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”

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”

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Review

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Review

Initial NA Release Date: September 30, 2014
Review Date: June 6, 2020
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3

After a successful debut to the fighting game genre with Persona 4 Arena (P4A), the beloved universes of Persona 3 and Persona 4 collide once more, however, this time, in much more of a comprehensive fighting game experience—Persona 4 Arena Ultimax (P4U2).

With a solid blueprint to follow, a sequel to Persona 4 Arena seemed to be destined for success, however, with a seasoned developer in Arc System Works at the helm, P4U2 not only emphasizes on the aspects that made its predecessor great, but also innovates on its mechanics, both with additions, and improvements. Continue reading “Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Review”

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”

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”

Persona 4 Arena | Review

Persona 4 Arena | Review

Initial NA Release Date: August 7, 2012
Review Date: 7 April, 2020
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC

Spinning off from its JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) roots, Atlus with the collaboration of Arc System Works, combined efforts to bring forth the captivating universes of Persona 3 and Persona 4, respectively, into a fighting game arena.

However, similar to the ability of the Persona franchise in separating itself from the pack with its exceptional story-telling, its introduction to fighting games emphasizes unique individualism, all while still maintaining principal balance. Continue reading “Persona 4 Arena | Review”

Does the FGC Need to Unite?

Does the FGC Need To Unite?
Date Published: 19 November, 2019

As we close the chapter on the year 2019, and look forward onto the year 2020, the fighting game community finds itself well into its current era—the “esports era.” A change of the landscape that began to gain momentum back in 2013, has drastically transformed the way many in the community view fighting games, both literally and figuratively.

However, before we look ahead at what the future relationship of esports and fighting games might look to accomplish in the upcoming years, it would be wise to reference the past, and see in which areas the FGC succeeded and failed at, before we can begin to answer a very important question—”Does the FGC need to finally unite?” Continue reading “Does the FGC Need to Unite?”

Narratives in the FGC

Narratives in the FGC
Date Published: 15 July, 2019

In a day and age where information on demand is paramount, the FGC (Fighting Game Community) is no stranger to taking part in the constant carousel that is fighting game news, professional circuit standings, player rivalries, and many other headline worthy stories and debates.

However, the storylines that are somewhat lost in the shuffle, are the ones that may not be always as timely or as alluring, but rather are more so consistent in their presence. Therefore, as we take a look at what narratives occupy the FGC in a broader sense, we may be able to predict how they might affect the future of the fighting game landscape beyond 2019.

Continue reading “Narratives in the FGC”

The State of the FGC in 2019

The State of the FGC in 2019
Date Published: 22 May, 2019

The year 2018 in fighting games was perhaps the first time in a long while where the fighting game community’s outlook moved away from the traditional star of the show featuring a bunch of supporting roles, to it’s current outlook which better resembles an ensemble cast with a couple of big names.

However, unlike a changing of the guard, the landscape of the FGC in the year 2019 is one that is seemingly taking on both the new school approach to fighting games, yet still leaving a wide enough window for the old-school fighting game identity to fit into. Continue reading “The State of the FGC in 2019”

The FGC’s Identity Crisis

The FGC’s Identity Crisis
Date Published: 19 February, 2019

Never short of interesting storylines, the fighting game community (FGC) is yet again a part of another tug of war situation, this time on one side the grassroots of the FGC, and on the other, the esports side of the FGC.

The differences between the two sides have shown themselves in multiple facets within fighting games, and as the old guard attempts to maintain tradition, while the new guard is set on embracing change, it begs the question; What is the FGC’s identity?

Continue reading “The FGC’s Identity Crisis”

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