Category: News

One of the most important parts of a fighting game–or any video game really–is the voice acting, as a good voice can make or break a moment. Bad voice lines usually go down in infamy and are enjoyed ironically, but for those fighting games where players will hear the same voice lines over and over again while in Training Mode or online, we want our characters to sound good. There really is no comparison to having the perfect voice actor shout “Shoryuken” or “Get Over Here” just right. The sheer number of voice lines that need to be recorded, between attacks, getting hit, super move dialogue, victory quotes, loss voices, and various grunts we hear every match–never mind when games have fully voice acted story modes–mean that we should care about our voice actors a lot.

As you may or may not have heard, there has been some major movement going on in the voice acting community. SAG-AFTRA–a union representing voice actors, as well as many other professionals in the entertainment industry–has been trying to get the companies they work with to create a better environment for voice actors for nearly two years, since February of 2015. The main demands of working voice actors are for safer work conditions, with limits on vocally stressful sessions being requested as well as stunt safety coordinators to be required on set. These voice actors work on a lot more than just video games, but since fighting games specifically require voice actors to scream in agony for hours, especially for gory fighters like Mortal Kombat, you can imagine the strain on the voice after a long session. Other requests from the union include increased secondary pay upon a game reaching 2 million units sold, and every other 2 million up to a max of 8 million. To put this request in pay increase into perspective, Mortal Kombat X sold 5 million units as of October last year.

If this doesn’t quite seem like that big an issue, just click here what voice talent Steve Blum had to say on the matter. Steve Blum, one of the most recognizable voices in the business, also voices Sub-Zero, Reptile, and Bo’ Rai Cho in Mortal Kombat X. Voice actors having serious injuries after stressful vocal sessions, like the ones common in fighting games, is a serious issue that gets relatively little attention. Click here for further perspective into this by voice talent Wil Wheaton.

Negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and publishers have yet to reach clear compromise. The union received a 96.55% vote from their members to authorize them to enact a strike which, after one final negotiation last week, was put into effect with a strike that went into effect October 21st.

As far as fighting games are concerned, Warner Bros. is one of the companies that SAG-AFTRA is set against, which could have huge implications for the next titles that they are putting out. These titles include Injustice 2, as well as any Mortal Kombat content that may potentially be down the line. That includes new characters–and Ed Boon has been hinting at a third Kombat Pack in recent times. This strike could also have had a part in the decision of Aksys to remove English voice acting from BlazBlue Central Fiction. In addition to this, better conditions for voice actors in stressful vocal sessions could directly improve the quality of content we have in every fighting game, not just Mortal Kombat.

Sources: SAG-AFTRA; gameactorsforall; Ξ; Wil Wheaton

Super Street Fighter Carnival 2016, the two month long tournament series held by Mikado Arcade, is not shy about throwing curve balls at its competitors. While Samurai Shodown and Gundam Versus titles would be surprises at most tournaments, players at Mikado Arcade are ready for almost anything.

Mobile Suit Gundam EX Revue would be an outlier out at any other event. But here, in Takadanobaba, it feels right at home. The 1993 franchise-based fighter is actually a much improved sequel with better gameplay and graphics, though it doesn’t stray far from Street Fighter 2’s formula. The game has links, footsies, and punishing damage.

Here’s the curve ball, though. A few days later, players face a tournament game that also owes a lot to Street Fighter, but for different reasons.

Most players are probably not immediately familiar with Chinese video game developer Sealy. It’s okay if you haven’t heard of their fighting game CHAOS GENERATION.  After only a round of game play, though, you should realize that you have seen this game before.

That’s right- one of Mikado’s SSFC2016 events is an actual Street Fighter IV bootleg.

The game’s animations and movements are mostly from SF4, with some random other 2.5D fighters (Tekken, Mortal Kombat) also cannibalized to fill out its move-lists. It’s a surreal experience to watch, and I can imagine it feels as baffling to play.

You can follow the action by subscribing to Mikado’s official YouTube channel. For the night owls in the US, you can even try to catch them when they livestream.

Source: Mikado

While the Western fans of BlazBlue: Central Fiction have to wait until November 1st to play the second DLC character, Mai Natsume, the brave spear-wielder is already available on PlayStation Network in Asia. The first impressions of her seem to be very positive, as these clips below show off some powerful combos and tech.

Here’s a quick round-up to get acquainted with what Mai can do:

画面端カウンターでノーゲージ5000弱

このキャラ、いいね… pic.twitter.com/gFLsMat2Hi

— まちゃぼー(Machabo-) (@mcb_0726) October 27, 2016

Machabo tweeted a series of damaging Mai combos from a fatal counter. He’s saying the character is good.

補正表がほしい #PS4sharehttps://t.co/DUe1Q4WSgT pic.twitter.com/JItvGXsXB7

— ぷれぷれPurepure/Esは陥没乳首 (@77_pretzel) October 27, 2016

 A more damaging combo that requires Overdrive and 100 Heat.

無敵1Fからじゃないって話がどっかにあったんだけど
隙間2Fのラグナの2A2Cは抜けられるんだよな。
2Fから…？ pic.twitter.com/PqqUg9XI8Q

— 鉄雄 (@K9999_tetuo) October 27, 2016

Mai’s backflip is not supposed to be invincible from frame one, but it could possibly be from frame two.

Safejump route in corner. Catches rolls too. #PS4share pic.twitter.com/pT4YAJZpeV

— HUNTERSTEVEN (@Huntersteven193) October 28, 2016

An example of a corner combo, which allows Mai to do safejump pressure.

Off the overhead now, in case you cant tell, I like this route lol #BBCF_MA #PS4share pic.twitter.com/xNqEErgMFo

— Gimme Baiken | LTL (@LTL_YVR) October 27, 2016

A mid-screen combo from an overhead that gets to 4000 damage with a Distortion Drive.

This short combo video by Sugi showcases a lot of practical confirms, including examples from throws and air attacks.

For more information on the new character, keep tabs on this Mai Natsume Google Doc from the community. There’s also a BlazBlue Character Discord list which includes Mai.

Sources: @mcb_0726; @77_pretzel; @K9999_tetuo; @Huntersteven193; @LTL_YVR; Jourdal

A wild Pokémon is set to appear on 11/1/16! Hot off the heels of the previous Scizor announcement earlier this month, The Official Pokkén Twitter has wasted no time in trotting out more character teases.

アーケード版「ポッ拳」に、新たなバトルポケモンが参戦することが決定！
11月1日20時からのニコニコ生放送で大発表！お楽しみに！#ポッ拳https://t.co/UxRljq3YL9 pic.twitter.com/MSM4zyNMTC

— ポッ拳 公式アカウント (@pokken_official) October 28, 2016

Though we’ve long suspected this was coming based off the previous leaks, the sudden tweet is a bit of a surprise when you consider it took 4 months to announce Scizor after the Darkrai reveal. If November’s reveal matches the leaks, this could very well be the final character reveal for Pokkén. Considering the Switch’s recent push, there’s likely a marketing reason for ramping up Pokkén announcements. Without any sort of port or sequel announcement, though, we are still left to speculate the console fate of Darkrai, Scizor, and whatever ‘mon that pops out of the pokéball on the 1st.

Source: Pokkén Official