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.

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May 26, 2021 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.

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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

Why I Love Tekken’s Bryan Fury

Why I Love Tekken’s Bryan Fury
Date Published: 17 July, 2019

Be it is sentimental purposes, personal goals, or even world domination, none of those reasons apply when it comes to why he participates in The King of Iron Fist Tournament.

If there is a character that is truly indiscriminate when it comes to picking a fight, it has to be Tekken’s Bryan Fury. The wondering cyborg has never had a real cause to create havoc, however, he has always finds a way to do so, and do so with a smile when it’s all over. Continue reading “Why I Love Tekken’s Bryan Fury” →

July 17, 2019 0

Why I Love Tekken’s Paul Phoenix

Why I Love Tekken’s Paul Phoenix
Date Published: 16 July, 2019

Perhaps never in the history of fighting games has a character turned into comedic relief, yet still maintain iconic status in the franchise’s legacy. Enter Tekken’s Paul Phoenix.

The hot-blooded modified judo biker has been on a life-long course of proving he is the best martial artist and the toughest man in the universe, and over two decades later, Paul has shown no signs of slowing down. Continue reading “Why I Love Tekken’s Paul Phoenix” →

July 16, 2019 0

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” →

May 22, 2019 1

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?

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February 19, 2019 0

The Resurgence of the 3-D Fighting Game

The Resurgence of the 3-D Fighting Game
Date Published: 23 November, 2018

It was never ostracized or mistreated to the point of labeling it the “red-headed step-child”, but the 3-D subgenre in fighting games has traditionally been in a place all of its own. There are a myriad of theories behind why that has been the case.

Factors that vary from entry level difficulty, lesser known licenses, as well as simply the fact that the 3-D subgenre has fewer franchises than its 2-D or Anime counterparts. However, despite historically having less notoriety, 3-D fighting games are reemerging to perhaps be a significant player in the new age FGC (Fighting Game Community). Continue reading “The Resurgence of the 3-D Fighting Game” →

November 23, 2018 1

Innovation and Imitation in the FGC

Innovation and Imitation in the FGC
Date Published: 5 November, 2018

The FGC is comprised of many different types of players who all adopt different types of personal playstyles, however, when it comes to learning, there are really only two types of players; those who are innovators and those who are imitators.

Research in fighting games is something done by the “scientists” of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) with respect to whichever game they are focusing on at the time. The role these “fighting game scientists” provide for the FGC is quite invaluable, as they find new ways to play a character, educate on specific game situations, and many more similar examples which is something classified as “new technology” or perhaps better referred to as “tech.” Continue reading “Innovation and Imitation in the FGC” →

November 5, 2018 0

What Happened to Character Loyalty?

What Happened to Character Loyalty?
Date Published: 5 October, 2018

The term “Main Character” refers to a fighting game character associated most often with a specific fighting game player. The main character is also thought of as the player’s best character, at least on paper.

Throughout the short, but rich history of the FGC, certain players have become almost synonymous with certain fighting game characters and be it tournament or casual setting, that tradition affected a major part of the FGC, which almost set a precedent for how matches were played. However, like anything that sees tenure, change is inevitable, and FGC traditions are not immune from it. Continue reading “What Happened to Character Loyalty?” →