Category: News

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Kinetiquettes opens pre-orders for “War Heroes” diorama featuring Street Fighter’s Nash and Guile

Zoning fans, unite! Kinetiquettes has returned with a sonic boom-fueled diorama featuring figures for Street Fighter‘s Guile and Charlie Nash:

The “War Heroes” diorama is the latest in a long line of limited edition Street Fighter figures produced by the company. These exquisitely detailed, Polyurethane resin statues don’t come cheap, though — each statue can be purchased separately for a one time payment ($449 for Nash, $429 for Guile) or 6-month installments ($74.83 for Nash, $71.50 for Guile). If Guile and Nash’s jet-destroying spar session is a must-have for you, you can head over to Kinetiquettes site to pre-order here (for Nash) and here (for Guile).

Both figures are estimated to be released in the 2nd Quarter of 2019.

Source: Kinetiquettes

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WWE Superstar Xavier Woods expresses his love for the fighting game community in an interview with ESPN

ESPN sat down with the WWE’s Xavier Woods to discuss his history with fighting games and the community’s growth at Evolution 2018.

Austin Watson, Ph.D, more commonly known by his ring name Xavier Woods, is a man of many backgrounds. Holding a doctorate in educational psychology, a master’s degree in psychology, and a bachelor’s in philosophy, Woods is as educated as he is eclectic: With a long history in wrestling leading up to his current status as a two-time Smackdown Tag Team Champion, Woods also hosts his very own gaming show and is heavily involved in the fighting game community. Woods’ show, appropriately dubbed Up Up Down Down, covers multiple gaming genres, and has even been the platform for important reveals: like Street Fighter V’s Team Battle mode. Woods’ love for gaming came to a head at this year’s Evolution Championship Series, where he sat down with ESPN to discuss his history with the FGC and how it has grown throughout the years.

Woods explained that his love for Windjammers ultimately brought him to Las Vegas’s fighting game celebration. Due to his efforts, Windjammers has grown from a side-tournament to a legitimate competition: while, initially, the game had 26 players on the spot, all of which were paid out of his own account, Windjammers has since grown to greater heights. “I was telling people, ‘In the next couple of years, Windjammers is going to be on one of these stages,’” Woods recalled. “One year later, Windjammers is going to be on stage. We have 256 competitors — that’s unreal.”

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Image Credit: WWE.com

Woods likewise covered his history with gaming in general. “I was a very awkward child,” he explained. “I didn’t go out, I didn’t have buddies, so my mom bought me a Nintendo and I loved it. But I had a problem: I thought that if you died in the game, you died in real life, so I didn’t want to stop playing.” Woods realized that video games were his forte once he began to play them with friends, and it soon became his safe space. “I still go back to games as my first basic need,” he stated. “You have the need to breathe, the need to eat, and games on top of that.”

Another topic of discussion was Woods’ recent scuffle with NJPW’s Kenny Omega at E3 2018. Team New Day and Kenny Omega’s crew went head to head in a series of tag-team battles using SFV’s team battle mode, which ultimately ended in hot pepper consumption and a quick trip to the toilet. “We wanted to get his camp and my camp together doing something,” Woods explained of the battle. “The way that we see what we do… is that it’s for everybody. Many times in our industry, there’s companies or performers who don’t communicate or cross lines. We wanted to start trying to do that a little bit more. We knew that our way to do that was video games.” After a three year rivalry between the two wrestlers within the game, their dream was finally made a reality, and the battle made it onto the CapcomFighters’ Twitch channel.

Fans can catch more of Xavier’s fighting game story on ESPN’s YouTube channel, as well as stay tuned to his latest gaming antics through his channel, Up Up Down Down.

Source: ESPN

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Cooperation Cup returns for its 17th installment of Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike action on January 5 to 6, 2019

If there’s one thing that the Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike faithful look forward to every year, it’s none other than the Cooperation Cup – the yearly team tournament featuring the game’s best players. Now, we know when the next installment of this legendary tournament will take place!

During the 3rd MANIAX Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike tournament this past Sunday, it was announced that the 17th Cooperation Cup will take place from January 5 to 6, 2019. As with the previous event, next year’s Coop Cup will take place at the Hulic Hall in Asakusabashi.

For those who are not yet familiar with it, the Cooperation Cup is a 5-on-5 team battle tournament featuring teams of the best 3rd Strike players from all over. In addition to the main tournament, the event also has a Pre-Coop Cup 5-on-5 tournament, featuring teams of players playing only one specific character.

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Source: Coop Cup, via davideLUN

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BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle’s version 1.21 update fixes various bugs with DLC characters on PlayStation 4 and Steam

With the recent release of the last nine currently-announced DLC characters for BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle earlier this week, a few of the new fighters unfortunately brought a few nasty bugs with them upon entering the Phantom Field, such as one of Nine The Phantom’s Tactics Mode Challenges being unable to be properly cleared, forcing players to skip over it. Nine and Labrys could also perform certain Extra Skills without spending the bar of Skill Gauge normally required to activate these enhanced attacks. There was also an odd hanging glitch with Akihiko Sanada that appeared to be exclusive to the PS4 version. Thankfully, Arc System Works has responded quickly with a small patch last Friday to rectify the situation for players on PlayStation 4 and PC. Details on the Nintendo Switch version of the update will be added to the official story on their website once it’s been completed. You can read the full patch notes of version 1.21 below. Sadly, Replay Data was not updated with this patch, so any saved matches involving Nine and Labrys from before this update was applied may no longer function correctly.

== PlayStation 4 Update 1.21 Info ==

– Game would hang under certain conditions while using the character Akihiko Sanada. (This issue has not been reported on the Nintendo Switch version).
– Fixed issue where some attacks that would normally consume gauge with Labrys and Nine the Phantom were usable even with zero gauge.
– Fixed issue where Nine’s Tactics Mode mission was not clearable.

== Regarding Replay Data ==

Replay data, will, unfortunately not be updated through this patch, therefore some replays with Nine the Phantom and Labrys that were saved before the patch has been applied may not function correctly.

==Steam Update 1.21 Info==

The following features have been implemented:
– Fixed a bug where “Nine the Phantom” and “Labrys” were able to use certain EX moves despite not having any tension.
– Fixed a bug where “Nine the Phantom” had been unable to have one particular entry in her mission mode cleared.
– Fixed a crash bug which occurred after updating to v1.20 upon attempting to enter Character Select (Training/VS) mode.

==Nintendo Switch Update 1.21 Info==

We will update everyone as soon as we have more information on the Nintendo Switch update.

Thank you very much for your patience.

Source: arcsystemworks.com

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BornFree’s interview with Fujimura reveals the reason for his name change, his training regimen, and more

Notable FGC content creator BornFree sat down with FUDOH | Fujimura at Evo 2018 to get an insight on the player’s top spot in the CPT.

BornFree is known for his in-depth interviews of FGC players, organizers, personalities, and other notable figures in the fighting game community. At Evo 2018, he was able to swing a session with the number one player in the Capcom Pro Tour: FUDOH | Fujimura, known for his accomplished history within the FGC and his killer Ibuki, sat down with a translator to answer some of the community’s most pressing questions.

BornFree began the session by asking Fujimura about his recent name change. Formerly, Fujimura was known as Yukadon — however, by the beginning of Street Fighter V’s 3rd season, he had changed his handle to his legal name. “Nobody told me I had to change my name,” Fujimura said through his translator, Bill. “When you tell people you do video games and esports and stuff like that, people have a tendency to not take it seriously. I wanted to personally, rather than use a weird nickname, would rather use my real name, and try to feel legitimate in what I’m doing.” Although his previous name was considered a bit rude by Japanese standards, it wasn’t the rudeness that caused him to make the switch — rather, it was a desire to be seen as legitimate by those outside the esports bubble.

Fujimura is known for his optimal play — so much so that the Korean community gave him the nickname, “The Machine.” His training regimen is anything but human: Fujimura trains for hours on end, taking little time to eat and rest before going back at it. “When there’s players around and a setup to play on, it would be a waste not to play on it. I feel bad if I don’t take advantage of that opportunity and use that chance to better myself.”

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Fujimura likewise appears to have a rival in Daigo “The Beast” Umehara. Having beaten him at ELEAGUE and StunFest France, it seemed as though Fujimura had the Guile matchup figured out — until Daigo took it over Fujimura twice at the UK’s VSFighting, winning his first Premier and proving his strength against SFV’s top competitor. BornFree pressed Fujimura about this rivalry, and his response was careful and deliberate: “It’s tough, and it’s always been a tough match. I play a lot with him, not just at tournaments, but at casuals and things. I’m trying to do everything that I can do get better. Sometimes, that’s just how it goes.”

Ibuki is Fujimura’s character of choice, after Nash was nerfed into the floor. “At first, I was playing around with a lot of different characters,” he began. “But I wanted to try a character that a lot of other pros weren’t playing. I kind of settled on Ibuki, and as I played her, I felt the possibilities with her, and thought, ‘I could probably do really well with this.’” Fujimura’s decision paid off: he is now sitting in the number one spot in the Capcom Pro Tour, and has multiple top placements under his belt alongside two Premier victories.

Fans can watch the full interview here, as well as check out more of BornFree’s fighting game content.

Source: BornFree’s YouTube Channel

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desk crafts improbable combo possibilities from Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition’s V-Reversals

At this point in the FGC, I probably don’t have to tell you that the entirety of desk‘s YouTube shtick is finding the most improbable interactions that fighting games have to offer. He’s been doing this successfully since 2008, and in Street Fighter V since the series began — It’s a testament to his skill and creativity that through so many games and after so many years, he still finds ways to surprise the FGC. Case in point: his most recent manipulation of V-Reversals:

Taking full advantage of the additional frames granted by counter-hits, desk has found a host of (orchestrated) ways to create absurd and interesting combos from moves never design to allow any sort of followups. Check out the video above to see all the ways you can use, and break, V-Reversals in SFV!

Source: desk

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TOPANAGA League 7 player lineup and dates announced, plus Online Qualifier results

Seemingly out of nowhere, TOPANGA League 7 has been announced! This league pits some of Japan’s strongest Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition players against each other in a Round-Robin format. Though it has been a year and a half since the last League, the competition should remain just as fierce as ever.

1st place will earn 1.5 Million Yen ($13,528.80 USD), 2nd place walks away with 600,000 Yen ($5,41.52 USD), 3rd place goes home with 300,000 Yen ($2,705.76 USD), and for the first time, 4th place will earn 150,000 Yen ($1,352.88 USD), fifth place scores 100,000 Yen ($901.92 USD), while sixth place only gains 50,000 Yen ($450.96 USD).

This year, we’ll see 24 players duking it out, with 21 fighters receiving special invitations, while the remaining three slots were filled out by the Top 3 players of an online qualifier tournament that was held last night and streamed on OpenRec, with the following results:

Results

SFV-AE-Tournament

Street Fighter V: Arcade Edition

1. FAV|Ryuusei (Urien) – Qualifies for TOPNAGA League 7
2. SZY|Mizuha (Kolin) – Qualifies for TOPANGA League 7
3. Powell (Cammy) – Qualifies for TOPANGA League 7
4. Yuzuponzu (M. Bison)
5. WP|Daikokugo (Birdie)
5. Haku (F.A.N.G)
7. AFG (Karin)
7.Fudoh|Johnny (Karin)

This leads to the full player lineup of:

  • YHC-Mochi (Dhalsim)
  • Gachikun (Rashid)
  • Mago (Cammy)
  • GRPT|MOV (Chun-Li)
  • FAV|Sako (Menat)
  • Trashbox (Birdie)
  • Nishikin (Blanka)
  • RB|Bonchan (Sagat)
  • Mishie (Laura)
  • Hx.Twitch.CYG BST|Daigo Umehara (Guile)
  • Uryo (Sakura)
  • GGP|Kazunoko (Cammy)
  • Gafro (Balrog)
  • FOX|Tokido (Akuma)
  • Liquid|Nemo (Urien)
  • Fudoh|Haitani (Akuma)
  • CYG BST|Fuudo (R. Mika)
  • Surugaya|Machabo (Necalli)
  • FOX|Momochi (Kolin)
  • Fudoh|Fujimura (Yukadon) (Ibuki)
  • DNG|Itabashi Zangief (Abigail)
  • FAV|Ryuusei (Urien)
  • SZY|Mizuha (Kolin)
  • Powell (Cammy)

The three Block Groupings of the players have also been divulged.

A Block

  • FAV|Ryuusei (Urien)
  • Mago (Cammy)
  • Trashbox (Birdie)
  • RB|Bonchan (Sagat)
  • CYG.BST|Fuudo (R. Mika)
  • Liquid|Nemo (Urien)
  • Mishie (Laura)
  • GRPT|MOV (Chun-Li)

B Block

  • SZY|Mizuha (Kolin)
  • Nishikin (Blanka)
  • Gafro (Balrog)
  • Uryo (Sakura)
  • Fudoh|Haitani (Akuma)
  • Surugaya|Machabo (Necalli)
  • DNG|Itbashi Zangief (Abigail)
  • YHC-Mochi (Dhalsim)

C Block

  • Powell (Cammy)
  • Fudoh|Fujimura (Yukadon) (Ibuki)
  • GGP|Kazunoko (Cammy)
  • FOX|Tokido (Akuma)
  • Gachikun (Rashid)
  • FOX|Momochi (Kolin)
  • Hx.Twitch.CYG BST|Daigo Umehara (Guile)
  • FAV|Sako (Menat)

The event will begin later this month, with the full schedule as follows:

TOPANAGA League Online Preliminary Portion:

Tuesday, August 21st – 7:00 P.M. JST
Wednesday, August 22nd – 7:00 P.M. JST
Tuesday, August 28th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Wednesday, August 29th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Wednesday, September 5th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Wednesday, September 12th – 7:00 P.M. JST

TOPANGA League Offline Main Stage

Friday, September 28th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Saturday, September 29th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Sunday, September 30th – 7:00 P.M. JST

TOPANGA League Offline Final Stage

Monday, October 8th – 7:00 P.M. JST
Tuesday, October 9th – 7:00 P.M. JSY
Wednesday, October 10th – 7:00 P.M. JST

What your predictions for the TOPANGA League 7? Let us know whom you’ll be rooting for in the Comments section below.

Source: OpenRec.TV

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Yatagarasu announces voice actors for 3 new characters in upcoming “Enter the Eastward” arcade update

Pictured above: Yatagarasu‘s new character, Wagui.

Right now, Yatagarasu sits in an odd place in the FGC. An independent PC game made by three former King of Fighters developers in 2008, it managed a successful crowd funding campaign in 2014 and expanded into a full title — Yatagarasu: Attack on Cataclysm — for Steam and Arcades. Through solid game-play aimed purely at the FGC, this indie darling earned word-of-mouth praise and support.

Whatever incredible momentum it had, though, has all but fizzled out anywhere outside of Japan. In the years since Yatagarasu‘s near complete abandonment of its Steam version, the indie fighting game market has boomed and moved far beyond what was possible when Yatagarasu was originally in development. A quick glance through at its own steam community page sees players asking the same question about the game once poised to rule all other indie fighters: “Is it dead?”

One thing you should know about Yatagarasu is that it is heavily influenced by Street Fighter III: Third Strike. What’s the most important thing to learn from 3S’s scene? It will never die.

And the same looks to be true for Yatagarasu, which saw new life in it’s announcement for the Enter the Eastward update teased last year. In the truest Yatagarasu fashion possible, the developers have waited just long enough for this announcement to fade from memory before stopping by 4gamer.net to reveal that the update is still on its way and will be adding three new characters:

  • Wagui, an eldery butler voiced by Shinobu Matsumoto (VA of Akatsuki in Under Night In Birth: EXe Late[st])
  • A new male character voiced by Kimoto Hoshiko.
  • A new female character voice by Yumimi Hanamori.

Frustratingly, there’s still no update as to when any of this will touch down on platforms outside of the JP arcade version, or information on the two newest additions to the cast. Yatagarasu supporters are still waiting for promised netplay updates, and physical rewards from 2014 reached backers only last year — the hardest game of patience you can play in the FGC right now, it seems, is waiting for Yatagarasu news.

Source: 4gamer.net; ATRyoSakazaki

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SNK’s 40th Anniversary Collection pre-orders are live, packed with classics like Athena, Ikari Warriors, and more

With 2018 marking SNK’s 40th anniversary, the company is releasing a special Anniversary Collection that features a stock of their classic titles.

2018 marks a special year for Japanese video game and hardware company SNK. With this year marking its 40th anniversary, SNK is soon releasing a collection of its classic games, as well as a bundle of other gaming goodies. So far, there are two editions of the collection available for preorder: the Limited Edition can be preordered at the SNK Online Store and NIS America for $64.99, while the Standard Edition is available for preorder on Amazon and Gamestop for $39.99.

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The SNK 40th Anniversary Collection includes a plethora of well-loved games like Psycho Soldier and Ikari Warriors — the origin games of beloved The King of Fighters characters Athena, Clark, and Ralph —  and more, alongside an assortment of other classics for the Nintendo Switch. All games in the collection have likewise been updated to keep up with the times, now available for play in 1080p resolution and featuring modernized control schemes. The collection will also showcase a Museum Mode, bestowing Neo Geo enthusiasts with an assortment of the games’ artwork and promotional assets.

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That’s not all: the collection also comes complete with a “Nostalgic Music Collection” soundtrack, a hardcover art book, and a special collector’s box to store these items. This package is set to release on November 13th of this year, so be sure to preorder while you can! Don’t miss out on this collection of classics, artwork, and music spanning SNK’s gaming history.

Source: SNK Store