Shows
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 90: Where We've Been, and Where We're GoingJon and Benny reunite after two months to discuss their non-fighting game activities in this most recent hiatus. We also discuss our plans for the show in the next months and year.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 89: 2XKO AlphaJon and Benny are joined by TheXButton and Freezie to discuss their recent experiences with the 2XKO Alpha. We also touch on recent AZ events and tournaments.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 88: HonorableJon and Benny are joined by Cody, aka Honorable, aka xLHonorable, aka Mr. Run 'n Gun, and TheXButton to discuss what it means to help welcome and vet a newcomer in the community. We also discuss Honorable's history as a competitive fighting game player and his origins in the scene.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 87: Post-Evo '24Jon and Benny are joined by Cody, aka Honorable, aka xLHonorable, aka Mr. Run 'n Gun, as we return from our Evo experiences: Jon as a 14+ year veteran, Cody as a first-time goer, and Benny as a stream viewer + Alaska liaison.
Together we discuss how Evo went for us, and how AZ performed and what to expect in the future.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 86: Pre-Evo '24 and Summer BreakJon and Benny return from an unplanned hiatus to catch up on where they've been and are going in the future. Maynard, aka TheXButton, also joins to provide updates on the current state of the community. Together we discuss our expectations for the upcoming Evo '24.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 85: SF6 May '24 Patch w/ Sabre and ThrasherJon and Benny continue their discussion of the SF6 May 2024 Akuma Patch, this time joined by regulars Sabre and Thrasher. Together we go through more character changes and our opinions of the current discourse.
The scrubs will riot.
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2024-05-291h 39
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 84: SF6 May '24 Patch w/ KingHippo42Jon, Benny, and Tanner give their initial impressions of the SF6 May 2024 Akuma Patch. We also discuss the community impacts of the patch, including the upcoming Combo Breaker this weekend.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 83: Queen B, Part 2In this second of the two part episode featuring Mary Claire, aka Queen B, we discuss her experience as an Evo competitor in 2016 and her observations of players tackling anxiety and depression while competing.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 83: Queen B, Part 1In the first of this two-part episode, Benny brings on his beautiful wife Mary and they discuss with their history in the Alaska FGC together as a tournament organizers. They and Jon also discuss the relationship dynamics of being an FGC family.
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...2024-05-101h 22
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 82: Akuma, Season 2, and Evo JapanNo guest this week! Jon and Benny catch up on recent Street Fighter 6 news and reflect on the current global scene. We also discuss how spectator culture has influenced the competitive community, and our general thoughts on Akuma and the upcoming Season 2.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 81: DR + Coaching w/ Lumina1reJon's back from his honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, and so he and Benny sit down with Mike, aka Lumina1re, to discuss their respective experiences in the country. We also discuss Mike's background as a strength coach and how he applies that to labbing and improving at fighting games.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 80: Triple X w/ NinjaNam and TheXButtonBenny recounts a drunken conversation that Jon and Nam totally had at a recent party, and Maynard reflects on the X Championship Series Finals that he ran this past weekend. We also discuss 2XKO and its status as a successor to...well, everything.
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2024-04-191h 58
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 79: Gettin' Old w/ Sabre, Part 2Welcome to the the second part of Gettin' Old w/ Sabre! Jon and Benny continue their discussion with Scott regarding Street Fighter x Tekken, and reflecting on early AZ memories and how we find the pride in those we teach. We also discuss some tips that the older generation has for newer players who may be facing their first disappointments and stumbles.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 79: Gettin' Old w/ Sabre, Part 1Welcome to the first two-parter! Jon and Benny sit down with Scott, aka Sabre aka Milfhunter to discuss mentorship and legacy within the scene. We also discuss Scott's experience with Tekken 8 and the current FGC discourse regarding new games and old games.
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...2024-04-041h 21
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 78: Performance, Mastery, and Competition w/ IsaacJon and Benny sit down with Isaac, aka Chipmunkdown2, to discuss his history in the Arizona scene, his love of technique and performance, and his competitive drive as a top player in Arizona Street Fighter.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 77: Putting Ourselves in Our Place w/ CYA and TheXButtonRecent tournament results with Devils Duels, Down to the Wire, and GameOn 2024 have given Benny, TheXButton and CYA the opportunity kick ass and take names, and we're here to find out how! Jon rediscovers his love for whiskey while we also discuss excuses from our opponents, and how we cope with bad days and loss ourselves.
Stay tuned after the show ends for bonus content!
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2024-03-222h 00
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 76: The Will To Keep Being The Best w/ Kyoku + Thrasher
Benny was unavailable this week, and so Jon Marvin (Kyoku) and Mike (Thrasher) try to fill the void left in their hearts. We discuss our motivations for playing fighting games, the thrill of competition and the pursuit of mastery. We also discuss what it means to be "the best" and its ever-changing definition in competitive fighting games, and how that relates to setting and achieving goals.
Stay tuned after the show ends for bonus content!
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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1...2024-03-142h 28
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 75: Ed-ucation w/ Freezie and Thrasher
Benny, Jon and Mike connect with Freezie, a young rising star in the local AZ community. Together we discuss Ed, learning how to play a new character, learning how to play against a new character, and the blessing/burden of experience.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 74: Old Men Yell At Cloud w/ Sabre
Sabre joins Benny and Jon to reflect on Capcom Cup and SF6's recent balance patch. We also discuss our latest hardware acquisitions.
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2024-03-022h 16
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 73: 2XKO, Capcom Cup, Evo, XCS, and our SF6 journeys
We're back after a brief hiatus! Benny, Jon, and Maynard discuss recent tournament news and announcements.
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2024-02-231h 57Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 72: Celebrating Tekken 8's Launch w/ WillGetPaid and Shaundude
Tekken 8 has arrived and it's heating up the local AZ scene! Tekken community leaders WillGetPaid and Shaundude join Jon and Benny to discuss the recent launch birthday tournament in Tucson, and their first impressions of Tekken 8.
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2024-02-021h 35
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 71: Early AZ 3rd Strike w/ BMXer3S
Jon and Benny sit down with Roy, aka BMXer3S, aka HitmanStryker, to discuss his history in the 90s and 00s in the AZ FGC, and the beginnings of the 3rd Strike scene.
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2024-01-261h 57Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 70: SF6 News, Impressions and Theory with TheXButton and Thrasher
Jon and Benny bring back the 4-person panel format for a discussion about their recent experiences with Street Fighter 6.
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2024-01-191h 38
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 69: Lumina1reIn this AZ SF4-centric episode, Jon and Benny are joined by Mike as we take a look at his history in the AZ scene. Together, we also examine fighting games from the lens of a strength coach, and reminisce on the good old days.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 68: Crusty CYABenny and Jon sit down with Christian, aka Crusty CYA, a man who has lived in many different states and been part of multiple local FGCs. We examine his history and our thoughts on player etiquette, Street Fighter 6 balance, and the value of local community when growing as a player.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 67: banky and the Alaska FGCThe Absolute Guard is going global! We sat down with banky of AKG, the Alaska FGC. Benny and banky reminisce on the good ol' days in Alaska and together with Jon, we examine the road the scene has traveled up to this point, from shady arcades to articles in the local newspaper!
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2023/07/30/anchorage-thai-restaurant-becomes-haven-for-gamers/
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2023-12-191h 27
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 66: 2023 and BeyondJon, Benny, and Maynard reflect on the year 2023 and their views on the games they played, their other hobbies, and of course, the fighting game community. Jon also gets a phantom noise in his ear at the end of the episode!
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 65: KingHippo ReturnsKingHippo42 aka Tanner drops by to give us the current state of MK1. We also discuss gaming monetization schemes and the industry as a whole. Tanner also weighs in on the latest eSports controversy.
Note: We had some technical issues during the taping of this show. We'll have another MK-focused episode soon.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-12-081h 30Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 64: Thanksgiving LeftoversBenny and Jon take a breather after the Thanksgiving holiday and catch up on old bad fighting games, and their relationship with the games they liked as kids.
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2023-11-281h 33
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 63: Skipping Neutral with SabreSabre returns after a long hiatus from the Absolute Guard Podcast, and we skip neutral to get right into his hot takes! Jon and Benny sit down to discuss his impressions of Street Fighter 6 and thoughts on current community discourse around parry, drive rush, and his character Dee Jay. We also discuss potential directions for future changes to the game balance, as well as the necessity for thick skin when competing at the highest levels.
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 62: Heatin' and Hangin' with WillGetPaid
Fresh off the new Tekken character announcement, Jon and Benny sit down with WillGetPaid and get his impressions of Tekken 8. We also discuss the "transition period" between major releases of fighting games, and the current state of the FGC on social media.
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2023-11-151h 37
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 61: State of the (AZ SF6) Community
Jon and Benny catch up with Thrasher again as we discuss his latest win in Tucson's local Down to the Wire tournament. We also discuss global FGC issues such as this year's CPT format, event security, game balance and more.
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2023-11-081h 58Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 60: The ReturnJon, Benny, and Maynard return after a hiatus for Jon's wedding in October 2023. Together, we catch up on current events both local and in the global community!
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2023-10-311h 55
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 58: History, Gameplay, and Emotion in Fighting Games w/ Kyoku236HSIn the last of our "Episodes labeled out of order" Trilogy, Benny and Jon sit down with Tucson anime OG Marvin, aka Kyoku236HS for a discussion of his fighting game career. We discuss his strategies in approaching a new game after having played so many, and gameplay philosophies as a whole.
Check out Marvin's upcoming novel, The Sturm Awakens: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marvinnorthtfr/the-sturm-awakens
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 59: News Grab Bag w/ TheXButtonYes, we know the episode numbers are out of order. Will have it rectified over the next few weeks! Jon, Benny, and Maynard sit down to discuss the latest in SF6 and local fighting game community news.
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2023-10-031h 46
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 57: VelociraptorLocal community figurehead, top player, professional media/journalist. Velociraptor does it all! Jon and Benny chat with Velociraptor about his history as a competitor and career-FGC personality.
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2023-09-281h 33
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extras: Jon vs Benny FT5In the companion episode for the Absolute Guard Podcast Episode 56, Jon and Benny play a first to 5, Luke vs Dhalsim.
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2023-09-2320 min
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 56: AKI + SetsJon and Benny check out the latest AKI trailer and give their impressions on her mechanics. We also discuss our gameplay in a recent FT5.
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2023-09-191h 25
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 55: ConfirmestJon and Benny catch up with Ernest, aka Confirmest aka Crazy_EX(E) and reflect on their competitive SF4 and SFV days. We also discuss Confirmest's current views on SF6, as well as his opinion on the current parry discourse.
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2023-09-131h 24
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extras: WNF World Warrior LiveJon, Benny, BigMac and Thrasher hang out on a call while the WNF World Warrior tournament is held. We compete in the tournament, shoot the breeze, and show what the online tourney experience is like.
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2023-09-061h 45
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 54: Locals and Online Tourneys w/ Thrasher and BigMacComboFellow Down to the Wire (Tucson, AZ local) attendees Thrasher and BigMacCombo join Jon and Benny as we discuss the goings-on of that tournament. Together, we reflect on tournament mentality, different methods of preparation for tournaments, and conclude by leading into an upcoming Absolute Extra Episode 6, where Jon, Benny, and BigMac enter the Wednesday Night Fights World Warrior tournament.
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2023-09-061h 44
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 53: Grappling with MyGief4YouHot off Snake Eyez' victory in CPT NA West, Benny and Jon talk with MyGief4You about his history in the AZ FGC and the grappler mindset. We also discuss who is and isn't a grappler in Kevin's eyes.
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2023-08-301h 40
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 52: Beginners & Coaching with supersultrysupersultry, Benny, and Jon reunite to talk through what it's like to start out as a beginner in fighting games, and strategies for experienced players to coach. We also discuss alternate button layouts, and improvement in the pursuit of mastery vs win/loss states.
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2023-08-231h 38
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 51: Evo, Game On and Ladders with supersultry and TheXButton
With Benny out on his anniversary trip and Jon recovering from post-Evo illness, supersultry (Jess) and TheXButton (Maynard) save the day! Together, the three of us talk through our experiences at Evo and Game On in the summer of 2023.
MenaRD vs Daigo Umehara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMqgTJ9b8LY
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2023-08-161h 37
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 50: Pre-Evo 2023 w/ DragonNinjaRyuDragonNinja returns to discuss SF6's Master Rank change (and the stuff of Legends) and everyone's performance in Benny's recent tournament. We also discuss the upcoming Evo 2023 and what to expect from its record-breaking numbers.
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2023-08-021h 48Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 49: TOs, Players, and Dealing with LossJon and Benny are flying solo again today in a pre-recorded episode for the week of July 25th. We discuss our different roles as players and TOs, as well as recent fighting game discourse and the concept of dealing with losing.
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2023-07-251h 26
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 48: Working w/ TheXButtonJon and Benny sit down with longtime community member and Bootcamp organizer TheXButton and discuss his history along with the impact SF6 has had on the local AZ scene. We also discuss leverless controllers, PC vs PS5, and Jon's recent Top 8 placing at Defend the North 2023.
Jon and Jess's Massage Therapist: https://www.instagram.com/verity_massage/
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute...2023-07-191h 19Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 47: Mortal Kombat One Stress Test w/ KingHippoTBD2023-07-121h 22
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 46: SF6 Month OneCEO happened this past weekend as SF6 closes out its first month. Thrasher joins Jon and Benny as they discuss their opinions of the game so far. We also talk Evo and Benny's Drive stats.
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2023-06-281h 57
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 45: The Sho Show feat. ShoThis week on the Absolute Guard Podcast, Jon and Benny sit down with Sho and profile his fighting game career. We also talk about the advent of online, the power of mentoring, and combatting negativity as a fighting game player.
http://twitch.tv/az_sho
https://discord.gg/h6z8rbQgwy
RTVS Fight Zone Discord
https://discord.gg/fightzone
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 44: Improvement Methods with SDKSF6 has been out for awhile now! AJ joins Benny and Jon as they discuss their improvement methodologies when learning a new fighting game and how they measure progress.
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2023-06-141h 42
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 43: SF6 First ImpressionsToday on the Absolute Guard Podcast, Jon and Benny talk about Street Fighter 6. Yep. Surprise!
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2023-06-071h 46
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 42: SF6 Launch + Modern MvC3 with @NinjaNam15Happy SF6 Launch Eve! We're one day away from Street Fighter 6's global launch. The Absolute Guard reflects on SF6's potential impact on local communities, recent controversies, and NinjaNam provides an update on modern Marvel 3 and its resurgence as a legacy game.
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2023-06-011h 20
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extras: SF6 Open Beta Thoughts w/ KingHippoIn the fifth episode of Absolute Extras, Jon and Tanner reflect on their experiences in the SF6 Open Beta. We examine a wide variety of topics, ranging from character strength, meter consumption strategies, and modern controls.
Tanner's Parry Thread: https://twitter.com/KingHippo42/status/1661448083794968576
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-05-262h 31Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 41: Post-Beta BluesJon recovers after burning out on SF6's Open Beta, and Benny discovers a potential new angle for offline locals. Together, we reminisce on previous game launches and their impact on diverse audiences. We also check on Benny's latest impressions of learning Hitbox.
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2023-05-242h 01
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 40: AKGrandmasterB-irthdayIt's Benny's birthday! Together, he and Jon reflect on the defining moments, memories, and people in Benny's fighting game history. We also discuss his unique perspective as a both a player and tournament organizer.
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2023-05-171h 22
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 39: Input Lag and PC Optimization with SabreHow many times have you heard your opponent complain about the tournament setup? Too much input lag? What's the refresh rate? Sabre swings by to answer our questions! We also discuss the latest news in SF6, and the impact that PC optimization has on the competitive community.
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2023-05-031h 46
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extras: SF6 Demo w/ KingHippoIn the fourth episode of Absolute Extras, Jon and Tanner bust out the newly-released SF6 demo for live demonstration and discussion.
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2023-04-301h 10
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extra: From SFV (and SFIV and SFxT) to SF6In the third episode of Absolute Extras, Jon and Tanner examine SFV's gameplay decisions (relative to SFxT and SFIV) and see how they transition into SF6.
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2023-04-241h 03
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 38: Pillars, Mentors, and Mentality with ThrasherThis week, Thrasher makes his return after his initial debut on the SF6 Beta Panel. Benny and Jon chat with him about his competitive fighting game career, how he approaches matchups, and the friends he made along the way.
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2023-04-191h 27
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 37: Measuring Progress and Other Things with Mr SNKMr SNK Returns! Today, Benny and Jon sit down to discuss fighting game philosophy: Measuring progress with attainable goals, adaptation vs pre-emptive adaptation, and stubbornness. We also discuss our predictions for the future, and the differences between learning SF4 in 2009 compared to SF6 in 2023.
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2023-04-121h 53
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 36: @Skillzdatkillz6Lots to talk about this week! Benny and Jon sit down with AJ, aka Skillzdatkillz and discuss the recent leverless controller ruling in the Capcom Pro Tour 2023 season. We also talk about AJ's career as one of the most decorated competitive fighting game players in Arizona.
https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Skillzdatkillz
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2023-04-051h 26
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 35: Roster Recollections, SF4 Part 1Jon and Benny sit down to discuss the latest Cammy vs Manon SF6 footage, SF Duel, and how Benny and his son learn new games. We also pilot a new segment called Roster Recollections, where we look at a game's character roster and tell stories of who they remind us of or certain memories. We start with SF4!
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2023-03-291h 29
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 34: XBand with SabreAt long last, we fulfill our promise from Episode 1 to someday cover XBand. Scott joins Benny and Jon to discuss the history of one of the early online fighting game scenes, and together we compare and contrast that with today's online-dominated climate.
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2023-03-221h 29Absolute GuardAbsolute Extra: SF6 Drive Analysis with KingHippoWelcome to the Absolute Extras, a new format where Benny or Jon will sit down 1:1 with a guest and pick their brain outside of the normal episode schedule! The main podcast will still occur weekly, but these Absolute Extras (or EX Episodes) will be released ad hoc, at varying times and lengths. Please note that Jon's still working on the intro music and hammering out imperfections in the format.
Today, Jon and Tanner continue their discussions about SF6's combat design. They share their opinions on their favorite Drive mechanics, and more!
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 33: SF Duel + DrinksBenny and Jon catch up for a 1:1 conversation over drinks. We also give our initial impressions of Street Fighter Duel, the newly released mobile game in the Street Fighter franchise. From there, we talk briefly about the Arturo Sanchez situation and Benny's Hitbox adventures.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-03-081h 28
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 32: Nef Visits JapanNef returns to the Absolute Guard Podcast to recount her trip to Japan, and Jon and Benny get to reminisce about arcade culture.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-03-011h 28
Absolute GuardAbsolute Extra: Zangief, Lily, and Cammy Trailer Analysis with KingHippoWelcome to the Absolute Extras, a new format where Benny or Jon will sit down 1:1 with a guest and pick their brain outside of the normal episode schedule! The main podcast will still occur weekly, but these Absolute Extras (or EX Episodes) will be released ad hoc, at varying times and lengths. Please note that Jon's still working on the intro music and hammering out imperfections in the format.
Today, Jon and Tanner sit down and digest the latest trailer for the last of the SF6 launch characters: Zangief, Lily, and Cammy!
Follow us on...2023-02-251h 08
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 31: SFV to SF6 with Thrasher and BigMacWho else is excited for SF6? Jon and Benny sit down for their monthly panel to discuss SF6 from a SFV player's perspective. This month's panel features Thrasher and BigMac, two well-regarded players in the Arizona Fighting Game Community.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-02-221h 36
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 30: Out-Of-State Relationships and Rivalries with SabreHappy Valentine's Day! Our Absolute Podcast continues with Jon reflecting on his most recent trip to Hawaii. He, Benny and Scott discuss their individual histories with out-of-state scenes, as well as Arizona's relationship with out-of-state players.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-02-141h 47
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 29: Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand, feat. said3sThis week, the long-awaited said3s makes his debut on the Absolute Guard Podcast. Jon and Benny discuss Abe's history and origins with the scene, as well as examine the benefits and drawbacks of different coaching styles. We also reflect on the True Grit Qualicrier and B League and its history with Benny and the rest of the group.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-02-081h 48
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 28: SF6 Beta and Upcoming Characters with Tanner and T-DotThe Absolute Guard returns from a 3-week hiatus, just in time for new Street Fighter 6 footage. Benny and Jon reunite with Tanner and T-Dot to talk through their SF6 CBT2 impressions. We also discuss the groups' opinions on Blanka, Dee Jay, Marissa, Manon, Dhalsim, JP, and Honda.
Starting this month, we're going to try to have a 4 person panel with returning guests once a month! Stay tuned for more! We're also returning to our weekly schedule starting next week.
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Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries2023-02-011h 52
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 27: Brackets and Payouts with T-DotT-Dot returns for his own biography episode! Jon and Benny reflect on T-Dot's history in the Arizona FGC, including some events that Jon worked directly with T-Dot on. We also discuss tournament payouts and general ideas behind running a tournament, as well as how they relate to the national FGC current events.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2023-01-051h 36
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 26: SF6 Beta Dec '22 PanelWhile Benny is away, Jon, T-Dot, Sabre, and Lukesballs sit down to discuss the Street Fighter 6 Closed Beta that occurred in December of 2022. We discuss how our opinions have evolved since last beta, the experience in and out of the fighting game, and individual character strengths/weaknesses. We also briefly reflect on the year 2022, our first year as the Absolute Guard.
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2022-12-281h 48
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 25: AZ Airdashers with RathLet's talk anime! Rath joins Jon and Benny to discuss his personal fighting game journey and the variety of hats he's worn over the years: Top player, Tournament Organizer, Content Creator. We also discuss the history of anime games in the AZ FGC, as well as the impact that rollback re-releases of anime games have impacted the scene and the current state of online vs offline play.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 24: Notoriety, Smash and the FGC with Ambassador ForwardForward stops by to chat with Jon and Benny about his history in both the Smash and traditional fighting game scenes both locally and nationally. True to his varied background in competitive gaming, Forward demonstrates mastery of multiple topics this episode: Being an innovator, being the first professional Smasher, and his original quest for notoriety that drove him to be a top player in Arizona and in the country. We also discuss arcade culture vs home console culture, and the value of ranking systems in a local scene.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this...2022-12-141h 30
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 23: Mindset and Science with Golden Mr SNKIn a quicker, shorter episode with a unique format, Jon and Benny interview Mr SNK (http://twitch.tv/mrsnk). He and Benny reflect on their long-lasting friendship, and how Mr SNK's mentality has changed and grown over the years. After the interview, Benny and Jon reflect on their experiences playing online card games.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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2022-12-071h 22
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 22: Character Legacy and Expectations with TubazoThe Absolute Guard returns after the Thanksgiving break, joined by Arakune specialist Tubazo! Together we discuss his fighting game history and reminisce on what it means to leave a legacy in the competitive fighting game scene, while balancing the expectations one can place upon oneself over the years.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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Follow us on Spotify...2022-11-301h 38
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 21: Marvel and Undefeated with AngelicAngelic tags in to drop some history of AZ Marvel and his fighting game career, and sheds some light on the origins and future of Undefeated, the most recent Arizona major tournament.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2022-11-161h 54
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 20: Devastation with Makaveli and YoshiBenny and Jon sit down with core members of the Devastation team, Makaveli and Yoshi! Together we discuss the history of the Devastation event and its impact on the local and global fighting game community.
Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!2022-11-091h 29
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 19: Character Choices with Sabre_AZBenny and Jon get into a topic they've been looking to tackle since the start of the podcast, in Character Selection! What makes people gravitate towards certain characters/styles/aesthetics/gameplay? Sabre gives us his insight, as well as the context on how character selection has evolved throughout fighting game history.
We also did our first ad read! Please consider supporting Jon's fiancee in gift wrapping this season! https://forms.gle/NNHEqjPUXY8AzBP3A
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Follow on Twitch...2022-11-021h 44
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 18: Graphics and Sunsets with WillGetPaidWillGetPaid returns! Benny and Jon sit down to pick his brain on graphics engines and how they relate to fighting games, particularly Tekken. The Absolute Guard also discusses how they each handle the sunset period of games, where the community knows a game's end of life is coming in soon in favor of its sequel (Tekken 8 and SF6 being the modern, relevant examples). There's also some talk about FGC Twitter drama, because why not?
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 17: Cali Grab Bag with @SHBL_TimAnother first! Benny and Jon reach out of state to our first guest from California (and honorary AZ), @SHBL_Tim ! He's a player with deep roots in both the SoCal scene and later on in Arizona's Street Fighter 4 scene. Together we discuss some of the current hot topics in the FGC, with an overarching theme of Tim's passion for the growth of the community.
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Follow us on...2022-10-191h 45
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 16: SF6 Oct '22 Beta Panel Feat. SabreAZ and OldManRiverSeason 2, start! We've upgraded our video production a bit for this special episode, check out some footage from Street Fighter 6! The Absolute Guard got its hands on the Street Fighter 6 Closed Beta and have loads of impressions to discuss with the group! SabreAZ and OldManRiver/Lukesballs join Benny and Jon to discuss their general impressions of SF6 and its Drive system, as well as deep dives in the characters they played: Guile, Chun-Li, Jamie, and Kimberly.
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...2022-10-122h 02
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Timecast Episode 15: Season 1 FinaleIn this special episode of the Absolute Guard Podcast, Jon and Benny reflect on Season 1 and what a finale means for the (bright) future of the podcast. We also unveil the Absolute Guard Timeline project, a visual guide to the history chronicled on this podcast. Jon and Benny each reflect on the different eras of the FGC: The Classic Era (1984-1998), The Dark Era (1998-2008), The Revival Era (2008-2015), The Modern Era (2015-2022), and the future!
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Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 14: Running a Fighting Game Club with Madam President NefertitiNefertiti joins Benny and Jon to discuss her history in the fighting game community Dark Ages, and her contributions to the fighting game club at the University of Advancing Technology, Quarter Circle Forward. We also discuss the value of creating a welcoming environment and balancing that with the competitive mindset.2022-09-301h 49
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Drinkcast Episode 13: NinjaNam's Skills Across the Genre and Behind the MicWe went a bit long today, but it was worth it! NinjaNam joins Benny and Jon to discuss his fighting game career, and sheds some light on the world of commentary in the FGC. We also grabbed some drinks for this episode, maybe that's why we went long!
Note: We're experimenting with different audio optimization techniques. This episode may sound a little different.2022-09-232h 18
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Drinkcast Episode 12: Behind the Scenes and in the Sky with DrinksIn our third "Drinks" episode, Benny and Jon bust out iced teas and IPAs to go meta as we chat about the origins of our podcast and Benny's flight school experience. We also reflect on fightsticks in the SF4 era.2022-09-201h 10
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 11: AZ NRS and Blogging with KingHippoWhat's the latest story? Jon and Benny sit down with investigative blogger KingHippo of themsfightingwordsblog.com to go over his competitive history in Arizona and his experience with the Netherrealm Studios games (MK9-11, Injustice 1+2), as well as history as a blogger and some of the waves he's made in the national scene. We also touch lightly on NFTs and the new Tekken and Street Fighter news from the past few days.2022-09-162h 07
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 10: Rewired and Fencing with DriftwoodJon and Benny sit down with Driftwood, a TO and SF4 top player, to go through his history with the Arizona fighting game community, and his contributions as a tournament organizer. We also chat a little about the parallels between fencing and fighting games.2022-09-071h 45
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 9: The Pros and Cons of TOing with FrankAZHPIn this episode, Jon and Benny sit down with FrankAZHP, the founder of AZHP, to learn about the organization's origins and history woven throughout the AZ FGC. We also talk about the different audiences that a tournament can cater to, and offer a variety of perspectives on the role of a TO.2022-09-021h 41
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 8: The Competitive Art of Fighting Games (and Hitbox) with Roch KissRoch Kiss has entered the room, and he had next! Jon and Benny discuss Roch's competitive history and a bit of his mindset as a player. Then, all three of us discuss the history of Hitbox locally and weigh in on its legitimacy in competitive play in 2022.
Note: There are some audio glitches due to connection issues throughout this recording. 2022-08-261h 36
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 7: DOA, Free to Play, Developer Support and the Value of Community with Dragon NinjaJon and Benny chat with Dragon Ninja about his fighting game origins all the way to his power combination of top player and community TO. We also discuss DOA at length, its F2P model and the impact of the end of developer support on a modern community.2022-08-191h 41
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Drinkcast Episode 6: Jon and Benny's Tournament Experiences with DrinksIn our second "Drinks" episode, Benny and Jon continue with the 1:1 chats over drinks. Tune in as we reminisce on our origins as tournament organizers in the Arizona Fighting Game Community, and advice to new aspiring TOs in 2022.2022-08-161h 31
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 5: Fighting Game and Evo 2022 Retrospective with SabreAZWe listened! Our most-requested guest, SabreAZ joins Benny and Jon with a high-level retrospective of his competitive fighting game career, and his experience at Evo 2022.2022-08-122h 10
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Drinkcast Episode 4: GameOn Expo and Evo with DrinksIn the first of our new "Drinks" mini-episodes, Benny and Jon chat 1:1 about topics with our beverages of choice. Both of them had some stories to share from their past weekend, with Benny attending GameOn Expo in Phoenix and Jon attending Evo in Las Vegas.2022-08-101h 20
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 3: Pre-Evo stories and AZ Tekken 10v10 with Shaundude and WillGetPaidIn our first four-person panel ever, Benny and Jon hang out with WillGetPaid and Shaundude to discuss their past Evo experiences and the recent AZ Tucson vs Phoenix 10v10 in Tekken 7.
Benny's 10v10 battle log:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1S6j7cERRi8Nvx0Q1A0Zn4cyYKH5-bEYWg7FAqygzxqw/edit?usp=sharing2022-08-032h 13
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 2: Coaching, Community, and Bans with RickdawgMomentum! Thanks to the warm reception to our pilot episode, we have upgraded our production and created a schedule to improve our frequency and quality! In this week's episode, Jon and Benny sit down with Rick, aka RickDawg, and examine his experience as a community builder in the Arizona Fighting Game Community. We also discuss what it means to be a coach/community builder in the AZ FGC, and what our criteria would be for banning a mechanic as TOs.2022-07-282h 01
Absolute GuardAbsolute Guard Podcast Episode 1: Frame Data, Magazines, and AZ SF2 with OldManRiverIn our inaugural episode of the Absolute Guard Podcast, Jon and Benny sit down with Geoff, aka OldManRiver, and get his perspective as a top Street Fighter 2 player in the Arizona Fighting Game Community. We also discuss the impacts of Frame Data and Magazines in gaming.2022-07-151h 47