Akuma/Gouki Combo Expo video

This video shows some viable combos that can be used in matches - taken from a link in the shoryuken forums!

Training mode's uses

After spending quite a bit of time in the arcade and practicing at home, a couple new developments have come up since that time. First of all, training mode has a few neat features to get a player up to speed in any game.

The Final Product: Arcade UFO TE Stick!

Here is my latest work: The Arcade UFO Stick!

It's a 360 TE stick with an MC Cthulhu and PS2 via the ethercon connector. The back button is now wired to "turbo".

A view of the internals

A view of the Ethercon Mod.

Modding a Madcatz TE Stick for all consoles - for a pro player

I have been tasked with creating a Modded Madcatz TE stick to work with 360, PS3, and PS2. This means cables that will work for each of them as well. I am creating a custom Arcade UFO themed stick for Fubarduck, the co-owner of Arcade UFO. This stick must be a LOT cleaner than my previous test build, and in addition it must have a lot more options added to it that are meant for Tournament use.

This means:

-A switch for PS3/360 Selection. No Imp switch, as he needs to know for sure that he's on a specific console.

-no 4th column buttons. Easy modification with panel plugs.

-An MC Cthulhu. Allows for PS3, and PS2 compatibility for 3rd Strike.

-A ethercon port for PS2 cables. Strong, Small, and easily serviced.

Notice the layout differences from my previous build.

Unopened backplate as well; all wires routed from TOPSIDE and serviced through the top.

Notice how the wires are organized, ziptied, and put away. Makes for a cleaner build.

Updates on the PS2 ethercon port later this week.

Modding a Madcatz TE 360 Stick for PS3

So I set out on modding my TE 360 stick to PS3 (I actually play more on PS3, but I bought this stick intentionally to dual mod.)

*Warning* this will VOID your Warranty!

I achieved this entire mod with 24 gauge wire, a DPDT switch, and Toodles' Chtulhu board. Time: 3 Hours.

From Scrub to Seasoned Player

There are a lot of gamers like me that missed out on the past 2 decades of Street Fighter. For us, Street Fighter 4 was our first Street Fighter game - so there is a lot of catching up on concepts and habits that seasoned players have. Execution, mindgames, and fundamentals are things that have to be practiced and learned over time. Many players are frustrated by the experience level of other gamers, and it can be really detrimental to their progress. So how do go from Scrub to Seasoned? Here are my thoughts and experiences on how I've been progressing in fighting games.

Akuma/Gouki

Stamina: 850

Akuma is one of the most powerful shoto characters in Street Fighter, and in Street fighter 4, he is no joke. He has a diverse moveset, hard hitting combos, great mixups, and a teleport to go along with all of this. However, you cannot blindly play Akuma like Ryu or Ken. His low health makes you change up the way you play him, because mistakes are punished with big damage to Akuma. You will commonly see players turtling with Akuma for this very reason, as the Japanese Player Momochi has shown. However, there are many players that play him completely different and are more aggressive in their play style. Edma's Akuma is a completely different beast then Momochi, as you will see him using mixups off of the demon flip more than anyone else as of right now.  Hsien's Akuma is where I think Akuma players should be going to.  Exploiting Akuma's mix-ups and high damage while playing safe with his footsies.

His Normal and special moves will be analyzed at the bottom of this post, with character notes before it.

The Frame Advantage blog's plan

So what I plan to do with this blog is to do a character by character move analysis versus other characters - i.e. Akuma's standing light jab vs Balrog's normals and specials, etc. Each page should have frame data and analysis of what priority the move has over other attacks. I know it seems daunting and ambitious, but I'd like to follow in Edma's shoes of being a Street fighter scientist without being too much of a a "theory fighter".

Street Fighter 4 is my FIRST fighting game, and so it's been quite a learning experience with the concept of mix ups, mind games, spacing, and frame and priority data. That's why I'm going to try to share my findings with everybody else.

So wish me luck on this project!

My Tutorial Video for Modding a Madcatz SE Fightstick to full Sanwa

Here's my video on fully modding out a SE stick with the arcade parts.