Author: Ian "iantothemax" Walker

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Japan’s Best Face the United States in High-Level Skullgirls Exhibitions

Skullgirls is one of the very few fighters with a higher contingent of top players from the United States, thanks in part to its delayed release in other regions. But as they are often wont to do, Japanese competitors have closed the gap in a surprising amount of time, making an exhibition necessary to see which country is the best.

Okay, so it’s not as serious as all that, but two online exhibitions were held earlier this week between these regions as a way to gauge how they stack up against each other. Both the undercard and main event were stacked with high-level American competitors, including Duckator, Wingzero, cR|Sonic Fox, and dekillsage, providing some excellent matches in the process.

While we won’t spoil the results, we can assure you that this entire two-hour archive is worth checking out, if only to see how Japan approaches this indie title.

Watch live video from KPBLive on www.twitch.tv

Sources: Skullheart, Kick-Punch-Block! via NeoGAF

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Professional Weaponsmiths Forge Kitana’s War Fans from Mortal Kombat X

While the steel war fans Kitana wields in Mortal Kombat X may seem improbable, the professionals behind web series Man at Arms: Reforged have done an amazing job of bringing these options into the real world.

In the video below, Man at Arms’ crew of blacksmiths and craftsmen take us through the process of making their latest project a reality, from forging the steel that forms the basis of the weapon to sewing the silk that holds it all together. Naturally, they also take it for a spin near the end to showcase its ability to tear apart items like soda cans, watermelons, and more.

Man at Arms routinely crafts fictitious weapons from video games, movies, and anime, so be sure to check out the rest of their channel if you like what you see.

Source: AWE me via NetherRealm Studios

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Capcom to Host Street Fighter V Event at Las Vegas’ Anime Revolution Later This Month

Capcom has announced that they will be partnering with Anime Revolution and Gouki.com to put on a two-day Street Fighter V event in Las Vegas. Associate producer Peter “Combofiend” Rosas will be joined by Twitch’s Mike Ross to detail the inner workings of the upcoming fighter as well as participate in a couple of exhibitions to show what it could look like at a high-level.

But don’t worry, Street Fighter V play won’t end with them. The event will also feature open bracket tournaments, allowing attendees the opportunity to get a taste of the game before its February 16 release date. Winners will be rewarded with PlayStation 4 faceplates and other assorted prizes.

These festivities are scheduled for January 30-31 at Arcade Revolution, located inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile shopping center.

Source: Capcom-Unity

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Total Beatdown Brings Offline Competition to Oklahoma City on January 30

In an effort to bring Oklahoma’s online warriors into the world of offline competition, HXC Gaming and DZ Comics are set to host the first installment of a brand new tournament series later this month.

Total Beatdown will cover a ton of bases by featuring tournaments for Ultra Street Fighter IV, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Mortal Kombat X, and Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat players can look forward to $250 pot bonuses in their respective games.

Registration is only $10 online (or $20 if you wait to do so at the door), with an additional $10 fee for each game you plan to play.

Total Beatdown is scheduled for January 30 in Moore, Oklahoma. More details can be found here. If you live in the area and have been looking to take the next step in your competitive career, Total Beatdown is sure to be a smart endeavor.

Source: HXC Gaming, special thanks to PxG|Ice for bringing this to our attention.

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Total Beatdown Brings Offline Competition to Oklahoma City on January 30

In an effort to bring Oklahoma’s online warriors into the world of offline competition, HXC Gaming and DZ Comics are set to host the first installment of a brand new tournament series later this month.

Total Beatdown will cover a ton of bases by featuring tournaments for Ultra Street Fighter IV, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Mortal Kombat X, and Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-. Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat players can look forward to $250 pot bonuses in their respective games.

Registration is only $10 online (or $20 if you wait to do so at the door), with an additional $10 fee for each game you plan to play.

Total Beatdown is scheduled for January 30 in Moore, Oklahoma. More details can be found here. If you live in the area and have been looking to take the next step in your competitive career, Total Beatdown is sure to be a smart endeavor.

Source: HXC Gaming, special thanks to PxG|Ice for bringing this to our attention.

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Burnout Fighter Showcases M. Bison’s Latest Combos in Street Fighter V

Due to ongoing development, Street Fighter V has changed dramatically between each beta iteration. Fortunately, folks have been quick to provide videos detailing what each character has had at their disposal.

Burnout Fighter recently gave that treatment to resident dictator M. Bison with a brand new video detailing what he was capable of in Street Fighter V’s most recent testing phase. The demonstration below covers bread and butters, combos that utilize V-Trigger, juggles, and more, so do yourself a favor and check it out. You’re sure to learn something!

Source: Burnout Fighter

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BlazBlue: Central Fiction Rated for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 in Taiwan

After doing some digging through Taiwan’s game ratings website, the folks over at Gematsu have uncovered listings for BlazBlue: Central Fiction releases on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PlayStation 3.

While there’s not much to go on, we do know that the issuer is none other than H2 Interactive, the Korean publisher who handles Arc System Works’ releases in the region as well as recent BlazBlue ports on Steam.

BlazBlue: Central Fiction will be the franchise’s second title on current-generation platforms after Chronophantasma EXTEND’s arrival last year. An updated ‘Act2’ release is planned to drop in arcades later this month, but it remains to be seen how much of that content will find its way to consoles.

We’re sure to hear more from Arc System Works in the near future, so stay tuned for updates.

Source: MOEA via Gematsu, tip via Kurushii

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Activision CEO on MLG Purchase: “I want to build the ESPN of video games.”

After news broke on the acquisition last week, Activision Blizzard has released an official press briefing detailing their purchase of Major League Gaming. As many assumed, the publisher mentions being interested in MLG for their existing infrastructure, which will be used to support their future plans for competitive gaming.

What some missed, however, is just how far Activision is looking to push “eSports” outside its current niche. “I have a simple vision for this,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick told The New York Times. “I want to build the ESPN of video games.”

MLG will remain the chief operator of MLG Pro Circuit and, contrary to previous reports, Sundance DiGiovanni is set to retain his role as CEO.

“The acquisition of MLG’s business is an important step towards Activision Blizzard Media Networks’ broader mission to bring esports into the mainstream by creating and broadcasting premium esports content, organizing global league play and expanding distribution with key gaming partners,” said MLG co-founder and current vice president of Activision Blizzard Media Networks.

While normally focused on games outside the fighting genre, MLG has previously hosted competition in Super Smash Bros. Melee, King of Fighters XIII, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Mortal Kombat, and more. Activision obviously has big plans in store for competitive gaming as a majority owner of the organization, but it remains to be seen if titles outside their immediate circle will reap the benefits.

Sources: Business Wire via TheHadou, The New York Times via Kotaku

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MarkMan Streams Over Six Hours of Tekken 7 Casuals, Tournament Matches

It should really be no secret that Mad Catz’ Mark “MarkMan” Julio loves Tekken. He recently made great use of the arcade board in his possession to host a lengthy casual session that culminated in a small, eight-player invitational.

But this wasn’t a secret gathering, oh no. The arcade stick enthusiast broadcast the entire get-together on Twitch, meaning those of you who missed out on watching live can now view the archive for your latest Tekken 7 fix. The players involved include Runitblack, woobumjin, n8nmonster, and MarkMan himself, so settle in and peep the video below as you shake off your holiday hibernation.

Watch live video from MarkManSDT on www.twitch.tv

Source: MarkMan

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CEO 2016 to Feature Two Street Fighters, Smash, Guilty Gear, and More

Last week, Community Effort Orlando organizer Alex Jebailey opened up about some of the games that might appear at the tournament’s 2016 installment. Current plans are to feature both Street Fighter V and Ultra Street Fighter IV, as well as Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

The list also includes Mortal Kombat X, Killer Instinct, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, with others hinging on release dates. Guilty Gear Xrd will show up in some form alongside King of Fighters XIV and Tekken 7 depending on when they arrive in North America, and Jebailey also thinks Pokkén Tournament has the potential to draw in new blood.

As these details have yet to be added to the tournament’s official website, we assume they are subject to change.

Community Effort Orlando 2016 is scheduled for June 24-26.

Source: Alex Jebailey