Week of February 9th to the 15th, 2015.
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.
There are currently no special events scheduled for this week. Check back later in the week to see if this changes!
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 TWILT!
What fighting games do you currently play, what is your all time favourite and why?
Right now, I've mostly been playing Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. I think all 3 games are all really fun in their own way (despite how much they drive me crazy at times...) and I just want to learn more.
For my all time favorites, I have two. The MvC3 series (well, mostly Ultimate because vanilla brings back a lot of bad memories...) holds a special place in my heart. Like, I've played the game a lot. Like...600+ hours a lot. Sure, the game had barely playable netcode, but there's something that's just so addictive about it. The crazy fast paced action, where just one mistake could mean the end for you, the amount of team combinations that are possible in the game (granted, mostly everyone has been switching to X/Doom/Vergil, but still), the super flashy visuals...to me, it felt like UMvC3 was made for me. I don't play it as much as before mostly because PSN seems to mostly be dead for the game, and there ARE some things that really annoy me about the game, but for a long time, most of my gaming time was devoted to Marvel.
The 2nd game is Super Smash Bros. Melee. I'm not even necessarily talking about the competitive aspect of it; it's the game that pretty much defined my childhood. From unlocking every single character (having my mind blown away at unlocking Mewtwo and having no idea who Marth/Roy were), unlocking all the trophies, beating all the Event matches, Melee was such a satisfying experience for me. It was the first fighting game where I actually wanted to keep improving my skills (and for a while I thought I was legit good at the game, but later on in my life at looking at high level play, I realize I really wasn't...). Super fast paced and just really super fun to play. That's not to say I hate the newer versions of Smash (I LOVE playing Smash 4), but I'm still really happy Melee is still very strong and alive today.
What are your favorite mechanics from the current selection of fighting games and why? What are your least favorite and why?For my all time favorites, I have two. The MvC3 series (well, mostly Ultimate because vanilla brings back a lot of bad memories...) holds a special place in my heart. Like, I've played the game a lot. Like...600+ hours a lot. Sure, the game had barely playable netcode, but there's something that's just so addictive about it. The crazy fast paced action, where just one mistake could mean the end for you, the amount of team combinations that are possible in the game (granted, mostly everyone has been switching to X/Doom/Vergil, but still), the super flashy visuals...to me, it felt like UMvC3 was made for me. I don't play it as much as before mostly because PSN seems to mostly be dead for the game, and there ARE some things that really annoy me about the game, but for a long time, most of my gaming time was devoted to Marvel.
The 2nd game is Super Smash Bros. Melee. I'm not even necessarily talking about the competitive aspect of it; it's the game that pretty much defined my childhood. From unlocking every single character (having my mind blown away at unlocking Mewtwo and having no idea who Marth/Roy were), unlocking all the trophies, beating all the Event matches, Melee was such a satisfying experience for me. It was the first fighting game where I actually wanted to keep improving my skills (and for a while I thought I was legit good at the game, but later on in my life at looking at high level play, I realize I really wasn't...). Super fast paced and just really super fun to play. That's not to say I hate the newer versions of Smash (I LOVE playing Smash 4), but I'm still really happy Melee is still very strong and alive today.
My favorite mechanics are the ones that give you different options to use in different situations like Assists in Marvel or Custom moves in Smash 4. I also really dig the "Team" aspect in Marvel in general; I just really like having a lot of options I guess. And also, while not technically a "mechanic," I really like how in Smash Bros., you can kind of just make up your own combos on the fly by just reading where your opponent's going to be. It's still a game you have to practice, but it's nice having so much freedom.
Least favorite, well, like most people, I have to give it to TACs in Marvel, despite how much I love the game. Most people have already explained why, but basically, there's just far too much randomness from it, and too much low risk/high reward for it. Other than that...can I just say the entirety of Playstation All Stars? Man, that game was awful.
What got you into fighting games? Are there any other genre of games you play?Least favorite, well, like most people, I have to give it to TACs in Marvel, despite how much I love the game. Most people have already explained why, but basically, there's just far too much randomness from it, and too much low risk/high reward for it. Other than that...can I just say the entirety of Playstation All Stars? Man, that game was awful.
My first fighting game ever was Street Fighter 2 and TMNT: Tournament Fighters (that game was godlike) on the SNES. Granted, I had no idea how to throw a fireball back then, but I still have fond memories of both games. The first fighter I was REALLY into was Melee, but even then, I mostly played it casually. The first SERIOUS fighter I was really into was definitely Marvel Vs Capcom 3.
Aside from fighting games, I try and play a little bit of everything (bar stuff like shooters). My favorites are definitely JRPGs (mostly stuff like Persona, TWEWY, Souls games, Xenoblade, and Chrono Trigger), and action games (Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Rising, Bayonetta, etc.).
What is your favorite fighting game character and why?Aside from fighting games, I try and play a little bit of everything (bar stuff like shooters). My favorites are definitely JRPGs (mostly stuff like Persona, TWEWY, Souls games, Xenoblade, and Chrono Trigger), and action games (Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Rising, Bayonetta, etc.).
Most people who've played me in Marvel before know who it is, but it's easily Dante from (U)MvC3. He's by far the most satisfying fighting game character to learn in my opinion. Just from the sheer amount of options he has, I felt like nobody was ever going to "master" this character (I mean that in a good way!) Learning Dante combos were just so fun and satisfying, learning what moves to use in various situatons, and overall, damn, he's just super fun to play as. I'm really biased because I love the Devil May Cry series, but I really hope there are other fighting games that are as in depth as Dante is. There's a reason I try and put Dante in pretty much all my teams.
Other than that, I've always really liked playing the "sword" characters in general. Shulk, Strider Hiryu, Yu Narukami, Ky, hell even Link is one of my mains in all the Smash games despite his low tier status in most of them. Some things never change I guess.
Describe your style of play, and how do you play (local, online, etc.).Other than that, I've always really liked playing the "sword" characters in general. Shulk, Strider Hiryu, Yu Narukami, Ky, hell even Link is one of my mains in all the Smash games despite his low tier status in most of them. Some things never change I guess.
Rushdown, rushdown, rushdown.
Basically, I want to be in my opponent's face all the time, and not give them a chance to breathe. That's not to say I can't tone it down and play lame when I have to (because rushing down on a character like Doom is a bad idea, and something I still see people do/cringe when they get footdived so easily...), but in general, I like reading my opponent and going where they're going to be. I like forcing people to block and then forcing them to crack under pressure, and then I like landing a huge combo.
I'm mostly an online fighter these days (mostly because of work and family preventing me from going out to locals too much). I'm already planning a trip to EVO this year though. Super excited to go!
What do you feel are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as a player?Basically, I want to be in my opponent's face all the time, and not give them a chance to breathe. That's not to say I can't tone it down and play lame when I have to (because rushing down on a character like Doom is a bad idea, and something I still see people do/cringe when they get footdived so easily...), but in general, I like reading my opponent and going where they're going to be. I like forcing people to block and then forcing them to crack under pressure, and then I like landing a huge combo.
I'm mostly an online fighter these days (mostly because of work and family preventing me from going out to locals too much). I'm already planning a trip to EVO this year though. Super excited to go!
My biggest strength is a bit hard for me to pin down. I'd say maybe I'm a versatile player? Even though I'm mostly a rushdown style player, I can still adapt and play something like a zoning game if I need to. Playing Dante in Marvel really helped with this I think.
My biggest weakness however is probably that I get "mindfucked" too easily. I feel as though if I make even one mistake, my whole game falls apart and pretty much whatever momentum I have goes down the drain. I'm being a bit hyperbolic here, but it's something I really want to work on.
Best and worst moments in the your fighting game career?My biggest weakness however is probably that I get "mindfucked" too easily. I feel as though if I make even one mistake, my whole game falls apart and pretty much whatever momentum I have goes down the drain. I'm being a bit hyperbolic here, but it's something I really want to work on.
By far my worst moment is probably when my PS2 pad to 360 converter didn't work properly at Toryuken last year and I had no choice, but to drop out. As some of you might know, the PS3 version of Ultimate Marvel has lag issues (t-thanks, Capcom...), so mostly everyone plays on the 360 now. I mostly use a Dualshock to play Marvel, but obviously, I can't use a PS3/PS4 pad on 360. Controller issues suck, but I got a new 360 pad I like, so hopefully when I go to my tourney, it won't be as embarrassing.
My best moment? Either when I won a copy of Persona 4 Golden in the P4A tourney a few years ago (thanks Busaiku), or when I made a godlike read in P4A at Toryuken where I instant killed a Mitsuru who tried doing a super out of her DP. Maaaaan, that felt good.
What do you want from future fighting games?My best moment? Either when I won a copy of Persona 4 Golden in the P4A tourney a few years ago (thanks Busaiku), or when I made a godlike read in P4A at Toryuken where I instant killed a Mitsuru who tried doing a super out of her DP. Maaaaan, that felt good.
Obvious things like better online/netcode, cross play between systems, and better tutorials, one thing I would like to see is more "easy to pick up, yet hard to master" type of games. Stuff like Smash Bros. and Marvel 3 (granted, I wouldn't recommend someone pick the game up TODAY, but...) are just some examples that I've grown to appreciate in fighting games today.
I also wish fighting games would knock it off with trying to be hard for the sake of being hard. I've been messing around with GGXrd every now and then, and while I really enjoy it, there's some stuff that really annoys me about the game (having to mash in order to recover instead of just holding the button? Silly inputs like half circle back and then forward?). Even stuff like in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, where you need to do 18 hits by mashing hard enough to get the Fatal Counter as opposed to the original 16 (which was perfectly fine) makes me go...really?
Who should be on next week's GAF Player Spotlight?I also wish fighting games would knock it off with trying to be hard for the sake of being hard. I've been messing around with GGXrd every now and then, and while I really enjoy it, there's some stuff that really annoys me about the game (having to mash in order to recover instead of just holding the button? Silly inputs like half circle back and then forward?). Even stuff like in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, where you need to do 18 hits by mashing hard enough to get the Fatal Counter as opposed to the original 16 (which was perfectly fine) makes me go...really?
Clockw0rk has a GAF account, right? Would be neat to hear some stuff from him. If he's too busy to do it, then FSLink. And if HE'S too busy to do it, then Solune.
Since Dahbomb strongly encourages pre-orders, what games do you plan to buy that have been officially announced?
I have Kirby and The Rainbow Curse preordered because I'm a dork like that. I'll be getting Xenoblade Chronicles X, Splatoon and if/when I get a PS4, Bloodborne.
In terms of fighting games, the only upcoming fighter so far that I'll be getting is probably just DOA5LR.
In terms of fighting games, the only upcoming fighter so far that I'll be getting is probably just DOA5LR.
Code:
02/17 Dead or Alive 5: LAST ROUND (EU: 02/20)
02/27 The King of Fighters 2002 Unlimited Match
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 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Eyes of Heaven
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.
- Logan Sama, organiser of the old WSO weeklys in London, invites some of London's finest to Capcom UK HQ for first to 5 sets in USF4.
- 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.
- A weekly show featuring Mago, Tokido, and Momochi. They go over the tournaments they will participate and have participated in overseas and in Japan, as well as the general news in SF. For long periods of the year, there is a student-teacher session involving one of the 3 Topanga members taking a player under their wing and teaching them how to play SF. The show features rank matches (sometimes random char. matches) and ends with a 8 man online tournament featuring players around 4.5kpp such as Poongko, Inco, and more.
- 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.
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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.
