Capcom KOs Chi-Town

(Originally run September 26th 2010)



 "How you guys liking Marvel vs. Capcom 3, so far?!" the announcer asked in anticipation. The crowd roared with "woo's" and cries of excitement; giving the announcer the answer he wanted to hear. This was the first group in North America to play the latest build of "Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds" and everyone was certainly thrilled about that. It has been ten years since "Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes" debuted on the Dreamcast console and the turnout for this "secret" screening for the newest installment was anything short of amazing. As Seth Killian, special advisor to all Capcom fighting titles, stated, "I was blown away."

  About 500 anxious gamers crowded in front of the small lot on Wolcott Ave in Chicago  Wednesday night and more than a few had comments about the event. Although the entire roster has not been released yet, when asked who they would like to see in the game some gamers quibbled over having players from "Godhand," "Megaman" and even "Resident Evil," so they could have a full "Resident Evil" team. Some even made comments about who they were not particularly happy about seeing, such as X-23 from "X-Men" and Amaterasu from "Okami. "Some felt they were grateful to have an event like this happen in Chicago.

 For those who are not familiar with the "Marvel vs. Capcom" series, players can use up to three characters when battling against various characters from the two franchises using their special abilities and fighting styles.  In the latest franchise players are given the option of simple or normal mode. These two modes allow you to either button mash, if you're new to the game, or figure out combos and powerful attacks on your own. The button system is a lot less restricting than previous games and a new option of being able to throw your teammate during a combo allows players to get the maximum amount of hits. Killian eased newcomers' worries though, stating, "Marvel vs. Capcom 2 came out ten years after it had already been in arcades and on Dreamcast so people have basically ten years to practice. So don't be reluctant towards Marvel vs. Capcom 3. It will be more of a level playing field."

 Entering the warehouse the game was debuting in was an experience in itself. Rows of flat screen televisions and PlayStation 3 consoles, hooked up to arcade modules or PS3 controls, and thumping techno music composed of theme songs from characters of Capcom and Marvel, were amazing. Macaroni and cheese pizza was not the coolest thing that was happening in this warehouse - it was the reactions from the gamers themselves.

Though X-23 and Spider-man didn't make an appearance, everyone was pleased with the playable characters thus far. "It's a phenomenal game, fast-paced and fluid controls. It's just phenomenal, but I'm going to have to play more," says Cornell, who has been a fan of the series since the beginning. Gamers had nothing but good things to say about this video game, dropping phrases such as "looked great", "very fluid gameplay" , "graphics look amazing" and "very quick like Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Star." The game's only negative feedback seemed to be how the swapping of characters was a little different and confusing.

People came from all over, some traveling from Ohio or Canada, and started lining up at eight in the morning. "I showed up about four hours early and there were at least 150 to 200 people here," says Killian. When asked why Capcom decided to pick Chicago out of the many cities to showcase this game he replied, "Speaking selfishly, this is my hometown, and we're trying to expand it to places where we know there are gamers who are awesome but they aren't really getting attention all the time." 

Through this "Fight Club," which is  the name these events are going by now, there were various free merchandise given to every gamer ranging from a Captain America t-shirt to Marvel and Capcom shot glasses. It is safe to say that fans of the series went home happy this night, and after a ten-year hiatus, "Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds"will definitely be a crowd pleaser for old fans and new fans alike. "Marvel vs. Capcom 3" is available spring 2011.