Month: November 2016

It’s hard to not have been swept up in the massive hype for the Akuma trailer after the recent Red Bull Battle Grounds tournament. Closing out one of the most hyped-up Street Fighter V events of the year, it felt pretty certain from the brief teaser that Akuma was going to be coming to the Street Fighter V roster, and would be playable at the PlayStation Experience–on top of some more announcements said to be in the works for the Capcom Pro Tour finale.

However, all may not be as expected. In an interview with Famitsu–translated to English by EventHubs’ Nicholas “MajinTenshinhan” Taylor–Street Fighter V producer Yoshinori Ono offered some “clarification”:

Ono: We actually never said that a new character is coming at all. We just said that people would be able to experience what we showed in that video, that’s all, haha.
Famitsu: That’s what it meant?! Well then, at least we can confirm that there’s something to personally experience at the PSX?
Ono: Yes. That’s undeniable. But it’s going to be something that betrays everyone’s expectations, in a good way, I think.
Famitsu: Betrays everyone’s expectations?!
Ono: A lot of things have been leaked in the past, but we’ve had very strict regulations on this in particular, so please look forward to hearing what we have to announce.

You can read the rest of the Eventhubs translation here, or the Japanese Famitsu original interview here–but for the moment we’re left uncertain what to think about the trailer and what Ono has told us so far… Maybe a new game mode in which Akuma appears, but is not playable himself? Or maybe just “Shin” Akuma, not regular Akuma…? What exactly the teaser trailer was indeed teasing remains open to speculation until December 3rd at Capcom Cup 2016.

Source: Famitsu, via EventHubs

Crew battles are becoming more and more popular in the Pokkén community. Cat Fight hinted as much in our interview with him, and it’s easy to take his word on it: this is the man that was ultimately responsible for securing the narrow 5-4 victory over Japan at Evo’s 5v5 crew battle.

NEC ’17 is approaching, and Japan has announced they are ready for revenge!

Graphic courtesy of Burnside.

In a interesting role reversal from the last 5v5, it is Team USA with the more diverse character roster. Suicune Master has chosen to go with his recently acquired Lucario, and Coach Steve has seemingly all but abandoned his Garchomp in favor of Weavile’s option heavy rushdown. Meanwhile, Sasahune and Apollo will be making their US debut as a wall of Gengars.

If the intention is to surprise Team USA with strong players playing unusual low tiers, it could be a risky gamble. Sasahune in particular is an accomplished Gengar loyalist… but so are American players Madluk and Mah Man Jesus, both of which many players on Team USA have experience playing against in tournament. Then again, when your anchor is (likely) Potetin, maybe it’s no gamble at all!

On Team USA, any gaps in knowledge on Gengar or Pikachu Libre are easily filled between Cat Fight and Slippingbug. Likewise, Potetin, the current VGC World Champion, has played Weavile and Chandelure at their highest levels- there’s probably not a better team captain for Team JPN then the champ himself.

Noticeably absent from both teams? The almost universally agreed-upon top tiers: Sceptile and Braixen.

Will Team USA secure another victory, narrow or otherwise, over Team JPN? Or will World Champ Potetin lead Team JPN to their first 5v5 victory? Find out at NEC ’17!

Sources: Burnside; Big E Gaming

Once again, it’s almost that time of the year when families get together and bum rush stores to get the best deals. Luckily, gamers can avoid the Black Friday crush by getting their discounted games digitally.

The Steam versions of two of the biggest fighting games around are currently part of Black Friday sales from a couple of online retailers. First up, Street Fighter V is on sale as part of Green Man Gaming’s Black Friday sale. The game can be had for only $27.51, 57% off its $59.99 regular price, just by entering the code BLACKFRIDAY10.

Meanwhile, for those who want a bit more brutality in their fighting, Mortal Kombat X is currently part of Bundle Stars’ own Black Friday sale. The regular version can be purchases for only $4.49, while the premium edition can be had for only $8.89, both 78% off their regular prices of  $19.99 and $39.99 respectively. In addition to this, the Komplete Edition of its predecessor, Mortal Kombat 9, is also on sale for $4.44 as well. Interested players must use the code BLACKFRIDAY11 to receive these discounts.

Sources: Green Man Gaming; Bundle Stars via Siliconera