E3 has traditionally been an industry event for game developers and publishers among others. For the first time since its inception, E3 will be swinging the doors open to the public with 15,000 tickets being made available to buyers. The first one-thousand tickets sold will run $149 with the rest weighing in at $249 and that will allow access to the full three day event.
Alex Jebailey to Speak at Sports Conference in Tampa Bay on Thursday about Esports
Esports has almost become synonymous with actual sports these days. Every time one turns around, it looks as though there is another sports team or athlete who has invested in an esports team. Rick Fox is already putting a lot of money and effort into esports, Shaquille O’Neal is now a stakeholder in an esports team, and the Philadelphia 76ers now own stakes in both Dignitas and Apex–two large League of Legends teams.
With that kind of interest in expansion into esports, CEO Gaming’s Alex Jebailey took to Twitter today to announce that he will be speaking at a sports conference at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ headquarters with the subject being growth of esports alongside pro team owners. The conference will include several Florida-based teams, including the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays.
Been invited to speak at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers HQ this Thursday about the growth of eSports alongside Pro Sports team owners! No pressure pic.twitter.com/2CPZkt73qF
— Alex Jebailey (@CEOJebailey) February 6, 2017
Could we see some expansion into esports and the FGC from Florida sports teams? Time will tell.
Source: Alex Jebailey (Twitter)
Alex Jebailey to Speak at Sports Conference in Tampa Bay on Thursday about Esports
Esports has almost become synonymous with actual sports these days. Every time one turns around, it looks as though there is another sports team or athlete who has invested in an esports team. Rick Fox is already putting a lot of money and effort into esports, Shaquille O’Neal is now a stakeholder in an esports team, and the Philadelphia 76ers now own stakes in both Dignitas and Apex–two large League of Legends teams.
With that kind of interest in expansion into esports, CEO Gaming’s Alex Jebailey took to Twitter today to announce that he will be speaking at a sports conference at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ headquarters with the subject being growth of esports alongside pro team owners. The conference will include several Florida-based teams, including the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays.
Been invited to speak at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers HQ this Thursday about the growth of eSports alongside Pro Sports team owners! No pressure pic.twitter.com/2CPZkt73qF
— Alex Jebailey (@CEOJebailey) February 6, 2017
Could we see some expansion into esports and the FGC from Florida sports teams? Time will tell.
Source: Alex Jebailey (Twitter)
Learn The History of Competitive Hype with the Hyperpedia of Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Throughout its six-year history, the Marvel vs. Capcom 3 games have been a continual source of hype stories and matches for the fighting game community. The seemingly endless amount of passion and energy that its players pour into the games can feel quite overwhelming at times.
For those who are interested in learning about the history of the game and its community, a fellow by the name of Richter Gorgon has begun a project to create a written record of it on the internet–the Hyperpedia.
The Hyperpedia does its best to go over the history of competitive Marvel vs. Capcom 3, while at the same time giving focus to its luminaries. As part of this, it also pays tribute to both the masters of the game such as Justin Wong, Christopher “NY_ChrisG” Gonzales, and Ryan “Filipino Champ” Ramirez, as well as the “master killers”–those waiting in the wings to rise up and challenge those on top. In addition to this, it also pays homage to the North American fighting game “gurus” Eddie Lee, Alex Valle, and John Choi, who’s styles influence not just these but other players from other games as well.
Beyond this, the Hyperpedia goes over the seven years of the games history in the competitive circuit. This includes the shifts in the games meta, as well as the players and specific moments that helped define it. As part of this, the Hyperpedia includes links to hundreds of important matches that have taken place throughout the games competitive history.
Now the Hyperpedia itself is only about 80% complete, however Gorgon has decided to open it to the public now to help drum up support for Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 at Evo 2017.
Interested readers can check the Hyperpedia out by clicking here.
Source: Hyperpedia via r/MvC3
What Do We Want from the Nintendo Switch? ZeRo Weighs In
The release of the Nintendo Switch is drawing closer, as the commercial during the Super Bowl 51 event reminded us. TSM|ZeRo also made a new video that discusses what he would like to see on the portable and stationary console.
The first thing ZeRo brings up is netplay. Since Nintendo will eventually start charging a fee for using its online services, ZeRo has higher expectations for what playing online should be. Less lag is welcome alongside expanded online functionality and match-making for custom games. A ladder system for more competitive players would also appeal in particular to pros like him.
ZeRo is less eager to see the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U patched, because he’s worried that the game balance will be broken–although understandably, many tournament winners have been nerfed. He also sounds off on a short character wish list, like Phoenix Wright and Solid Snake.
The Nintendo Switch has two fighting games confirmed so far, ARMS, which could be the final Evolution 2017 game, and Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers. What do you want from the Nintendo Switch? Which fighting games are you looking forward to play on it? Sound off in the comments.
Source: TSM|ZeRo
Next Injustice 2 Watchtower Live Stream Scheduled for This Wednesday: February 8th
The hype train just keeps rolling for Injustice 2. NetherRealm Studios has announced that they will be hosting their second Injustice 2 Watchtower Livestream this Wednesday, February 8th, at 3 PM CST on https://www.twitch.tv/netherrealm.
On the last stream, we saw a bit more of the title’s new Gear system, as well as a reveal trailer for Robin. We’ve also since had an announcement and gameplay footage revealed for Black Canary. Could we be seeing even more of the Bird of Prey in action? There is also a new character reveal set for today, so perhaps we’ll see a new fighter’s abilities demonstrated the day after we find out their identity? Boon has also asked fans to submit their questions for the team via Twitter, using the hashtag #AsktheWatchtower.
With many players still looking to get into the Injustice 2 Online Beta–which was just updated with Blue Beetle–perhaps they’ll be giving away some codes as well? One thing’s sure, it’s about to be another action-packed week for Injustice 2 fans, so be sure to tune in.
Next Injustice 2 Watchtower Stream on Wednesday. Submit your questions using #AsktheWatchtowerpic.twitter.com/yqCDSKqSKQ
— Ed Boon (@noobde) February 6, 2017
Source: Ed Boon (Twitter)
Dogura Talks about Frosty Faustings IX, Raven & Sin, and Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2 Location Test
Photo: From the left, Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- Top 8 Finalists: CO|Dogura, BjornSonOfBear, Hotashi, GO1, TSC|FaultyDefense, PG|MarlinPie, MC|GcYoshi13. Not pictured: FF|ElvenShadow.
While attending Frosty Faustings IX, I had an opportunity to not only participate in a few of its tournament games, but also to see high-octane competition from some of the best Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- players in the world. The culmination of the event was a face-off between BjornSonOfBear and CO|Dogura, a pro gamer from Japan who visited the States specifically to compete in Guilty Gear, BlazBlue: Central Fiction, and other games.
Post Grand Finals, I caught up with Dogura to ask him about how he feels about the tournament, his opponent, what Arc System Works may be thinking about their game, and what his plans are for this year.
Special thanks to PG|MarlinPie for translation.
Luke “Woocash” Siuty: You just won Guilty Gear at Frosty Faustings IX, what are your thoughts and feelings on your matches and the Grand Finals?
CO|Dogura: I’m glad that I won the first significant major of the year. About BjornSonOfBear, I’ve fought him at SoCal Regionals 2016. Pretty much the same thing happened as now. I used Raven against Bears, then I lost, and I picked Sin, then won. Same thing happened here. I’m glad. I didn’t really want to play Bears, because I was a little worried. I knew how I wanted to play, and I knew Bears is a problem, so I wasn’t really confident against him, but I’m glad I beat him.
Woocash: How do you feel about the atmosphere at American tournaments vs. Japanese arcade ones?
Dogura: Usually Japanese tournaments end in one day or so. The difference that I feel is the most impactful is the fact that American tournaments do not really let go of the players for a long time. It’s like a whole-day job. You have to play in a different environment, wait for your matches, play consecutively if you enter a lot of tournaments, be aware of them. I need a lot of stamina and energy to attend them, so that’s the one thing that I always think about.
Woocash: Can you explain your thoughts on Raven and Sin in their current state?
Dogura: I think they’re both mid-high tier. Sin’s a little higher than Raven. My usage of those two in tournaments is just whatever I think is a hard match-up for Raven, I go with Sin, as simple as that.
Woocash: You’ve attended the first REV 2 Location Test. What are your thoughts on it, what direction do you feel the game is going?
Dogura: I felt like every character is nerfed. What they’re trying to do is, the game felt overall like something close to Guilty Gear XX Slash. In Slash, everybody was weakened. I feel that ArcSys is trying to maintain balance in the game, trying to make everybody fair. I don’t think all these changes are going through. There are some iffy changes that I’m sure they will fix up, so I feel that the location tests are going to go on, and things will change more.
Woocash: What are your plans for this year and aspirations in regards to Guilty Gear and other games?
Dogura: This year, I’m going to try to attend all the Capcom Pro Tour events for Street Fighter V. I want to attend Capcom Cup, and if I can’t attend that, that’s great. As for Evo 2017, I want to focus on BlazBlue and Guilty Gear, not so much on Street Fighter V. I’ve had this sentimental, regretful moment at the previous BlazBlue tournament at Evo against Galileo. I’m still feeling pretty gruff about that. This time, I want to win it, and I will try my best at Guilty Gear also.
Woocash: Any other final comments or thoughts?
Dogura: I’m encouraging foreign players to interact with me on Twitter or if they have any questions, they can ask in English, and I can use a translator, I’ll try to answer at my best.
Check out this amazing set between BjornSonOfBear and Dogura at the Frosty Faustings IX Grand Finals.
Iron Galaxy Release Footage of TJ Combo, Maya and Tusk’s Ultimates for Killer Instinct
As a welcome start of the week treat, Iron Galaxy decided to release footage of the remaining three Ultimates that are to come in the first Ultimate Master Pack on February 14th. Having previously shown off Jago and Chief Thunder‘s finishers, it’s now the turn of TJ Combo, Maya and Tusk to show their Ultimates off to the world.
First is Maya, who summons her enchanted daggers to carve up her foe, before slamming down on her poor victim’s head with a heel drop from the heavens. Did I forget to mention that her daggers also float just underneath her opponent’s head, ready to skewer them following the overhead kick? Yeah, this is a gnarly one.
Next up is TJ Combo, who powers up for a supercharged flurry of punches. This one is a bit underwhelming I’d have to say, I was expecting some sort of megaton punch to send the losing player flying into next week.
Finally, we have the immortal warrior Tusk and his is truly something. Heating up his sword, Tusk sets the ground on fire with a plunging strike and then charges through the flames to finish his opponent off. The look on his enemy’s face as he pulls his massive sword out of their chest is quite something. Personally, I think Tusk and Jago are tied for the best Ultimate out of this initial set.
The first Ultimate Master Pack is free to all Killer Instinct players when it releases on February 14th. 15 characters are set to get Ultimates so expect two more Master packs to release in the coming months.
Source: Killer Instinct
It’s the Last Day to Vote for the Evo 2017 Player’s Choice Game!
There’s still time to cast your vote for the game you want to see at Evolution 2017.
The contest to determine which of nine games will take Evo 2017’s last spot is almost over! There’s just under 24 hours left to cast your vote by making a donation to Make-a-Wish International on generosity.com; the game that collects the most donation money will get a $10,000 pot bonus and open the Sunday finals at Mandalay Bay’s arena!
It’s been a fierce fight between Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Pokkén Tournament, with those two titles battling over the top two positions–with Killer Instinct a significantly distant third. The remaining six titles are even further behind–but no lead is truly insurmountable, and we may still see a surprise upset over the last day.
Still on the fence about your pick? Check out our now-complete editorial series on the competing titles.
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: The Argument for Pokkén Tournament
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Why Skullgirls 2nd Encore Would Be Amazing on the Main Stage
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Why We Need Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 This Year
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: A Call to ARMS
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Super Street Fighter II Turbo — Why the Classic Must Return
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Back to Rise — Why Killer Instinct Should Be at Evo This Year
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Why Windjammers Is the Perfect Evolution Game
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Leaving Out Mortal Kombat XL Would Be a Fatal Mistake
- Evo 2017 Player’s Choice: Nidhogg — No Glory for the Wyrm?
Daigo Umehara “The Beast Unleashed” Statue Available for Pre-Order
We’ve seen game characters immortalized in statue form. Now, with the rise of fighting games in esports, is it possible that we’ll see a market for fighting game players being immortalized in statue form?
That’s what Kinetiquettes is banking on, as they have now created a Daigo Umehara collectible statue that is available for pre-order. Sized at 3.3″ x 3.3″ x 15″, it shows Daigo in a very natural pose, complete with his HyperX sponsor T-shirt.
If you are interested in this piece of art to add to your Street Fighter collection–perhaps propped up next to your copy of The Will to Keep Winning–it will cost you a pretty penny. But if you have the $162 to spend on this, go grab it now!
Source: Kinetiquettes