Month: February 2017

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Phoenix1 Expands into Super Smash Bros., by Signing Gavin “Tweek” Dempsey

Yet another esports organization enters into the world of Super Smash Bros., as Phoenix1 signs Gavin “Tweek” Dempsey as their first player. Having previously only fielded League of Legends players, Phoenix1 joins the current avalanche of esports organizations who are jumping feet first into the world of Smash.

Currently 17th on the PGR, Tweek is ranked as one of the world’s best Cloud mains, having previously cut his teeth as the world’s premier Bowser Jr. player back in 2015. With ninth place at Genesis 4, fourth at 2GGC: Genesis Saga, second at Olympus, third at Glitch 2 and second at Collision XIV to name but a few of Tweek’s high placings, this New Jersey native is only set to improve as 2017 goes on. Tweek has also started to turn heads with his Donkey Kong, getting first place at Mega Smash Mondays 81 with the great ape by beating top level threats like Mr. E, Tyrant, 2GG|komorikiri and even FOX|MVG|MKLeo.

Speaking to ESPN Esports, Phoenix1 co-owner Michael Moore said that the team “identified [Tweek] as one of the best up and coming talents in Smash”, saying that they “couldn’t be more excited to bring him into the Phoenix1 family.” Tweek will be sporting his brand new Phoenix1 jersey at 2GGC: Midwest Mayhem Saga in Santa Ana, California this weekend so watch to see if his new team will help him light up the bracket.

Sources: Phoenix1; ESPN Esports

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Get Street Fighter V Lessons from Haitani, Courtesy of YOUDEAL’s Game Lesson Program

If you’re living in Japan, struggling to improve at Street Fighter and have some money to burn, YOUDEAL may have something just for you. As part of their new “Game Lesson” program, the company are offering one to one tutorials from specific pro players to help improve your game. Like previous teaching initiatives like Cross Counter’s lessons, these can be done online via programs like Skype or Discord, while really dedicated players can pay extra for special in-home sessions, where pros will come round to your house to teach you.

Super Smash Bros. lessons were be intended to be part of this initial Game Lesson launch alongside SFV, with LG|Abadango and VGBC|aMSa acting as the tutors for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Unfortunately, the two have declined YOUDEAL’s offer, meaning that Haitani is currently the only fighting game tutor on the program. However, with Yukadon being a fellow YOUDEAL sponsored player, it’s fair to expect that he may also be teaching Street Fighter V lessons in the future.

Prices will vary from tutor to tutor and from game to game but lessons will initially start at around ¥4,500 which is roughly $39 for an hour long online lesson. For players to come tutor you at home, lessons will be two hours and start from around ¥11,000 or around $97. You do need to live in either one of Tokyo’s 23 central wards or inside Osaka city limits if you want a Haitani home visit.

Sources: LG_Abadango; RocketNews24 via Hachima Kiko

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Get Inside Fuudo’s Head with This New Documentary from IGN

Originally known for playing Sega’s Virtua Fighter series, Razer’s Keita “Fuudo” Ai has made a much bigger name for himself playing Street Fighter. Starting with his win at Evo 2011’s Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition tournament, Fuudo has become one of the biggest names in competitive Street Fighter.

In a new short web documentary titled “The Life of a Street Fighter Pro,” IGN takes a look behind the scenes at Fuudo’s daily life. The video starts with his work doing streaming show Game Ningen Gakuen for Dengeki. He reflects on how things have come full circle, since he originally worked at a part time job for them. After that, it goes on to showcase bits of his life, including the places and game centers he used to visit growing up, as well as the games he would play in them, ranging from Gunslinger Stratos, and of course Street Fighter IV. The latter allows him to segue into how it led to him competing at Evo, and eventually being sponsored by Razer.

The rest of the video focuses on Fuudo’s approach and philosophy on getting better at games. He also goes on about how he feels that players can get better if they play the games with other people.

Feature image by Nicholas “Majin Tenshinhan” Taylor

Source: IGN