It looks like Daigo Umehara is no longer the only fighting game player recognized by Guinness for his achievements, and it’s only fitting that the newest inductee is none other than his Evo Moment #37 adversary. Evil Geniuses’ Justin Wong now has claimed two Guinness World Records himself. He announced on Twitter that he has received the two records: one for most wins at Evolution, dating from 2002 to 2014; one for the most Evolution wins in a single game, via his exploits in Marvel vs. Capcom 2 during the game’s lifespan.
We are one event away from having our full roster for Capcom Cup. With all the confusion on how the qualification process works, and the headaches analysts have had in figuring out who’s in and out, we are close enough that the process is simplifying. It hasn’t simplified much, and much will be written about the process in the near future.
As it stands, leading into the Asia Regional Finals, here are the current list of qualifiers, and how they qualified.
Direct Qualifiers:
Razer|Infiltration (Seonwoo Lee, Korea, Qualified at Final Round 19)
Tokido (Hajime Taniguchi, Japan, Qualified at CEO)
Liquid|NuckleDu (Du Dang, United States of America, Qualified at Canada Cup)
Qanba Douyu|Xiaohai (Zhuojun Zeng, China, Qualified at G-League)
ZOWIE|GamerBee (Bruce Yu-lin Hsiang, Taiwan, Qualified at Japan Cup)
Daigo Umehara (Daigo Umehara, Japan, Qualified at European Regional Finals)
BX3.TP-Link|Phenom (Arman Hanjani, Norway, Qualified at Dreamhack Summer)
Evil Geniuses|Momochi (Yusuke Momochi, Japan, Qualified at Stunfest)
GAM|DR Ray (Ray Rosario, Dominican Republic, Qualified at Latin American Regional Finals)
Qualified via Global Leaderboard Points:
Evil Geniuses|Justin Wong (Justin Wong, United States of America)
Razer|Fuudo (Keita Ai, Japan)
MOV (Joe Egami, Japan)
Razer|Xian (Kun Xian Ho, Singapore)
YOUDEAL MJS|Haitani (Tatsuya Haitani, Japan)
Hail Mary|Eita (Hiroyuki Nagata, Japan)
Red Bull|Luffy (Olivier Hay, France)
Mago (Kenryo Hayashi, Japan)
Hail Mary|Go1 (Goichi Kishida, Japan)
Panda Global|Filipino Champ (Ryan Ramirez, United States of America)
Awsomniac|CCL (Younes Lazaar, Belgium)
Evil Bizz|Chris Tatarian (Chris Tatarian, United States of America)
Echo Fox|Juilo Fuentes (Juilo Fuentes, United States of America)
Meltdown|Mister Crimson (Natan Massol, France)
Qualified via Regional Leaderboard Points
Evil Geniuses|Ricki Ortiz (Ricki Ortiz, United States of America, North American Leaderboard)
XsK_Samurai (Putthivath Chea, United States of America, North American Leaderboard)
SOA|Brolynho (Thomas Proença, Brazil, Latin American Leaderboard)
Evil Geniuses|K-Brad (Kenneth Bradley, United States of America, Latin American Leaderboard)*
PxP|Problem X (Benjamin Simon, United Kingdom, European Leaderboard)
Ryan Hart (Ryan Hart, United Kingdom, European Leaderboard)
GGP|Kazunoko (Ryota Inoue, Japan, Asian Leaderboard)
HORI|Sako (Naoto Sako, Japan, Asian Leaderboard)
Further, with the Asian Regional Finals on Saturday in Busan, South Korea–Friday night in the west–this picture could get shaken up even further. Here are the finalists for the Asian Regional Finals:
HM|Eita
YOUDEAL MJS|Haitani
GGP|Kazunoko
Mago
Razer|Xian
Tse4444
Daigo Umehara
ZOWIE|GamerBee
DNG|Itabashi Zangief
Qanba Douyu|Xiaohai
EG|Ricki Ortiz
HM|Go1
HORI|Sako
Chris Wong
They will take part in this event, with the final two players to be determined by the last chance qualifier held on Thursday in Anyang, South Korea. It is worth noting that 11 of the 14 participants to date are already qualified for Capcom Cup.; thus, it is worth noting that the odds of a further shift on leaderboard qualifications is high indeed. I have also taken this into account, and will tell you what happens if various players win that are already qualified.
If Daigo Umehara, GamerBee, Xiaohai, Eita, Mago, Haitani, Xian, or Go1 wins the event:
Another slot for a global leaderboard entry will open up. That slot will go to Kazunoko.
This will vacate Kazunoko’s slot via the Asian Leaderboard, giving it to Yukadon, who is the next available player without a slot in Capcom Cup.
If Kazunoko or Sako wins the event:
This will vacate their slot via the Asian Leaderboard, giving it to Yukadon, who is the next available player without a slot in Capcom Cup.
If Ricki Oritz wins the event:
This will vacate her slot on the North American Leaderboard, giving it to /r/Kappa|John Takeuchi, who is the next available player without a slot in Capcom Cup.
One of possibly five entrants could qualify directly at the last minute and punch their ticket to Capcom Cup. The others–and bear in mind that players like Infiltration are planning to enter the last chance qualifier in order to play gatekeeper–have the opportunity to change or reconfirm their status of entry into Capcom Cup, allowing either Yukadon or John Takeuchi to make their way in.
Given the amount of players that could prevent anyone new from qualifying via the Asia Regional Finals, the odds are likely that Yukadon could possibly be making his way to Anaheim. But, as we’ve seen on the Capcom Pro Tour this season, anything is possible.
*The second slot on the Latin American Leaderboard was initially given to Misterio. It has been stated that Misterio will be unable to participate due to visa issues. The next available person on the Latin American Leaderboard is K-Brad, so he will take Misterio’s place.
The Smash community is growing in professional esports attention. While the west has typically been the hotbed for high-level Smash play, teams and sponsors are now looking to the Land of the Rising Sun for talent.
As such, 2GGaming, an organization focused on Smash play, has signed Japanese player Komorikiri to a professional contract. Komorikiri is currently the #1 ranked player in Japan in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and is also ranked 11th in the global rankings. He is in contention as both the world’s best Cloud and Sonic player, with multiple big wins to his name.
This could be a changing ofthe guard; as with an influx of players from Asia, it’s likely to see C9|Ally and TSM|ZeRo’s dominance in Smash events contested.
The Smash community is growing in professional esports attention. While the west has typically been the hotbed for high-level Smash play, teams and sponsors are now looking to the Land of the Rising Sun for talent.
As such, 2GGaming, an organization focused on Smash play, has signed Japanese player Komorikiri to a professional contract. Komorikiri is currently the #1 ranked player in Japan in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and is also ranked 11th in the global rankings. He is in contention as both the world’s best Cloud and Sonic player, with multiple big wins to his name.
This could be a changing ofthe guard; as with an influx of players from Asia, it’s likely to see C9|Ally and TSM|ZeRo’s dominance in Smash events contested.
F.A.N.G is an annoying match-up for nearly the entire cast. He has an incredible keepaway game, while being able to maintain pressure if he gets the advantage.
So how does a character such as Vega bring the fight to F.A.N.G when his entire game plan relies on him being closer than Shadowloo’s number two tends to allow characters to get? Alienware’s Nemo seems to find a way to make it work in this Street Fighter V set against DuskAims, a high ranked F.A.N.G player. Nemo utilizes what spacing he can find to make his way into wrestling control of the pace away from F.A.N.G, and is certainly a must-watch for aspiring Vega players that have a toxic relationship with the poisonous character.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not reflect Shoryuken.com as a whole.
Last year, Brazilian player Keoma wowed the world by making it to the top 8 of Capcom Cup on the back of his smart Abel play. He showed what many in Brazil wanted to world to know–that South America is a credible threat on the international stage in Street Fighter.
This year, all eyes are on Thomas “Brolynho” Proença to prove that fellow Brazilian Keoma’s success last year was not a one-time thing. But, whereas Keoma qualified directly, will Brolynho be able to repeat the success Brazil had last year, having qualified via points?
Well-Timed Pressure
Riding the strength of Necalli, who already has impeccable buttons and footsies, Brolynho takes it to the next level. Where players like Zowie|GamerBee and BX3.TP-Link|Phenom tend to play more aggressively at all junctures, Brolynho balances his play and even takes his pressure game to a different level than the rest of the Necalli army.
In his match with RZR|Infiltration at ESL’s Brooklyn Beatdown, we saw the best case of this. He had well-timed buttons that frustrated Infiltration, who struggled to escape his pressure. He is not 100% aggressive, but not 100% passive, either, and this works to his advantage–where Necalli players tend to struggle in one of these two categories.
Testing His Knowledge
I feel, watching his Necalli, that Brolynho has a more comprehensive knowledge of his character than other Necalli players I’ve seen. We’ve seen GamerBee just approaching the higher echelon with Necalli in terms of general spacing and aggression—having made him click to the tune of winning several events in recent history—and Phenom does well with more gimmicks than Brolynho uses. I think that’s the difference maker that impresses me the most.
Further, he has strong understanding of when to use V-Skill, as well as a solidly fundamental style that allows him to use it as a strong spacing tool. Moreover, he is one Necalli that I see that I would not want to test reactions on, as he is primed to use his Critical Art as punishment. These are critical skills that all Necallis should be using, and right now I see him doing the best work with these skills.
Korea or Japan?
One critical thing to note is who he’s winning and losing to. At Brooklyn Beatdown, we saw Brolynho take down Infiltration in decisive fashion. This is around the time that we began to see dings in Infiltration’s armor. Can you say that you beat the world’s best when he is not playing his best?
When we look at his other matches, we saw him eliminated from the same tournament by EG|Momochi, who is for looking like a top class player when he shows up. At Never Give Up, Brolynho saw himself on the losing end of a set against Tokido in Loser’s Finals. Given my opinion of Tokido and Momochi as two of the favorites heading to Anaheim, this does not bode well for Brolynho, as he will likely have to face one of the two en route to top 8.
Possible Slump Incoming
What worries me most is that Brolynho is in on points. That is not to say that qualifying by points in and of itself is a bad thing; however, he could have been in as an automatic qualifier had he won the Latin American Regional Finals. He not only failed to do that, but finished by going 0-2. If you had asked me a favorite going into this event, I would have easily picked Brolynho based on previous results.
Was he dialing it in because he was in on points? I would hope not, as it should be his focus to make it in automatically to send a message to the field that he is for real. Any tournament that you make it into should have you fighting for the top slot, and as a competitor, I would assume this is Brolynho’s mentality.
Whatever the reason, Brolynho failed to make it through the field in Brazil and it does serve as cause for concern leading up to Anaheim as to what level he is currently performing at. If it’s anything less than what he is fully capable of, the results could be humiliating.
Final Thoughts
The risk of a slump is the most concerning for me. Brolynho has all the tools, but if he’s slumping or going on autopilot, his chances diminish dramatically.
He has all the tools to make top 16, and I think he just might do that. He also has the tools to make top 8, but given what we’ve seen from him this month, I am hesitant to put him there. Only time will tell, and we will know the answer come Anaheim.
As was determined this week, Mr. Naps will be representing North America as our King of Iron Fist Champion. While CIRCA’s Anakin will also be there in Japan to represent us in the international finals, it’s Mr. Naps’ amazing Bryan play that stood head and shoulders above the rest, as he overwhelmingly plowed through Anakin’s Jack-7.
What was most impressive is how little has been seen of Mr. Naps up until this event, where he hadn’t been seen since Northwest Majors. Nonetheless, the Tekken veteran proved to be in great shape coming into the tournament.
Missed the excitement the first time? Bandai Namco has put up the replay on their YouTube channel!
As was determined this week, Mr. Naps will be representing North America as our King of Iron Fist Champion. While CIRCA’s Anakin will also be there in Japan to represent us in the international finals, it’s Mr. Naps’ amazing Bryan play that stood head and shoulders above the rest, as he overwhelmingly plowed through Anakin’s Jack-7.
What was most impressive is how little has been seen of Mr. Naps up until this event, where he hadn’t been seen since Northwest Majors. Nonetheless, the Tekken veteran proved to be in great shape coming into the tournament.
Missed the excitement the first time? Bandai Namco has put up the replay on their YouTube channel!
Tekken 7: Fated Retribution has received another title update for the arcade cabinets in Korea and Japan. Coded as “Version H,” the update will be out on November 29th, and will be the version used in the finals of The King of Iron Fist Tournament. While the changelog addresses that “various (other) system related bugs have been corrected,” no details on said bugs were included in the changelog, as it focuses only on three characters: Akuma, Gigas, and Master Raven.
AKUMA
Akuma’s hurtbox during all his Forward, Backward Jumps and Demon Flips moves have been made larger. This adjustment will make it easier to hit an airborne Akuma with a larger amount of moves.
The Recovery Frames for Akuma landing after performing a jump has been increased. This adjustment will make it more easier to punish Akuma when he lands to the ground after being in an airborne state.
Demon Flip 1, Demon Flip 3, Demon Flip 4, Demon Flip 1+3 / 2+4 have the same adjustments made as above. (Recovery frames increased after landing.)
MASTER RAVEN
An unintended damage increase to the 1st hit of her b+4,4 would occur after doing a specific input. This was unintended and has now been fixed.
GIGAS
Specific moves that were affected when trading with Gigas’ Rage Drive has been corrected. Since they weren’t intentional, the behaviour of the Rage Drive has been adjusted. (FW – Gigas could cancel out certain characters Rage arts with his Rage Drive in previous versions so I think this is what this change is particularly targeting.)
Being able to do a Crazy Knuckle (b+2) after triggering the Earth Quake from Gigas’ Rage Drive has been fixed.
Special thanks to Flying Wonkey again for the translation from Japanese.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not reflect Shoryuken.com as a whole.
Olivier “Luffy” Hay of Red Bull is one of eight Evolution champions battling it out at Capcom Cup this year, joining Infiltration, Tokido, Daigo Umehara, Momochi, Fuudo, Xiaohai, and Justin Wong in in a bid to prove himself the best of the bunch.
The Frenchman has been one of the players from Europe to beat over the years. Will he continue to be at Capcom Cup?
New Character; Same Gameplan
Most people were surprised when Luffy picked up R. Mika in Street Fighter V. Something about the pick from the former Rose main in Street Fighter IV didn’t sit right with the analysts, expecting him to play Rose’s most comparable counterpart–Nash–in the new game. It is worth noting that before R. Mika, Luffy actually did play Nash for a spell before ultimately settling on R. Mika, further shocking commentators and analysts.
When you look deeper into the pick–beyond Luffy’s proclivity to play characters with large breasts–it starts to make more sense. In Ultra Street Fighter IV, he frustrated the entire top 8 at Evolution 2014 by playing a more aggressive Rose than expected, utilizing her strong dashes and safe normals to put pressure on his opponents. In Street Fighter V, what is R. Mika’s entire gameplan? She frustrates her opponents with her strong mobility, insane pressure and relatively safe buttons.
When you factor in that this is what Luffy did best with Rose, it begins to make sense that his character in Street Fighter V would have the same strengths. When you add in the mix-up potential that he didn’t have with Rose in Street Fighter IV–and the fact that he uses it so effectively–then it becomes unsurprising that Luffy has made Hay.
Europe Only?
This season has seen Luffy travel less than most other sponsored players. Where his fellow Red Bull teammate Bonchan has been traversing the planet, Luffy has been content to stay in Europe and let the competition come to him.
For qualifying for Capcom Cup–which he did through the European leaderboard–this has been a smart move. He has punished his body far less than the other non-American players, while still getting solid competition to play against, as the best from the United States and Asia have this year made their way to Europe for events as a nice middle ground between the two continents. By letting the competition come to him, he allows himself to still take on foreign competitors, while fighting on his home turf.
Beating Europe Only?
While he’s been taking in international competition, he hasn’t been beating them. All of his nine tournament victories on the circuit has been in tournaments where only Europeans have made it out. When he falters, it is often because someone from Japan or America was in the bracket.
When you’re a former Evolution champion in a game dominated by Asia–and the first and only representative of Europe and North America to win—you’re expected to be able to conquer Asia. Luffy has not. He was defeated in loser’s bracket at Red Bull Kumite by Daigo Umehara even while Daigo was still struggling in the game. Near the end of the season, nothing has changed, as Daigo has bested Luffy yet again at Milan Games Week. Japan is still beating him 9 times out of 10, and he has to find an answer to that if he expects to succeed at Capcom Cup. The problem is that he doesn’t have the time to do that now.
No Secrets
Luffy had one advantage going into Evolution 2014–nobody in the world was playing Rose like him, nor at the level he was playing her at. Every player in the tournament struggled to find an answer to him, and ultimately did not.
This time, there is no such advantage. Between NuckleDu and Fuudo, Japan has experience with arguably the best Mika players in the world. Every other R. Mika functions in the same vein as Luffy does. There are no secrets to be had here for Hay. The homework that the world is doing on NuckleDu, or even Fuudo for that matter, will also apply to him.
Final Thoughts
On his day, Luffy could beat anyone he wants, and I know this. Given his track record against Asia, and the fact that he is playing a character coming under heavy scrutiny nowadays really works against him.
He always has the capacity to make it through to top 16, or even top 8, but if you asked me to bet on that, I wouldn’t. I expect that Luffy will likely go 1-2 at best.
