On the surface, casual and fighting games go together like..like humans in a mine field...maybe I just went a little to far with the metaphor, but these days I feel like the majority mind set when it comes to fighting games and "hardcore" games like it just fits. I feel like the word casual in reference to gaming has been getting a very bad rep on both sides of the coin and this rings especially true when it comes to fighting games. Unfortunately, the future may be a train wreck in the making if developers don't walk this line very carefully and really analyze what casual truly means to the world of fighting games.
Find your latest gaming killer app and you'll quickly understand why the word casual has been unfairly thrown out of context. In its minimalist form, when it comes to gaming at least, causal is the literal meaning of picking up a game and playing it. True, the word casual is often presented in the learning curve of the games you play but like games so love to do, they gradually become a little more rockier the more you tread upon the landscape.
The addiction that manifests itself the minute a game grabs a hold of you can singularly be lead to one culprit, difficulty. It is the hang up, that initial moment where it becomes an obsession that you have to complete but you may not have time to. Often times it can become a bit competitive "He has a high score, I must break it..and in breaking it I break him *maniacal stare*." Okay so its not that serious but this is what casual becomes when you enter the land of gaming...I know I'm not alone here..don't you judge me.
It's why today's gaming has become something that millions of people all over the world do when they get a little free time. I feel like the over aged high school kid that should have already graduated hanging out at the locker when classes are done. I've been there ; I know the feels, it's wonderful,it sucks monkey balls, yeah yeah. Being there allows you a point of view that some don't quite understand yet and I feel like my view of casual in the game world is pretty 20-20.
Casual and fighting games are very much old friends but in a time of online match making and streaming competitive bliss, they may look like mortal enemies...mortal enemies who friend hug each other and laugh at the ones who just don't get it. The line can't so easily be drawn because this line is based on the human interaction that the individual takes on when they first pick up the controller and start to play.
The path of the player is a very individualistic journey and should not be confined to just a set group's idealistic tendencies. Because you can't bend the game to your "I want to pick it up fast" attitude the idea of this being a casual experience eludes you. If you tell me there is no fun to be had in a challenge, I'm afraid I'm going to chuckle in your direction...maybe even lol because I've never known of any game that didn't have some kind of challenge.
I can often times share the sentiment of how difficult it can be to enjoy something that is so entrenched in a very competitive mindset but I assure you ; you're going to find this in any game that has high scores, time completion, and a myriad of other set goals that have made its way to gaming since the dawn of its inception.
Despite the mountain you may have to climb, you are well in your RIGHT to take as much time as you need to enjoy the challenge set before you. If you don't feel the need to know how much frame data Ryu's crouching MK has, then that is OK...just don't get too pissed off if the other person you're playing against knows how to punish you for using it.
*deep breath* So, with all that being said, please take a second and think about it before you say "This game isn't really considerate to the casual gamer." or "This game should be created to invite more casual players.". By thinking in this way, you are giving the word casual a bad name.(and putting more pressure on the developers at that) One that it does not deserve ESPECIALLY when it comes to games in general.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Practice?!!
To quote one of the greatest known basketball players of my generation "We are talking about practice, not the game". What does "practice" really mean when it comes to fighting games. When something rooted deeply in the arcade culture was, in a sense, impossible to do because there was no such thing as a training room, why is practice such a practical way to play fighting games in this current generation of online lobbies and major tournament competitions.
While I've talked about mastering your character and glossed over the amount of dedication it takes to learn a fighting game, I've been thinking lately about the training room and my dependency on its use. Recently I competed in a weekly Vampire Savior tournament on GGPO in which I clumsily fuddled with my character losing the match and feeling a bit of embarrassment which may have had a little to do with the live stream that was unexpectedly viewing my match at the time.
Once I was completely knocked out of the tournament, another competitor invited me to play a few rounds looking to give me a few tips, though, I got the impression that he felt I was new to the whole fighting game thing and not the actual game itself. It had been a very long time since I played Vampire Savior and to be honest I really didn't get into it much mostly due to the fact there was only a computer to play with.
After that day, I had every intention of doing a little bit of grinding by learning about the game mechanics, special moves, and figuring out the combo system. Sad to say this was cut short once I realized there was no training room available. I mean..I don't know what I would do without my dummy. When you're trying to figure out how certain moves work in the game, having an opponent that doesn't hit back helps with meeting that agenda. Take the dummy out of the equation and its going to take a little more time to figure out what I can and can't do.
The training room has become a significant staple to any one wanting to improve and get better but not everyone stands by it. Dieminion, a well known Street Fighter IV player, as he so boastfully stated, does not use the training room. No doubt rooted in his love for arcades, he wants to stay true to that player mind set. I often wonder if that is the way to go as it takes more than just learning combos to get better but I've gotten so used to having the training room that changing now feels impossible.
The idea of practicing in a game seems a bit far fetched in a lot of ways because..its a game. Never, until fighting games, was there ever a need for a training room and its some what confusing when I honestly sit and think about it. Even in many cases where games have a competitive following there is no training room. You play the game, you learn the strategies, and you get better. Is a fighting game really that hard?! Does it require that much dedication that you need to have something in place to practice?! For myself, absolutely.
But what is that saying about me that I can lose interest in a fighting game due to the absence of a training room ; that I can't find enjoyment in learning everything on the fly despite the incredible amount of time it may take to figure it all out and start belting out those stylish combos that I love so. Mind you I don't live by the training room often times just using it as a way to warm up and learn more about my character. The more I've discovered and furthered the growth of my character, the more I've come to the realization that the training room can some what be a game in itself with discovery being the fun part and creating big damage being the challenge.
In no way do I find juicebox's (pro fighting game player) "30 times" training method appealing. That may be necessary by competitive standards but I find it a bit overkill. We are talking about a game something that is supposed to be enjoyable and yet a significant amount of my gaming when it comes to fighting games stays in the practice room. I often times wonder if I could get better without a training room but at this point it feels like letting go of it is the same as wearing a blind fold...with my hands tied behind my back..so..yeah letting go isn't an easy thing.
While I've talked about mastering your character and glossed over the amount of dedication it takes to learn a fighting game, I've been thinking lately about the training room and my dependency on its use. Recently I competed in a weekly Vampire Savior tournament on GGPO in which I clumsily fuddled with my character losing the match and feeling a bit of embarrassment which may have had a little to do with the live stream that was unexpectedly viewing my match at the time.
Once I was completely knocked out of the tournament, another competitor invited me to play a few rounds looking to give me a few tips, though, I got the impression that he felt I was new to the whole fighting game thing and not the actual game itself. It had been a very long time since I played Vampire Savior and to be honest I really didn't get into it much mostly due to the fact there was only a computer to play with.
After that day, I had every intention of doing a little bit of grinding by learning about the game mechanics, special moves, and figuring out the combo system. Sad to say this was cut short once I realized there was no training room available. I mean..I don't know what I would do without my dummy. When you're trying to figure out how certain moves work in the game, having an opponent that doesn't hit back helps with meeting that agenda. Take the dummy out of the equation and its going to take a little more time to figure out what I can and can't do.
The training room has become a significant staple to any one wanting to improve and get better but not everyone stands by it. Dieminion, a well known Street Fighter IV player, as he so boastfully stated, does not use the training room. No doubt rooted in his love for arcades, he wants to stay true to that player mind set. I often wonder if that is the way to go as it takes more than just learning combos to get better but I've gotten so used to having the training room that changing now feels impossible.
The idea of practicing in a game seems a bit far fetched in a lot of ways because..its a game. Never, until fighting games, was there ever a need for a training room and its some what confusing when I honestly sit and think about it. Even in many cases where games have a competitive following there is no training room. You play the game, you learn the strategies, and you get better. Is a fighting game really that hard?! Does it require that much dedication that you need to have something in place to practice?! For myself, absolutely.
But what is that saying about me that I can lose interest in a fighting game due to the absence of a training room ; that I can't find enjoyment in learning everything on the fly despite the incredible amount of time it may take to figure it all out and start belting out those stylish combos that I love so. Mind you I don't live by the training room often times just using it as a way to warm up and learn more about my character. The more I've discovered and furthered the growth of my character, the more I've come to the realization that the training room can some what be a game in itself with discovery being the fun part and creating big damage being the challenge.
In no way do I find juicebox's (pro fighting game player) "30 times" training method appealing. That may be necessary by competitive standards but I find it a bit overkill. We are talking about a game something that is supposed to be enjoyable and yet a significant amount of my gaming when it comes to fighting games stays in the practice room. I often times wonder if I could get better without a training room but at this point it feels like letting go of it is the same as wearing a blind fold...with my hands tied behind my back..so..yeah letting go isn't an easy thing.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Get Ready For The Next Battle: Fighting Games In The Next Gen Landscape
If you told me the return of Killer Instinct would usher in a new era of fighting games, I would have called you a liar whose only goal was to spread rumors aimed at raising the hopes of past fans. While the return of Killer Instinct was a great surprise and has generated a great deal of interest in its strong reboot, I couldn't help but feel a little bit disappointed.
With the next generation of consoles, there is always that hope for something fresh but when it comes to fighting games fresh isn't quite what you find and its a bit debilitating..who am I kidding ; I love seeing reboots and the current gen had this in spades. Once multi-player online came into the mix, I was pretty much sold on the return of everything no doubt excited at the opportunity to have real human competition.
Although I'm far from done with the library of fighting games titles available on the current gen system, one can't help but be mesmerized about the future and what amazing things it MAY have to offer. If there is any indication about what to expect, you should only look to the recently released Killer Instinct and the eagerly awaited return of Guilty Gear with their Next-Gen offering titled Xrd.
More reboots!!! Sounds so exciting right..right. It's a conflicting feeling to appreciate the nostalgic appeal of a returning franchise especially when it makes its' way to a next gen console. I for one don't want my favorites to fade but I do want to see some new ideas being thrown into the mix.
So many of us have this pick a fighter and cuddle with it till the end of time mentality and its well founded due to the level of commitment to consider yourself a master. For the most part, developers have been some what understanding of this only making a few changes and additions with each new offering.
Often times, I would love to see a cut the umbilical cord approach from developers taking everything we held dear about our favorite fighting game characters and giving them a severe make over similar to what KOF has done with some of their main characters. Call me a sadist but I'd love to see an overhaul approach taken cries of character tampering be dammed.
If this is the destiny of fighting games, a few new titles per generation with reboots, I say we need a drastic change. This is just another opportunity for Capcom to the lead the charge. My hope for the future of fighting games may seem a bit far out but their based on good intentions..and maybe hopes of creating an even playing field ;D.
With the next generation of consoles, there is always that hope for something fresh but when it comes to fighting games fresh isn't quite what you find and its a bit debilitating..who am I kidding ; I love seeing reboots and the current gen had this in spades. Once multi-player online came into the mix, I was pretty much sold on the return of everything no doubt excited at the opportunity to have real human competition.
Although I'm far from done with the library of fighting games titles available on the current gen system, one can't help but be mesmerized about the future and what amazing things it MAY have to offer. If there is any indication about what to expect, you should only look to the recently released Killer Instinct and the eagerly awaited return of Guilty Gear with their Next-Gen offering titled Xrd.
More reboots!!! Sounds so exciting right..right. It's a conflicting feeling to appreciate the nostalgic appeal of a returning franchise especially when it makes its' way to a next gen console. I for one don't want my favorites to fade but I do want to see some new ideas being thrown into the mix.
So many of us have this pick a fighter and cuddle with it till the end of time mentality and its well founded due to the level of commitment to consider yourself a master. For the most part, developers have been some what understanding of this only making a few changes and additions with each new offering.
Often times, I would love to see a cut the umbilical cord approach from developers taking everything we held dear about our favorite fighting game characters and giving them a severe make over similar to what KOF has done with some of their main characters. Call me a sadist but I'd love to see an overhaul approach taken cries of character tampering be dammed.
If this is the destiny of fighting games, a few new titles per generation with reboots, I say we need a drastic change. This is just another opportunity for Capcom to the lead the charge. My hope for the future of fighting games may seem a bit far out but their based on good intentions..and maybe hopes of creating an even playing field ;D.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Competitive by Design.
For a greater part of my life I considered video games to be just that, video games. Video games were always fun to play, very challenging, and visually awesome. I never thought to take video games serious or to devote a given amount of time to them. I played them as long as I felt content to and once I had my fill I moved on to the next thing that peaked my interest. I never thought of video games to be anything more than that until one day a little title named Street Fighter II landed its gaze upon my then competitive video game virgin eyes. Little did I know that it would be games like this that would change my outlook on what I felt video games should be.
Fast forward a couple years into my adult hood and I'm in awe at the fact that I'm unable to lay a finger on my friend Sho. At this period in his life he had been leveling up in Tekken with other friends and his knowledge of the game was so superior to my own that all I could do was just be amazed at the fact he had gained this ability by continuously playing. Over the years, my friend dominated our little circle with him beating us to the point that we no longer had the want to play anymore. To this day another friend of mines admits his disdain for fighting games as a result of playing with our very competitive pal. I'd like to believe to Sho playing fighting games was the most enjoyable video game challenge anyone could have and I think in his own way he encouraged us to continue to keep playing(taking beatings) so that we could see this also.
Years past, we all got older, and our focuses changed. We no longer had the time to gather together and play and my friend no longer had the ambition to play fighting games like he once did. For any of you familiar with my story, you know online playability has been the sole reason that my fighting game spirit has become reinvigorated, but I haven't really spoken much about some of the negatives I've experienced since I've become more involved.
These days it seems like its all about the competitive nature of the game. Its about having the complete knowledge of your character due to the vast amount of information that is at your fingertips because of the internet, making it out to local events for your community to keep your favorite fighting game alive, and most importantly not being a scrub(noobs are ok). Often times, I feel jaded by the super ego thought process of certain individuals whose skill level towers my own. Online I am bombarded by off handed comments, over criticized about what I'm not doing, and ultimately disowned by individuals who feel I'm a waste of time to play with. This is far from the fun challenge I expected to be apart of and not as enjoyable as I would have hoped it to become.
None the less, I'm still a little bit hopeful that I may be able to one day make top 8 at a major tournament but in all honesty my level of commitment is far from what is needed to get there. Despite the harsh realities of the competitive nature of games these days, many of the younger generation seem to stand by it. I personally still want to enjoy the game for what it is despite the competitive nature of the game. The thoughts that I've expressed was brought on by a new DOA5 trailer entitled "I'm a Fighter" a call to arms for those players out there who have taken up the banner for competitive gaming. It is intriguing to say the least knowing that times have changed a great deal from those days of just playing a few pick up games with friends. There is a whole new playing field and it is centering around the competitive spirit of what I used to just call a video game.
Fast forward a couple years into my adult hood and I'm in awe at the fact that I'm unable to lay a finger on my friend Sho. At this period in his life he had been leveling up in Tekken with other friends and his knowledge of the game was so superior to my own that all I could do was just be amazed at the fact he had gained this ability by continuously playing. Over the years, my friend dominated our little circle with him beating us to the point that we no longer had the want to play anymore. To this day another friend of mines admits his disdain for fighting games as a result of playing with our very competitive pal. I'd like to believe to Sho playing fighting games was the most enjoyable video game challenge anyone could have and I think in his own way he encouraged us to continue to keep playing(taking beatings) so that we could see this also.
Years past, we all got older, and our focuses changed. We no longer had the time to gather together and play and my friend no longer had the ambition to play fighting games like he once did. For any of you familiar with my story, you know online playability has been the sole reason that my fighting game spirit has become reinvigorated, but I haven't really spoken much about some of the negatives I've experienced since I've become more involved.
These days it seems like its all about the competitive nature of the game. Its about having the complete knowledge of your character due to the vast amount of information that is at your fingertips because of the internet, making it out to local events for your community to keep your favorite fighting game alive, and most importantly not being a scrub(noobs are ok). Often times, I feel jaded by the super ego thought process of certain individuals whose skill level towers my own. Online I am bombarded by off handed comments, over criticized about what I'm not doing, and ultimately disowned by individuals who feel I'm a waste of time to play with. This is far from the fun challenge I expected to be apart of and not as enjoyable as I would have hoped it to become.
None the less, I'm still a little bit hopeful that I may be able to one day make top 8 at a major tournament but in all honesty my level of commitment is far from what is needed to get there. Despite the harsh realities of the competitive nature of games these days, many of the younger generation seem to stand by it. I personally still want to enjoy the game for what it is despite the competitive nature of the game. The thoughts that I've expressed was brought on by a new DOA5 trailer entitled "I'm a Fighter" a call to arms for those players out there who have taken up the banner for competitive gaming. It is intriguing to say the least knowing that times have changed a great deal from those days of just playing a few pick up games with friends. There is a whole new playing field and it is centering around the competitive spirit of what I used to just call a video game.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Bigger,Better,Community
Starting a website dedicated to info about fighting games online definitely has to be one of the best ideas I've ever conceived in my tiny little brain. Ever since the sites inception, a whole new world of streams, fighting game tournaments, and most importantly fighting games have encouraged me to be a apart of this community known popularly today as the FGC.
I had a positive out look in the beginning and I'm very happy to see folks coming to the site not just from here in the states but from all over the world....all over the world who could ever think that would be possible..anyway its realizations like these and other things that has encouraged me to take the next step.
For a long time, I have been using squidoo a great site that allows you to create blog like formats for any interests you may think other individuals may take an interest in. Its been a wonderful place and it has allowed me to add a great deal of content. It has been a great place from me to flesh all of my ideas out and has even been a catalyst for things I honestly never thought to add to the site.
As of now, I think its time for more and in the coming months I will be taking all the knowledge that I've attained about Fighting Games Online and moving it to a brand new website. fightinggamesonline.info will be the new location and it was quite fitting that I was able to acquire this domain it will fit perfectly to what I have been already providing to the original site on squidoo.
Taken this step is going to give me a bigger format. I'm going to have a lot more playground so to speak so that means a lot more information. No longer will it just be held to one page. With the new site you will be able to navigate a lot more freely and even more information will be available than before for each section and each game I add.
I plan to do a better job of giving you more content. Youtube is such a great resource and its definitely been a huge help in regards to adding video content. I plan to use Youtube further but I will be providing more of my own video content which I think you will find highly informative and very helpful in getting you setup to play and enjoy fighting games online.
Last but not least and most importantly I want to create a forum. I do this in hopes that a community will surface so that many of you have a way of finding more people that are interested in the fighting games that you enjoy. So many possibilities come to mind when I think about community, match making and trouble shooting are just two examples I believe will be the most beneficial. My hope is that we can raise more awareness for some of the games that are classics and still wonderful to play. Even though new games continue to come in all the time their are still so many lost gems that could use a few dedicated players.
My vision for this new place is grandiose to say the least. I'm hoping that many of you coming to this barren wasteland of a blog will join me when I finally unveil this site unto the masses. For now you can still check out the original site and get excited about the possibilities for what I have planned on for the new one. I promise not to disappoint. Even if it may seem some what of a tall order, I'm passionate about this project and I want to put my best foot forward I hope that you will see that once it is all said and done.
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Art of Mastering Your Character.
Bruce Lee's style of fighting known as Jeet Kune Do seems to share many of the same traits when it comes to fighting games. One of the biggest things that Bruce Lee wanted to impart on his practitioners was the freedom from clinging to styles, patterns, or molds. In the same way fighting games allow for this type of idealism but in a time where access to combo videos and frame data information are available at the click of a button, its easy to loose sight of what makes the mastery of learning your fighting game character more then just being able to execute a 50 hit bread and butter combo.
The biggest complaint that many skilled fighting game players argue about the new generation is the simple lack of fundamentals that it takes to win in a match. I myself believed at one time that the only thing that mattered was how well my execution was with my character but as I've continued to stay engrossed within the fighting game community, I now know that it takes more then just that. The term footsies have become synonymous with high level fighting game competition and for a while it eluded my understanding until I came across a site that gave an incredible amount of information on the meaning.( http://sonichurricane.com/?page_id=1702">sonic hurricanes footies handbook)
Once I came across this idealism for how fighting games should be played, I finally understood that it was more then just attacking your opponent you had to out think them. This idealism is very much in opposition to Bruce Lee's beliefs as he argues that you need to feel and forget about thinking. I don't disagree with what Bruce Lee encourages but I still tend to think you must learn before you can feel.
If you ever played through a video game several times to completion then you know what the feeling of mastery is. Its that point when you are no longer thinking you just know, you just do. Mastering a fighting game character is far beyond the scope of your ordinary video game. Like Bruce Lee to acquire the ability to "feel" you must train continuously to develop your skills it is only then that you can reach a point of reacting to your opponents movements and adapting to their style of play.
The freedom comes in your ability to walk your own path with the character of choice. Whether you can reach a higher ability by taking Bruce's philosophy towards fighting games is definitely something of constant analysis as I continue to learn and play the game. Only time will tell if I'll truly be able to feel and no longer think.
The biggest complaint that many skilled fighting game players argue about the new generation is the simple lack of fundamentals that it takes to win in a match. I myself believed at one time that the only thing that mattered was how well my execution was with my character but as I've continued to stay engrossed within the fighting game community, I now know that it takes more then just that. The term footsies have become synonymous with high level fighting game competition and for a while it eluded my understanding until I came across a site that gave an incredible amount of information on the meaning.( http://sonichurricane.com/?page_id=1702">sonic hurricanes footies handbook)
Once I came across this idealism for how fighting games should be played, I finally understood that it was more then just attacking your opponent you had to out think them. This idealism is very much in opposition to Bruce Lee's beliefs as he argues that you need to feel and forget about thinking. I don't disagree with what Bruce Lee encourages but I still tend to think you must learn before you can feel.
If you ever played through a video game several times to completion then you know what the feeling of mastery is. Its that point when you are no longer thinking you just know, you just do. Mastering a fighting game character is far beyond the scope of your ordinary video game. Like Bruce Lee to acquire the ability to "feel" you must train continuously to develop your skills it is only then that you can reach a point of reacting to your opponents movements and adapting to their style of play.
The freedom comes in your ability to walk your own path with the character of choice. Whether you can reach a higher ability by taking Bruce's philosophy towards fighting games is definitely something of constant analysis as I continue to learn and play the game. Only time will tell if I'll truly be able to feel and no longer think.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Pleasure Overload!! Pleasure Overload?!
First off Happy New Year to any one who may come across this post. If your a fan of fighting games, you have to admit that 2011 was one of the best years ever. So many reboots to titles that many of us never thought we'd see. Dreams were finally realized and hopes were fulfilled in Hurricane punches and berserker claw madness. It wasn't so long ago when Street Fighter reemerged with a new title and was received with open arms. It was around that time I embraced the ability to play online and many like myself were all but mystified that they now had an opportunity to go up against human players anytime they felt ready.
Why this phenomenon didn't catch on sooner I'll never understand. Its not like these things were not available on the previous consoles. I guess there is just something about a next-gen system and a reboot that just reinvigorates the masses and invites them to come back and play again. While some of us relive old times, others are introduced to this genre that is bringing a new way to play for a new generation. I can say without a doubt we have now reached the apex of fighting game uphoria but there is something a bit unsettling about this feeling.
Within a year we saw two different versions of the same game, two different franchises reemerged from the proverbial ash, and two games fought to stay fresh in the minds of gamers. After all, this is a genre that has gone stale before and no fan of this genre ever wants it to go away again. While technology brings endless possibilities to light, like the streaming of major fighting game competitive tournaments and updates promising balance and fixes, it all feels a little bit daunting.
This year sparks another influx of fighting game pleasure for those who are willing to seek it. I tend to hesitate this time around in welcoming them with open arms for you see I am content with what I have now. Fighting games are unique from other genres because they require a longer period of time to master. Action games like Batman Arkhum Asylum can be played to where in a few weeks you may find yourself taking down bad guys without getting a single scratch. This does not work the same way when it comes to the mastery of a fighting game.
Fighting game characters can take months and possibly even years before a player becomes well versed in executing picture perfect game play. The need for human vs human combat significantly adds to the continuous need to train your favorite characters to perfection leading to hours upon hours of training -- vigorous training and multiple gaming sessions. With such a deep amount of commitment involved with these games its really a wonder how we could ever have a need for more in such a short amount of time.
Its almost like we've gotten what we asked for but we didn't really know what exactly we were asking for and now its to late the time has arrived and the influx of new titles has already started to come in. Skull Girls,a fighting game co-created by an individual who has a love for fighting games more deeply then many of us claim to have, promises to provide what hardcore fighting games fans have desired for eons. The question that comes to mind for its creators is one that only those who are anticipating several other titles coming up this year can answer -- what do I want to play next.
Unlike a few years ago, we now have choices. The technology is at a level that we can enjoy what we already have several times over and it can be refreshed once it starts to get stale. Super Street Fighter IV has proved this time and time again with its latest updates promising character tweaks and new character add-ons. Not only do you have the new titles to contend with but the old titles as well.
At one point in time, I would have said bring it! Give me as much as you can give because like many I'm starving for something new and improved. I believe that at this point and time I'm getting my wish but I can't help wondering all of sudden if its to much to ask for. I guess by the end of this year I'll know for sure.
Why this phenomenon didn't catch on sooner I'll never understand. Its not like these things were not available on the previous consoles. I guess there is just something about a next-gen system and a reboot that just reinvigorates the masses and invites them to come back and play again. While some of us relive old times, others are introduced to this genre that is bringing a new way to play for a new generation. I can say without a doubt we have now reached the apex of fighting game uphoria but there is something a bit unsettling about this feeling.
Within a year we saw two different versions of the same game, two different franchises reemerged from the proverbial ash, and two games fought to stay fresh in the minds of gamers. After all, this is a genre that has gone stale before and no fan of this genre ever wants it to go away again. While technology brings endless possibilities to light, like the streaming of major fighting game competitive tournaments and updates promising balance and fixes, it all feels a little bit daunting.
This year sparks another influx of fighting game pleasure for those who are willing to seek it. I tend to hesitate this time around in welcoming them with open arms for you see I am content with what I have now. Fighting games are unique from other genres because they require a longer period of time to master. Action games like Batman Arkhum Asylum can be played to where in a few weeks you may find yourself taking down bad guys without getting a single scratch. This does not work the same way when it comes to the mastery of a fighting game.
Fighting game characters can take months and possibly even years before a player becomes well versed in executing picture perfect game play. The need for human vs human combat significantly adds to the continuous need to train your favorite characters to perfection leading to hours upon hours of training -- vigorous training and multiple gaming sessions. With such a deep amount of commitment involved with these games its really a wonder how we could ever have a need for more in such a short amount of time.
Its almost like we've gotten what we asked for but we didn't really know what exactly we were asking for and now its to late the time has arrived and the influx of new titles has already started to come in. Skull Girls,a fighting game co-created by an individual who has a love for fighting games more deeply then many of us claim to have, promises to provide what hardcore fighting games fans have desired for eons. The question that comes to mind for its creators is one that only those who are anticipating several other titles coming up this year can answer -- what do I want to play next.
Unlike a few years ago, we now have choices. The technology is at a level that we can enjoy what we already have several times over and it can be refreshed once it starts to get stale. Super Street Fighter IV has proved this time and time again with its latest updates promising character tweaks and new character add-ons. Not only do you have the new titles to contend with but the old titles as well.
At one point in time, I would have said bring it! Give me as much as you can give because like many I'm starving for something new and improved. I believe that at this point and time I'm getting my wish but I can't help wondering all of sudden if its to much to ask for. I guess by the end of this year I'll know for sure.
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