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Killer Instinct Ranked Netplay Will Require Passing a Performance Test on PC

While gaming consoles maintain parity between users, bringing a title to PC adds an infinite number of details to the development process. This is especially magnified when it comes to fighting games, where even the slightest dip in performance can mean the difference between winning or losing a close match.

With Killer Instinct just a day from arriving on PC, combat designer Adam “Keits” Heart recently dropped some new information on how ranked play will handle this issue for those worried about online competition. Apparently, jumping into ranked mode will require passing a performance test. If a player’s rig isn’t capable of maintaining 60 frames-per-second, they’ll be forced to make due with casual play in an effort to keep ranked as stable as possible.

Fighting games are typically less user-friendly than other genres, but the Killer Instinct developers have consistently updated their product to mitigate some of this stress. Previous additions include an improved heads-up display that provides more information on various aspects of gameplay and a combo assist mode with a simplified control scheme.

Killer Instinct Season 3 launches for Xbox One and Windows 10 tomorrow, March 29.

Source: Keits

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ESPN Highlights the Many Faces of Marn at NorCal Regionals 2016

Top tournament performers fuel themselves with things like fuzzy jump option selects, pristine movement, and intricate matchup knowledge, but these aren’t the only pieces that combine to construct a successful competitor. As Martin “Marn” Phan demonstrated over the weekend at NorCal Regionals, sometimes knowing how to play the metagame to psych out opponents is just as important as anything happening on-screen.

Marn’s methods for inflicting a sort of mental guard break state on his opponents were abundant at the recent event: getting the crowd involved through shirt removal feints, mimicking Rainbow Mika’s Critical Art animation, kissing his biceps, issuing mid-match call-outs, faking handshakes…the list goes on. Not only did such strategies help Marn’s forward movement through the famed Death Pool and on to the top 8, they also made the event that much more enjoyable to watch.

In this case, Marn provided enough extra entertainment to draw the eye of ESPN, who compiled a quick collection of his best moments from NorCal Regionals outside of the game itself. Give it a watch below.

For full results from NorCal Regionals, head over to our coverage hub.

Source: ESPN, tip via Menno

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Core-A Gaming Explores the Survival of Individual Fighting Games

The spotlight of competitive gaing is only big enough to shine on so many titles. Certainly, outlets like Twitch allow for players to spread their love for their game of choice to a larger audience, but is that enough to help create a respectable player base for the title in question?

In a new video, Core-A Gaming takes a look at this topic, discussing what it takes for a game to develop and maintain a meaningful following. To do this, they (appropriately) focus on the Super Smash Bros. scene–Melee and Wii U versions in particular–and how the Melee crowd supporting themselves through grassroots tournaments for a number of years before Nintendo finally decided to get involved could play a part in the divide within the Smash community. Of course, Nintendo’s aim at appealing to a larger market through simplification plays its part as well.

This leads to a discussion on how Capcom’s involvement with their own scene through things like the Capcom Pro Tour have helped to (mostly) unify their player base. Of course, there’s a lot to be said on a topic as broad as this, so be sure to give the video a watch.

Source: Core-A Gaming with a tip from Ricky