Welcome to another Perch of StaticFalconar, today's topic: the F word

 

 

Prologue

            We all had lived through that phase before when we basically learned to start cursing. We then over use them to point where there is no signal to noise ratio anymore. You’re glad, you say Fuck Yeah; you’re mad, you say Fuck No. However, Fuck isn’t the F word today, it’s rather Faggot.

The F Word

            Most of us have seen the Southpark episode, and most of couldn’t have escaped the notorious Grenade Spam vid up to the launch of MW2. While Southpark’s interpretation was thought out somewhat, MW2’s vid had just about everybody scratching their heads. Who were most of these podcasters that were perplexed at the viral video? Most of these guys are in their 30s and have probably grown up enough to use profanity somewhat wisely.

            Sure, some of us may literally take on a different persona when we game under the guise of a screen name and avatar, but remember that screen name and avatar is still suppose to represent us. So, then the question is: “Are most of us secretly bigots that would better the serve the world by being executed?”

            It was just on last week’s show of Epileptic gaming, that djWheat had told his story of the true XBL experience. It all started with Wheat joining an FFA game as a low level character (hey we all gotta start somewhere). Sure enough, when he got into his groove and started to take first place, the floodgate of insults opened up. The only thing that stopped the torrent of hate against a low level character beating a room full of level 30s, was when some 13 year old kid came in, did the same and talked with an effeminate voice. The Fag gates had opened up and djWheat then felt he had finally felt the true XBL experience.

            With stories like these and other players yelling homophobic slurs while Teabagging others, the “Think before you Speak” campaign almost starts to make sense. Despite Southpark’s point of Fag being an interchangeable insult through-out history, our current definition is still an insult to homosexuals. The younger generation might not have grown up enough to use words wisely or perhaps when they grow up they will take their definition and change the meaning of the word. However, based on how the insult is used interchangeably Fag still has the homophobic reference whether you mean it or not.

            So then the only solution it seems is to confront it head on. In the adult world where people talk face to face and not behind some screen name, Fag is about as touchy as the word Nigga. Therefore the solution would be similar. The socially accepted way of saying Nigga in real life is if it’s in a Song, or you yourself are African American. Apply this same logic to Faggot.

If you are one of those people that just skips to the end then at least read this part.

            In my own self growth of using words wiser, I shall no longer say “that’s so gay” without first saying “As someone that willingly has homosexual anal sex with other men” first (Yes I ripped that joke from venture brothers, and yes I will say that whether I actually am gay or not). The more I think about it, the more it actually makes sense. No more division of we are normal and you are not when you willingly place yourself in the same category. (I actually came to this conclusion a while ago and not “just yesterday”. Fag as an insult will stay, but make it about as harmless as Asshole or Fucker, since we have Assholes and love to Fuck)

            The overall point is to stop homophobia and stereotypes of homosexuals in general. For every effeminate male voice being called “A Certified F.A.G”, there are real Gay men out there with deep voices that will enjoy literally fucking you in the Ass and making you his bitch until you like it. While I can only hope all kids today will eventually come to a similar conclusion in using words with such a hateful baggage, in we have Free Speech for the most part.

             So then, what are your thoughts? I have seen several threads where the insults get downright homophobic so not all of you guys can just plead innocence and say “that’s not me”. Chances are high that you play videogames online so whether you are saying it or not, you have at least heard it. What then goes through your head when you say or hear it?

 
 

Until next time, its time to fly off this Perch.

Welcome to another Perch of StaticFalconar

 

Me ranting

So way back then on a Bombcast just about the time when HDremix was being released, Jeff was all like, this game is good but to bring fighting games into the masses, someone needs to explain fighting games more so people can play the more refined fighting games without going to the dumbdowned ones. 
 
During that time I didn't see much of a fighting game community around except for the ultra freaking leet people that are so hardcore they wouldn't even bother with the easy question and instead would only field the harder questions like "how to set up a reset in a combo" versus "when should I do a shoryuken?".  Of course me having some free time on my hands then wrote My swan song to fighting games  that I think is a good read but honestly doesn't do much to help you actually get better. 
 
Come a bit later when SF4 came out, I thought I would do a much proper job of actually writing a real guide. Well before you know it, my free time started to diminish and after a pretty good first draft, I realized, that is about the extent of my contribution. I thought about doing individual sections on each character basically forcing me to learn each character anyway, but soon it felt more like work than fun. Realizing I had only mained one or maybe two characters at best, it would take much more work and hours to write a decent section on each of the characters even if I use other guides as references since I would have to test out and confirm what others wrote. In the back of my mind I thought I would do something for the fighting game community/genre that i love so much that I could be featured somehow. 
 
That all comes to a screeching halt when I realized that there are fighting game fans out there but it wasn't until SF4 that made them all come out of the wood works. Where as before I felt like I had to stand up for what I loved, now I can relax in knowing others will defend this genre for me. 
 
But then it happened. One of my work was inadvertently on eventhubs for a brief moment. 
 
However of course i wasn't credited as somebody stole my work. But seeing as this is the internet I can understand. For those of you that may not know I used to run some PSN tournaments for SF4 and of course I would try to be witty and original about it. I had photoshopped this picture for a past tournament:
 
which it seems somebody had taken to send to others when people rage-quit on them. 
 
Before you know it it ended up on thier forums and on a slow news day it got featured. yay for somebody it seems.
 
 
 
Well speaking of which, it actually has been a long time since I played SF4. Something about the frustration of online play I found myself starting to act more like DSP and the lack of my friends that wants to step thier game up just made me loose interest in wanting to keep playing and improving. Oh wells, the fighting game community have done fine without me anyway so perhaps some time later I would jump back into SF4 like maybe when SF4 dash comes out or something.  
 

Games on the Perch

 

Since getting back for the summer I have played a little bit of MVC2 which quickly gets back into the same pattern of SF4 and Fat princess. As far a retail games go I finally got around to Deadspace and played Batman. For the majority of those that play games within a couple of months of when they are launched they would have played DeadSpace first then Re5. However due to last years holiday rush, despite the fact that I knew Deadspace was a good game I just didn't get into it til now, after I played RE5 already. To get to the point without too much ranting this time, I don't know how much I would dislike RE5 if I had played Deadspace first but I rather not calculate the chaos theory. Suffice it to say I loved both games enough to get platinums on. 
 
Batman however is another matter. 
 
The thing with Batman isn't that its a bad game, but rather an overhyped one. The things it does and the gameplay elements it takes from other games are pretty well done for an overall good experience. Yet at the end of the game I felt about this game the same way I felt about Assassins Creed (remember that game?) yet for different reasons. Where as AC had some good elements that on a technical level sets the bar for all free roaming games, I felt Batman had set the bar for comic book games to always go to the true source material and implement gameplay mechanics that highlight that. Yet with both games, I felt after I played it once I was done with it and didn't exactly like the game so much that I would replay the game like RE5 or Deadspace to be a completionest about the trophies/achievements. It may all be subjective to taste i guess. 
 

Off to the horizon

For some reason I felt like writing today hence this somewhat lengthy post. For those of you that read all that you get a gold star. All ranting aside, today I learned just about anything you post online can and will be ripped for others to use as they like. Remember it wasn't that long ago that some midwest housewife found out her family photo used in an E Christmas card was plastered over a billboard in Europe as an advertisement. 
 
Until next time its time to fly of this Perch and explore the world. 
 
 
Peace!!!!

Welcome to another perch of StaticFalconar.
 
Before summer started I had gone on a very big migration. To give you a hint of some of the better parts of my summer, here are some pictures.
 


and 
 
 


 
 I feel super rejuvenated now and for the few times I got online access over the summer I have been thinking....
 
 
Nostalgia - a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time
 
And yet I have seen some threads bashing fighting games for trying to be nostalgic all the time. Well, at least the way I understand the definition, of the word, anything you are referring to has to be in a different place and when it finally goes full circle it is app to say nostalgic. But then again I would disagree with this notion anyway since most people that complain about this don't really see the finer, subtle things that is like night and day to a more hardcore fan of fighting games. 
 
 
 
Which brings me to my guide on SF4. 
 
Honestly I don't think I'm gonna work on it anymore. There are a bunch of other guides that does a much better job especially when most people are looking for character specific guides. I have the main points of what it means to play SF4 already and any further addition would just take too much time for not enough substance. 
 
 
Finally I leave this perch with a question for you. Is there any more interest in having a PSN tournament for SF4 or MVC2? (I still haven't gotten BlazBlue Yet since I was gone the entire summer. Until I get BlazBlue that won't be an option). Leave your opinions please.
 
 
PS: If any GBers want to kick my ass in SF4 or MVC2, just message me or something. I am horrible at MVC2 and it feels like ages since I played SF4 so now would be a prime time to get some wins over me. I am so over playing random people online anymore.

Welcome to another perch of StaticFalconar.

Ever since my last blog of any kind, I have been working on a project that I've been putting off for too long and of course videogames.

///
The biggest one as of late: UFC 2009






Having played Street FIghter 4 for the past couple of months and now this, I gotta say I am impressed. There are a lot of things they did right but after a couple weeks of playing it, I gotta say nice try, but you ain't no Street Fighter. Now, don't give me any bullshit saying this game is deeper or what not. The only thing that UFC 2009 does better than SF4 game mechanics wise is have a super kick ass tutorial so show everybody how "deep" the game is. To that I give them an applause and credit. However, this "deep" game is trounced by the lack of game balance. You could be winning a match and out of nowhere get suckered punched for a KO or get your throw revsersed for an instinct Flash submission even if you have full stamina bar. Honestly, there isn't much "skill" involved when everything boils down to twiching the right analog stick. Add to it the online is a game of who can mount the other person first (because even if you know what you're doing, if you get mounted its very hard to get out of), if I didn't have the damn connection error problem that never keeps track of my win/lose record.

But!!!!!! I will say there are some redeeming factors though, that does make this game good enough for a purchase if your friends are into it as well.
The game is basically a big game of rock paper scissors, so spamming your knock out punch isn't going to do anything. The only real game of skill here is mindgames of rock paper scissors put to the theme of UFC and violence. Despite the fact that you don't have to have actual skill in doing the harder and instinct victory moves, it makes for great casual fun. I would definitaly not play online since since lag and people spamming instinct win moves are not a good combination, but I have bought the game and am still glad I did since I am having a blast with my friends.

///

The project that I have been working on since SF4 came out was of course writing up a guide for SF4. I started just taking random notes (while I played) here and there and before you know it, I have a skeleton to an actual guide. Then in week or two off after school ended, I used all my notes and put it in real words for all to see. I am still technically working on it since I have yet to finish all the characters and I would want to put the Pros @ work section in the similar vain to what I did with my previous guide.
I hope you guys all love it, cause here comes the bad news.


My summer plans basically make it so that I cannot be in front of the computer or my PS3 as often as I was before. This means a somewhat goodbye to Giantbomb and gaming for a while as I would be lucky to be able to download the bombcast on a weekly basis even. I honestly don't know how many of you recognise this profile or care enough to miss me. Whether you agree with me or not, I had contributed and shared my love for the fighting game genre writing various guides and of course hosting the monthly PSN tournaments for SF4.

Well, at least until the end of summer there will not be another "Power of nothingness, Rage-quit demon...." tournament; so hopefully somebody takes the initiative and keep the PSN SF4 scene alive on Giant bomb by hosting thier own. Honestly its not that hard, all you need is an excel sheet to keep track of people and IMO league play (round robin) style is better than single or double elimination. Since anybody from all over the world can join these tournaments, lag will always be an issue hence going round robin by timezone (or if not that many people join and everybody has to play everybody) nobody would be eliminated in the first round placing them dead last when it was lag that killed them. Its an online tournament first of all so putting it in the same "hardcore" tournament setting as the real tournaments is IMO the wrong way to go. Treat it as a Bombing run and just tally up the scores at the end of the day to declare a winner. Even though I had only ran two GB tournaments (and yes we always seem to run into some problems), these are the lessons that I learned to bridge the gap so that even if you suck at the game, you will still have fun. Or crap all over my ideas and do it single elimination paring up people as far away as possible; as long some form of SF4 PSN community is alive I'll be happy.


Despite not having regular internet connection over the summer I will still continue to write the SF4 guide and update it when I can. Til then, time to hop off this perch and fly away; peace.

Can't seem to find matches, giving up and going to blog instead.
But from the 5 matches i had in the past hour or so these are the flaws I still see.

You can still see who your opponent is and kick them out if your hosting. You get some super disconnected "tournament" system which may be great if I can fight enough matches to see how it works. (this will be edited once I get to explore this mode some more)

EDIT: So the reason why people can't find a match is because everybody is broken up by where they are in the "tournament" (1st match, 2nd match etc.) So if you're in the 2nd match but everybody else is in their 1st match you won't find a match. Like with any new system everybody starts off at zero right now, when any computer has more matches (data) to analyze everybody will be sorted out to their actual rank. Freakin Justin Wong still starts off with no points before his first battle. Overall I'd say this patch just fixes what should have been there already and doesn't actually add anything new.

On another note, the SF4 Patch did have some tweaks.

Fei Long's Chicken Wing kick has more start up frames now making all his infinites gone.

Zangief's Lariet has had its hitbox changed so that its smaller but doesn't have as much invincible frames.


WTF Capcom, I want to be able to save my own replays to see on my own FN console. Why the fuck is that so hard for you to understand?

The PS3 has the voting system? voting system? Are you on crack Capcom? AND the only videos that gets saved are the people in the top tournament. Sure that may be great if you want to see high level play (and the 360 version so fucking lucked out by being able to see the inputs of each player). But what most of us really want to see is our own matches. Yes they may not be super high level play, so don't make it public then. Seeing videos of our own matches raises our game since we can see our own flaws and fix them without playing it at the same time. But no, instead if anybody wants to really see their own videos they have to either point a camera at the screen like a bootleg movie or make us hook up a capture card. Honestly Capcom, I don't care about uploading the damn replay, I just care to save and see my own replay. At this rate if we are good enough to make it to the finals, then we can theoretically get to see and upload out own replay. Looking at the "manual" for the update, it seems even if you do win a tournament you can only upload your replay; as in the replay is saved on Capcom's servers. Fucking moronic!!!! Capcom, you can save a lot of money by letting us save our own replays on our own consoles. But no, instead we can only upload one video at a time and it only is going to be one video since it always saves over the older one if we upload a new one.



Ok, to end this on a positive note, I will say this. Capcom has made a new system of evaluating how good a player is. The BP system got broken pretty quick when the upper players had no incentive (or every disincentive) to keep playing. The new system will track disconnectors and is double blind. You cannot change the parameters to one round 30 seconds BS, so something was done right. Despite, having the replay function totally botched (I honestly want to see for myself if lag killed me or my own mistiming which would be great if I could save my own replay and see all the inputs as well), and the tournament mode doesn't really feel like a tournament. Hopefully CP and GP points will be a better indicator of how good a player you are instead of the abandoned BP score.


To reiterate:
Good things:

1. New evaluation system (may be crap, but I have hopes for it for now)
   
2. Double Blind selection
   
3. Disconnecters are tracked

Things that could have been done so much better that I honestly think Capcom shouldn't have even dropped these key words to get our hopes up.

1. super disjointed "tournament" system
2. replay function
3. Still being able to kick people in lobby (you shouldn't be able to see who you're figthing til the match starts)
   
4. Any difference that the PS3 and 360 consoles get. Its like Capcom wants to give the flame war people some jet fuel. Both voting and seeing the inputs of both players should be in both consoles.