I have no arcade stick. It's gone its return is in question. Over the past few tournaments my stick had been having issues, specifically it would disconnect randomly and sometimes not even work on the PS3 (my stick is dual-modded). I dropped it off with Iowa's local arcade stick aficionado - Rob aka "Dracula_X." But now after it has been with him for over a week, increasingly bizarre circumstances that I honestly can't mention have made it so I may never see it ever again.
This has made me incredibly downtrodden in regards to playing fighters because firstly, I was really attached to that stick. It was perfect for me in every way and was also my very first stick I ever played on. Secondly, since I haven't been able to play SSF4, a game I love to play, my gaming life has become very bitter-- like an old man wishing for the good ol' days, I'm resenting every game I play that isn't SSF4.
The somewhat good news is that my good friend in the Iowa FGC, Curtis aka "TopHat" will let me borrow his Xbox stick for awhile since his Xbox has the RROD.
Meanwhile, in the Iowa FGC I have managed to organize a regular weekly night for casuals at Joker's house every Thursday starting tomorrow. I am very pleased with this as a move to collective level up as a community and to have more structure and communication. It will be very beneficial to play locally against one another and discuss events and for our better players like myself to help out others.
The night will most certainly contain SFxT which just released it's 2013 patch-- now with a new "FIGHT" indicator. I was excited to start playing again especially because I can now play as Sakura-- only to find out she is not that great. My first matches since I stopped playing (along with everyone else locally) were less than impressive. Sakura is different enough from her SSF4 counterpart that I am struggling to perform truly great gameplay with her so far. Her combos in particular are especially confounding. Tatsu loops are harder, frames are less advantageous, and juggles are tricky to time. I'm pretty confident that with time, I'll become proficient in the game, but as of right now-- it's a work in progress.
Jan 31, 2013
Jan 17, 2013
Thoughts/Reflections From Frosty Faustings V
Two weeks ago, myself and my good friend BlankM traveled to Chicago for ElvenShadow's annual winter tournament, Frosty Faustings. What started as the Midwest's showcase for Guilty Gear, has now become a big event featuring many games. I went last year only to disappoint with my performance finishing in the middle of the pack amongst 70+ entrants. This year with tons of preparation and anticipation, I was determined to make top 8. While this year's AE tournament was slightly smaller than last year, it was still intimidating to see all the great players there.
As I entered into the back of Nickel City, the venue for FF, I saw Alucard racking up a 20+ game winning streak with his Evil Ryu. Of course, I knew Wolfkrone, Big Marcus, Spriggan and the players that beat me at UFGT would also be there shortly. I counted the players and predicted who would make top 8. Did I fit in? In my mind, it was going to be close.
I signed up and as I wrote down my name, I noticed the name above mine-- "OctopusOnFire." I instantly recognized the tag from Xbox Live. He was a strong Blanka who I had played and lost to several times. I knew I could beat him playing in person, but I certainly did not want to run into him. Fate would have its way with me on this day, because as my ears perked at hearing my name called to play my second round in winners, my stomach sank when I heard the next name as OctopusOnFire.
He took the first match in a close battle. He seemed pretty calm and confident, but that didn't deter me. I knew I could beat him and Blanka doesn't scare me at all. I won the second game in convincing fashion. The match was mine from that point on I thought to myself. It was close, but I took the match. It was such a relief to get past him, because I knew the consequences of going to the Loser's bracket early.
My next two matches were not too difficult, 4-0. Top 8 was in sight. My next match was finally called and I had to play Leon from Omaha. A friend and a familiar opponent. Hearing of his wins to get to me, I knew he was playing extremely well. He sent Big Marcus and the Zangief that beat me at UFGT to Loser's. We were both confident, but in the end Leon bested me. It was a close set, but I definitely had my shot to win. Leon was in top 8 on the Winner's side.
I had to wait a long time to play my next match. It against another player I knew and played before. Reyart or as his tag was here "Spdbreaker" -- an El Fuerte. There was no lack of confidence in myself, but I knew if I made the wrong guesses I would lose. Sure enough, it just wasn't my day. Spdbreaker made the right reads and took the match in another close set.
I was disappointed and I still am-- mainly for not meeting my goal, but overall I played well. I had a lot to be proud of. For one, I beat OctopusOnFire, an online buggaboo who I didn't have much respect for. Second, I played well enough to put myself in position to win every match. In the past, I couldn't have said that all the time. I was so close this year. I get closer every year at the bigger tournaments, which I have to admit is very encouraging. There's nothing stopping me from making it out my pool at UFGT9 this year. Nothing.
As I entered into the back of Nickel City, the venue for FF, I saw Alucard racking up a 20+ game winning streak with his Evil Ryu. Of course, I knew Wolfkrone, Big Marcus, Spriggan and the players that beat me at UFGT would also be there shortly. I counted the players and predicted who would make top 8. Did I fit in? In my mind, it was going to be close.
I signed up and as I wrote down my name, I noticed the name above mine-- "OctopusOnFire." I instantly recognized the tag from Xbox Live. He was a strong Blanka who I had played and lost to several times. I knew I could beat him playing in person, but I certainly did not want to run into him. Fate would have its way with me on this day, because as my ears perked at hearing my name called to play my second round in winners, my stomach sank when I heard the next name as OctopusOnFire.
He took the first match in a close battle. He seemed pretty calm and confident, but that didn't deter me. I knew I could beat him and Blanka doesn't scare me at all. I won the second game in convincing fashion. The match was mine from that point on I thought to myself. It was close, but I took the match. It was such a relief to get past him, because I knew the consequences of going to the Loser's bracket early.
My next two matches were not too difficult, 4-0. Top 8 was in sight. My next match was finally called and I had to play Leon from Omaha. A friend and a familiar opponent. Hearing of his wins to get to me, I knew he was playing extremely well. He sent Big Marcus and the Zangief that beat me at UFGT to Loser's. We were both confident, but in the end Leon bested me. It was a close set, but I definitely had my shot to win. Leon was in top 8 on the Winner's side.
I had to wait a long time to play my next match. It against another player I knew and played before. Reyart or as his tag was here "Spdbreaker" -- an El Fuerte. There was no lack of confidence in myself, but I knew if I made the wrong guesses I would lose. Sure enough, it just wasn't my day. Spdbreaker made the right reads and took the match in another close set.
I was disappointed and I still am-- mainly for not meeting my goal, but overall I played well. I had a lot to be proud of. For one, I beat OctopusOnFire, an online buggaboo who I didn't have much respect for. Second, I played well enough to put myself in position to win every match. In the past, I couldn't have said that all the time. I was so close this year. I get closer every year at the bigger tournaments, which I have to admit is very encouraging. There's nothing stopping me from making it out my pool at UFGT9 this year. Nothing.
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