 4: Arena
- PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
- Project M 3.0
- Skullgirls
- Soul Calibur: Lost Swords
- Soul Calibur V
- Street Fighter X Tekken v.2013
- Tekken
- Tekken Revolution
- Tekken Tag Tournament 2
- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
- Ultra Street Fighter IV
- Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late
- Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown
- 8WayRun - Soul Calibur franchise community
- DOACentral - Dead or Alive franchise community
- Dream Cancel - King of Fighters franchise community and resource, more US-centric
- Dustloop - Forums/community for Arc System Works-developed games
- Eventhubs - Frequently updated news blog, resource and forums for all things fighting games
- FreeStepDodge - Dead or Alive franchise community
- Homing Cancel - Arcana Heart community
- iPlaywinner - Large fighting game news site and resource, and the home to Teamsp00ky and iPlaywinner
- Jet Upper - UK-centric news source and community
- Mayonaka Midnight - Persona 4 Arena community and resource
- Melty Bread - Melty Blood community
- Mizuumi - A resource for various "poverty" games
- Orochinagi - King of Fighters franchise community and resource, more EU-centric
- Reddit Fighters - Reddit's own fighting game community subreddit
- Shoryuken - The largest FG community and multigame resource on the web, with a large Capcom games community
- Skullheart - fan Skullgirls community and resource made official
- TekkenZaibatsu - Tekken franchise community
- Test Your Might - Mortal Kombat and Injustice community and resource
- UKFGC - UK-centric news source and community
- Smash Boards - The largest Smash Bros. Community
- VFDC - Virtua Fighter franchise community site
- - -
If you have any suggestions for the OP, please do not hesitate to post in this thread or PM me to let me know.
