Welcome back fellow beginners, today we'll be talking about finding your place in the smash community. This is for everyone who's either just joined the smash community or have been in it ,but still finding your place among the scene that you're in. We'll delve into the various options available
to you in this day and age. We'll cover the community, finding you place, and the importance of giving back.
The 1st thing that you need out of this is an area for you to get in for you to fit in. This can either be a physical community or this can be an online community, or you can have both. The most important part of your community is that you can see yourself growing in that environment. If you can, spend more time within that community and watch as your personal relationships and love for the game grows. I'd like to explain the differences be between both.
The Physical Community
This community is usually made up of the people who live around you or you're easily able to meet with. The benefits of this community are: that you can do things smash and non-smash related with them, you can get quick answers to questions you might have about MUs, and you can play irl matches/wifi matches with them. This community give you that real world experience that you can take online and continue with them. Also, it's in this type of community that you can take part in local tournaments where you can potentially win money.
The online community is spread across multiple sites and apps that can be used as your main community or one to supplement the physical community that you're already part of. The top places to be part of the online community are: Reddit, Smashboards, Anthers Ladder, Discord, Skype Chats, etc. It's within these places that you'll grasp the smash scene on a larger scale. Since you'll meet players from other Metagames and be able to experience their way of playing which can have a significant effect on your own improvement as a smash player.
So now you've found which community you want to spend you time within and now you're just starting to get settled into this idea of being part of the smash community. But now you've got another goal to fulfill. Where do you fit into this community? What are the benefits of being in each position available to you? Never fear because we'll break down each place that people fill in being part of the smash community.
Maybe you like the game, but you like discovering things, pushing all characters to their limits, and making data available to other players, if so you might be a Professor. These are the players that delve deep into the game and gather data on things that affect the game as a whole including to the point of looking for small things that can let you in on how things in the game operate that can give players advantages. One of our most notable Professors in GA is TheReflexWonder. If you'd like to see what I'm talking about then you can take a look at his YouTube page right here.
Having professors helps our community thrive. It's these players that help us to make decisions on many issues that could counter balance in our game. This is also a reason why you see many of them in backroom positions because their expertise is trusted because we know that they have insight into each decision that they make.
Tournament Organizers aka T/O's are the players that allow us to be able to have events that we're able to play and potentially win money from. It's also because of them that we're able to have the exposure that we have day to day by way of them streaming events and showing potential sponsors why they should invest in our players and tournaments leading to more career opportunities in smash.
As a T/o you get to be part of the people who help expand our community. One of our most notable people down here for being a T/O is T-Rex games who hosts TypoHouseGames that displays typo house monthlies, flashback presents, halcyon series, the cardboard castle series, king of the south, and fusion by round 3 gaming. When I asked him about the benefits he said “I started being a T/O because I got tired of playing the same people all the time. It started as a chance to build a local community, but it quickly grew into something much larger. I've met a ton of really cool people from the community. Ranging from the top player to very new player. I also get to watch everyone grow as a player. Another thing is it's a great resume builder.”
Streamers are the players that entertain and help teach the community by producing live feeds of them playing the game and communicating with the community as a whole. They allow players to be able to have quick access to the information regarding mechanics and certain characters that the streamer may play. It's in these players that the community is able to expand by people being able to watch the game and associate with other players of the game in chat. I got a chance to speak to N.45 about his stream.
Me:”How long have you been streaming?”
N.45:“I've been streaming on and off for about 2 years.”
Me: “What do you feel streamers bring to the community?”
N.45:“Knowledge, entertainment, a place to watch others play games to relax, and iteraction through the internet when on some days when they might not be able to hang with friends.
Me:”What do you personally get from streaming?”
N.45:“I mostly get a sense of happiness from being able to play games that some people may or may not be able to afford themselves or want an opinion on the game itsself. Also I like giving away stuff sometimes when I start back doing my stream prize events.
Me: Awesome. What's your stream's address?
“https://www.twitch.tv/r3tro_Gh0st”
Content Creators
It's the content creators of our community that push for us to be able to have the more entertaining sides of smash outside of the competitive atmosphere. It's because of these creators that we're able to look at things that can bring people into the community by seeing that they can take the game in another direction that can interest even people who don't play the game. Also, it's from the Content Creators position that they have the ability to express on certain issues that are in our community. Most notably the one being when Omni had to come at the Melee crowd for the situation of Melee vs. Smash4. It's this that allows these people to be able to impact the community at an wave since they're impact of opinion is aided by their standing with developing things for the community.
I got a chance to talk to SM Mystic from the GA Smash community:
Me: What kind of content do you produce?
SM Mystic: I usually produce compilations and cool things that I do with Zelda. At like 2 AM this morning though, I posted something neat. An easier way (imo) to boost grab.
Me:Nice. What do you feel your content does for the community
SM Mystic:Considering the fact I'm not that big on YT just yet, I feel like it really doesn't do much, but rather shows everyone that Zelda isn't as bad as people say. Minus the tech video I uploaded. So far, I've gotten a lot of thumbs up from people for uploading about it
Me: I feel that. Still in growing. How do you feel about content creators place in the community?
SM Mystic: I feel like content creators make up a big portion of our community. If it weren't for streamers and commentators, no one would be able to see any hype matches or feel what spectators who are actually at the event are feeling. Without content creators as well, no one would know anything about character specific techs like Love Boosting for Zelda, or universal techs such as reverse specials or wavebouncing. The only problem is, unless you're a big content creator like ZeRo, or unless you've found tech that can potentially make competitive play better, people really won't pay attention to you. And that's disheartening to say the least, but it's the truth.
Me:True. Which leads me to my next question: What do you feel your content does for the ga community and what do you get from it?
SM Mystic: My content as of right now doesn't do much except for what I said earlier: to show Zelda isn't as bad as people say. Granted I did turn a weird occurance into a funny video and some people seemed to like that, but again, no one's really gonna pay attention unless it's new tech or character specific tech, or a big time Youtuber.
Me: I understand. Btw where can fans find your content?
SM Mystic: Fans can find my content @ www.youtube.com/user/SoraMaxSakuraba
Tournament Players
Tournament Players are the gladiators of our community. They're the players who dive into the ring, rise to the top over opponents, earn money and fame for their efforts. It's these players that show us what each character can do in a highly competitive environment where every second matters. If you'd like to be a Tournament Players, then it's advise that you make sure you have the time available to practice and read up the game and your characters, and start your journey with the book Playing to Win by David Sirlin.
Commentators
Commentators are either the voice of the action or the wise teachers during the tournament. They keep us locked in the action by providing the hype of the scene and by educating us about the intricate mind games and options that the players have at that time. Sometimes it's the commentators who have more knowledge than the players because of the need to understand each match-up at an rapid pace and be able to explain it to others. Commentators are needed in the community because they become the voice of that community or the channel that they represent. If you would like to be a commentator, I'd suggest that you read Prog's guide about commentary.
I also got a moment to speak to a commentator in the GA Smash4 community by the name of Auroura. Here's how it went:
Me: How long have you been doing commentary ?
Auroura: I'm actually not to sure. It just sort of happened. I know the first time was Momocon last year. But it was only during casuals, nothing competitive. I think I started shortly after Momocon though at a Gwinnett Brawl. So we'll say about 8-9 months. Nice.
Me: How has your commentary made an impact on the ga community?
Auroura: I don't know the answer to that to be honest. It's to my knowledge that people, or at least people from Georgia, enjoy it to some degree. I've apparently "saved" the Gwinnett Brawl streams a few times, and I am often told I do a good job. I'm not sure if my commentary has impacted Georgia so much as it has been better than some around me. I think that's probably something the community would know better than I would.
Me: What do you get out of commentating ?
Auroura: I just do it because I enjoy it and feel like I can contribute. If I've succeeded at that then all is well.
Me: What makes you a strong commentator?
Auroura:”Hmm. I don't know if I consider myself a strong commentator. I at least, consider myself better than some if not most of what Georgia has to offer. However, I don't think that makes me a strong commentator. If anything, I feel like I try to teach people about moments going on in the match, since I feel commentators have the ability to educate, I think D1 said something along those lines himself.
So I try to spread information, good mentality, and try to be fun and entertaining as possible. From the feedback I do get, I've at least somewhat accomplished that. However, I feel I've still got a long way to go in that regard. So I wouldn't say I'm a strong commentator. Just better than some around me which I don't feel is what I should measure myself by. If I ever have the pleasure of being a commentator with EE, D1, TkBreezy, Koopa, or some other actual big commentator and they think I do well or get asked to commentate more with them. Then I'll consider myself a strong one. So far what limited time I get at big events hasn't gained me any followers on twitter or anything, so yeah. Haha.
“In regards to what I get from commentating. Nothing really. Aside from enjoyment. Granted my enjoyment of it is heavily dependent on who is commentating with me. I do feel it helps me as a player, watching other talented and even some not so talented players. I think it's a good opportunity to learn and really analyze what goes on in a match.
Actually recognizing a situation for what it is, or looking at movement, what options people select, habits people chose, and seeing how people sort of engrave their own way or style into a character, I do get to see that. So I suppose I have to retract my previous statement about gaining nothing. That is an experience in itself. I think it's pretty cool to see how players can play so different and still be successful. Like Wrath in comparison to 6WX. Or Salt One in comparison to Fatality. They're very different, but still do well in Georgia. Fatality even doing well nationally.”
Me: Thanks for the interview. What stream are you usually on ?
Auroura:Most commonly found on the Gwinnett Brawl Stream. which is twitch.tv/sixfortyfive and no problem dude. Glad I could help.
After you attain an amount of success in any of these chosen fields, it becomes an importance to give back to the community as an whole. You can provide connections to newer players that will give the ability to tap into more information and opportunities that otherwise wouldn't be available to them. You can start on the road of mentoring a player/players in the area of the smash community you've chosen. Currently, there's a lot of tourney players doing this, but even if you're a content creator, commentator Professor, or Tournament Organizer don't forget that you can mentor also to help the growth and health of the smash community. Lastly, you can pick up an extra need of the community. Maybe you're an amazing content creator, but your community is always in need of commentary, that's an need that you can fulfill to help your community take a step forward.
Thank you for reading this. I hope that it's been a guide in helping you to know where you'd like to fit into the smash community. Whether on the large scale or the small scale, we need you. Thank you for your time and enjoy your journey.
to you in this day and age. We'll cover the community, finding you place, and the importance of giving back.
The Community
The 1st thing that you need out of this is an area for you to get in for you to fit in. This can either be a physical community or this can be an online community, or you can have both. The most important part of your community is that you can see yourself growing in that environment. If you can, spend more time within that community and watch as your personal relationships and love for the game grows. I'd like to explain the differences be between both.
The Physical Community
This community is usually made up of the people who live around you or you're easily able to meet with. The benefits of this community are: that you can do things smash and non-smash related with them, you can get quick answers to questions you might have about MUs, and you can play irl matches/wifi matches with them. This community give you that real world experience that you can take online and continue with them. Also, it's in this type of community that you can take part in local tournaments where you can potentially win money.
The Online Community
The online community is spread across multiple sites and apps that can be used as your main community or one to supplement the physical community that you're already part of. The top places to be part of the online community are: Reddit, Smashboards, Anthers Ladder, Discord, Skype Chats, etc. It's within these places that you'll grasp the smash scene on a larger scale. Since you'll meet players from other Metagames and be able to experience their way of playing which can have a significant effect on your own improvement as a smash player.
Finding your place
So now you've found which community you want to spend you time within and now you're just starting to get settled into this idea of being part of the smash community. But now you've got another goal to fulfill. Where do you fit into this community? What are the benefits of being in each position available to you? Never fear because we'll break down each place that people fill in being part of the smash community.
Professors
Maybe you like the game, but you like discovering things, pushing all characters to their limits, and making data available to other players, if so you might be a Professor. These are the players that delve deep into the game and gather data on things that affect the game as a whole including to the point of looking for small things that can let you in on how things in the game operate that can give players advantages. One of our most notable Professors in GA is TheReflexWonder. If you'd like to see what I'm talking about then you can take a look at his YouTube page right here.
Benefits
Having professors helps our community thrive. It's these players that help us to make decisions on many issues that could counter balance in our game. This is also a reason why you see many of them in backroom positions because their expertise is trusted because we know that they have insight into each decision that they make.
Tournament Organizers (T/O)
Tournament Organizers aka T/O's are the players that allow us to be able to have events that we're able to play and potentially win money from. It's also because of them that we're able to have the exposure that we have day to day by way of them streaming events and showing potential sponsors why they should invest in our players and tournaments leading to more career opportunities in smash.
Benefits
As a T/o you get to be part of the people who help expand our community. One of our most notable people down here for being a T/O is T-Rex games who hosts TypoHouseGames that displays typo house monthlies, flashback presents, halcyon series, the cardboard castle series, king of the south, and fusion by round 3 gaming. When I asked him about the benefits he said “I started being a T/O because I got tired of playing the same people all the time. It started as a chance to build a local community, but it quickly grew into something much larger. I've met a ton of really cool people from the community. Ranging from the top player to very new player. I also get to watch everyone grow as a player. Another thing is it's a great resume builder.”
Streamers
Streamers are the players that entertain and help teach the community by producing live feeds of them playing the game and communicating with the community as a whole. They allow players to be able to have quick access to the information regarding mechanics and certain characters that the streamer may play. It's in these players that the community is able to expand by people being able to watch the game and associate with other players of the game in chat. I got a chance to speak to N.45 about his stream.
Me:”How long have you been streaming?”
N.45:“I've been streaming on and off for about 2 years.”
Me: “What do you feel streamers bring to the community?”
N.45:“Knowledge, entertainment, a place to watch others play games to relax, and iteraction through the internet when on some days when they might not be able to hang with friends.
Me:”What do you personally get from streaming?”
N.45:“I mostly get a sense of happiness from being able to play games that some people may or may not be able to afford themselves or want an opinion on the game itsself. Also I like giving away stuff sometimes when I start back doing my stream prize events.
Me: Awesome. What's your stream's address?
“https://www.twitch.tv/r3tro_Gh0st”
Content Creators
It's the content creators of our community that push for us to be able to have the more entertaining sides of smash outside of the competitive atmosphere. It's because of these creators that we're able to look at things that can bring people into the community by seeing that they can take the game in another direction that can interest even people who don't play the game. Also, it's from the Content Creators position that they have the ability to express on certain issues that are in our community. Most notably the one being when Omni had to come at the Melee crowd for the situation of Melee vs. Smash4. It's this that allows these people to be able to impact the community at an wave since they're impact of opinion is aided by their standing with developing things for the community.
I got a chance to talk to SM Mystic from the GA Smash community:
Me: What kind of content do you produce?
SM Mystic: I usually produce compilations and cool things that I do with Zelda. At like 2 AM this morning though, I posted something neat. An easier way (imo) to boost grab.
Me:Nice. What do you feel your content does for the community
SM Mystic:Considering the fact I'm not that big on YT just yet, I feel like it really doesn't do much, but rather shows everyone that Zelda isn't as bad as people say. Minus the tech video I uploaded. So far, I've gotten a lot of thumbs up from people for uploading about it
Me: I feel that. Still in growing. How do you feel about content creators place in the community?
SM Mystic: I feel like content creators make up a big portion of our community. If it weren't for streamers and commentators, no one would be able to see any hype matches or feel what spectators who are actually at the event are feeling. Without content creators as well, no one would know anything about character specific techs like Love Boosting for Zelda, or universal techs such as reverse specials or wavebouncing. The only problem is, unless you're a big content creator like ZeRo, or unless you've found tech that can potentially make competitive play better, people really won't pay attention to you. And that's disheartening to say the least, but it's the truth.
Me:True. Which leads me to my next question: What do you feel your content does for the ga community and what do you get from it?
SM Mystic: My content as of right now doesn't do much except for what I said earlier: to show Zelda isn't as bad as people say. Granted I did turn a weird occurance into a funny video and some people seemed to like that, but again, no one's really gonna pay attention unless it's new tech or character specific tech, or a big time Youtuber.
Me: I understand. Btw where can fans find your content?
SM Mystic: Fans can find my content @ www.youtube.com/user/SoraMaxSakuraba
Tournament Players
Tournament Players are the gladiators of our community. They're the players who dive into the ring, rise to the top over opponents, earn money and fame for their efforts. It's these players that show us what each character can do in a highly competitive environment where every second matters. If you'd like to be a Tournament Players, then it's advise that you make sure you have the time available to practice and read up the game and your characters, and start your journey with the book Playing to Win by David Sirlin.
Commentators
Commentators are either the voice of the action or the wise teachers during the tournament. They keep us locked in the action by providing the hype of the scene and by educating us about the intricate mind games and options that the players have at that time. Sometimes it's the commentators who have more knowledge than the players because of the need to understand each match-up at an rapid pace and be able to explain it to others. Commentators are needed in the community because they become the voice of that community or the channel that they represent. If you would like to be a commentator, I'd suggest that you read Prog's guide about commentary.
I also got a moment to speak to a commentator in the GA Smash4 community by the name of Auroura. Here's how it went:
Me: How long have you been doing commentary ?
Auroura: I'm actually not to sure. It just sort of happened. I know the first time was Momocon last year. But it was only during casuals, nothing competitive. I think I started shortly after Momocon though at a Gwinnett Brawl. So we'll say about 8-9 months. Nice.
Me: How has your commentary made an impact on the ga community?
Auroura: I don't know the answer to that to be honest. It's to my knowledge that people, or at least people from Georgia, enjoy it to some degree. I've apparently "saved" the Gwinnett Brawl streams a few times, and I am often told I do a good job. I'm not sure if my commentary has impacted Georgia so much as it has been better than some around me. I think that's probably something the community would know better than I would.
Me: What do you get out of commentating ?
Auroura: I just do it because I enjoy it and feel like I can contribute. If I've succeeded at that then all is well.
Me: What makes you a strong commentator?
Auroura:”Hmm. I don't know if I consider myself a strong commentator. I at least, consider myself better than some if not most of what Georgia has to offer. However, I don't think that makes me a strong commentator. If anything, I feel like I try to teach people about moments going on in the match, since I feel commentators have the ability to educate, I think D1 said something along those lines himself.
So I try to spread information, good mentality, and try to be fun and entertaining as possible. From the feedback I do get, I've at least somewhat accomplished that. However, I feel I've still got a long way to go in that regard. So I wouldn't say I'm a strong commentator. Just better than some around me which I don't feel is what I should measure myself by. If I ever have the pleasure of being a commentator with EE, D1, TkBreezy, Koopa, or some other actual big commentator and they think I do well or get asked to commentate more with them. Then I'll consider myself a strong one. So far what limited time I get at big events hasn't gained me any followers on twitter or anything, so yeah. Haha.
“In regards to what I get from commentating. Nothing really. Aside from enjoyment. Granted my enjoyment of it is heavily dependent on who is commentating with me. I do feel it helps me as a player, watching other talented and even some not so talented players. I think it's a good opportunity to learn and really analyze what goes on in a match.
Actually recognizing a situation for what it is, or looking at movement, what options people select, habits people chose, and seeing how people sort of engrave their own way or style into a character, I do get to see that. So I suppose I have to retract my previous statement about gaining nothing. That is an experience in itself. I think it's pretty cool to see how players can play so different and still be successful. Like Wrath in comparison to 6WX. Or Salt One in comparison to Fatality. They're very different, but still do well in Georgia. Fatality even doing well nationally.”
Me: Thanks for the interview. What stream are you usually on ?
Auroura:Most commonly found on the Gwinnett Brawl Stream. which is twitch.tv/sixfortyfive and no problem dude. Glad I could help.
Giving Back
After you attain an amount of success in any of these chosen fields, it becomes an importance to give back to the community as an whole. You can provide connections to newer players that will give the ability to tap into more information and opportunities that otherwise wouldn't be available to them. You can start on the road of mentoring a player/players in the area of the smash community you've chosen. Currently, there's a lot of tourney players doing this, but even if you're a content creator, commentator Professor, or Tournament Organizer don't forget that you can mentor also to help the growth and health of the smash community. Lastly, you can pick up an extra need of the community. Maybe you're an amazing content creator, but your community is always in need of commentary, that's an need that you can fulfill to help your community take a step forward.
Thank you for reading this. I hope that it's been a guide in helping you to know where you'd like to fit into the smash community. Whether on the large scale or the small scale, we need you. Thank you for your time and enjoy your journey.
- Applicable Games
- Smash 64, Melee, Brawl, Project M, Smash 3DS, Smash Wii U
