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

[Anne]

I play mostly on PS3 but have 360 available. I will play on 360 if somebody tweets at me they wanna play, my PS3 is more default for Persona these days.

[Anne]

woops, double post

[Alphakami]

Jackie: The Chronus converter is banned at Final Round. did u no?

Thackston: A few of the guys on the Martin squad know you. Woody and Zayin. Small world.

Klein: I got your nuts, I'll bring this with me this weekend.

Astaroth: I got another wired 360 pad from a buddy today. You'll have a selection of 'rare' pads to kill with. Better do some killin.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Alphakami

[Jackie Chandler]

Jackie: The Chronus converter is banned at Final Round. did u no?

Are you fucking kidding me? Tad, please tell me that you're joking. It doesn't say anything like that in the rules. If I can't play with my 360 controller, I can't compete. And if I can't compete because of some bullshit unwritten rule, I'm demanding my money back.

Like, I really hope you're just making this up, and that I'm just overreacting. Because if you're not, I'm going to be seriously fucking pissed.

[Volpe-de-Glacio]

Man. . .I feel like the characters I've played so far have left me with a weak understanding of how to mix-up. Like in BB I relied on counters/pokes for wins. In Persona with Liz I play like a gambling addict, and now that I'm playing a pocket Narukami I've learned that I'm way too reliant on muscle-memory. It makes my pressure seem telegraphed and when I try to be spontaneous I end up feeling mashy.

How do you guys practice mix-up/pressure?

[Alphakami]

Chandler: Do you feel my AssTral Heat? Also, check PM.

Volpe: I practice the combos starting from my mixups, and I practice pressure only with the dummy on guard all. Everything else I practice in real matches, because that's the only time they are applicable for me, and gambling addict, telegraphed pressure, poking because I'm not sure what to do next playstyle.

[Milln]

Are you fucking kidding me? Tad, please tell me that you're joking. It doesn't say anything like that in the rules. If I can't play with my 360 controller, I can't compete. And if I can't compete because of some bullshit unwritten rule, I'm demanding my money back.

Like, I really hope you're just making this up, and that I'm just overreacting. Because if you're not, I'm going to be seriously fucking pissed.

I didn't know about this, either. I don't know how to link a particular facebook status thing, but it's on their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinalRoundAtl

The Chronusdevice converters are banned at FR16. Theres has been reports at past events that these converters cause input delay in both players controllers. http://www.cronusdevice.com/

This is bullshit that the event bans a certain converter type not only one week from the event so any attempt to get a new converter will be met with the possibility that it won't show up on time, but also after registration is closed with a no refunds clause. Jackie, you need to immediately go and send Larry a PM, and/or Tad please get in touch and see if we can either get Jackie a refund or allow him to use his converter, which he's been using for a long while now and hasn't ever had any input issues from.

How do you guys practice mix-up/pressure?

How do I practice mixups? If it's a weird mixup that boggles my fingers, I take it to training mode until I can do it 90%... 80% ..70% of the time and then take it to real matches. I barely practice pressure. I only practice whenever I discover something new and wanna see how it fares versus options. Everything else is done on the fly in matches.

How do I use mixups? I take note of what works and what doesn't, using some complex flowchart algorithm my brain invents.... and then do whatever I want anyway, working off of a "They'll never expect me to do THIS, this time!"

Klein is here, and he says his mixups are whatever he thinks his opponent will respect, he'll go for.

And we all know he doesn't practice, soz.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Milln

[Jackie Chandler]

I didn't know about this, either. I don't know how to link a particular facebook status thing, but it's on their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinalRoundAtl

This is bullshit that the event bans a certain converter type not only one week from the event so any attempt to get a new converter will be met with the possibility that it won't show up on time, but also after registration is closed with a no refunds clause. Jackie, you need to immediately go and send Larry a PM, and/or Tad please get in touch and see if we can either get Jackie a refund or allow him to use his converter, which he's been using for a long while now and hasn't ever had any input issues from.

Yep, March 22nd. They posted this notice literally a week before the tournament's start. I don't even know where to start.

Okay, so according to the Facebook post, "The Chronusdevice converters are banned at FR16. Theres has been reports at past events that these converters cause input delay in both players controllers." I take a few major issues with this.

First off, from a technological point of view, I don't see how a single converter could possibly have any impact on another controller's inputs. By simple definition of the word, converters are designed as devices for output. When I push a button on my 360 controller, the Cronus essentially converts those signals being transmitted to PS3 format, and the Playstation 3 interprets those as it should. The only thing I can see information being sent from the PS3 to the controllers themselves for is rumble, or perhaps Sixaxis - but neither of those are a factor in the great majority of fighting games, nor should that influence the rate at which inputs are received to the console itself, converter or not. I want to know where these guys are getting this information from, and I want to know it's from a credible source that performed reliable tests. Because as it stands, I can't help but feel like this converter was banned on a "he said, she said" basis.

Next, if there were really reports from "past events" that there was something so seriously wrong with this converter, why was this not on the Rules pages since Day 1? It's not right for them to imply that they knew there were issues with a specific piece of technology well in advance, but not to tell anyone until a week before the event is scheduled to start. That's absurd. Again, where is this information coming from? What events? Who documented this? Who tested this? Who confirmed it? There are no facts present here - just a simple notice that the converter is banned, and a link to the converter's website.

Lastly, this puts me in a really, really shitty situation. Whether what was posted on Final Round's Facebook page is true or not, I can't be a fair opponent either way. If I just throw my hands up and use a PS3 controller instead, I'll be putting myself at an automatic disadvantage because I'm not practiced with it. And if I use the converter anyway, assuming literally everyone I played with deemed it okay and none of the tournament officials noticed, I could never hope to do well because I'd just be known as "the guy who used the converter that fucked up everyone's inputs" to everybody else, simply because of the unsupported claims on Final Round's Facebook page regarding the matter.

Now, to be fair, I came across an interesting piece of information when trying to determine the legitimacy of these guys's claims. According to the Cronus Device FAQs page, which has been updated since my initial visit to it: "The Cronus Device and Cronus X have almost ZERO input lag. All of our ongoing tests have placed input lag at 1.1 ms which is a negligible amount." Yes, I know these are fighting games we're talking about, but a single frame of input is a small price for me to pay to use the means of control I've become practiced in and feel most comfortable in - if I'm the only person it influences, of course. I still stand by what I said before - I don't see how MY device could influence the inputs on YOURS. If somebody can show me some cold, hard proof, I'll admit I was wrong. But with things the way they are now, right or wrong, it's too late to change people's minds.

I find it incredibly unprofessional for Final Round's staff to make an announcement like this so late in the game, especially when they make it sound like they very easily could have known any possible problems with the device in question beforehand. I understand that they need to take precautions to ensure a fair atmosphere for as many players as possible, but jumping to conclusions and alienating a portion of the community like this after they had ample opportunity to inform people about this is simply unacceptable.

Guys, I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to put up with this. The most respectable thing I can do in this situation is drop out and make a case for my money back. If I can successfully accomplish the latter, I'll do my best to make it to Final Round next year. But if I can't, I'll do my level best to make sure they never get another dime from me again. Words cannot describe how unhappy I am with this whole mess.

@Astaroth - I'm not sure if you ever got your current converter functioning (or a replacement, for that matter), but assuming there IS anything seriously wrong with this converter, I'm really, really sorry. I've been using this converter since July of last year, and I've never experienced any problems with it. I've played countless numbers of games with people using it, and they've never said a thing about their inputs being delayed or anything like that, nor have I noticed anything of the sort myself. And now, I'm sure you're in a crappy situation like myself, too. At least Marvel is on 360, so you won't have to worry about that. And if there's another form of 360 -> PS3 converter that exists, maybe someone with one at the venue will be kind enough to let you borrow theirs for your games in SC. Really though, I feel like you took my words at face value, and now you're paying the price for it. I feel terrible. Maybe I oversold it, I don't know - but honestly, I think the FR staff is blowing their skepticism with the device out of proportion by outright banning it like this, too. I hope things work out for you.

[Tophatmoffet]

shoutouts to skullgirls.

[ZomB]

Jackie, 1.1 ms is about 1/16th of a frame, so it's a pretty fast response time. The only "theory" I've heard about the Cronus connector is that it draws too much power from the USB which can cause lag within the USB. The only reports of real lag I've heard of is MarlinPie bitching about it at Apex. I'm honestly more likely to believe that the lag he experienced was caused by PS3 Marvel, and not by the Cronus adapter.

Edit: I guess a few people are experiencing this. I'll see if I can find someone who would lend you their converter.

Edited March 28, 2013 by ZomB

[Anne]

Jackie, 1.1 ms is about 1/16th of a frame, so it's a pretty fast response time. The only "theory" I've heard about the Cronus connector is that it draws too much power from the USB which can cause lag within the USB. The only reports of real lag I've heard of is MarlinPie bitching about it at Apex. I'm honestly more likely to believe that the lag he experienced was caused by PS3 Marvel, and not by the Cronus adapter.

Edit: I guess a few people are experiencing this. I'll see if I can find someone who would lend you their converter.

That is exactly what would cause it, because the PS3 actually has a pretty shit infrastructure, especially regarding the USBs and power. Even then, I still call BS on a converter fucking the PS3 that hard, I don't believe the PS3 is that shitty or the converter is that much of a drain.

Jackie, we'll find a way to make you compete >.>

[Milln]

He won't listen to me, I hope he'll listen to you guys. It's more than just himself and MTNG that his absence affects. it's everyone we effing know simply because he doesn't like FR said it a week beforehand.

[Bane]

Sorry for the shitty development, Jackie...I hope you find a way to compete, still.

To everyone else, good luck at FR. I will be cheering for you.

[Eshi]

Don't worry about it Jackie, you should come down anyway. I can think of a few ways around the situation. I'm going down to FR to register today, I'll see if I can talk with Larry about the situation. bring your adapter just in case - if worst comes to worst, you could still be able to use it as long as your opponents say it's okay (and considering how few people are aware of this rule or any of the hearsay, I doubt anyone will care).

Edited March 28, 2013 by Eshi

[Jackie Chandler]

He won't listen to me, I hope he'll listen to you guys. It's more than just himself and MTNG that his absence affects. it's everyone we effing know simply because he doesn't like FR said it a week beforehand.

I realize that too, but this isn't just a matter of me being butthurt 'cause "I don't like iiiiiiit." Yeah, of course I don't like it. A spontaneous decision on the tournament organizers' parts almost cost me my ability to compete, AFTER I made an effort to check the rules, AFTER I paid to enter before the deadline, AFTER they neglected to do anything about their suspicions until now, and AFTER I've been using this converter for more than half a year and have yet to notice any issues with. I have every right to vote with my money and presence whether or not Final Round organizers made the right decision with this.

Unfortunately for my willingness to make a statement, Astaroth has been gracious gawdlike enough to allow me to use his differently-branded converter since he's only competing in Marvel on Saturday, and that's 360 anyway. So that, along with everyone's persistence in telling me I should go anyway... Has convinced me I should go. :P

I'm still unhappy with the situation, and I want to bring it up to Larry before I leave the venue so we can hopefully avoid situations like this in the future - because if anything like this DOES happen again and I'm so drastically effected, there WON'T be any second chances.

Now, regarding the legitimacy of this claim...

The only "theory" I've heard about the Cronus connector is that it draws too much power from the USB which can cause lag within the USB.

That is exactly what would cause it, because the PS3 actually has a pretty shit infrastructure, especially regarding the USBs and power. Even then, I still call BS on a converter fucking the PS3 that hard, I don't believe the PS3 is that shitty or the converter is that much of a drain.

Well, at least that makes more sense than what I initially thought. If that's the case, assuming it might be possible with a USB splitter or something of the source, couldn't I theoretically connect the Cronus to an external power source as well so it doesn't cause as much of a strain on the PS3? Assuming it even causes that much of a strain on the PS3 by itself in the first place, that is.

[Skeletal Minion]

One of the unspoken rules of FGs: dismiss all complaints of technical difficulties as salt unless proven otherwise. Unfortunately, that's what seems to have happened here, where one guy (MarlinPie) complained and everyone ran with it. Pretty ridiculous that they're being banned when that's not a hard-fact proven issue though.

As an aside, I recall similar situations happening in FGs before, too: anyone else play CvS2 on Xbox? Remember how people claimed unplugging your mic would "half your lag?" People even tried to pull that shit on Toodles, saying Cthulus, etc lagged, before he finally posted concrete proof that his boards added zero MS of lag.

Hopefully Larry will let Chris talk some sense into him.

[Milln]

So that, along with everyone's persistence in telling me I should go anyway... Has convinced me I should go. :P

I AM ALL THE HAPPY. MTNG IN THERE FULL FORCE WE'RE GONNA DOMINATE!

[Kyle]

Jackie. sorry bro. try to learn on Stick or hitbox?

[Jackie Chandler]

One of the unspoken rules of FGs: dismiss all complaints of technical difficulties as salt unless proven otherwise. Unfortunately, that's what seems to have happened here, where one guy (MarlinPie) complained and everyone ran with it. Pretty ridiculous that they're being banned when that's not a hard-fact proven issue though.

That's one of my biggest complaints with this - I have been able to find ZERO proof of this claim, regardless of the testimony or possibilities. But here I was, about to be unable to participate in the event because of a "he said/she said."

When I get back from Final Round, I intend to do some extensive tests with this, with video evidence showing all the different variables and how it does or doesn't lag. Riiiiiight after I catch up on my schoolwork. XD

[ZomB]

Okay, if for whatever reason Astaroth's converter isn't going to work for you, I found you another one. My friend Markus said you could borrow his, so let me know if you need it.

[Jackie Chandler]

Okay, if for whatever reason Astaroth's converter isn't going to work for you, I found you another one. My friend Markus said you could borrow his, so let me know if you need it.

Awesome. Thanks for doing that for me, ZomB~.

Actually, I'd like to take the time to thank everybody for their support. I've been admittedly troubled about this whole situation, from the time I started saving money for it, to the time it was looking like I'd have to be making the trip by myself, to the point where I wasn't even sure I'd be able to compete any more... You guys have been supporting me every step of the way. I really don't know what to say. I hate it when people have to go out of their way to do something for me, but that doesn't mean I'm not grateful when they do. So, truly and sincerely - thanks guys. <3 you all. ; w;

But no, I'm not sucking anybody's dick.

[Papstr]

Just learn stick already.

[Jackie Chandler]

Jackie. sorry bro. try to learn on Stick or hitbox?

Just learn stick already.

Maaaaan, if I wanted to learn stick, I would have done it by now. I just don't like the feel of the stick part of the stick. That said, the Hitbox is something that's always interested me, so if I learned anything aside from 360 controller, I'd want that to be it. But I don't really have any motivation to do that, and even if I did pay out the butt to get one, I'd still need to get it dual modded or find a converter so I could, ironically, play it on 360. XD

[Urichinan]

I just arrived in Atlanta! The intensity of my hype is unexplainable!

[Milln]

Astaroth made it out Soul Calibur pools! He plays later tonight.