"Meet Your Mod" Episode 14: Kyle

This Week:

Kyle

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

- Why did you choose that particular handle, is there a story or reference you'd like to explain?

It's my name and I generally prefer people's first names over a made-up internet alias: The only real exceptions being legitimate nicknames. Sorry guys, not trying to hurt e-penis's here but it's how I feel about it. So, if I were to answer this question my own context, I would reply," My mother had a celebrity fantasy about (this guy). That's why I am named Kyle."

- What is your background with fighting games...Did you start with BB or are your OG like SFII?

My first competitive FG with strats, combos, execution and a player base was the acade release of Tekken 4. I have good memories of seeing this & SoulCalibur2 at my old arcade in Ashland Kentucky. I've got a sick 14- min Tekken-4 combo video floating around on handheld camcorder tape. (1/2 credit to Jaison in this project): Just gotta get it digital for youtube. An old friend of mine was always hounding us about frame data... I didn't get it. lol Once we get into being competitive with Tekken-4 we met better and better people and we watched the matches become slower w/ more footsies and much less risk. We found this overall boring. About our second Anime-con (because that's where the real fighting games were at) we met a very talkative and skilled player named Kenji Bliss (KBNova). He showed us competitive Guilty Gear. I recall watching JoshFUNKDOCTOR playing casuals with Kenji and my mind could not even comprehending what was going on. I didn't know they were currently roommates and both knew the "rules" (game mechanics) of GG. The one concept we did happen to grasp was competitive GG was much more intense, fast & interesting than footsies Tekken or SF. So, every year we had an annual event of who could get the most damage on Kenji or possibly sneak a win. About this time Dustloop had begun...

- What competitive scene are you involved with? (Ranbats, Arcades, XBL, PSN, Reload Online etc.) Would you elaborate the benefits of this particular scene?

Dustloop contributions- This helps me soo much. I don't have to play out every scenario, but reading other players talking about their mistakes or break-throughs really helps me stay in check when I am going through a unique scenario during a match.

XBL- This is perfect for match-ups, I wish GG had this so America would not lose to "Oki" so badly.

Arcade Legacy- Pay-to-enter "freeplay arcade" in Cincinnatti Ohio. This set-up is amazing and offers the social aspetc of FG's as well as the interested player base to compete, scrimmage & genuinely hang-out. Ranbats and weekly "casuals" are hosted here.

Tournaments- It took a long time to get over the nerves. lol. Eventually, it goes away and you find out just how ADAPTIVE your strategies can be when time is limited.

- How strong do you feel your nation is as a whole, what is the next step to strengthening it?

GG- Weak. We can develop a decent offensive game, but lack real defensive capabilities and the largest majority of match-ups for this unique game. We need on-line play so people get used to fighting most of the roster... wake-up timings, when to bait and when to rush are all dictated by the opponent and what their current resources are.

BB- I feel American competition is stronger than GG and our "Top Players" have really exceeded a level above top GG players. I'm not sure if it's b/c or resources, game simplicity or Netplay: Probably a combination of everything.

For America to take the next-step in our level of play we need to enhance our player base and emphasize communication. How to attract NEW SERIOUS players when the game is "older" and so complicated?

- Which player(s) give you the most trouble and why?

Raekwon owns me for free. He beat me out of every GG tourney for about 2-years... during the prime of Accent Core. lol GG's Bama.

- What has been the most helpful tool while growing stronger in GG/BB?

Late night conversation at dinner over strategy and theory of charater arch's/ playstyle and Dustloop have helped me improve the most.

- Is there anything you'd like to share regarding your respective character or Dustloop in general?

May - I'm sorry we got Brain-dead in Accent Core. She was much more interesting in GGXX:Slash. =/

Carl - You guys make me happy. I feel good knowing we have a strong Carl base here in America. It's great to see soo much activity/theory in the Carl boards and I believe it's a reflection of the success these players have all achieved.

Dustloop - What's the next step to increase out player base? It's out responsibility. Do we need to host entry-level tournaments? This could deter the complexity of the game & possibly entice new players...