Yume: The Forgotten Best | FGC Legends

Yume: The Forgotten Best | FGC Legends
Date Published: 2 June, 2021

The Persona 4 Arena series is one which has traditionally taken a backseat to other Arc System Works mainstay titles, predominately the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue franchises respectively. Although the series had a respectable competitive run from 2012 to 2016, it was never truly recognized by the wider circles in the FGC, and was even perceived by some as an inferior version of a fighting game title than what Arc System Works traditionally was known for developing.

However, despite being overshadowed in an era that had giants such as Ultra Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat 9, The King of Fighters XIII, and Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 drawing the majority of headlines in the fighting game community, on the evening of July 12th, 2013, a somewhat mysterious figure only known by the alias—Yume, delivered one of the most impressive performances on the EVO grand stage the FGC had witnessed to that point. Continue reading “Yume: The Forgotten Best | FGC Legends” →

June 2, 2021 0

The State of the FGC in 2021

The State of the FGC in 2021
Date Published: 26 May, 2021

The Fighting Game Community (FGC) is no stranger to change. In it’s short history, the scene saw its roots planted in the arcades, transition over to home consoles, then eventually evolve into a legitimate online presence, which arguably prompted the community’s most recent evolution, one which inhabits the world of professional gaming, or what is better known as Esports.

However, as the FGC was quickly moving towards bigger and better, be it with larger crowds, larger prize pools, and a larger spotlight, it all came to a screeching halt, as while the FGC is known to quickly embrace change, even they were not impervious to what everyone experienced in the last year. As the world dealt with a global pandemic (COVID-19), normal everyday living became even more so of a privilege, and as each community in society had to find a way to live in an age of a pandemic, a small yet determined community dedicated to the love of fighting games found itself evolving once again.

Continue reading “The State of the FGC in 2021” →

May 26, 2021 0

The Rise and Fall of The Excellent Adventures of Gootecks & Mike Ross

The Rise and Fall of The Excellent Adventures of Gootecks & Mike Ross
Date Published: 27 August, 2020

As arguably the most recognizable pair in the FGC (Fighting Game Community) for years, especially in the modern era, Mike Ross and Ryan Gutierrez played an instrumental role in the fighting game media and content creation spaces.

Though, while the two had their hand in many fighting game related projects, both on their own, and jointly, the weekly fighting game series—The Excellent Adventures of Gootecks & Mike Ross was a show that had risen to the top of the FGC ranks, and held its No. 1 spot for years, yet, ultimately fell down from grace and lost its magic somewhere along the way. Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of The Excellent Adventures of Gootecks & Mike Ross” →

August 27, 2020 4

Why You Should Care About The King of Fighters Series

Why You Should Care About The King of Fighters Series
Date Published: 17 June, 2020

One of the most storied fighting game franchises to date—The King of Fighters has held an important role as a fighting game staple in the FGC for decades. The series has continued to add to its remarkable legacy with its impressive showcase of character diversity, gameplay innovation, and arguably one of the most respected communities in all of fighting games.

Approaching nearly 30 years of fighting game excellence, consistency at the top should be enough of a reason to have faith in The King of Fighters series, however, in the case which that is not enough, there are plenty of other ways The King of Fighters can win one over. Continue reading “Why You Should Care About The King of Fighters Series” →

June 17, 2020 0

The State of the FGC in 2020

The State of the FGC in 2020
Date Published: 29 May, 2020

The year 2020 for the Fighting Game Community (FGC) is ironically a year that saw factors that led to both forward progress with regards to game theory, as well as an impediment to the competitive landscape.

There is often a theme in the FGC within any given year, be it the feeling of the guard changing in 2017 or the presence of esports in 2019. However, while only being halfway through the year 2020, it is already comprised of multiple major themes that have to be taken note of.

Continue reading “The State of the FGC in 2020” →

May 29, 2020 0

What Happened to Tekken 7?

What Happened to Tekken 7?
Date Published: 17 April, 2020

Tekken 7 has been a fighting game community (FGC) darling practically since its initial arcade reveal in early 2015. The game came at a time when the FGC was going through quite a transition, and seemingly capitalized on the old idiom “In the right place, at the right time.”

However, over five years post its arcade introduction, the game has gone through a multitude of changes. It has declared numerous champions of contrasting walks of life, it has invigorated the 3-D fighting game space once again, and perhaps most importantly, it has been a major player in the postmodern era of fighting games.

Yet, despite its major contribution to the FGC, the current narrative around Tekken 7 is drastically different from what it was just merely three years ago, with its 2017 home console release. Therefore, as we stand here in the early months of the year 2020 we must ask, “What happened to Tekken 7?” Continue reading “What Happened to Tekken 7?” →

April 17, 2020 0

Korean Etokki Omni Black | Pros and Cons

Korean Etokki Omni Black | Pros and Cons
Date Published: 10 April, 2020

The Etokki Omni is the arcade stick I have been loyal to since early 2017, therefore, three years post purchase of this fight stick, it is time to go over the pros and cons of this fighting game peripheral, as well as who could benefit from it.

After nearly 4 years using the Qanba Q2 Pro – White, I had decided to make the switch over to a Korean style arcade stick—the Etokki Omni. The reason for the change in peripheral was due to the anticipated release of Tekken 7, and the inability to execute at optimal efficiency with a Japanese style level. Continue reading “Korean Etokki Omni Black | Pros and Cons” →

April 10, 2020 2

Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Elizabeth

Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Elizabeth
Date Published: 25 December, 2019

Soft spoken, calm, yet, always finds the humor in either the most benign or tense situations. The lethal elevator attendant—Elizabeth, is arguably one of the most likable characters in the Persona universe.

In a complex nature of being both so inquisitive of the things transpiring around her, yet still maintaining an air of mystery with regards to her own personal narrative, the always captivating Elizabeth is anything but ordinary. Continue reading “Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Elizabeth” →

December 25, 2019 0

Why I Love Akatsuki Blitzkampf’s Akatsuki

Why I Love Akatsuki Blitzkampf’s Akatsuki
Date Published: 24 December, 2019

Disciplined would be an understatement when describing what Akatsuki Blitzkampf‘s Akatsuki is really all about. He is a mysterious, yet methodical figure, who exudes the aura that only a few do in the world of fighting games posses, and that is of a leader’s.

Exemplified both in his fighting nature, as well as in his overall demeanor, Akatsuki is the true definition of a martial arts trained soldier, he is diligent and practical with his fighting style, and pragmatic with the handling of his opponents. Continue reading “Why I Love Akatsuki Blitzkampf’s Akatsuki” →

December 24, 2019 1

Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Akihiko Sanada

Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Akihiko Sanada
Date Published: 23 December, 2019

Soft spoken, yet determined. The world traveling boxer—Akihiko Sanada is one of the few characters in the Persona 4 Arena franchise that actually lets his fists do the talking, and needless to say, his choice of words certainly hurt.

As a more mature version of himself compared to the one who was a member of S.E.E.S. in years prior, Akihiko is much of the same when it comes to being a tough, yet reserved badass, except this time, with more emphasis on fighting and the importance of protein. Continue reading “Why I Love Persona 4 Arena’s Akihiko Sanada” →