VF5R and Switchnation

Some may have wondered why I use the name “Switchnation” it wasn’t something that I came up with rather it was something that spawned from the depths of #vfhome (the VF channel on the aging Mirc). It was a term that was used to describe namely myself and fellow NYC player Akmal (Extremist cidkid) simply for the fact that we tend to switch characters quite frequently not only for casuals but for tournaments as well which is considered taboo for some VF players. I never completely grasp why some players get so heated over this. Why does it matter so much that your opponent happens to switch characters during important matches? Is it because they are secretly weak against the character their opponent is exchanging to? Is it because they fear that you may end the winning steak they have created? Whatever the reason may be one fact remains clear, the tide of battle may alter. However, a true player understands that above all else a true fight to the death involves defeating the player not the actual character people who surmise otherwise are people who aim to win but could care less of the potential challenge. In real professional sports you don’t see coaches complain when the opposing team calls for a substitution due to negligence (and not just for the fatigued) so why should a “real” competitive player whine when a player substitutes his character for another. God forbid you may have to play longer to understand how to fight against a foreign character but hey that’s part of the game.

With the influx of all the VF5R location test videos I now think it’s safe to give an open minded opinion about the unreleased game. I’ve heard some comments on the game even some ridiculous ones like “This is the game that will fix VF5” I don’t know what to say to that quite frankly. Vfers can’t wait for this game to be released I for one however could wait all day. That’s not to say I won’t like it I know the game will kick ass but I also know VF. Anyone that’s been playing the Virtua Fighter series long enough knows that right after the initial release of a finish product tons of different versions (fancy arcade word for patches) will come soon after. Those that complain about the balance issues in the current 5 shouldn’t look into R believing that this will fix everything because it won’t. Jeffery can still do over 100+DMG with even more ease (look at the Vanessa vid for some crazy new head butt move that looks safe on block that can easily do over 100 on hit on wall) Shun can now go into his best stance just about after every move and move around the screen with hit throws that can combo into P strings. VF5R is a new game which means that even though they fixed some of the issues regarding the current VF5 their will be new ones that Sega will eventually create new versions for to address it. Now I’m not saying this new VF5R will be broken it’s just that I know from experience that the same people who are complaining now will also be complaining when R arrives. As for me all I want is the final version of the game in all its glory once that is developed then that’s when I want to see a release to console no matter how long that may be (cause we all know we wont be seeing updates on PSN/XBL on a new version it will just remain in the Japanese arcade market).

I promise I will actually make posts about VF strats but I just wanted to post random thoughts this time around.