If I ****ed up anywhere, the editors will fix it. Enjoy, let's see how much changes through the editing process... before it goes to print...
1. Can you give us an overview of the fighting game scene in Australia.
The fighting game scene in Australia has been an underground activity
for as long as I can remember. Originally, players used to hit up
their local arcades for competition, but hosted tournaments have
become the emerging phenomenon, especially as fighting games have
become readily available on home consoles and executed flawlessly. In
Australia, both Sydney (OzHadou) and Melbourne (Battle Arena
Melbourne) have the largest and most developed organisations for major
tournaments. The staple diet of a competitive fighting gamer includes
Street Fighter 4, Tekken, Blaz Blue and Super Smash. Brothers Melee
and Brawl.
2. How does it compare to the rest of the world?
Unsurprisingly, it's rather small compared to powerhouse countries
like the USA and Japan. Most of our players are spread thin between
our capital cities, this being the sparcely populated nation of
Australia...
3. It's still a very niche thing over here - do you ever see it getting bigger?
It has been growing ever since I got involved in 2004. Battle Arena
Melbourne recently attracted over 240 entrants. Even so, it is hard to
see this becoming significantly larger anytime in the near future.
4. Can anyone (internationally) make a living from this, or is it
purely a hobby?
There are some lucrative monetary prizes available, but it is still no
substitute for a standard job in the 'real' world. We can dream.
5. You were looking after the Smash Brothers competition - where does
that game fit in the broader, fighting game scene?
It varies by region. Locally, the Smash scene is fortunate to be a
main constituent of Couch Warriors. It respects Smash as a competitive
fighting game by helping to manage our growth, resources and exposure.
In some other regions throughout the world, Smash can struggle to gain
proper footing and attention in high profile events such as Evolution,
because of the popular (yet incorrect) notion that Smash Brothers
incapable of being a genuinely deep and competitive fighter. Many do
not appreciate the game being anything other than a casual party game.
6. How much practice does it take to be able to play competitively?
The Australian Smash Community plays both Brawl and Melee
competitively. Brawl has a somewhat less intimidating learning curve
than Melee, since it is slower and more forgiving than its
predecessor. You can pick up the controller and become reasonably good
in a short amount of time with Brawl. By attending a few tournaments
and training with the right people, you can skill up in a few
months. However, to be amongst the best, you will require a constant
dedication to the game.
7. Smash Brothers seems to attract more female participants than the
other games, is that a fair assessment?
Indeed, a fair assessment. This has a lot to do with the game’s appeal
to a broader market - it’s throwing all of Nintendo’s franchises into
a single package. That provides for a lot of mainstream pulling power,
which includes females, young kids and older veterans
8. What about things like online play and YouTube, how has that
transformed the fighting game market?
Online play has closed the gap between Australia and the rest of the
world. It has even closed the gap between rural players and urban
players, so the internet has been a powerful tool in promoting the
fighting game market. YouTube has made it very convenient for players
to display their gameplay to the rest of the world and also provides
good tutorials for aspiring players. Adversely, some people are
becoming weary of uplading their videos, because what you show can
also be used against you.
9. Have you played internationally yourself?
I am a fairly prominent personality in the US, having previously lived
there for some time. I often found myself contributing to the growth
of the Californian Smash scene instead of studying, but I wouldn't
have done my university years in any other way.
10. What's something most people don't know about Smash Brothers?
One of the world's most influential Smash players was a contestant on
Survivor: Gabon, which recently aired on Channel GO!
11. What do you do with yourself when you're not competing and hosting
tournaments?
Being a slave to the government, fine dining, photoshooting, bumming
it out in style or figuring out my next foreign adventure, much like
the rest of Generation Y.
12. Do your friends understand your commitment to the game?
Just about everyone I know is aware of my commitment to the game and
its community, since my Smash buddies form a large chunk of my social
circle. Even my work colleagues can admire it; I was employed by the
state because I told my managers I was a competitive video-gamer. They
seemed taken aback to that idea, especially once they learned of the
responsibilities that comes with leading a scene a few-hundred strong.
13. How often do we have Smash Brothers tournaments in Australia -
What can people win?
There are monthly tournaments in all of Australia's major capital
cities, which are all listed in the Australian section of
smashboards.com. Players typically enter by paying a small fee, which
makes up the prize money for the winners. The prize pools can hit the
thousands, depending on the player turnout.
14. What about sponsors, is it hard to find companies looking to back all this?
We initially sought sponsorship; while it's always on the back of our
minds, we are dedicated to letting our growth and professional profile
ripen over time before we can be noticed by sponsors.
15. What's something I should ask you about?
You should ask me what keeps me involved in the scene. I like to think
that I can set a good example to the fighting game community by living
life to the fullest without having to be a completely dedicated (and
unhealthy) gaming nut. It is all too easy to associate extreme gamers
with anti-social and sedentary behaviours, so I rather enjoy swaying
popular notions. It has always been in my interests to have the local
Smash community recognised as a very friendly, outgoing and active
scene. Combine this goal with many colourful personalities and you
have a surreal collection of people that makes the public appear dull
in comparison.
I have no regrets in what I have chosen - I am a competitive gamer for life.
