Category: News

Northeast Championships 16 was put into quite a predicament following the announcement of Capcom Cup 2015’s scheduling. The huge Street Fighter IV event’s attachment to PlayStation Experience placed it in the very same weekend as the east coast tournament, creating a pretty major conflict in the process. Last we heard, Northeast Championships organizer Eric “Big E” Small was looking into changing his dates to avoid it.

Fortunately, it appears things have worked out for the better. Small is apparently on the verge of announcing updated dates for his event, as well as a brand new venue secured with help from Capcom themselves. “You will LOVE the new place and location,” Small shared in a brief message. “Thanks Matt [Dahlgren], Peter [“Combofiend” Rosas] and the Whole Capcom Crew.”

Small plans to reveal these details on Wednesday, August 26, so stay tuned for more information.

Source: Eric Small

After successfully completing Street Fighter V stress test campaigns in Europe and Asia, Capcom is set to give folks in North and South America the same opportunity this week. The beta will open to players in those regions this Tuesday, August 25, from 4 PM PDT to 12 AM PDT, and continue the following day during the same time period.

Once this final stage of testing is completed, the developers plan to announce the beta’s official return worldwide.

“Please note that although we anticipate these tests to run smoother than before, there may still be issues experienced by some users. All data received during each of the stress tests will help us improve the online experience moving forward, and we appreciate your understanding and support,” Capcom community manager Peter “Combofiend” Rosas explained on Capcom-Unity. “Please make sure to follow @SFVServer on Twitter, as we will be posting updates regarding the online server status there if any issues arise.”

Source: Capcom-Unity

Arc System Works had some big news on today’s Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- pre-release stream. The developers will be holding a vote to determine the next playable character, giving arcade players in Japan a chance to have a direct hand in what character will enter the mayhem next.

The voting process uses an in-game method in the arcade version, which helps to prevent abuse, but on the other hand, that means players outside of Japan will be unable to vote.

Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- hits Japanese arcades tomorrow, August 25.

Source: Arc System Works

The day before Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- launches in Japanese arcades, Arc System Works is set to commemorate the occasion with a special launch event. In addition to the in-house tournament, the developers have also promised to make a “significant” announcement concerning new information.

As this is a Guilty Gear celebration, one can expect the details to possibly concern future updates, but with BlazBlue: Central Fiction’s impending release and Arc System Works’ desire to create a brand new franchise in mind, there’s no telling what we’ll find out.

All of the festivities will be broadcast through Niconico Live beginning on August 24 at 4 AM PDT, 7 AM EDT.

Source: Arc System Works via IPLAYWINNER, translation courtesy of GREATFERNMAN

Talking shit isn’t a new occurrence in the fighting game community. But these days, where arcade chatter has turned into Twitter arguments, anyone can say their piece and be done without being dragged into actually proving themselves in-game. That’s why, when a spat between Razer’s Carl “Perfect Legend” White and Dominique “Sonic Fox” McLean of Critical Reaction turned from words to action, we immediately took notice.

The drama between the Evo champions started when White, in a discussion with another person, downplayed McLean’s recent tournament victories with Kitana as a matter of the character receiving buffs beforehand and the community’s general ignorance of the matchup instead of the young competitor’s inherent skill. As the conversation continued, McLean eventually threw down the gauntlet: first-to-five at Summer Jam 9. White’s Kung Lao against McLean’s Erron Black.

But with barbs flying back and forth, the stakes were quickly raised. Their exhibition would now be a first-to-ten with money on the line. Both accepted. Tournament organizer Eric “Big E” Small signed off. It was on.

“I told him that I am coming for him.”

To get an idea of their mindsets heading into this match, we contacted both White and McLean for some insight on what it means to them personally.

“Well the funny thing is I was just trying to get some matches in,” White explained. “Then he challenged me to the money match and I accepted.”

“I’m very confident I will win. I’ll admit, I haven’t had the fire to win, but it has returned. I don’t know what changed I guess not streaming, playing in tournaments etc for about a month has rekindled it. I’ve missed it. I was very burnt out throughout the year. I think it was from how often I was streaming and playing I didn’t give myself anytime for myself.

“Regardless, I feel really good. As far as what to accomplish? I just want to mash his head in and then do it again and again and again. Then after that I want to beat everyone else to. I just want to beat everyone. I know Sonic Fox is very good but I know I’m better. I told him that I am coming for him.”

McLean did not comment at the time of publishing.

Who will come out on top?

There’s no denying that McLean is on a roll right now in his competitive career. A multi-game master, he most recently took home first place for Mortal Kombat X at Evo 2015. While arguably the best player in the world at this point in time, that title once belonged to White, a two-time Evo champion in Mortal Kombat 9. Will his experience be enough to overcome McLean’s raw skill?

We’re curious what our readers have to say on this matter, so go ahead and take part in the quick poll we’ve included below and let us know your reasoning in the comments.

The image at the top of this article was graciously provided by the fine folks at Tsunami Works. You can find more of their work on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr.

New York City’s Next Level Arcade will be closing early next year according to new details from owner Henry Cen.

“I want to explain myself and apologize to community over the uproar a few days ago,” Cen confided in a recent statement. “Basically, [the] Next Level lease is coming to an end at Feb 29th, 2016 which I’m obligated to stay until then. My disagreement with my business partner was about my concerns for the future of Next Level and because of our differences regarding this issue, we’ve agreed that after the lease is over to go our separate ways. I still want to provide a new home for the community in the future and I hope that everyone can support Next Level in these last months before it’s closure.”

The first signs that trouble was brewing between Cen and co-owner Nick Chan came earlier this week. Team Spooky’s Victor “Spooky” Fontanez, obviously upset by the details, went public during the opening portion of his Next Level Battle Circuit broadcast. “Basically, we have a break down in communications here at the store. I mean, real talk, I’m not gonna promise anything at this point except to say there’s a good chance we will be ending Next Level Battle Circuit very very soon,” Fontanez explained, “possibly by the end of this month.”

As one of the few traditional arcades left in the United States, Next Level is a noteworthy establishment on both the regional and national level. In addition to Battle Circuit, the Brooklyn venue regularly hosts anime tournaments put together by the folks at Team St1ckbug, Smash events, and even gatherings for a number of card games. As such, it’s closing will affect a wide array of individuals both in and outside of the fighting game community.

Hopefully an agreement can be reached between Cen and Chan before February 29 but, with the way things are going, that doesn’t look likely. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

Source: Henry Cen, Team Spooky, featured image courtesy of IPLAYWINNER

New York City’s Next Level Arcade will be closing early next year according to new details from owner Henry Cen.

“I want to explain myself and apologize to community over the uproar a few days ago,” Cen confided in a recent statement. “Basically, [the] Next Level lease is coming to an end at Feb 29th, 2016 which I’m obligated to stay until then. My disagreement with my business partner was about my concerns for the future of Next Level and because of our differences regarding this issue, we’ve agreed that after the lease is over to go our separate ways. I still want to provide a new home for the community in the future and I hope that everyone can support Next Level in these last months before it’s closure.”

The first signs that trouble was brewing between Cen and co-owner Nick Chan came earlier this week. Team Spooky’s Victor “Spooky” Fontanez, obviously upset by the details, went public during the opening portion of his Next Level Battle Circuit broadcast. “Basically, we have a break down in communications here at the store. I mean, real talk, I’m not gonna promise anything at this point except to say there’s a good chance we will be ending Next Level Battle Circuit very very soon,” Fontanez explained, “possibly by the end of this month.”

As one of the few traditional arcades left in the United States, Next Level is a noteworthy establishment on both the regional and national level. In addition to Battle Circuit, the Brooklyn venue regularly hosts anime tournaments put together by the folks at Team St1ckbug, Smash events, and even gatherings for a number of card games. As such, it’s closing will affect a wide array of individuals both in and outside of the fighting game community.

Hopefully an agreement can be reached between Cen and Chan before February 29 but, with the way things are going, that doesn’t look likely. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

Source: Henry Cen, Team Spooky, featured image courtesy of IPLAYWINNER

New York City’s Next Level Arcade will be closing early next year according to new details from owner Henry Cen.

“I want to explain myself and apologize to community over the uproar a few days ago,” Cen confided in a recent statement. “Basically, [the] Next Level lease is coming to an end at Feb 29th, 2016 which I’m obligated to stay until then. My disagreement with my business partner was about my concerns for the future of Next Level and because of our differences regarding this issue, we’ve agreed that after the lease is over to go our separate ways. I still want to provide a new home for the community in the future and I hope that everyone can support Next Level in these last months before it’s closure.”

The first signs that trouble was brewing between Cen and co-owner Nick Chan came earlier this week. Team Spooky’s Victor “Spooky” Fontanez, obviously upset by the details, went public during the opening portion of his Next Level Battle Circuit broadcast. “Basically, we have a break down in communications here at the store. I mean, real talk, I’m not gonna promise anything at this point except to say there’s a good chance we will be ending Next Level Battle Circuit very very soon,” Fontanez explained, “possibly by the end of this month.”

As one of the few traditional arcades left in the United States, Next Level is a noteworthy establishment on both the regional and national level. In addition to Battle Circuit, the Brooklyn venue regularly hosts anime tournaments put together by the folks at Team St1ckbug, Smash events, and even gatherings for a number of card games. As such, it’s closing will affect a wide array of individuals both in and outside of the fighting game community.

Hopefully an agreement can be reached between Cen and Chan before February 29 but, with the way things are going, that doesn’t look likely. Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

Source: Henry Cen, Team Spooky, featured image courtesy of IPLAYWINNER

The fighting game community means different things to different people. For some, it’s been a place they’ve called home for years, a constant in their lives as they’ve grown from children to adults. For others, it’s where they’ve met their closest friends, relationships that have endured over a mutual love of the genre. In times of need, we’ve banded together to help our fellow competitors and even bring arcades back from the dead. Sure, it’s not perfect (what is, really?), but there’s no denying the impact the fighting game community has made on countless lives.

Jayson and Bonnie Boyce, however, have something very different to thank their local scene for: funding their wedding.

After meeting in 2010 and gradually growing closer during trips to events like Evo 2011, Jayson and Bonnie tied the knot earlier this year in San Antonio, Texas. Weddings can be monstrously expensive, but the couple were supported by the generosity of their fighting game scene, including Ultra Arcade owners Brandon Alexander and David Ruben, who started the crowdfunding campaign and held a tournament at their establishment to raise additional funds.

But the outpouring of love didn’t stop there. Roger Howard, who currently acts as the area’s main streamer, choreographed their first dance. Local tournament organizer John Dilworth served drinks as the event’s bartender. Edmund Ray Dantes and Frank Nguyen offered their services as photographers. Anthony “Nori” Acosta was able to hook them up with his family’s catering service. As you would expect, each and every one of these acts of kindness took another load of their backs financially and contributed to making the event as smooth as possible.

“[San Antonio’s fighting game community] has been such a big support for the both of us,” Bonnie said during our conversations. “Our wedding is not only a tribute to us, but mainly to show the actual love in the community has held us together and supported us in so many ways.”

We here at Shoryuken would like to offer our congratulations to the newlyweds and wish them all the happiness in the world as they continue their lives together.

Following a bit of teasing on social media, DreamHack has revealed that they will be adding Super Smash Bros. Melee to two of their upcoming events. Both DreamHack London 2015 and DreamHack Winter 2015 will feature competition in the ageless title, boasting $20,000 and $30,000 in prizes respectively.

“We’re excited to finally start supporting Super Smash Bros. Melee and help build the European community with bringing tournaments to our events,” DreamHack’s head of eSports Christian Lord said in the official announcement.

As of now, DreamHack can confirm attendance by Evo 2015 champion Adam “Armada” Lindgren of Alliance, Aaron “Professor Pro” Thomas, and Mustafa “Ice” Akcakaya in their London event next month. They will be extending invitations to the top two players, providing travel and accommodations to DreamHack Winter in November.

Due to a scheduling conflict with HTC Throwdown, a fellow Smash event in San Francisco, California, DreamHack is prepared to provide the same support to their finalists, giving another pair of players the opportunity to compete in Sweden later this year.

DreamHack London is scheduled for September 19-20 in London, England, and DreamHack Winter will follow November 26-29 in Jönköping, Sweden. Additional details concerning spectator passes and competitor registration can be found here.

Source: DreamHack via theScore eSports