Competitive Gaming takes the next step, Best Buy takes a step on GameStep, and I'm taking some baby step becuase I have to take it easy.

Have a few things I want to comment on today. Gonna make it quick(ish).

The Video Game Hall of Fame launch party happens this Tursday in Ottumwa. A lot of well known gamers will be there. Sucks that I can't make it but I'm still glad that Ottumwa is getting noticed for starting organized gaming. I hope to be a Hall of Fame inductee someday.

I read something about Best Buy offering their unused games for the price of GameSpot's unused games. It's not a big deal to me since I often see GameStop charge $60.00 for new game and $55.00 for a used copy of that same game. I know GameStop has its faults but wanting Best Buy to run over GameStop is like wanting Wal-Mart to run 7 Eleven out of business. Maybe it's just me, though, but I doubt it.

I mailed off my tape for Wii Sports Resort to Twin Galaxies. I have to admit that I was still learning the ins and outs of the title and I still have much room for improvement. I see games differently from the average person and sometimes I sacrifice early results but often harvests better crops later on. I may (or may not) be behind how but I'm sure to separate my degree of Wii skills from my competition.

I have been submitting all my scores to Twin Galaxies by videotape. I want to switch the DVD to help curb the cost of submitting. But I first have to buy the proper equipment (Computer, capture card, etc.). But my income is anything but disposable right now. The good news is that I the crappy economy has taught me to cut down the things I don't really need such as Blockbuster Online. Shoot, I might dust off my old Arctic Zone and start taking sandwiches to work again. Buy VHS tapes is WAY too much money when you compare it to the cost of DVD's.

SFIV National Championship

This weekend GameStop held the finals for their Final for the Street Fighter IV National Championships. The winner: (surprise, surprise) Justin Wong. His skillfully played Rufus overcame a field of 16 regional champions.

But it does not stop there! After Justin won the national title he fought in a round robin with special guests Poongko, Iyo, and Daigo (yes, that Daigo). Justin and Daigo both have the best record for the round robin and would fight for the world title.

Justin tried hard to put down his rival but Daigo managed to taked down the Rufus that gave everybody a hard time.

For coverage of the event including pictures and videos you can go to http://www.kineda.com/justin-wong-wins-sfiv-national-tournament-and-daigo-wins-international-title/. I'm sure you will find out more info about what happened on Capcom Unity.

GameStop Tournament: Wolfen Gets Put Down

Saturday after last I qualified in a Street Fighter IV tournament at GameStop and was invited to go to Valley Stream for the next round.

I went there, only to play badly. Got eliminated early.

I must admit that I haven't been playing my best. I wasn't connecting my supers and Ultras like I was in the first round. And I was failed to block many attacks I should have blocked easliy. I must admit that although I have been playing Street Fighter all my life, I'm still green in competitive Street Fighter.

Now I'm officially done with the GameStop tournament, I can take care of some personal matters and shop for the proper arcade stick I need to compete. I may attend round 3 as a spectator but that's it.

I feel like I disappointed EMP in not qualifying for the third round. But I'm a quick learner and the Wolf will emerge from this only bettter.

Yes! I made it!

Yesterday I qualified for the in one of the two GameStop tournaments in Kings Plaza Mall in Brooklyn, New York. I'm up to play Round 2 in Valley Steam. Wish me luck.

Just some thoughts

There will be a series of tournaments in Philadelphia called Winter Brawl the 28th. I plan on going to play Street Fighter IV and Soul Calibur IV. I might also enter the Dead Or Alive 4 and Virtua Fighter 5 just to pass the time. Either way, it's good experience before I go to something even bigger. I just need to figure out how to get to the place...

It looks like GameStop is selling video game clothing. I kinda expected them to start doing that. There haven't been too many national reatailers who sell video game apparel. I have seen some of these items sold locally and I'm glad the whole country will get to buy them.

Today I read about a family who lost their house in a fire and lost their pets and their enitire Nintendo collection which included over five hundred games and even a Game Boy Light, which is a rare model. The son told their story to Nintendo and and Nintendo offered to replace the damaged Wii and Gameboy SP. What happened to the family was awful but I'm glad Nintendo was willing to help them out.