Ok here is how my day began
So I heard when I went to pick up my reserve of SFIV Tuesday that "ye olde Gamestop" was having a tournament in my area. I was like cool, yea sure, I'll sign up (and get my butt whipped) but what the heck, other than my 8:00 - 12 pm math class maybe it'd be just the thing I need to fill up most of my afternoon. I mean, I'd just probably go home and play it anyway...right?
So all this week...a few of people I party chatted with heard me online practicing up and just kind of messing around...so Saturday arrives. I walk into the tournament, where a lot (AND I DO MEAN A LOT - like 50 signups) of people got eliminated by not showing up. Our Gamestop had about 20 participants or close to it.
The rules were gay!!!
Rules
- Default characters only
- No controller configs - meaning default controller settings!!! GAH!
- standard default XBox 360 controller (so store controllers)
- your side you fought on (left or right) was assigned...no choice.
- Whatever character you chose...you had to stick with for the remainder of the day. Meaning you had to do the entire tournament with just 1 character.
- battle set was a 5 match (so best 3 out of 5 rounds)
I deliberated...I was a bit clueless of who would be most effective of the people I was strongest at:
Ryu, Ken, Sagat, Bison (could be considered cheap), Chun Li (button masher dream but skilled opponent nightmare), or the new character C. Viper (really liking her
)
I chose this guy:
I had to play someone for the entire tournament it might as well be
Sagat!
Big, fast, strong, and a fairly respectable player in tournaments. However, he is Tier S (the only character in his own Tier which is above above Tier A) in Rank according to a list of formidable characters in SFIV. Meaning Sagat, if played effectively, is virtually a BEAST! Plus I knew I could get his Ultras, specials and "ex" moves off fairly easy. I mean I wanted to win lol
So I go to this tournament...see 20 competitors...and...begin playing Sagat...with lousy default controller configurations... thinking I was in for a first round elimination...
Round 1 - Sagat vs. Ryu - classic matchup, managed to squak by. (Victory margin final: Me - 3, Opponent 2)
and...I keep playing and playing through the rounds against numerous opponents
The highlight was a 2-2 battle winner take all round ME - Sagat VS. Opponent - Zangief
Energy level was within "special attack" KO if it landed. both of our Ultras were charged and available.
Zangief, being the ever pesky grabber...
Initiated Zangief's
Ultra "Ultimate Atomic Buster" right as I landed from a jump...the screen flashed...
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSRYimJAIPU[/youtube]
GAME OVER?!?!?
NO! Thinking fast I initiated Sagat's
Ultra "Tiger Destruction"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bECrXUfhPGk[/youtube]
A ROAR erupted from the onlookers followed by laughs and cries as Zangief walked right into his demise...it was the type of fighting people know, love, and remember about this game. That was my best moment...
EXCEPT - I kept playing...
And winning...
and...
MONEY B!@*H3S!
I WON!!!
I am now current Gamestop store champ of SFIV from my store.
I was all excited and shaking with adrenaline I could barely sign my name and life away on the winning contract/contact information thinking I got the fancy controller
but...
Instead...all I got was these gay-ass wristbands and a bandana...
It would seem I misread the back of the tournament flyer...
So in order to at least win the decently prized 360 Street Fighter controller...
BUT I WANT THE REALLY NICE ONE!!!
I
must win district...Gamestop is cheap.
The thing is, I don't consider myself a great player, I have played in the ranked online matches and even some regular player battles and gotten destroyed by people. I think nerves and some of the rules hindered a few opponents but the verdict remains: I am a Store Champion (at least in my area). I move on to the second District round so now I must TRAIN!
And here is my nice poster invitation and proof I am a living store legend in my area YAY!
Thanks to Yarr, Viviti and all you other CKD SFIV fans!!!
- Supafly