Middle Tennessee Needs Gaming! Monthly Versus Tourneys - Antioch, TN

[Astaroth136]

SHOUTOUTS!!!

Milln - Thank you for hanging on to my stuff and moving the executive chair around for the night. Also, you hyped my matches up. I've got an explanation for character decisions that I'll be making on SRK. Read it to figure out why I chose Pyrrha and a no-Hulk team one time in the brackets.

Midnight - You saved seats like a boss (I hate the phrase "like a boss," but you truly deserved it). I know there was that one time you gave it up to Papstr, but that was fine. Hope you get into SC5 soon.

Papstr - Seriously? You're the world's worst seat-saver. I got up for one minute and you let a dude literally take the seat away from the area. You're dead to me.

Klein - "Yeah, I'm only 18." *Strokes beard*

Thanks to all of you guys for sticking in there with me. I'm sorry I didn't do better, but Milln knows about brackets. It's common to have bad bracket luck and place lower than people that you are better than.

[Kyle]

GoodGames Mid-TN <3

[Astaroth136]

I forgot Kyle in my shoutouts! Dude, thanks for watching a few of my matches. I laughed whenever you said, "I couldn't cheer you on because you were destroying the other guy so badly. It would've been disrespectful."

[LastStarSaviour]

Idk why, but today was a hell of a good day. I'm pumped to kill you people in Extend in a few more weeks and maybe even Kof. Feels strange, could this be what happiness truly is? Nah...

[Milln]

Idk why, but today was a hell of a good day. I'm pumped to kill you people in Extend in a few more weeks and maybe even Kof. Feels strange, could this be what happiness truly is? Nah...

In this topic: Star gets a girlfriend.

Either that or found some really good Noel pr0n.

Shouts/my overview of FR later

[Volpe-de-Glacio]

PSFREEEEEEEEEE.

[Alphakami]

I need to make a one time vlog talk to a camrea thing for the FGC. Can any of you help me? I don't have the equipment to record it.

Shouts later.

[Grimstar]

I need to make a one time vlog talk to a camrea thing for the FGC. Can any of you help me? I don't have the equipment to record it.

Shouts later.

I'll buy your beer to null the jitters!

[Milln]

I need to make a one time vlog talk to a camrea thing for the FGC. Can any of you help me? I don't have the equipment to record it.

Shouts later.

I think the best one for that would be ol' Jackie C. He has a camera n stuff. Either that it or I can iPhone it.

[Jackie Chandler]

I need to make a one time vlog talk to a camrea thing for the FGC. Can any of you help me? I don't have the equipment to record it.

I think the best one for that would be ol' Jackie C. He has a camera n stuff. Either that it or I can iPhone it.

Yeah, I got ya covered Tad. My camera records in 1080p, although I don't (currently) have a decent tripod for it, haha. If you'd like, I can help you record whatever it is at next MTN, or just let you borrow the camera for whenever you need it. I really don't use it all that much.

[Milln]

MTNG Side Shoutouts for da FINAR LOUND

Kyle: May Dittos dolphins everywhere. Makes me wanna play Dolphin Blue in the arcade! What's Dolphin Blue? Think Metal Slug. .... .... But with DOLPHINS. Good stuff making Midnight earn his victory in BlazBlue. It was so close, I couldn't root for anyone.

Eshi: BIG BIG BIG UPS TO SUPREME MASTER ESHI AND PETER. Dude you letting us stay over pretty much is the only reason we were all able to go in the first place. I am very, very appreciative of you two for your support and trust. Thank you for enabling this whole endeavor. Play more Tsubaki.

Skeletal Minion: You're a pretty cool dude. And what I say, goes. You're welcome to Tennessee anytime you want to show up. (hint hint MWC hint hint)

Papstr/Midnight/Klein: Maaaaan, I gave you guys so much crap the entire trip, it was hilarious. I hope none of it was ever taken as me trying to be hurtful. Road trips are meant to be awesome and i'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves. You now have a national under your belt! Eh! Eh! *nudge* Eh! I had a great time with you all and would do it again. Good S to Papstr winning a match at a national tournament. Good S to Midnight getting.. I think we figured out top 16? in BlazBlue with no practice and riding on Litchi's hair. Good S to Klein for not letting defeat bring him down. Good S to Suguri for 6 hours. My new stick works with it. DUDES I FIGURED OUT SOMETHING NEW. MOST CHARACTERS HAVE DASH SUPERS, TOO, WTF MAN. A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF YOMI JUST OPENED UP. aka more tools for me to abuse you guys with.

Tad: I love you, man. Hanging out with you is the best no matter what we're doing. Whether it be playing games, talking about games, talking about sticks, talking about communities, eating Taco Mac, watching Papstr get trolled endlessly by a waitress... everything is awesome with you. *thumbs up* Now where's my thirty awards, just kidding.

Allison: Call me! (Looking back on it, I could've handled us a little bit better, but it's a work in progress)

I think that's everyone, I might be missing a few.

Awesome tournament, guys. I loved being there. The crowd yelling "SONIC BOOM!" for Guile players, "whack whack whop whop whack" for Maxi's, the general chillness of the top players. I talked to Justin Wong briefly, Reynald about KOF, MWC, sponsors, and his mustache, got pictures with Sean Miyagi, The Answer about MWC and sponsors, and a bunch of other players including all my opponents into attending MWC or at least seriously considering it. PROMOTE THAT S. I could talk on and on and on about my experience, so i'll just list notable moments of the trip that I haven't already:

GUILTY GEAR 2D RC 2D RC WILD THROW WHAT IS THIS

LOG TRAP

Chris G getting DQ'd into loser's brackets haha

Shinblanka getting a standing ovation from the --entire-- venue from his speech.

Massive amounts of Dairy Queens to all players.

SHINBLADE BEATING BOTH THE ANSWER AND REYNALD AND CAUSING THEM TO FIGHT EACH OTHER AND GETTING FIFTH IN KOF

Thunderstorms, "SO LONG, MY FRIENDS! I do what a man must do!" and taking my Last Walk while like 8 people observe solemnly.

Secret Underground Tunnel to the parking garage I found the day after I got drenched saving you punks and your sticks.

The only waitress working at the Westin. We love you.

Bernice knows what's up with ranch dressing dip.

Grouchy is pretty fuggin' Grouchy that he has to close on Sundays.

NOS providing free NOS drinks, lanyards, and bumper stickers(I wore one on my back, Saturday) and a Twisted metal 4player setup was awesome.

And so much more than I can remember right now while on the spot. Point is, if you didn't go, you seriously missed out on a great experience to be around 800 people all doing the same thing.

I didn't take many pictures, but here you go:

http://photobucket.com/FRXVMilln

[Jackie Chandler]

LOL. That guy wearing the Mega Man hat showed up on the streams a few times. Every time, the stream would explode with "NIGGAMAN!!!!!!"

Also, I screencap'd Midnight and Klein on the GG/BB stream, and a very small picture of Milln on the Marvel stream. I might upload them later.

[Milln]

Mega man hat is Sean Miyagi. He's a good SF player. Beat Ricky Ortiz on stream.

[Milln]

Wow this is the deadest the thread has been in a while. What's everyone doing?

Star: We all know where he is. Training Mode.

Naimat: Kroger

Jackie: In his mom's pocket.

Papstr: Ditto GG Appointments on Spring Break

Tad: Middle of Nowhere

Volpe: In the void. The white void. Drinkin' Sun Drop.

Klein: Same thing as Tad?

Where am I all the time? At my store.

Turnouts for Final Round are disconcerting for what we do here. See Below.

Street Fighter: A Crapton. Over 400?

Marvel: Same thing. Over 400.

Soul Calibur: I dunno, I never caught the number. Astaroth? 250+

King of Fighters 13: 170 192. 22 got DQ'd for not showing up

MK9: Lawlawlawlawl I'm not sure how many entered. It got like no hype. I didnt even know they were running it until I looked over and saw setups.

Tekken 6: 103

Melty Blood: 73

BlazBlue Extend: 53

3SO: 48

Tekken Tag: 32

Melty Teams: 13 teams x 3 players = 39

Marvel Team: Site says only 8 teams, but I know there had to be more.

No listing for Guilty Gear entry, since it was a side tournament.

Edit: Smash tournaments Pound 4 of 2010 had 348 Melee entrants, Apex of 2012 had 410 Brawl, 330 Melee.

Basically what i'm getting at, is BlazBlue had 53 entrants at a major national outlet. When it's outclassed in turnout by a game that requires a decent computer, more probably a laptop to have a setup, I get a little worried as a TO. Previous tournaments have had 12, 13, 14, 11, and 21 entrants, not to mention the sometimes miserable turnouts of five and six. I need a solid position on how YOU GUYS feel about not only the game having successful community and turnouts, but going forward if it's going to remain popular especially with how BlazBlue players tend to react upon even a whisper on the wind of a new version. Also consider that we've lost at least two entrants in myself and probably Astaroth since neither of us play anymore, maybe even Pickle, too, but Astaroth might decide to still enter. Grimstar could play if he decides to continue to mess with it during all that he's currently got going on. This is not a question where you can rationalize why other games got more people for whatever reason. We're talking about BlazBlue and why, as a TO, I should continue to run it, regardless on that's what we were built on. Asking as neutrally as possible.

Edited March 8, 2012 by Milln

[Papstr]

I've had appointments n shiz, but I've been sick as well. Literally only been in bed unless I ran out for an appointment lol. Will get around to shoutouts later, but I'll answer Milln on Blazblue.

It's like this. At least for me. The game is good. It has/had potential, but now it's gotten dull. Every iteration brings nothing new to the table except number tweaks. With each version, my character feels exactly the same, except some shit is good/worse and does more/less damage. Combos generally behave the same, and overall the game feels braindead. If each iteration actually did things worthy of an iteration (changin' numbers n shiz isn't enough to justify anything beyond a simple patch) such as give me some new tools and toys to mess around with, I'd feel more inclined to play the game.

[Grimstar]

I've had appointments n shiz, but I've been sick as well. Literally only been in bed unless I ran out for an appointment lol. Will get around to shoutouts later, but I'll answer Milln on Blazblue.

It's like this. At least for me. The game is good. It has/had potential, but now it's gotten dull. Every iteration brings nothing new to the table except number tweaks. With each version, my character feels exactly the same, except some shit is good/worse and does more/less damage. Combos generally behave the same, and overall the game feels braindead. If each iteration actually did things worthy of an iteration (changin' numbers n shiz isn't enough to justify anything beyond a simple patch) such as give me some new tools and toys to mess around with, I'd feel more inclined to play the game.

Hate to say it but welcome to fighting games... How often do you think Ryu has had drastic changes over the years?

Blazblue is just stale is all. And I feel like the primary reason is that you just watch each other do the same shit over and over. Every match is a combo video, etc.

I would run it for now if I were you Milln, but I wouldn't count on continuing for much longer... I'll enter the tournament this month if you run it, but I'm not putting forth any more effort into learning the game. I know Relius basics, but that's as far as I care to get in this game, is to the point of where I can play it. I'm definitely focusing on SF and KoF from now on though.

[Seiki]

While I think Blazblue is a solid game, it's true that it hasn't been particularly popular.

When you play really good players on netplay or watched the japanese godsgarden stream i think it would revitalize your will to play because those guys really show how deep the yomi is in this game. Even if it's not Guilty Gear level.

Honestly I wouldn't drop Blazblue yet since we haven't had a tournie with Extend. Maybe after March we can decide to drop it based on the number of people who enter.

That being said, If you, Milln, believe that the number of entrants isn't worth the resources and time put into running Blazblue then drop it. There are plenty of other fighting games out there especially this year and im sure the BB purists here will find something they will like (if they are willing to play it for more than 1 week jesus). And if not they can wait till Guilty Gear comes out which i know will have a nice turnout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gp29dKVggc here is a sample of the godsgarden stream

[Klein]

I'm on/off about Blazblue, I don't think I can take it seriously as of this iteration despite it being a solid game, but I'm not sure how long I can go without picking up my popsicle stick and poking some fools. Count me out of coming Blazblue tournaments for now, I just can't see myself putting in the time it needs for Blazblue, when I want to get more into Guilty Gear (no matter how soon or otherwise the port is) and another game, leaning towards KoF, or SFxT if what Snipe says about SFxT rings true.

[Seiki]

If you pick up SFXT over KOFXIII I will knee you in the balls.

[Jackie Chandler]

While I think Blazblue is a solid game, it's true that it hasn't been particularly popular.

When you play really good players on netplay or watched the japanese godsgarden stream i think it would revitalize your will to play because those guys really show how deep the yomi is in this game. Even if it's not Guilty Gear level.

Honestly I wouldn't drop Blazblue yet since we haven't had a tournie with Extend. Maybe after March we can decide to drop it based on the number of people who enter.

That being said, If you, Milln, believe that the number of entrants isn't worth the resources and time put into running Blazblue then drop it. There are plenty of other fighting games out there especially this year and im sure the BB purists here will find something they will like (if they are willing to play it for more than 1 week jesus). And if not they can wait till Guilty Gear comes out which i know will have a nice turnout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gp29dKVggc here is a sample of the godsgarden stream

I agree with Naimat 100%. While Blazblue is a great game, it's not the kind you can play casually and expect to place well in tournaments. In Blazblue, you're rewarded SO MUCH for knowing your character's utilities and being able to capitalize the most with your combos, but there's more to the game than just that. You have to be knowledgeable of the game as a whole, as well as play against your opponent appropriately, in order to place high. And while it might sound like I'm stating the obvious, I feel like that's the reason less and less people have been playing it. But why is that?

The way I see it, idealistically, people want a game they can be good at without dedicating a bunch of their time and effort. That's why games like MvC3 and (maybe) SFxT are so popular- they flaunt system mechanics that players can use to compensate for those kinds of things. After all, "why practice teching throws when I can have a gem that does it for me?" And "why learn complicated things about my first two characters when I can just Level 3 X-Factor clutch with my best character?" Sure, these games might be fun to play for a large audience, but what about competitions?

The answer should be clear. In a game that doesn't emphasize being knowledgeable or stepping up your game, inferior players win. It's not a matter of the skill ceiling being too low- it's that eventually, the amount of work you put into improving will be greater than how much the game can reward you. So yes, while games like this may be enjoyable, what's the point of a serious competition? The people who care most about the game and play it the most will have difficulty placing consistently, if at all.

Of course, then you have the other side of the spectrum- a game that ONLY rewards the most knowledgeable and execution-heavy players. Street Fighter is probably the closest thing to a game like this IMO. In order to compete and hope to do well, you need to know the game's ins and outs. Knowing what every character is capable of and how your character can counter what they can do will serve you well, and so will nailing those one-frame links. If you want there to be value in practice, you better practice often- otherwise your opponents will get ahead of you, or you'll miss that input by a couple frames and lose the game because of it. In a game like this, the superior player will almost always win.

But there's a problem in that too, isn't there? The purpose of the competition remains intact, but it isn't inherently to have fun- it's about winning, so that all of your blood and tears that went into this moment were worth something. The game might reward all your efforts, but would you feel rewarded if you stopped having fun because of it?

So, you're probably wondering what any of this has to do with Blazblue, or the original point I was trying to make. The way I see it, Blazblue is a fine middle ground between both extremes. There are a few reasons as to why it's probably not too popular in the mainstream tournament scene, but in my opinion, the biggest reason is just that. It's a game that rewards being knowledgeable, but is fun to play even without knowing its intricacies. The people who want an intense fighting game that's a "true test of skill" will probably play a different game in tournaments, and the people who play it recreationally probably won't show up for tournaments at all. It's such a shame, because it could really serve as a bridge for the two communities.

tl;dr- Blazblue is a great game. I can't help but feel like the majority of people who "don't enjoy it" haven't even given Extend a chance yet, or tried to step up their game since CSII (if not before then). Learning and practicing in Blazblue is fun, and so is competing. Just give it the chance you know it deserves, and you won't be disappointed.

So to answer your question, Milln, I would run Blazblue at least one more time. Like Naimat said, we haven't had one for Extend, and it'll give you the chance to see if the results > the work put into running the tournament.

(P.S. I don't feel like Mahvel/SFxT/Street Fighter are extremes in themselves- just the closest thing to them. Not trying to start a flame war or anything.) (P.P.S. This took me an hour and a half to type up. Gawd. I'm going to sleep now.)

[Astaroth136]

I lol'ed at CSEX getting FEWER entrants this year than BB did last year at FR. That kind of proved that the game is pretty much dead, or close to it. It also proves that many had the same idea: forget CS2 extensions, I'll wait on CS3. At least, that's why I didn't pick up Extend.

Milln, there were 40-something Marvel teams. Pat and I got 9th.

As for running BB in our tourneys, that's ultimately up to you.

[Alphakami]

I think BB is kusoge, honestly. Still, if MTN's continue to exist the way they do now, I think it should be ran, at least for the next little while, as was mentioned by Naimat and Chandler. I'll support it, along with a number of other games.

I think the main reason the scene isn't growing is that it's already divided. MTN's overall community size isn't large enough to support two groups. Both parties play KoF and everyone is hype for GG. I think this year's growth depends on the two separate scenes coming together on the same day, a little more planning, and running every game on the same day.

How does everyone feel about that?

FINAL ROUND:

Well, basically myself, Milln, Klien, Midnight, and teh Paps went for Taco Mac, and it was awesome. Hot ass wings, and Klien's manliness matched dat beerd. I forgot what Ranch tasted like, and Caleb never knew. Midnight spit on my fries and I ate them anyway, like a fuckin' honey badger. Milln you were right, that shit was just too fun. For the record, I wasn't too wasted to find my way in from the parking garage. Just way too lazy to figure out where it was in relation to my car that I had to go to, and then back to the hotel. I didn't want to put the effort in... too much walking. I was a little too drunk to not appear like a total dumbass tho, so I'm glad it worked out that way.

Chandler: Thanks man, that would be great if I could use your camera for a bit!

[Volpe-de-Glacio]

Haha, Blazblue. Bitches don't know 'bout my DBZ. So we've got Naimat, Tad, Midnight, Star, and Grimstar? I'll still compete, even though I've pretty much abandoned xbox.

Edited March 8, 2012 by Volpe-de-Glacio

[Eshi]

I honestly think the main reason there were so few entrants was because Extend had the worst release date ever, gamestop didn't have a clue what was going on and people that ordered from amazon didn't get their copy until week later. I still don't have the copy I ordered from amazon, I got lucky and found a gamestop with a dude that loves fighting games and explicitly preordered blazblue. It was pretty depressing hype deflation. Combined with the whole, ZOMG ONLY 1 NEW CHARACTER WHAT A RIPOFF???!! bs from the haters, it ensured a bad release.

Blazblue Extend is one of the best and most balanced games out right now. Wonderful irony.

Edited March 8, 2012 by Eshi

[Alphakami]

I honestly think the main reason there were so few entrants was because Extend had the worst release date ever, gamestop didn't have a clue what was going on and people that ordered from amazon didn't get their copy until week later. I still don't have the copy I ordered from amazon, I got lucky and found a gamestop with a dude that loves fighting games and explicitly preordered blazblue. It was pretty depressing hype deflation. Combined with the whole, ZOMG ONLY 1 NEW CHARACTER WHAT A RIPOFF???!! bs from the haters, it ensured a bad release.

This is probably a huge part of it, certainly. The forums here show how active BB still is. Also, I know there had to be more than just myself and the few others that couldn't make it on Friday. Attendance more than doubled on Saturday, and there are players who would have played.