Injustice: Gods Among Us for PlayStation 4 Heading to PlayStation Plus Lineup in December

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While there aren’t many fighting games available for Sony and Microsoft’s latest home consoles at this point in time, one in particular is set to become free next month on PlayStation Network.

PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download Injustice: Gods Among Us without any additional charges in December, allowing early PlayStation 4 adopters to try out the upgraded port for themselves. And, as an added bonus, all of the previously released downloadable content will be tacked on with the Ultimate Edition package.

Fans in Europe will also be able to take advantage of this offer.

We’ll be sure to update those interested as soon as Injustice becomes available through PlayStation Plus, so stay tuned.

Source: PlayStation Blog

LU|Alex Valle, Filipino Champ, AVM|Kelvin Jeon, and pH|HooDaMan to Help Exhibit Ultra Street Fighter IV’s Omega Mode at Capcom Cup 2014

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With Capcom Cup 2014 rapidly approaching, the fighting game community is ramping up their excitement for all the Ultra Street Fighter IV action Capcom has in store. In addition to the main tournament, however, the company will also be showing off the title’s upcoming Omega Mode content by way of special exhibition series.

For these showcase matches, Capcom has tapped four wildly different competitors: longtime veteran Alex Valle of Level|Up Series, Marvel master Ryan “Filipino Champ” Ramirez, AVerMedia’s Kelvin Jeon, and Hooman “HooDaMan” Ghahremani of Pandora House. Apart from their backgrounds, each player also fields a wide array of main characters, which should give spectators a great look at the tweaks being made in Omega Mode.

Capcom Cup 2014 is set to take place on December 13 at San Francisco’s historic Warfield Theatre. Tickets are currently on sale through Eventbrite.

Source: Capcom Cup

Who Has the Best Faust of All? Gazou and Nage Face the Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- Mirror Match at Arc Revolution Cup 2014

As the competitive database on Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN- has expanded, Faust has typically been seen as one of the game’s stronger fighters due to the wide breadth of his toolset. That’s why when at the end of Arc Revolution 2014 earlier this year, it came as no surprise that the grand finals came down to Gazou and Nage, two Faust players who had proven themselves over the course of the grueling single-elimination event.

While mirror matches have the potential to be rather boring events, these competitors provided quite a show with the lanky scalpel-wielder, tossing out presents with reckless abandon and using almost every opportunity to rush the other down and highlight what their character of choice is capable of when up close.

Fortunately, replays are finally starting to make their way online from this event. We’ve included the aforementioned grand finals set below along with a few that preceded it, but feel free to visit the official playlist for more should you have missed the live broadcast in August.

Uki (Sol) vs. Nage (Faust)

Hasegawa (I-No) vs. Gazou (Faust)

Grand Finals – Gazou (Faust) vs. Nage (Faust)

Full results for this and other games at Japan Gamer’s Live can be found here.

Community Effort Orlando 2015 Scheduled for June 26-28

Ever since its inception five years ago, Community Effort Orlando has grown and grown, and now sits just below Evolution in the hierarchy of fighting game events.

While organizer Alex Jebailey and his team have put in a ton of work, support from the community has also played a huge part in making this tournament series what it is today. That’s why, in addition to announcing the dates for next year’s event, CEO Gaming recently released a special video thanking everyone, from competitors and organizers to vendors and sponsors, for the love they’ve give Community Effort Orlando at each installment.

Community Effort Orlando 2014 is scheduled for June 26-28 at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida. Registration will be live in March but, until then, feel free to check out the official website for additional information you’ll need when planning your trip.

Source: CEO Gaming

The Runback 2014 4.3 feat. UMvC3, Killer Instinct, Yatagarasu, P4U2, UNIEL, and PSASBR Streaming Live from Super Arcade

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Level|Up Series returns tonight with another installment of The Runback’s fourth 2014 season, broadcasting from Super Arcade in Walnut, California. Much like previous events, some of SoCal’s best will be coming together to compete in returning titles Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Killer Instinct, Yatagarasu Attack on Cataclysm, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late, and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, so be sure to tune in early and catch as much of the action as possible.

If you live in the area, why not head over to Super Arcade and check it out in person? These are weekly tournaments, so even if you missed out tonight you can still check it out next time. We’ve included the venue’s address below for those of you who may be interested.

1211 N Grand Avenue
Walnut, CA 91789

Level|Up Live

Watch live video from Level|Up Live on www.twitch.tv

Super Dojo

Watch live video from SuperDojo on www.twitch.tv

Sources: Level|Up Live, Super Dojo

Churning the Butter #12 feat. Ultra Street Fighter IV Streaming Live from San Francisco, California

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Over the past few months, Northern California has been stepping their collective game up with regards to consistent events, and one of the big groups behind all this is competitive gaming organization ShowDown. Their weekly Churning the Butter tournament has only been running for a couple weeks, and yet they are garnering a player base on par with other local tournaments around the country. And, as we highlighted in videos from their second outing, some fantastic talent is showing up to throw down and improve their own game.

Tonight, they have once again taken over Folsom Street Foundry in San Francisco, California to put on an Ultra Street Fighter IV tournament for the regional players. If you’re interested in seeing what the NorCal cats have up their sleeves, be sure to check out the stream below and show your support. You can also head on over to Twitch if you prefer to chat.

Watch live video from showdowngg on www.twitch.tv

Want to check these tournaments out for yourself? Well, you’re in luck, because even if you missed out this week, Churning the Butter is held every Thursday at 8 PM PDT during ShowDown’s game night at Folsom Street Foundry. The group also plans to eventually get a ranbat series off the ground at the same venue, so stay tuned for more.

Source: ShowDown

C. Viper Acquires a Flash Kick, Rufus Gets Low in Ultra Street Fighter IV’s Omega Mode

Capcom-Unity was recently updated with a third round of details regarding character changes in Ultra Street Fighter IV’s upcoming Omega Mode. Much like previous looks at this interesting gameplay option, this one shows off a ton of crazy updates to the title’s cast, including C. Viper’s imitation of Guile’s iconic Flash Kick, more attack options for El Fuerte out of EX Habanero Dash, a new move that allows Rufus to move forward with a low profile, Dee Jay’s specials changing from charge to command motions, and much more.

Additionally, producer Tomoaki Ayano provides some insight into their Omega Mode development process, saying they are working to make sure the new moves work well with the older options so that everything a character has at their disposal is viable.

We’ve included the entirety of Tomoaki Ayano’s notes below, so be sure to check them out and let us know what you think.

Abel

Shoulder Tackle: Yup! Just as the name says, it’s a shoulder tackle. You can hold the button down to charge it—charge it to the max and you’ll get an increase in parameters, as well as armor break properties. You can cancel the charge by pressing a punch button, which also makes this effective as a feint move.

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The EX version will send the opponent flying for a wall bounce, which sets up some combo opportunities afterwards!

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Abel has seen a lot of changes—while he’s lost Change of Direction, he’s gained new command normal and special moves. Abel now fights like a mixed-martial artist with a focus on throws. I believe that Abel fans will get a kick out of this new way to play him!

My inspiration: What you see is what you get!

C. Viper

Burst Heel: A new special move that’s similar to Guile’s Flash Kick. It’s got a lot of priority, so I see it being used like a psychic DP.

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The EX version has invincibility, giving Viper a new anti-air option. She can also cancel the second hit, like she can for her Thunder Knuckle, which lets her combo into various options. This not only gives her new ways to attack, but also opens up combo possibilities as well.

She also gets Thunder Fist, a strike-move that expands her combo options.

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My inspiration: A more mature Viper who has further refined her fire and lightning abilities!

El Fuerte

EX Habanero Dash: Fuerte now has options for all six buttons during his EX Habanero Dash. This is his FP option, the Fajita Buster.

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This version, performed from the EX Dash, is done on the ground without Fuerte jumping into the air. Get a good read on your opponent and choose wisely!

Fuerte also gets a new special move, the Flying Nachos. Hmm…I’m not sure I would call the body part he’s hitting them with a Nacho but this move certainly seems familiar, doesn’t it?

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Fuerte’s movement specials have been improved and he has also gained a high jump. If you thought he was hard to catch before…!

My inspiration: A Mexican luchador running wild on you!

Rufus

Dynasty Dash: A special move performed with the punch buttons that moves Rufus forward, changing up his attack style.

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He slides forward—check out that low profile!

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The LP version ends with the Mach Back Knuckle. It’s fast, but it doesn’t hit crouchers.

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The MP version ends with the Peerless Palm.

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And the FP version ends with the Premium Tackle. It starts up slow but has armor break properties.

Rufus has some pretty funky moves names and these three are no exception, don’t you think?

Heh heh. We’ve also changed up his existing special moves, taking into account how Dynasty Dash changes his game. Together with his new target combos he’s changed quite a bit—it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he’s a completely new character (a new, new character?!).

My inspiration: The portly speed bug, reborn!

Cammy

Killer Bee Stinger: A new special move that launches the opponent up in the air with a kick.

Cammy can follow up on the airborne opponent with combos.

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This special move takes advantage of Cammy’s excellent mobility.

She also has a special version of her Cannon Strike, Target Strike, that will cause a hard knockdown from the air, and we’ve completely reworked her Hooligan Combination too. I’ll tell you more about that if I get another chance. Heh heh.

Just as her “Killer Bee” nickname implies, we’ve modified Cammy to be a character that primarily attacks from the air.

My inspiration: Dance like a butterfly, sting like a bee!

Fei Long

Ryuogeki

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This, to put it simply, is a super-powerful backfist! It leaves Fei Long wide open if it misses, but it deals plenty of damage and has armor break properties. It’s a move that really showcases the “shaking fist” kung-fu image we’ve come to expect from Fei Long. The EX version will wall-bounce your opponent for extended combo opportunities.

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Syoenryu is a flaming uppercut that stops opponents in their tracks and launches them up into the air. Of course, he can follow up afterwards with combo attacks.

We wanted to give Fei Long more one-hit moves and so move him away from being a character that revolves around his Rekkaken game. I’m sure you’ll have fun with him if you give him a try.

My inspiration: A hot-blooded kung-fu master!

Dee Jay

Air Slasher

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You can’t tell just by looking at the picture, but in Omega we really wanted to emphasize Dee Jay’s dancing, which is why we’ve changed him from a charge character to a command one. That’s right, all of his moves—from Machine Upper to Double Rolling Sobat—are now command moves.

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Waning Moon: Dee Jay goes airborne and comes down with a crescent-moon kick. This gives Dee Jay a new move for getting in.

He’s also got new command normals and target combos, which really makes him feel like a kickboxer. The change from a charge character to a command one is enough to make Dee Jay feel like a brand new character in Omega Edition.

My inspiration: Dee Jay getting back to his Jamaican roots!

T. Hawk

Earth Rage

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This move strikes the ground, sending out a shockwave. It’s very similar to Viper’s Seismo Hammer. The EX version sends out three blasts, ranging from close to long range. T. Hawk has always had problems with characters playing keep-away, but now he has a new tool to help him fight better at distances!

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Thunder Bird: An EX version of the Mexican Typhoon that uses two bars of meter. Grab your opponent, use a Tomahawk Buster to launch them into the air, and…

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…grab them from mid-air and slam them on the ground with the Mexican Typhoon! Since it uses two bars we’ve made it just as powerful as it looks!

We’ve also adjusted the inputs for his existing special moves to make them more intuitive and easier to use. In Omega Edition, T. Hawk differs from his regular Ultra version in that he has both close and long range options. Will this make the gentle giant a force to be reckoned with in Omega?!

My inspiration: A Hawk who’s a danger up close and from afar!

If you missed out on previous Omega Mode news, feel free to follow the links below and catch up.

Source: Capcom-Unity via NeoGAF

King of Fighters Producer Masaaki Kukino May Have Once Again Parted Ways with SNK Playmore

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(Photo courtesy of JeuxActu)

While rumors concerning the future of SNK Playmore’s King of Fighter franchise over the past few years, development of upcoming titles may be done without a key producer from recent installments.

Masaaki Kukino, who previously worked on both King of Fighters XII and King of Fighters XIII, has apparently parted ways with the company as of October 31. This news comes from his personal Facebook page, the employment section of which was updated that same day with the details.

Kukino previously took leave from SNK Playmore a few months after King of Fighters XIII’s arcade release in 2010 before returning just last year.

Before his tenure began in the fighting genre, Kukino lent his talents to Konami’s Silent Scope series.

Official word has yet to be released by SNK Playmore about Kukino’s departure, but we’ll be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Source: Masaaki Kukino, special thanks to DreamCancel.

Pick Up Some Important Robin Tactics in Smash and Grab’s Latest Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Character Breakdown

After aiming their sights at Lucina and Zero Suit Samus, the folks behind the new Smash and Grab channel are back with a Super Smash Bros. for 3DS character breakdown for Fire Emblem Awakening protagonist Robin.

A thoroughly unique fighter, this tactician incorporates the durability mechanic used extensively in their original franchise, which causes the weapons and tomes used in their attacks to degrade the more they are used. Each attack has a set number of times they can be performed before the item associated with them breaks, after which Robin must wait for it to regenerate in order to utilize its full potential once more.

Similar to Smash and Grab’s previous tutorials, the video below runs through Robin’s tools, providing insight into each move’s usefulness before moving onto sample combos that beginners would do well to add to their own gameplans.

Source: Smash and Grab

Adam “Armada” Lindgren Joins Alliance as First Smash Competitor

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After long being tied to Empire Arcadia, Adam “Armada” Lindgren announced earlier this week that he had left the “development company” to pursue other interests, teasing further details in regards to his future. Fortunately, we haven’t had to wait long to learn exactly where he will land.

Just this morning, Swedish organization Alliance announced that Lindgren will be joining their roster as the group’s very first Smash Bros. player. And, looking at his history, it would appear as if they made a pretty solid choice: over the years, this Peach main has carried the iconic princess to victory in a multitude of large Super Smash Bros. Melee events, including Apex 2013, Community Effort Orlando 2014, Shadowloo Showdown V, and many more.

Lindgren is the latest in a long line of Smashers that have been picked up by prominent institutions in the competitive gaming world, a string of signings that include two-time Evo champion Joseph “Mang0″ Marquez joining up with Cloud9 and Evil Geniuses snagging Kevin “PPMD” Nanney.

Alliance, which was formed last year by Evil Geniuses CEO Alex Garfield, also sports teams for League of Legends, DOTA 2, and FIFA.

Source: Alliance via Andrew Tai Vo, special thanks to MrKingFunk.