Chokaigi 2 officially announced

Dwango (Nico Nico's mother company) officially announced yesterday that Chokaigi 2 will be held at Makuhari Messe on April 27-28, 2013 (The initial announcement was made in July)

Chokaigi (or Chou Kaigi) is a big convention of Nico Nico related subcultures. It had booths, stage shows, concerts, etc. Chou Tougeki was also held inside. The event was the first Tougeki 2012 qualifier and had SF4 exhibition matches between top players including Daigo Umehara.

Although this year Chokaigi attracted a lot of people, it didn't make any profit. In fact, it made a huge loss of 470.8 million yen (or almost $6 million). But the organizer insists to have another one, saying they have learned from the mistakes.

Makuhari Messe will be used again next year. The convention center is well-known for hosting Tokyo Game Show.

Square Enix to begin Gunslinger Stratos location test in Hong Kong

Square Enix announced today that it will begin location test of Gunslinger Stratos in Hong Kong starting from September 12. The test will last approximate 2 weeks.

The test will use Japan servers and Hong Kong players will be able to play with Japanese players. It is unclear whether they will get their own (Hong Kong) servers or not.

Japan's SF 25th Anniversary tournament finals to be held in Nicofarre

It is revealed today that the finals of Japan's Street Fighter 25th Anniversary tournament on October 20 will be held in Nicofarre. This marks the first time Nicofarre is used for a fighting game tournament.

Nicofarre is Japan's most luxurious event hall exclusively for streaming. It is owned by Nico Nico itself. The hall is not big, but what important is its technology. The walls and the ceiling are LED displays which will show either images or viewer comments. (You can also pay to make your comment glow and stand out for 10 yen a time.) Viewers from home can change camera angle as they want from the selected options. The hall is also capable of making a hologram concert. It also has hot shower in performer's waiting rooms, drink counter, and locker rooms.

The usage fee including the advanced options of Nicofarre is around 2 million yen.

While this is a good news, it cannot hide the fact that the tournament stream is pay-per-view. Additionally, the hall attendants will only come from invitation.

PS1 Archives arrives on Vita

Since PlayStation Vita will be able to play selected PlayStation games starting from yesterday (or next month), we take this opportunity to recommend you some games. These games are only 600 yen each. (Note: PS1 Archives = PSone Classics)

Vampire Savior EX Edition (ヴァンパイア セイヴァー® EXエディション) AKA Darkstalkers 3
The best fighting game before Ougon Musou Kyoku. Long life bar and no comeback mechanics make this a game for a true winner. It's rushdown-friendly. Charge characters don't actually need charging. Commands are simplified. (Most of special moves are quarter circle or Sonic Boom. The hard ones are half circle. Only 4 moves from 2 characters in the game use full circle.) Most of the characters are likeable. The original game was released in 1998.

Samurai Spirits: Amakusa Kourin Special (サムライスピリッツ天草降臨スペシャル) AKA Samurai Shodown IV Amakusa's Revenge
Being the last 2D game of the series before Playmore's takeover makes it the special one. The original game was released in 1996. Like Darkstalkers, this's one of the FG series that has the best cast overall. The series is also the father of sprite choreography of sword-wielding characters. If you've never played this series before, it's good to start here.

Psychic Force 2 (サイキックフォース® ２)
Psychic Force series taught us that a 3D fighting game can have flashy and fun gameplay, and the genre still opens for a lot of new creative ideas as of today. In this game you can fly around while blocking since it has block button. Everyone has projectile which requires charging after shooting a few times. So it's about frame advantage and gauge management. Commands are very simple and similar to average 2D FGs but they ignore directions. Ultimate moves are cool, like shooting Phoenix or stopping time. The game was released in 1999 and it's the last one of the series.

2nd TOPANGA League Round 5 summary

Info
- 2nd TOPANGA League announced, prizes, tickets, schedule, stream links
- Rules and format
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 1 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 2 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 3 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 4 summary

Commentators
- R (Guy player)
- Shiro (Makoto player)

Menu
1. Uryo vs. Eita
2. Momochi vs. Haitani
3. Kazunoko vs. Fuudo
4. Sako vs. YCH-Mochi *delayed due to YHC-Mochi's Internet issue, moved to 9
5. Kazunoko vs. Eita *moved to 4
6. Uryo vs. Cabbage *moved to 5
7. Umehara vs. Momochi 
8. Uryo vs. Fuudo
9. Momochi vs. Kazunoko *moved to 10
10. Sako vs. Haitani *moved to 6
11. Umehara vs. YHC-Mochi

Spoilers inside.

2nd TOPANGA League Round 4 summary

Info
- 2nd TOPANGA League announced, prizes, tickets, schedule, stream links
- Rules and format
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 1 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 2 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 3 summary

Commentators
- R (Guy player)
- Shiro (Makoto player)

Menu
1. Cabbage vs. Bon-chan
2. Mago vs. Kazunoko
3. Momochi vs. YCH-Mochi
4. Umehara vs. Eita
5. Kazunoko vs. Haitani
6. Momochi vs. Mago 
7. Fuudo vs. Cabbage
8. Kazunoko vs. Bon-chan
9. Momochi vs. Cabbage
10. Mago vs. Eita
11. Umehara vs. Fuudo

Spoilers inside.

Umehara interview on News Post Seven

A news website News Post Seven today has Daigo Umehara article as its top story. The news was later forward to various news sites (such as Nico News or Biglobe).

Quick summary
- The topic of the article is "World.s No.1 pro gamer: Age and social position don't matter, anyone can win"
- [Question about income] His main goal now is not prize money. He said even big international tournament does not give [prize money] that much. His normal job now is sponsor-related and guest appearance in a tournament or event. He also works as Square Enix's official supporter, a PR job for an arcade game, including game development advisor of the game.
- He started playing games at age of 5. He was interested in competition in gaming. He likes the fact that age and social position don't matter, anyone can win.
- When he quitted gaming and took a job at mahjong club and nurse job, he even refused a game columnist job and a job in game company (offers).
- After playing mahjong to a pro level, he felt that there was not any development so he quitted to take nurse job and learnt a lot of important things. Then he return to gaming again.
- He plays game 5-6 hours a day now. He will spend more time if the game is new.
- [Question about health care] He works out but not excessively, like walking, cycling, a little weight training. He tries to sleep in the same time everyday to keep his (life's) rhythm.
- [Question about becoming champion at age 14/17] He did not feel anything special, because people who are into other things probably do not care.

2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 3 summary

Info
- 2nd TOPANGA League announced, prizes, tickets, schedule, stream links
- Rules and format
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 1 summary
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 2 summary

Commentators
- R (Guy player)
- Yoshiwo (Guile player)

Menu
1. Momochi vs. Uryo
2. YHC-Mochi vs. Eita
3. Mago vs. Haitani
4. Sako vs. Momochi 
5. Umehara vs. Bon-chan
6. Eita vs. Cabbage
7. Uryo vs. YHC-Mochi 
8. Momochi vs. Bon-chan
9. Eita vs. Fuudo
10. Sako vs. Uryo
11. Umehara vs. Mago

Spoilers inside.

2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 2 summary

Info
- 2nd TOPANGA League announced, prizes, tickets, schedule, stream links
- Rules and format
- 2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 1 summary

Commentators
- R (Guy player)
- Yoshiwo (Guile player)

Menu
1. Bon-chan vs. YHC-Mochi
2. Haitani vs. Eita
3. Sako vs. Fuudo
4. Cabbage vs. YHC-Mochi
5. Uryo vs. Bon-chan
6. Sako vs. Cabbage
7. Mago vs. YHC-Mochi
8. Uryo vs. Haitani
9. Sako vs. Bon-chan
10. Mago vs. Fuudo
11. Umehara vs. Haitani

Spoilers inside.

2nd TOPANGA League (A) Round 1 summary

Info
- 2nd TOPANGA League announced, prizes, tickets, schedule
- Rules and format

Commentators
- R (Guy player)
- Shiro (Makoto player)

Menu
1 Sako vs. Eita
2 Haitani vs. Cabbage
3 Mago vs. Bon-chan
4 Kazunoko vs. YHC-Mochi
5 Fuudo vs. Haitani
6 Mago vs. Cabbage
7 Sako vs. Kazunoko
8 Eita vs. Bon-chan
9 Umehara vs. Cabbage
10 Fuudo vs. YHC-Mochi
11 Umehara vs. Kazunoko


Spoilers inside!

Umehara on Yoasobi 3 Shimai

Tonight's Yoasobi 3 Shimai show had a scoop about KayoPolice and Daigo Umehara at Evolution 2012.

As already mentioned, KayoPolice went to Evo 2012 with KSK as a TV staff, and this scoop was their job. (It also had a similar scoop last year.)

The show is broadcasted on Nippon Television so a lot of people around the country will see it on TV.

2nd TOPANGA League (A): Rules and match-ups details

[Update] TOPANGA has updated its rule again (see 5.).

TOPANGA has updated its webpage of The 2nd TOPANGA League (A) with new rules and match-up details.

New rules
1. The player in 11th place and 12th place of the first half (Round 1-6) will be automatically relegated. (They can not participate in the second half (Round 7-12).)
2. The players in 5th-10th place of the first half (Round 1-6) will form a new league. Six players will be reduced to two.
3. Those two and the player in 1st-4th place of the first half (Round 1-6) will form a new league to decide the true winner.
4. The second half (Round 7-12) will use First-to-10 (games) format. There is deuce when 9-9.
5. [Added] The player in higher rank from the first half (Round 1-6) will be given 1 game win in advance each match in the second half (Round 7-12).

In short, the true winner may have to play 3 round-robin leagues.

Umehara's matches schedule

Round 1 (August 17, Friday)
Umehara vs. Kazunoko
Umehara vs. Cabbage

Round 2 (August 18, Saturday)
Umehara vs. Haitani

Round 3 (August 19, Sunday)
Umehara vs. Mago
Umehara vs. Bon-chan

Round 4 (August 24, Friday)
Umehara vs. Eita
Umehara vs. Fuudo

Round 5 (August 26, Sunday)
Umehara vs. Momochi
Umehara vs. YHC-Mochi

Round 6 (September 2, Sunday)
Umehara vs. Sako
Umehara vs. Uryo

Shin Koihime Musou Tenka Musou Cup

A fighting game tournament of Shin Koihime Musou Otome Taisen Sangokushi Engi (arcade FG from Koihime Musou series) is being held in a game center in Akihabara.

Update: It is over. (The stream link is here.)

2nd TOPANGA League (A) announced, now highest-paying FG tournament in Japan

The 2nd TOPANGA League (A League) is officially announced today. The tournament will start on August 17 (or next Friday).

Probably the most important thing, TOPANGA League is now the highest-paying fighting game tournament in Japan, overthrowing Blue Revo that gave 1 million yen to the winning team as opposed to individual.

Prizes

1. First place = 1 million yen
2. Second place = 300,000 yen
3. Third place = 100,000 yen
4. Fourth place =  50,000 yen

The winner of the league will also get the spot in the finals of Japan's SF 25th Anniversary National Tournaments on October 20.

The format or the rules are still the same as the first season. First half (Round 1-6) is online matches, second half (Round 7-12) is offline. Losing too much in the first half means more opponents you will play in the second half.

List of players

1. Sako (Ibuki)
2. Haitani (Makoto)
3. Uryo (Sakura)
4. Mago (Fei Long)
5. Kazunoko (Yun) *confirmed to change from Seth
6. Fuudo (Fei Long)
7. Umehara (Ryu)
8. Momochi (Cody)
9. Bon-chan (Sagat) *winner from the play-off
10. Eita (Akuma) *from B League
11. YHC-Mochi (Dhalsim) *from B League
12. Cabbage (C. Viper) *from B League

Stream prices
- 400 yen for each episode (early purchase)
- 3200 yen for one season (12 episodes) (early purchase)
- 500 yen for each episode (actual date)
- 3500 yen for one season (12 episodes) (actual date)

Schedule and stream links
Round 1 (August 17, Friday)
Round 2 (August 18, Saturday)
Round 3 (August 19, Sunday)
Round 4 (August 24, Friday)
Round 5 (August 26, Sunday)
Round 6 (September 2, Sunday)
Round 7 (September 7, Friday)
Round 8 (September 8, Saturday)
Round 9 (September 9, Sunday)
Round 10 (September 14, Friday)
Round 11 (September 15, Saturday)
Round 12 (September 16, Sunday)

Japan's Street Fighter 25th Anniversary National Tournaments revealed

Capcom now revealed today the details of Japan's "Street Fighter 25th Anniversary Official National Tournaments: Fighting Fall Festival."

Summary
- GODSGARDEN will manage this, Nico Nico will stream it, TOPANGA will give some help
- There will be a pay-per-view stream (TBA)
- 3 titles - SFxTK, SF4AE2012, SF3 3rd Strike
- Apply now until August 20
- Must live in Japan
- NO DETAILS ABOUT PRIZES

Qualifiers
- September 29-30 and October 6-7
- 20:00 to 23:00 (3 hours a day)
- All online matches
- 128 players will be reduced to 8* for the finals
- *For SF4AE2012, one player will come from The 2nd TOPANGA League A (special invitation)

Finals
- October 20 (Saturday)
- Double elimination
- 8 players each titles will compete
- It will be held somewhere in Tokyo area.


Capcom is notorious for not giving any prize money in Japan. It looks like the legend will continue. Note that Capcom promised $500,000 prizes for these 25th anniversary tournaments. The winners of the tournaments in Texas and New York receive $2,500. On December 8, a grand finals event will be held in San Francisco for the winners of each qualifying tournament. The winner of SFxTK or SF4AE2012 will receive $25,000.

Xbox 360 P4U lag patch is out

The patch that fixes the lag issue of Xbox 360 version of P4U is out now. Kubo just finished one-hour testing on his stream a few seconds ago. We can confirm that the issue is now gone.

Saint Seiya FG announced for PSP

Bandai Namco announced today a Saint Seiya fighting game titled Saint Seiya Omega Ultimate Cosmo for PSP. It will be released on November 29.

The game is based on the latest anime Saint Seiya Omega. Judging from everything, this is a small project and probably will not have the characters outside this anime.

Saint Seiya series is big, but not as big as in the past now. The latest anime lacks both charisma and quality.

Umehara returns to fighting game after almost 1 month

For the first time in almost one month, Daigo Umehara was seen playing SF4 again today at Taito Station Shinjuku.

Umehara has spent several hours a day playing Gunslinger Stratos since its release on July 12.

Video of Umehara in Shibuya Message Festival 2012

A video of Daigo Umehara during talk show in Shibuya Message Festival 2012 was uploaded by the event staff tonight. This should be called a rare footage of Umehara talking one hour non-stop!

The talk show aimed toward young audience and the topic was "Dream." Five people from five careers were invited (fashion model, physician, chef, pro gamer, cosmetic company president).

Summary
- The MC is Chiasa Takou (a TV announcer).
- They talked about how Japanese games becomes world culture.
- Umehara said gamers get a lot of attention from media in some countries.
- The origin of "The Beast." He thinks someone called him that in a documentary then people followed.
- The differences of taste in games between Japan and foreign counties.
- Training competitive gaming.
- Evolution, its viewers and attendees.
- His experience in foreign counties.
- His childhood.
- He used to play 8 hours (from 3 pm to 11 pm) using just 100 yen (because he didn't lose).
- He thinks sponsors came too late, it should come since he's 17 (laugh). But he's still happy.
- They talked about the contents in his book.
- His retirement from gaming in 2008.
- His hobby (beside gaming) is finding a delicious place to eat.
- When asked about types of girl he likes: Cheerful and girly.
- There's a lot of girls in the audience, especially in front of the stage.
- There's a chance that he will participate Capcom's SF 25th anniversary tournament in Taiwan.
- He still has an unannounced Gunslinger Stratos activity and more.
- The MC accepted a few questions from the audience.

Under Night: In-Birth

In the previous post, we said you should pay attention to this game, but we feel that it needs a separate post for the reasons why.

Under Night In-Birth* is the upcoming fighting game from the developer of Melty Blood. It is scheduled for arcade release this Summer (or in near future). The game may look like a low-budget version of BlazBlue, but some elements are better.

*The game officially uses In-Birth in English, but Inverse in Japanese.

The first thing you will quickly notice is it's clean. It doesn't have millions of gauges and icons like in BlazBlue. The game is in good pace and has good camera work (no unnecessary zoom-out or move-up). Overall, it has one of those things that make SF4 easier to get into.

Anyway, the video below is the most important reason. Orie probably has the best sprite in any 2D FGs right now. She's so smooth.

There're many smaller FGs from smaller developers like this both on PC and in the arcades in Japan. Due to the lack of budget and resources, none of them can compete with FGs from the bigger companies. These game probably are not up to your standard, but there're something that they get it right and we want to promote that. The more you know, the more you realize that bigger FGs in the market are still far from being genuinely good.

Nico to stream Extra Stage of Game Summer Festival 2012

It is revealed that Nico Nico will stream Game Summer Festival 2012's Extra Stage for free both day.

Game Summer Festival is the game event that will be held together with Tougeki 2012. Two events share the same ticket.

Below are stream links and time table.

August 4
11:50 - Soulcalibur V talk show
13:25 - Taiko no Tatsujin exhibition
15:00 - Puyo Puyo tutorial and super play
17:30 - Dead or Alive 5 tournament
19:10 - Doruaga Time Attack Battle
20:40 - Tougeki 2012 First Day talk show

August 5
11:50 - Hokuto no Ken exhibition match
13:10 - Puyo Puyo tutorial and super play
15:40 - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure HD Ver. introduction stage
16:40 - Touhou Hisoutensoku tournament*
18:10 - Under Night In-Birth tournament*
19:25 - Tougeki 2012 Second Day talk show

*Highly recommended by Beast Note

Online Kubo's Garden P4U summary

Info
- Kubo announces P4U online tournament
- Date: August 3, 21:00
- Format: Tougeki rules (single elimination, 1 game (FT2R) , fixed character)
- Requirement: Player must have 5-dan rank or above
- Stream: Here
- Bracket: Here (provided by Kubo himself)

Top 4
Dosu (Kuma) 0-2 Bokuzen (Sanada)
Tomo (S. Labrys) 1-2 Eru (Aigis) *a comeback in last round by Eru

3rd place
Tomo (S. Labrys) 2-0 Dosu (Kuma)

Final
Eru (Aigis 879PSR) 2-0 Bokuzen (Sanada 819PSR)


Highlight
- Kaitenou (Chie player, Tougeki 2012 Finals qualifier) who had 923 PSR and Tsujigawa (Chie) lost to Bokuzen the Sanada player.

Nico to stream ChoTougeki 2012 exhibition

It is revealed that Nico Nico will stream Cho Tougeki's exhibition match tournament for free tonight starting from 21:00 JST (or another 8 hours).

The exhibitions took place on April 29.

Kana Ueda gets MadCatz T-shirts

The famous voice actress Kana Ueda revealed today that she got MadCatz T-shirts from a fan.

Here's translation of the message:

I received MadCatz T-shirts from a fan. So there're girl-style colors! They're cute and I can totally wear this. What if they're Ume-san or Mago-kun color? Those two probably feel awkward. (laugh) Ah I wanted to go to Tougeki wearing this!!

As already mentioned, Ueda is often seen playing Gunslinger Stratos in Umehara's team. Apparently they're now friends. Ume-san is Umehara's nickname. Tokido usually calls him this.

Nico to restream Tougeki 2011 tonight

It is revealed that Nico Nico will restream Tougeki 2011 for free tonight 30 minutes after midnight in Japan (or another 12 hours 30 minutes).

Tougeki 2011 was held on September 17 last year at Tokyo Game Show. It had 4 titles: Aquapazza, BlazBlue CS2, SSF2X, SSF4AE.

Console P4U is now the bestselling FG in past 4 years

Two days before release when we said the arrival of console versions of P4U will be one of the biggest impacts in JFGC in the past 4 years, we meant it. And it is.

Media Create, the well-known Japanese console software market researcher, revealed today (via GAF) that the console versions of Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena sold over 138,000 copies two versions combined last week or in 4 days.

• PS3 - 128,485 copies
• Xbox 360 - 9,801 copies

As always, we put the numbers in the chart so you can compare. It is now the new best selling "conventional" fighting game in the past 4 years.

First week sales of fighting games between 2008-2012 in Japan by Media Create

1. [PSP] Dissidia Final Fantasy (Square Enix) {2009.12.18} - 489,100 | NEW
2. [PSP] Dissidia: 012 (Duodecim) Final Fantasy (Square Enix) {2011.03.03} - 286,117 / NEW
3. [PS3] Persona 4: Arena (Atlus) {2012.07.26} - 128,485 / NEW 
4. [PS3] Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai) {2009.10.29} - 103,105 / NEW
5. [PS3] Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2009.02.12} - 86,000 / NEW
6. [PS2] Fate/Unlimited Codes (Capcom) {2008.12.18} - 82,900 | NEW
7. [PS3] Super Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2010.04.28} - 80,882 / NEW
8. [PSP] Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Battle of Aces (Namco Bandai) {2010.01.21} - 76,088 / NEW
9. [PS3] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games) {2008.07.31} - 74,607 / NEW
10. [PS3] Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom) {2011.02.17} - 67,187 / NEW
11. [PS3] Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Storm Generation (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.23} - 65,758 / NEW
12. [PS3] Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom) {2012.03.08} - 58,471 / NEW
13. [PS3] Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (Namco Bandai) {2009.11.09} - 57,972 / NEW
14. [PSP] Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's Portable: The Gears of Destiny (Bandai Namco) {2011.12.22} - 57,320 / NEW
15. [PS3] Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Capcom) {2011.06.30} - 54,924 / NEW
16. [PS3] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift (Arc System Works) {2010.07.01} - 49,871 / NEW
17. [PS3] Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 (Bandai Namco) {2010.11.11} - 47.610 / NEW
18. [3DS] Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (Capcom) {2011.02.26} - 44,649 / NEW
19. [PS3] Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi (Bandai Namco Games) {2011.12.08} - 44,593 / NEW
20. [PS2] Melty Blood: Actress Again (Ecole Software) {2009.08.20} - 44,292 / NEW
21. [360] Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2009.02.12} - 38,000 / NEW
22. [360] Soul Calibur IV (Namco Bandai Games) {2008.07.31} - 34,786 / NEW
23. [PS3] Soul Calibur V (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.02} - 34,328 / NEW 
24. [PSP] Fate/Unlimited Codes Portable (Capcom) {2009.06.18} - 34,205 / NEW
25. [PS3] BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works) {2009.06.25} - 33,768 / NEW
26. [PS3] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend (Arc System Works) {2011.12.17} - 32,992 / NEW
27. [360] Super Street Fighter IV (Capcom) {2010.04.28} - 28,454 / NEW
28. [PSP] Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai) {2010.01.14} - 25,131 / NEW
29. [360] BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Arc System Works) {2009.06.25} - 24,812 / NEW
30. [WII] Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes (Capcom) {2008.12.11} - 24,100 / NEW
31. [PSP] BlazBlue: Continuum Shift II (Arc System Works) {2011.03.31} - 23,808 / NEW
32. [3DS] Dead or Alive: Dimensions (Koei Tecmo) {2011.05.19} - 23,078 / NEW
33. [PS3] Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 (Capcom) {2011.11.17} - 22,436 / NEW
34. [PS3] The King of Fighters XIII (SNK Playmore) {2011.12.01} - 21,525 / NEW
35. [PS3] Arcana Heart 3 (Arc System Works) {2011.01.13} - 17,219 / NEW
36. [360] Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom) {2011.02.17} - 13,779 / NEW
37. [360] Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Capcom) {2011.06.30} - 12,326 / NEW
38. [360] Phantom Breaker (5pb.) {2011.06.02} - 9,960 / NEW
39. [360] Persona 4: Arena (Atlus) {2012.07.26} - 9,801 / NEW 
40. [3DS] Tekken 3D: Prime Edition (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.16} - 9,421 / NEW
41. [360] Street Fighter X Tekken (Capcom) {2012.03.08} - 8,527 / NEW
42. [360] Soul Calibur V (Bandai Namco Games) {2012.02.02} - 7,679 / NEW

New Tougeki scandals (2012 edition)

Tougeki 2012 is this weekend but we cannot wait to unfold these scandals. There are already 2 scams, pre-Tougeki 2012 P4U tournament and Game Summer Festival 2012.

Pre-Tougeki 2012 P4U (mini) tournament
The first scam is PPV pre-Tougeki 2012 P4U tournament. The show was 5 hour long. But there were 3 corners before that. The time table was not written beforehand, so no one expected that. They had viewers wait 1 hour 48 minutes before the actual tournament. Luckily, it is offline tournament, it would have less value otherwise.

The time table

1. Opening talk (15 minutes)
2. A sample of Cho Tougeki Exhibition match (Umehara vs. Nuki, Kazunoko vs. Fei Long) (originally 1 hour, but they cut to 30 minutes due to complaints?)
3. Tougeki Q&A talk (20 minutes)
4. P4U introduction & gameplay demonstration  (35 minutes)
5. The actual content

Why did they use PPV stream to promote Tougeki?
Why did they show SF4 on a PPV P4U stream?
Why did they show Umehara when he is not confirmed to go Tougeki 2012?
Why did they introduce something that people are paying to see?
Time table is not showed outside the show, was that on purpose?

The actual tournament started at 0:40 (JST) after midnight. And again, this is pay-per-view.


Game Summer Festival 2012
In order to make more money from Tougeki, they make Tougeki a part of a big game event. Everything outside Tougeki is a filler.

This big event is not actually big judging from the contents. The stage shows are mostly a game played by a gamer. The concerts are mostly from minor artists.

Here is the important part. If you are not already qualified for Tougeki Finals (a blue ticket holder) and wish to participate the appointed day qualifier, you are forced to buy the ticket of Game Summer Festival which will cost up to 7,500-8,500 yen for both days. Moreover, number of participants is limited even though they will accept all the applications. It will be decided by lottery. You will not get a refund if you are not chosen.

In Japan, with 8,500 yen, it is the money you pay for a concert of a top artist(s) of the country with approximate 30 songs or more.

They are unfairly making big money off players, their friends or relatives, and their fans.


The monopoly
We again have to remind you that Tougeki will always get away as long as Japan does not have a new open national fighting game tournaments event. Currently, only the game publishers have the power to do so. Arc System Works is stepping up, but publishers like Capcom only do so once in a while to promote stuff. TOPANGA and GODSGARDEN does not have the power. They can only organize a small one or invite-only.