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Community A Look Into The Tournament Scene

By starlordtitus — May 20, 2011
Tags: blog daigo-umehara fighting-games sf4 ssf4 street-fighter-4 street-fighter-iii-third-strike super-street-fighter-iv tournament video

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Ever wonder why people go to tournaments? To compete, to be the best, the crowd? All of the above. Fact is, the tournament community could be better described as one big trash talking hyped up family. Let's take a look.

Many players that have decided to become serious about their skills head off to their nearest touranment and eventually the bigger tournaments such as EVO and the soon to be CEO. But tournaments are more than just entering and becoming champ, they in themselves have their own atmosphere. One often questions if he's ready for his or her's first tournament. The scene can be pretty intimidating the first time. Seeing other players there to do exactly what you came to do, compete to win and prove you are the best.

Most players end up losing within the first round, or, they end up going pretty far. But either they end up giving up, or the more likely scenario, they end up coming back for more. And eventually one discoveres the absolute joy of the tournament scene. Players become friends, hype is increased all around, and you may even find yourself admiring another players skill or they may admire yours! A player at a tournament will find inside jokes, create his own, befriend a whole group of players and even create his own. Tournaments also come with funny trash talking and the most common, "Being Salty' after losing in the tournament. A term used in reference to pouring salt on a wound which down right stings. The sound of arcade sticks clicking, loud funny remarks from your local token black guy :D. The increase of temperature as more people attend. The  list goes on. And so does the fun.

The tournament scene becomes that much more fun the more a player attends them, as he becomes more relaxed and learns the dos and don'ts. The player learns about the different fighting styles their are, strategies to bette one's game. The term "Leveling Up" is used in this scence as one gains experience. As such, the people of tournaments are usually very nice and funny. Humor is highly recommened to spread around. You could earn a nickname for any little thing. Eventually even earning a true name for yourself as you progress in ability. The greatest moments in a tournament, is during a high stakes match when both players are cutting it close  and one mistake could cost you the entire show. The hype only intensifies as the crowd roars with cheers and applause as well as down right screaming xD Perhaps the most unique thing you can find at a tournament, is the sight of girls! Yes, girls from time to time attend tournaments and even enter them a great amount of time for  those who wanted to stereo type video game tournaments XD

Aside from all of this, is the obvious payout should one win a tourney. Usually being a very good sum of money that most of us have to have a job to acquire :D In addition, respect from the community and eventually invitations to bigger tournaments as you progress. Tournaments have a little something for everyone, usually being held in hot spot locations that even provide food and drink. I highly recommend anyone interested in becoming better and competitive to enter a true sanctioned tournament.

Now, I leave you with a few classic examples of a tournament scene. You be the judge :]

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[UPDATED] May 20, 2011 3:29:50 PM

May 20, 2011 by Cinderkin

Added Tags blog, video, daigo-umehara, super-street-fighter-iv, fighting-games, sf4, ssf4, Street-Fighter-4, street-fighter-iii-third-strike. Linked to catalog Super Street Fighter 4.

 

Comments

Great write-up. The tournament scene is for sure an exciting one. I've only been to a few (not any major ones) but even when there is no straight cash prize it is still so fun to participate in. The large social gathering of competitive fighting games feels so good.

And yes, I've had my extremely salty moments.

iorilamia rated Super Street Fighter IV Buy it
May 20, 2011 by iorilamia

Hahaha I feel ya on that one. I love the tourney scene! And thank you.

starlordtitus has not rated Super Street Fighter IV yet.
May 20, 2011 by starlordtitus

Thanks for writing Starlord, now we gotta get you a proper gravatar.

goukijones rated Super Street Fighter IV Buy it
May 20, 2011 by goukijones

Another good write up. I know that even in small tournaments you watch people gather to see what's going on and as players get beat most of them stay and enjoy the show. The ones who get bent out of shape are usually not that often, but it does happen. I think my best memory from a tournament was when they did the national Halo tournament. We gave a couple guys the day off from work so they could compete here in Florida and a friend missed the alternate spot by two seats, I was out much sooner. Afterwards every time we did an in-store tournament everyone wanted to challenge him and after close all of us employees would play, and their was no better feeling then putting a sticky grenade on his back.

DragonKiss83 rated Super Street Fighter IV Buy it
May 20, 2011 by DragonKiss83

That 2004 EVO is still one of my favorite vids. JWong just getting schooled by the parry.

BatRastered rated Super Street Fighter IV Buy it
May 21, 2011 by BatRastered

Hahaha you guys all have very good points. That's one helluva story, DragonKiss83. Goukijones I'm definitely working on it. BatRastered that moment was too priceless. Wonder how salty he was xD

starlordtitus has not rated Super Street Fighter IV yet.
May 21, 2011 by starlordtitus

sick bro

kof2012 rated Super Street Fighter IV Buy it
May 25, 2011 by kof2012

Thanx man! :D

starlordtitus has not rated Super Street Fighter IV yet.
Jun 4, 2011 by starlordtitus

lol

starlordtitus has not rated Super Street Fighter IV yet.
Jul 19, 2011 by starlordtitus

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