Author: Zavian "mushin_Z" Sildra

A look at different philosophies in the FGC, and how the players follow them.

There can be a lot of friction between those that feel games should be just for fun — or pure competition — and those that explore the business aspects of professional gaming and esports. In this article, Fighter 101 explores this dichotomy, describing how the viewpoints can be categorized as either following a “Ryu” or “Ken” philosophy — considering the outlook and approach to fighting these two Street Fighter characters follow — and reiterates that video games are primarily a business, plain and simple.

Fighter 101 follows up with their view on how many of the professional players and personalities — such as Daigo Umehara, Justin Wong, Alex Valle, and Smug, to name a few — approach the FGC’s burgeoning steps into business and profitability. Follow the link to read Fighter 101’s thoughts on this topic in detail.

Source: Fighter 101 [Thanks to Trent for the tip.]

On the eve of OHN 15, see where it all began!

This weekend, the longest-running FGC tournament in Australia will be hitting Sydney in the form of OzHadou Nationals 15, a Capcom Pro Tour Ranking event. To mark fifteen years of the event that essentially birthed the Australian fighting game scene, Chee Seng Siow spoke to the organizers and originators to compile a four-part series of articles: The Oral History of OzHadou Nationals. You can read these detailed accounts of how this event began — and grew over the years — at these links:

• THE PLAYTIME ERA
• THE UTS ERA
• THE RED ROOM ERA
• OHN TAKES THE NEXT STEP

For more information on the OzHadou Nationals, head over to their official website.

Sources: Chee Seng Siow & OzHadou Nationals

A new fighter and new ways to play arrive today.

Today’s Nintendo Direct news stream didn’t contain any big revelations for the fighting game community (i.e. Smash remains MIA on Switch), but it did confirm that clowny newcomer Lola Pop, along with her new unique attacks, will be joining the roster for ARMS on the Nintendo Switch today.

Along with Lola, today’s version 3 update will also implement the game’s recently-promised control customization features, allowing some freedom in your control schemes for the stretchy fighter. Watch for this content to arrive later today, now that the Nintendo Direct stream has finished.

Source: Nintendo Direct (stream)

Donovan faces Akuma in the latest installment issue of UDON’s world-mashing series.

The newest issue of UDON’s 8-issue limited crossover series Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers has arrived in stores today; issue #5 sports three cover variants. UDON Entertainment provides this issue synopsis:

A Darkstalker hunter faces a raging demon, as Donovan Baine finds himself square in the path of the master of the fist — Akuma! The crossover chaos continues in STREET FIGHTER VS. DARKSTALKERS!

Check out these preview pages:

You can pick up a copy of Street Fighter vs. Darkstalkers #5 at a comic shop near you or from Focus Attack, while the digital version is available from comiXology. Issues #0-#4 are already available, and make sure you didn’t miss the new 2017 Street Fighter & Friends Swimsuit Special! If you’re interested in UDON’s original Street Fighter comics, they will soon be returning to print in the form of Street Fighter Reloaded.

Source: UDON Entertainment

Following Malaysia’s lead, another nation takes exception to the godly brawling in Fight of Gods.

It appears that Thailand’s media is not amenable to depictions of Buddha getting a beatdown from Jesus, Zeus, or Amaterasu; Fight of Gods will soon be unavailable to purchase from Steam Early Access in Thailand. Rice Digital reached out to the game’s publisher PQube after it was revealed that Malaysia was blocking the Steam Store entirely to prevent sales of the game, and was informed that Thailand was following suit, albeit less aggressively.

“So far, Thailand has formally demanded to us that the game be removed from sale in their territory,” stated PQube public relations. The Early Access game may still be available to pick up in Thailand presently (as it takes a bit of time to process such a removal from the Steam Store) but expect Amaterasu to be put back in her cave — along with all the other tongue-in-cheek versions of popular deities on the Fight of Gods roster — in that region soon.

Source: Rice Digital

UDON’s breakout series returns for new audiences — with new content and at a discount price.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of UDON’s take on the Street Fighter world and characters or a new reader, new comics are arriving this November that you’ll want to look out for! UDON is bringing back their original Street Fighter comics, reprinted as “Street Fighter Reloaded” with additional new content — and at a discount price of 99¢ a book. From UDON Entertainment:

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Street Fighter™ fighting game franchise, UDON’s very first comic story returns this November as a value-priced 6-issue mini-series! For only 99 cents an issue, fans who’ve never read these classic tales can see how Ryu, Guile, Ken, and Chun-Li first began their journeys to becoming true World Warriors!

STREET FIGHTER™ RELOADED is a re-release of UDON’s original Street Fighter comic series STREET FIGHTER™ (2003) #1-6. This is the series that started UDON’s venture into publishing nearly 15 years ago. Written by Ken Siu-Chong, main story artwork is provided by artists Arnold Tsang (now Lead Character Concept Artist on Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch) and Alvin Lee (now Principal Artist on Riot Games’ League of Legends).

The series also features a cavalcade of comics’ top creators providing bonus stories and cover artwork. STREET FIGHTER™ RELOADED #1 sports both a 4-page story and cover art by comics legend Joe Madureira (Battle Chasers), while issue #2 includes a bonus story drawn by the fantastic Adam Warren (Empowered) and cover art by the great J. Scott Campbell. Later issues of the mini-series will include bonus stories from great talents like Kaare Andrews, Kevin Lau, and Hyung-Tae Kim.

Expect to see these hit comic book store shelves in November 2017, with subsequent issues following every two weeks through December and into January 2018. A trade paperback collection is planned to be released afterwards as well, for April 2018 — alongside the next story arc.

STREET FIGHTER RELOADED #1 & #2
32 pages, full color, $0.99 (each)
RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 2017

DIAMOND ORDER CODES

• SEP172011 [STREET FIGHTER RELOADED #1]
• SEP172012 [STREET FIGHTER RELOADED #2]

Source: UDON Entertainment