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Losing the FGC one event at a time

Discussion in 'General' started by BlondieVF5, Jul 1, 2013.

By BlondieVF5 on Jul 1, 2013 at 4:53 PM
  1. BlondieVF5

    BlondieVF5 Well-Known Member

    PSN:
    BLONDIE_hydra
    The fighting game community has never been so big and active throughout the US. Every quarter there is a massive FGC(fighting game community) event showcasing some of the greatest talents in fighting games the world has ever seen. For some it's a chance to see greatness and clutch on a level that we aspire to get to. For others it's a way to showcase your talents and see just where you stack up in terms of time dedicated to your preferred fighter. This is not fact or statement, it is a compilation of feelings and emotions I felt after my time with some FGC events. It's a self check for everyone out there that loves fighting games and is connected to them as a player, spectator, or creator.

    slide.jpg

    I am no stranger to the tournament setting, the pressure, and excitement of travel worldwide for events. I have seen the FGC culture change. From old school hands in Streetfighter and virtuafighter to the new blood in titles like Injustice/MK(new version) and hybrids like SFxTekken. There is a loud and resounding difference between the culture back then and the culture now, media. Media makes everything so accessible and easy to share, it is a wonderful thing. There is however, a downside to media and all its outlets to the various fighting games. The downside being a very dangerous combination of the socially awkward, hype, expectation, pressure, and money.

    From the time you walk in to an FGC event there is tons of people yelling and screaming, bags on their shoulders, sticks in their laps, energy drink stationary on the floor as they hold their spots in the chair of domination. Tons of expletives, saltyness, and headshaking towards opponents that have bested their dedication to the game. No handshaking after a match, just yank your cord and walk away. The "saltyness" seems to be a combination of ego, expectation, and perhaps puberty for those that apply. It's losing, and if not checked by a peer or mentor can lead to violence.

    When watching a final, I find myself having to look past the goons taking bets with cash in hand on the players. No official stopping any of this, just allowing active cash handling bets to take place in something that to me is sacred. This isn't a fucking chicken fight in cuba. This is two young men playing a game that they enjoy to compete at its highest level. No one wants to hear you spray shit talk, you are embaressing yourself and your crew. How the hell did we let it come to this. Haggling from afar while someone plays his match. It's safe to say there is little sportsmanship in the FGC.

    As these events get bigger and bigger, I fear the worst. A tarnish, something that lingers over the culture of our beloved FGC. If we as mentors and elders don't start involving ourselves in the fundamental growth of some of these crews, violence will manifest itself into a tabu for tournament events, and could in the future be outlawed. This is not something to take lightly, if you add all the factors in, something terrible will happen at one of these events. It is important to note, there is a difference between hype and bad sportsmanship. Allow people to play, respect those playing. Obviously if something epic happens you can cheer or sigh, but think of it in terms of golf. You aren't going to haggle someone trying to shoot or concentrate on their shot, let them swing, then haggle. I'm going to put a link at the bottom of this post, keep in mind. I wrote this post before I had even seen this. While not directly involved with the event, it's only a matter of time.

    http://kotaku.com/top-fighting-game..._source=Kotaku_Facebook&utm_medium=Socialflow
     
    Yamato_Angeal_, Tocuh, Aion and 2 others like this.

Comments

Discussion in 'General' started by BlondieVF5, Jul 1, 2013.

    1. SDS_Overfiend1
      SDS_Overfiend1
      You Finished clutching for something?
      Im speaking from the mind of a Hustler. 2g pot 5g side action? No brainer..
    2. Gear Wolfen
      Gear Wolfen
      as soon as I can I most definitely will
    3. Tricky
      Tricky
      Plauge, I thought super arcade was a fine establishment that's why I single out sega cup since it took place there. I forgot the name of the location. Your house events sounded great and respectable as we're all the casuals at Gerald's place too.

      It might be a NYC problem or an east coast problem. I'm trying not to single people or events out, but lets just say every FGC is not filled with people who I'd want my kid looking up to as role models.
    4. Plague
      Plague
      See, maybe this is a generalization... but I think the FGC is filled with positive role models no matter what game they play. Sure, there are people that do things I don't like. They don't tarnish everything for me.
      Feck and Tricky like this.
    5. coffeezombie
      coffeezombie
      I have to echo those who wonder why this got first page. Oh, no, your(wait, no, sorry, this other FGC, not your glorious, elite bunch of VF-heads) community isn't how you want it to be, better start moralizing.

      No, seriously, apart from the cops wanting something to do with it, how the hell is some people doing side bets your business? It's what two willing people want to do, occasionally for silly things. Seems fine to me, as do money matches.

      As far as the salt goes, I don't know what causes it, but I know traditional fighters cause a lot of it. I've played Magic for years, with some Smash on and off. Got AE when 2012 was released for PC. I don't get salty losing at Magic, nor losing in Smash. I just laugh at things and press start. For some reason, AE (and in the past, Soul Calibur to an extent) manage to up my sodium levels in ways the rest don't for some reason. I approach all of them the same, but something in the traditional fighter just has the right mix of ingredients to up the sodium levels.

      A fundamental lack of respect for others can sure be a problem, but I think that's very distinct from people moneymatching or side betting. Temporary disrespect can be understood due to the abnormal levels of salt.

      In the capacity of a stream monster, there is that something about FGC events that just doesn't make it through to the proper esportsy stuff. Something that makes it feel just more real, more human, more friend less obsessively politically correct corporate talkinghead. Don't want to lose that.
    6. Zekiel
      Zekiel
      LOL!! Tricky do you not understand? He obviously loves honey bbq wings.
      Tricky and ZomgitsEd like this.
    7. VFhayato
      VFhayato
      a lot of crazy shit in the fighting community now.
      All I have to say is that VF community always show love to each other and not be dicks like other community i'm now seeing. Lets all kick some ass Next month in NYCG8
    8. ShinyBrentford
      ShinyBrentford
      I love how your trying to be so mature even though your only argument against me has been nothing but a personal attack at me. Great fucking idea. That's going to get me to turn the errors of my ways. I have said nothing about you as a person at all and your trying to call me out like I'm some thug.

      Gear Stop crying. Be a big boy.

      BTW The reason I put this video up is cause I want you to see the try hard cry baby that this community spawns and to prove my reasoning of my "Fuck them argument"

      NSFW
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcyxFNuQlwo

      Gear for someone who has admitted to never been to any high lvl tourney Sure do have a lot to say. I don't remember seeing you on Stream ever. For anyone that have ever meet me in person can tell you. Love me or Hate me I don't care. Unless you pay my bills nobody opinion will have a effect on me. Gear I have a suggestion. STFU. Until you go to a tourney and see some of the dumb shit I have seen for myself. You don't have a dog in this race.
      SDS_Overfiend1 likes this.
    9. BLACKSTAR
      BLACKSTAR
      Less arguing over nonsense issues that tournament organizers will never ever even read (let alone take into consideration).

      Moar playing VF plzkthx.
      nou and ShinyBrentford like this.
    10. ShinyBrentford
      ShinyBrentford
      I want a bunch of likes.

      VF community never change.
      SDS_Overfiend1 and Tricky like this.
    11. Tricky
      Tricky

      I should say everyone isn't and I'd just want to be protective of whom they interact with and who they are close to in the community. I wouldn't want them to see something like Noel Brown running over punching a dude, or listening to someone talking some real hateful (yet hype fueled and well intentioned probably) inflammatory trash talk. I kinda like how the Starcraft II tournaments at MLG are run and how the crowd acts at those things. I have a feeling that my view is in the minority regarding that, but that's just me. When it comes to my unborn kids I'm mad protective of what they have to hear when it's within my control to do so. I really mean no disrespect to those people.

      I can only talk about the VF community because that's what I know. I don't know those other cats other than the hype fueled stuff that spills over. Most of which I don't like, outside Daigo, Infiltration, and mainly jp players honestly.
    12. BeastEG
      BeastEG
      I think every tournament, weekly play group and special event has it's own vibe and should be evaluated on the event itself rather than in broad sweeping statements of the FGC. The FGC is a pretty diverse group of people and just like any group of people, you're going to have standout people who carry themselves well and others who you might not view in a positive light. That's just the way things go with large groups of people. For all the negative things that anyone can say about the FGC, there are as many positive things as well. The only thing that is a constant about the FGC is that we all have games we love and play them.

      I'm pretty sure for every shady event, there is a great event and thus you should evaluate which one you would like to go to and play.

      For now, I'm just content improving and having fun now that my PS3 is fixed. See you online!
    13. steelbaz
      steelbaz
      Adults can gamble on whatever they choose, some these replies are just absurd.
    14. ZomgitsEd
      ZomgitsEd


      Dude, dude, dude, while Honey BBQ sounds good...I'd kill some thai coconut or curry wings, just sayin.

      Steelbaz: Aye, that they can. However, the problem is that doing it in the state of FL is illegal when you do in in a public place that isn't a licensed and law abiding gambling house/casino.

      All that being said, hopefully CEO cleans up a bit and acknowledges the risks as an event grows bigger. Its still in its infancy and it would be a damn shame if anything happened to shut it down. As far as I know its the only major gaming event in FL (dunno if you folks count CONS or not).

      Also, PSA:CEO 27-29th of June next year, are we (the VF Community) gonna be in the crowd or in the ring next year? If you are, make sure to save the days and speak to the CEO owner to let him know you're interested in a VF tournament. The FL VF scene is lacking presence and it would be cool to step it up and play offline(without lag! oh joy!).
      ShinyBrentford, Tricky and Myke like this.
    15. d3v
      d3v
      Note sure if it's because the VF scene has been isolated from the rest, but stuff like this, the trash talking, the pop off, the saltiness and yes, even the betting has always been a part of the FGC culture.

      I believe UltraDavid said it best when he did this editorial on our site.
      http://shoryuken.com/2011/12/12/gue...pective-on-the-fgc-and-esports-communities-2/

      I've posted some selected comments below, but it would be best to read the entire thing.

      Shag, MarlyJay, Cozby and 2 others like this.
    16. BLACKSTAR
      BLACKSTAR

      Whoa. d3v plays VF?
      d3v and Tricky like this.
    17. d3v
      d3v
      I dabble in Sarah and Vanessa every now and then, but that's about it.
    18. Manjimaru
      Manjimaru
      Of course. Competitive atmosphere is what I like in fighting games. But everything can be taken too far and people should have a general understanding what is 'too far'. I'm pretty sure physically assaulting someone is going too far by every definition. This discussion here has been a good reminder.

      As for the betting, it certainly isn't part of fighting game culture over here, in any game. I would hazard a guess that that is a US thing mostly. And there are countries where it might be illegal, as is the case in Florida. So lets try to keep things separate.
    19. d3v
      d3v
      Of course. However, the OP is talking about more than just that and is talking about certain parts of FGC culture as if they weren't part of the culture. The FGCs blue collar, arcade roots mean that the culture has always had a sense of rawness and grimyness to it, especially when compared to the more uptown, white collar backgrounds of other "eSports." This is part of who we are and, for many who are trying to expand the scene, part of what makes us unique from "eSports" - hence all the emphasis on the hype that the community brings, because nobody brings hype like the FGC. We aren't going to just sit and golfclap, we will be as loud and rambunctious as we can be, because that's just who we are.

      Also, I find it funny that he mentions handshakes after a match when I specifically recall alot of older folks on SRK actually complaining about too much handshaking.
      Betting, whether legal or not, has always been part of the community, especially when Street Fighter and Marvel are involved. It's part of the whole arcade culture, especially since in a way, money is on the line in the arcades (losing costs more than winning). Also, a good part of the skills needed in a fighting game in terms of being able to read your opponent also translate well to games like poker (fun fact, World Series of Poker player Hevad "RaiNKhaN" Khan is also an MvC2 player - he also backed Loren "fanatiq" Riley in the his $50,000 money match against Toan in MvC2). Eventually, money matches became a part of the scene, in fact playing money matches has become one way for many foreign (read: Japanese) players to pay for their trips to EVO. Side-bets simply grew out of that.

      EDIT:
      Also, bringing up the Noel Brown thing was in bad taste. Noel came into his hotel room and caught his ex sleeping with another player. What happened could have happened to anyone regardless of whether or not they were in the FGC. The fact that Noel (who has been around since at least the CvS2 days) is a player is irrelevant.
    20. Manjimaru
      Manjimaru

      No. It may have been a part of AMERICAN fighting game culture, but I have never seen any betting whatsoever in any fighting game event here in Finland, ever, during the course of roughly 18 years that I have been part of it. This is precisely the reason why I brought this up. Fighting game scene is more than just America. You are free to speak for yourselves, but you do not speak for everybody. And yes, we had arcade scene here as well. I do not count putting money into arcade machines as 'betting' since you cannot win any money with it.

      edit: I take back slightly, during the last 3 years I have seen maybe 2-4 money matches for small sums. This may or may not be result of people watching US FG streams and getting the idea from there. Still, this is not enough for me to say it is part of the culture.

      ps. Last I remember money rewards in FG tournaments don't exist in Japan precisely for the legislature against betting iirc. This is why the Japanese are interested in traveling abroad for the chance of winning money.

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