Week of January 6th to the 12th, 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.
BlazBlue: Chronophantasma [ PS3 ] [ NA: March 25 ]
- The latest iteration of BlazBlue finally makes it's way west after being released in arcades and retail in Japan in 2013.
- After getting the licensing rights back to the Guilty Gear franchise, Arc System Works presents the newest installment into the series featuring beautiful 3D models instead of sprites.
- Namco creates a F2P, single-player only installment into the Soul Calibur franchise, focusing around weapon collecting and crafting.
- The much anticipated sequel to Brawl brings the franchise to mobile platforms, and newcomers to the franchise such as Megaman, Wii Fit Trainer, Villager and Rosalina & Luma.
- Capcom presents what is intended to be the final version of SFIV, featuring 5 new characters and multiple new mechanics.
- The kickstarted and localized update to Yatagarasu offers new features, commentators, characters and more.
- The indie fighting game sensation from former SNK employees finds it's way to non-PC platforms in 2014 as Yatagarasu: Legend of Raven.
Defend The North [ Thread ] [ Saturday ] [ 1PM EDT | 10PM PDT ]
- A secondary stream will be helmed by Bifuteki.
- A tertiary stream will be helmed by Arturo.
- Team PIE puts together a new major for the NYC scene, kicking off a new year of large tournaments.
- Prizes, fees, payout, location, rules, platforms, format 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 the FGC's resident lawyer, UltraDavid!
What fighting games do you currently play, what are your all time favourites and why?
Currently playing SF4, Injustice, and SFxT. Wish I was playing Divekick too but nobody here wants to play that anymore 
My all time favorites are Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter III: Third Strike.
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 Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Street Fighter III: Third Strike.
My favorite mechanics from the current crop of fighting games are from Skullgirls, Injustice, and Divekick. I love custom assists in Skullgirls because of their freedom and creativity. I think the wager/breaker system in Injustice is the best combo breaker mechanic ever since it's usable only once per game, usually costs meter, has real mixups associated with it, and can't be used against every attack. I also love interactables in Injustice because I think they emphasize space control and awareness in really interesting ways. And I love the deceptively simple movement and attack angles of Divekick, I think they maximize the things I love most about fighting games (spacing and overall strategy) and minimize the things I don't (execution, combos, and little mixups).
What got you into fighting games? Are there any other genre of games you play?
I loved SF2 from the first day I saw it. I didn't play in the arcades really, started more on SNES, but I always loved it. At the time I didn't understand that it was a strategy game, I think I just liked taking out some aggression on my friends. But then in college I started to understand that fighting games can have really deep and interesting strategy, and that's what's hooked me ever since.
I used to play RTS and RPGs and whatever random non-FPS action games, but took about a decade off from them. Started playing other games again in just the last couple months.
What is your favorite fighting game character and why?I used to play RTS and RPGs and whatever random non-FPS action games, but took about a decade off from them. Started playing other games again in just the last couple months.
My favorite fighting game character is Q. Robot/cyborg/mask type who plays like a defensive/grappler hybrid = yay!
Describe your style of play, and how do you play (local, online, etc.).
I actually don't have a set style. Some of the characters I play are big) grappler types (ST Honda, 3S Q/Hugo, SF4 Zangief, SFxT Zangief/Kuma, MvC3 Hulk/Haggar/Thor, Injustice Bane), some are defensive or trap types (ST Honda, 3S Q, SF4 Dhalsim, Injustice Lex), some are nimble weird types (ST Dictator, 3S Twelve, SF4 Hakan, Divekick Sensei), and some are more normal default types (SF4 Dan, SFxT Nina). Some are low tier, some are mid, some are top. Some are low execution, some are high execution.
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a player?
I don't really like answering questions about what I think my biggest strengths are because I'm actually a huge narcissist and I usually try to keep that side of myself a secret. But to be frank, I think my biggest strengths as a player are that I'm really really smart, I have an awesome memory for game minutiae and human tendencies, and I can think quickly, critically, and far ahead. I feel like I'm way way above average in all of that. I think I'm a little above average in seeing the space between characters. I'm a little above average in mental reaction time. I'm probably only about average in patience, sometimes below average. But I'm wayyyyy way below average, definitely in the bottom percentiles, of execution and physical reaction time. That's by far my weakest point.
Best and worst moments in the your fighting game career?
The best moments of my fighting game career were probably all in the relatively short period of time in 2008-2009 between when I first had lots of free time to play after graduation and when I had to retire. I won and placed high in a bunch of SF4 tournaments in one of the most competitive regions in the world. Alex Valle & Combofiend wanted me on their teams for team tournaments. I developed a lot of what would become foundational SF4 Zangief & Dhalsim tech. I helped create SF4-style option select-heavy play. Etc.
There are two worst moments. The first was in 2009-2010 when I began displaying signs of cervical radiculopathy like major pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of control in my neck, back, arms, and hands. Having to come to terms with no longer being able to properly do something you love and are good at is not easy.
The second was at Evo 2012. I found out a week in advance that I'd be playing Juicebox first round, so I studied up. I already felt that Dan beat Abel but I still that matchup hard against ETR and 801 Strider until I was confident I knew everything about the matchup and strongly believed my character had the advantage. I watched a lot of vids of Juicebox and developed a gameplan that I believed would work well. I was totally ready to go! We get to Evo, we sit down to play, and my hands are like someone else's. They're numb and alternately not doing what I ask or even actively doing things I didn't ask for. I'm sure Juicebox was playing well too, not like this was one-sided, but when I realized my hands had failed I got really flustered and guessed wrong a lot anyway. I got scraped. My next matchup was some dude using Boxer. I lost, and the way I lost was that he just had pixels left, I had 30% life left, he woke up with Boxer U1, I tried to do ex dp to beat it and win, and I came out with cr mk and got hit for the full ultra and died. Then my KoF13 match was up and I lost in the same kinds of ways. I walked out of the hall and didn't come back for hours. That was the last tournament I have ever entered and so it will remain.
What do you want from future fighting gamesThere are two worst moments. The first was in 2009-2010 when I began displaying signs of cervical radiculopathy like major pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of control in my neck, back, arms, and hands. Having to come to terms with no longer being able to properly do something you love and are good at is not easy.
The second was at Evo 2012. I found out a week in advance that I'd be playing Juicebox first round, so I studied up. I already felt that Dan beat Abel but I still that matchup hard against ETR and 801 Strider until I was confident I knew everything about the matchup and strongly believed my character had the advantage. I watched a lot of vids of Juicebox and developed a gameplan that I believed would work well. I was totally ready to go! We get to Evo, we sit down to play, and my hands are like someone else's. They're numb and alternately not doing what I ask or even actively doing things I didn't ask for. I'm sure Juicebox was playing well too, not like this was one-sided, but when I realized my hands had failed I got really flustered and guessed wrong a lot anyway. I got scraped. My next matchup was some dude using Boxer. I lost, and the way I lost was that he just had pixels left, I had 30% life left, he woke up with Boxer U1, I tried to do ex dp to beat it and win, and I came out with cr mk and got hit for the full ultra and died. Then my KoF13 match was up and I lost in the same kinds of ways. I walked out of the hall and didn't come back for hours. That was the last tournament I have ever entered and so it will remain.
I want future fighting games to knock it off with comeback mechanics like xfactor in Marvel 3 and more meter & kill potential for second & third characters in KoF. I want them to minimize stupid simple mixup mechanics like KI "combos." I want them to avoid system wide execution requirements like long combos, very character specific combos, and just frames. I want them to avoid complexity for complexity's sake. In other words, I want fewer roadblocks between me and actually playing a strategy game.
Who should be on next week's GAF Player Spotlight?
Rhapsody should be next. Because I went to the most recent page of the fighting game thread, went whirrrr with my mouse wheel a few times, and that's who came up on my screen.
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 show from Gootecks and Mike Ross which will cover.. who knows what.
- 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.
- A bi-weekly Smash podcast discussing recent events, news and issues in the Smash community, hosted by Scar, Prog, Cactuar and Sheridan.
- 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.
Ghost Battle Series [ 9PM CST | 10PM EDT | 7PM PDT ]
- 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. P4:A is usually streamed on CounterAssaultTV until Top 3.
KaoTV! (JP) [ 11PM JST | 10AM EDT | 7AM PDT ]
- 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.
None at the moment.
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
- 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 V
- Street Fighter X Tekken v.2013
- Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition v.2012
- Tekken
- Tekken Revolution
- Tekken Tag Tournament 2
- Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
- 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 - Mainly 2D, Capcom game centric hub, and probably one of, if not the largest FG community on the internet
- 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.
