Category: News

With Nintendo releasing amiibo in time for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, some may be wondering what these figures will do in the new game. Now, it seems that they might be used to actually unlock the characters for use.

This new information was revealed in Best Buy Canada’s store pages for the amiibo for Wolf, Inkling, and Ridley. The overviews for each figure state that the player can unlock these characters for play simply by tapping their amiibo to the Switch’s NFC touchpoint.

Prior to this, producer Masahiro Sakurai already hinted that unlocking characters would be simpler for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate; it seems that this method may be part of that. It may also be likely that the previously-released amiibo for other characters may also be used to unlock some of the playable fighters in the game.

Source: Best Buy via Source Gaming

Deaths and injuries at a gaming event in Jacksonville raise the question of how to ensure the safety of future tournament attendees.

In the wake of Sunday’s tragic shooting at the GLHF Game Bar in Jacksonville, Florida — that claimed two lives and left nearly a dozen others with injuries after a competitor in a Madden 19 event opened fire during a tournament — FGC tournament organizers are pledging to increase security at upcoming events. Level Up Series promises additional security and metal detectors will be in place at the upcoming SoCal Regionals 2018 in September, while Canada Cup Gaming’s Lap Chi Duong also has indicated plans for increased security at October’s Canada Cup 2018 at EGLX in Toronto.

Our thoughts and prayers goes out to the gaming community in Jacksonville, Florida on this tragic day.

We have added security and metal detectors in place for #SCR2018 to assist with event safety prior to this incident. Gaming should be safe and fun for everyone.

— Level | Up Series (@levelupseries) August 26, 2018

At #SCR2018, we will be instructing security to conduct thorough searches of joysticks, bags of all kinds, baggy clothing, and will use walk through and handheld metal detectors. This includes attendees, players, and staff. It is suggested to bring the bare minimums to the event. https://t.co/uNvl0e7pab

— Jimmy Nguyen (@ShinJN_) August 26, 2018

We are definitely beefing up security at Canada Cup 2018! Metal detectors and perhaps even hiring police @EGLXofficial https://t.co/4tHTxg7Hfq

— Lap Chi Duong (@lapchiduong) August 26, 2018

Evo director Joey “Mr. Wizard” Cuellar has also promised increased security for next year’s Evo event:

While Evo does not comment on security procedures (for obvious reasons), it's very clear that we need to be more proactive for 2019 and beyond. The amount of undercover law enforcement at Evo was unprecedented, and we will be installing metal detectors for ALL days next year.

— Joey Cuellar (@MrWiz) August 26, 2018

The shooting has hit close to home for the fighting game community, leaving many players rattled, saddened, and concerned about safety at future tournaments — not to mention bringing to prominence the ongoing question of how to combat gun violence in the USA.

I hate that we tolerate efficient murder weapons. I hate that anyone could be a target. I hate that there'll be more security at tournaments instead of effective government action, as if the solution to a leaky roof was to cover the floor with buckets instead of patching the tile

— The Commentattorney (@ultradavid) August 26, 2018

Schools, universities, churches, movie theaters, post offices, concerts, casinos, clubs, cafeterias, government buildings, conventions…tourneys. This is not normal. This cannot continue becoming normal.

— Rick (@TheHadou) August 26, 2018

A GoFundMe page has also been launched to aid those affected with the medical or funeral costs that follow in the wake of this tragedy.

The most important thing to take away from this tragedy, IMO, is to not give in to the fear. Do not let this stop enjoying the things that we love. Keep going to events, keep pursuing your passions. Keep doing the things you love. We can’t live life in fear.

❤️ to all.

— James Chen (@jchensor) August 26, 2018

Sources: CNN; Google; Level Up Series (Twitter); Jimmy Nguyen (Twitter); Lap Chi Duong (Twitter); Joey Cuellar (Twitter); UltraDavid (Twitter); TheHadou (Twitter); James Chen (Twitter); GoFundMe

Deaths and injuries at a gaming event in Jacksonville raise the question of how to ensure the safety of future tournament attendees.

In the wake of Sunday’s tragic shooting at the GLHF Game Bar in Jacksonville, Florida — that claimed two lives and left nearly a dozen others with injuries after a competitor in a Madden 19 event opened fire during a tournament — FGC tournament organizers are pledging to increase security at upcoming events. Level Up Series promises additional security and metal detectors will be in place at the upcoming SoCal Regionals 2018 in September, while Canada Cup Gaming’s Lap Chi Duong also has indicated plans for increased security at October’s Canada Cup 2018 at EGLX in Toronto.

Our thoughts and prayers goes out to the gaming community in Jacksonville, Florida on this tragic day.

We have added security and metal detectors in place for #SCR2018 to assist with event safety prior to this incident. Gaming should be safe and fun for everyone.

— Level | Up Series (@levelupseries) August 26, 2018

At #SCR2018, we will be instructing security to conduct thorough searches of joysticks, bags of all kinds, baggy clothing, and will use walk through and handheld metal detectors. This includes attendees, players, and staff. It is suggested to bring the bare minimums to the event. https://t.co/uNvl0e7pab

— Jimmy Nguyen (@ShinJN_) August 26, 2018

We are definitely beefing up security at Canada Cup 2018! Metal detectors and perhaps even hiring police @EGLXofficial https://t.co/4tHTxg7Hfq

— Lap Chi Duong (@lapchiduong) August 26, 2018

Evo director Joey “Mr. Wizard” Cuellar has also promised increased security for next year’s Evo event:

While Evo does not comment on security procedures (for obvious reasons), it's very clear that we need to be more proactive for 2019 and beyond. The amount of undercover law enforcement at Evo was unprecedented, and we will be installing metal detectors for ALL days next year.

— Joey Cuellar (@MrWiz) August 26, 2018

The shooting has hit close to home for the fighting game community, leaving many players rattled, saddened, and concerned about safety at future tournaments — not to mention bringing to prominence the ongoing question of how to combat gun violence in the USA.

I hate that we tolerate efficient murder weapons. I hate that anyone could be a target. I hate that there'll be more security at tournaments instead of effective government action, as if the solution to a leaky roof was to cover the floor with buckets instead of patching the tile

— The Commentattorney (@ultradavid) August 26, 2018

Schools, universities, churches, movie theaters, post offices, concerts, casinos, clubs, cafeterias, government buildings, conventions…tourneys. This is not normal. This cannot continue becoming normal.

— Rick (@TheHadou) August 26, 2018

A GoFundMe page has also been launched to aid those affected with the medical or funeral costs that follow in the wake of this tragedy.

The most important thing to take away from this tragedy, IMO, is to not give in to the fear. Do not let this stop enjoying the things that we love. Keep going to events, keep pursuing your passions. Keep doing the things you love. We can’t live life in fear.

❤️ to all.

— James Chen (@jchensor) August 26, 2018

Sources: CNN; Google; Level Up Series (Twitter); Jimmy Nguyen (Twitter); Lap Chi Duong (Twitter); Joey Cuellar (Twitter); UltraDavid (Twitter); TheHadou (Twitter); James Chen (Twitter); GoFundMe

Sony has another flash sale up on the US PlayStation Network. This “Attack of the Blockbusters” sale sees a number of games heavily discounted on the PlayStation Store. As part of this sale, a handful of fighting games are also subject to discounts. Specifically, games from the BlazBlue, Injustice, and Mortal Kombat franchises can be had at 40% to 50% off their regular prices.

We’ve listed the specific titles on sale below. Take note that PlayStation Plus subscribers will get an additional 10% discount with these titles.

For those interested in taking advantage of the sale to pick these, and other games up, take note that it ends on August 28, 2018.

Source: PlayStation Store

Details for the NEO GEO World Tour Finals have been released — including the broadcast time, qualified players, and more!

The NEO GEO World Tour Finals are finally upon us. Taking place during the Hong Kong Esports Festival, the Finals cover two days and will feature a total 26 competitors across two games.

Featuring the likes of QANBA x Douyu|Xiaohai, QANBA|Dakou, JoJo, and others, fans can expect some true slobberknockers from the series’ most celebrated competitors. The tour has compiled a full list of participants:

Games featured at the finals include The King of Fighters XIV and The King of Fighters ‘98. The finals will take place on August 25th, with Grand Finals for both titles set for August 26th. The action will be streamed on the NEO GEO World Tour’s Facebook page and Twitch channel, starting at 10:00 AM Hong Kong Time on the 25th (7:00 PM PT, August 24th) and 11:00 AM Hong Kong Time on the 26th (8:00 PM PT, August 25th). Don’t miss out on this massive King of Fighters celebration!

Watch live video from neogeoworldtour on www.twitch.tv

Source: NEO GEO World Tour (Facebook)