In our last article, we took a brief glimpse from the perspective of a gamer who is looking forward to a highly anticipated event from Street Fighter fans throughout the entire country. ECC4 within a matter of weeks has quickly generated more interest then Ryu charges up Denjin Fireballs. It's already received sponsors, and is gearing up to be the best East Coast Championship tournament yet as the one of the members behind the event; Todd Dwyer helps prepare to have all the final preparations set in order. TNL sat down with him briefly just to find out what's in store for us...

TNL: As many gamers are becoming aware, ECC4 is the biggest SF gathering of skilled players yet, when the did the first one begin?

TD: The first ECC was held in May 1997. It was a one game tournament: Street Fighter 3. ^_^

TNL: ...and you are its founder, correct?

TD: No, I simply help run the tournaments. I created the ECC tournaments because I felt that the east coast needed Street Fighter tournaments as much as the Californian players already had an abundance of. Chris Cotty is the man behind the ECC4 events and is the reason that they are able to be hosted at 8 on the Break.

TNL: What has been the average response from hosting these tournaments at the arcade: 8 on the break?

TD: With the exception of the second ECC, the player response has been getting better and better with each one.

TNL: Is this due to the increased popularity of the events or the new arcade fighters released by Capcom?

TD: I think that it's a little of both.  As much as many players complain about the faults in these games, they still want to play competitively. I also think that with the increased acceptance of computers in mainstream society that many more people turn to these events for a different form of competition.

The Competition Variable

TNL: Competition is a factor that contributes in every sport (baseball, hockey, football)...what is your prognosis with competition in regards to events such as the ECC tournaments?

TD: The problem that I saw with videogame competition was that there weren't any sanctioned tournaments for the players.  I created the ECC tournaments as something that the players can use to see how well they stack up to the competition out there.

The Love of the 'Game'

TNL: What type of benefits have you personally gained from producing ECC's?

TD: I'm a gamer at heart.  I've always loved videogames, probably ever since I came out of the womb. For me, there isn't a bigger thrill than that of competition.  The ability to put together an event where the best of the best come together and square off is like a dream of mine ever since I was little.

TNL: Naturally, you've met a number of exemplary players, any particular you'd care to mention as your favorite?

TD: If I have to make mention of any one player, it would have to be John Choi.  John is like no other player I have ever met.  I am so used to the typical gamers with their character T-shirts, obnoxious attitude, and anti-social behavior.  John is quite different. Not only is he very accomplished in the games he plays, but he loves to talk strategy and depth. When I asked John a few questions regarding Alpha 2 last year, he broke everything down for me to a science.  You can tell by the look in his eyes that he absolutely loves videogames.  I wish there were more players like John who play with knowledge and class like he does. ^_^

TNL: Indeed...

Approcahing the Upcoming Event

TNL: ECC4 is a little more then 2 weeks away, how has the attention been going for this new event?

TD: It's beginning to pump up now.  With the end of school for many college campuses across the country, ECC4 mania is starting to reach a fevered pitch.

TNL: What's the current roster at now?

TD: 151 players have signed up for definite attendance.

TNL: That's definitely alot of ppl...anyone from outside of the United States attending?

TD: There has been word that there may be players from Japan and Kuwait coming out to the event, but email has been sparse from these players as of late.

TNL: Which games are now officially confirmed as games that will be played at the tournament?

TD: Saturday's titles are Street Fighter Alpha 3, Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo, and Street Fighter 3: Second Impact.  Sunday's games are Street Fighter 2 Turbo: Hyper Fighting, Street Fighter Alpha 2, and Marvel VS Capcom.

TNL: Definitely fine titles that will attract alot of 'intense' competition...what prizes will be offered to the winners of these tournament bouts?

TD: Cash, and plenty of it. Last year, we gave back almost $1300 worth in cash prizes.  We are expecting to almost double that this year.

TNL: Amazing...I may have to cheat! LOL

TNL: Any sponsors?

TD: We're securing our sponsors as we speak.  Right now the guys at Dash Taisen homepage have given us some great prizes that we will be giving away to our top players in SF Alpha 3

Looking to the Future

TNL: Street Fighter is no doubt one of the longest fighting game franchises in the history of gaming, and one of the most popular...is there anything you'd change about it?

TD: If there was anything I'd change about it, it would have to be how the game was marketed from Super Street Fighter on.

TNL: Specifically?

TD: I feel that national tournaments could have kept the popularity of Street Fighter up to the levels it currently enjoys in Japan.

TNL: Do you think that from ECC4, a stepping stone can be made for a larger interest in the demographic and attention Street Fighter has receieved in the United States?

TD: There is interest in the industry for tournaments. Arcades like tournaments because they can help to boost revenue. Game stores like tournaments because they boost sales on the tournament days and increases customer traffic.

Companies like tournaments because it means more people will buy their products.  I feel that videogame tournaments are inevitable. Gaming isn't going to die out anytime soon.  It just strikes me funny how these companies haven't tried to do this on their own in the United States. There is a market larger than the ECC that would go crazy for an event like this.  I think that if a company like capcom did an event similar to how their Japanese parent does tournaments, they'd triple their revenue.

TNL: Surely..on a sidenote..what effect do you feel gaming violence has in regards to games such as Street Fighter, many titles have been blamed for the effects of crimes, what's your perspective on this?

TD: I feel that if videogames were in fact responsible for these acts, that there would have been more shootings in demographics all over the country.  Once again, this is the baby boom generation trying to find an excuse for their improper parenting. It all begins in the home.  IMO, children should not have complete access to the internet in the privacy of their own rooms. There's so much trouble a kid can land himself in right there. =P

TD: I'm just so sick of games of all things to be blamed on this. If a child cannot differenciate reality and fantasy, they need some serious help.

TNL: Agreed, the future certainly does look bright for gaming, any future plans to become more involved in the market?

TD: None as of yet. ^_^

TNL: Heh...keep us posted

TD: Defintely. ^_^

TNL: Final thoughts..what do you think of the Alpha 3 series?

TD: With the exception of a few abusive features, Alpha 3 is a nice title. It surely beats out all the Vs. games we've been seeing over the past three years. =P

TNL: What features would you like to see implemented or removed in the next SF title?

TD: I would like to see SF return to it's strategic roots and get away from the flashiness of the recent titles, but I guess that's just me. ^_^

TNL: Hopefully Capcom can address that, or at least count to three quicker in the next series...

To check out 8 on the Break, go to their website.

··· Bahn