FGC: Rise of the Fighting Game Community [FULL MOVIE]

“FGC: Rise of the Fighting Game Community” explores the past, present, and future of the competitive fighting game scene and the players that call it home.
Enjoy the film? Consider buying the Deluxe Edition at fgcfilm.com. The Deluxe Edition comes with additional extended interviews, as well as downloadable DRM-free copies of all content. Yours to own, forever.
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Directed and edited by Esteban Martinez
Coloring by Jason Durso
Audio by Robert Paul and Esteban Martinez
Music provided by
Cult Classic Records: cultclassicrec...
Kuria Recordings: kuriarecording...
Support FGC creators! Robert Paul's Genesis 3 book now available: www.blurb.com/b...

[@elmantishrimp1689]

Man I really wish arcades were around more often these days

[@mattgoo]

wanna open one with me? ill send u my phone number and some $. lets get this started bro haha

[@adamrice5651]

I miss those days.. my older brother would run the main arcade going through competition until the Japanese guys would show up. And I swear they looked and dressed like people straight out of an anime lol. But we all knew when they showed up it was long until everyone ran out of quarters. They played like it was their job. Good times man.

[@SquareNoggin]

I will say growing up in the 00s - LAN cafes were a big thing in my city and with the crowd I hung out with, and that's what arcades arguably evolved into. A few of them definitely became a social scene of sorts, the gaming-focused ones anyways, and by faaaaaar my best and most memorable gaming experiences occurred as a teen in LAN cafes. A mish mash of nerds and delinquents diving deep into Warcraft custom games and whatever else, spending hours and hours playing whatever the hot thing was in a room with a dozen other regulars. But fighting games definitely weren't the thing. FPS's and Warcraft III mods were what we played for sure. Early on when DOTA was just starting to become the next big thing in warcraft custom games, there was one maybe two weeks where I was the best DOTA player at my regular LAN cafe. Then it really blew up (and as a game genre it really REALLY blew up some years later with LoL) and I started getting mirked. But man I remember that week fondly... highlight of being a 15 year old I swear. I was a teenage nerd getting a bit of that same feeling the star hockey players got, kicking ass in a competitive local community made of folks I played with all the time, and it was great. It's a real shame those died out. What do the 15 year old gamer nerds have today if they need to get out of the house and wanna meet some other guys (not from their school) with a shared interest? Online can never be the same as that.

[@Pan_Z]

This footage is from 2014, yet the doc released in 2016. Editing's a pain.

[@anthonyrabon5369]

@Kaleb Pedro still don’t care bro

[@matthewmcneill5320]

@10:00, the guy that came out and found his second family in the FGC community (after his own rejected him) fucking got to me man, that's awesome.

[@billybussey]

I read your comment before I saw the guy. Then as soon as he started talking I knew it was him. I'm not surprised that gamers are cool like that and make people feel like family. I had to pause it right there cuz it got to me too.

[@staylucky4727]

Bro that's so doooope

[@banaweekidane2630]

Yeah me 2, that was very touching It's basically a global version of everyone's nerdy circle of friends in high school, mine included lol

[@Baller4047]

I think Lord Knight is an inspiration for all of us zeroes who would love to one day be the heroes.

[@liquidgeorge]

And he looks like Nas.

[@vulcan422]

Rare footage of Seth Killian cursing. Been waiting for this documentary for what seems like forever. Excellent work.

[@HannieComedy]

I'm so glad to be a part of this. Shoutouts to the people over at HBTB. A great watch indeed.

[@coolpikachufan01]

The intro at 1:00:13 to the bass and claps dropping in at round start 10 seconds later is a KILLER edit, good job on that scene. I paused and rewound to watch it again.

[@coolpikachufan01]

Found the song - it's called "Withoutnimbus" by Bakoda a.k.a. Evan Awake in their "Sketchbook" album. Released through Cult Classic Records

[@XiBassiX]

ECT 2014 was my very first major. I played 3rd Strike with John after his speech on stage. Mopped my shit, but a super nice dude. Thanks for everything John.

[@joabfariasgmail]

This video made me want to come up with a local fg contest. When Covid ends, I will certainly try.

[@kevmaninc201]

This video makes me want to open an old school FGC style arcade in Jersey. With a snack bar some bowling alleys and a shit load of FGC games.

[@blinks486]

I am extremely grateful for this documentary as it made me get into fighting games

[@JoEs_Do9]

Watch sonic fox documentary

[@lerigan]

I’m terrible at fighting games, yet I still love them. I see the FGC as a distinctive anthropological wonder in many regards, not the least of which is the will to persevere in the bleakest of situations and an everlasting desire to always improve. To always learn. To always go on. Without spoiling anything, the ending to this documentary perfectly encapsulates this.

[@sfkingalpha]

Seeing southtown in there kills me. I miss it so much.

[@nikolowolokin]

Man that was awesome! Thank you to everyone involved in this. Ik im kinda late but yeah, still sweet to this day

[@f1r3hunt3rz5]

Damn, a comprehensive documentary about the FGC and the major events, all in one video! Neat!

[@KnightlyBrosGaming]

Just finished watching this for the first time and seeing LI Joe/John story really makes LI Joe's SFV run even more emotionally epic. This has also made me a fan of Lord Knight as a person; I see a lot of myself in him (attitude wise). Thank you for making this. -Honor

[@JusticeSoulTuna]

This video was fantastic. An amazing view of the FGC, that's continuing to grow to this day!

[@xaxapnw]

Man, idk how many times I’ve watched this since 2016. Always brings good memories, always makes me wanna play some more games 😁

[@lgvx8000]

Great documentary and look into the FGC. We need more films and series like this and with the way things are going, we should be seeing a lot more soon.

[@misterblank7795]

Such a high quality documentary! This deserves more views and the channel deserves more subs. Nice job.

[@Huaiwen]

Im so proud to be part of this awesome community that is called "FGC" Keep up with the great content HBTB! We are getting there FAM!

[@ChrisTweten]

Less than 2 minutes in, Persia establishes that Smash isn't a fighting game.

[@ignaciocorto]

13:01 the japanese and arcade advantage ; 17:11 tokido said something similar ; 21:36 johan liebert's analogy ; 30:25 locals, regionals, majors ; 40:37 history of East Coast Throwdown

[@rawbertdogler]

26:18 yeekz montage

[@BobT_GRG]

as a Central New Jersey resident and Rutgers Alumni, I felt pretty at home watching this documentary

[@viperx220racing3]

Nice, FGC hype still there in these times of lockdown, can’t wait for tournaments to get going again 👊🤪👌

[@mbgoficial]

Thank you so much for doing this. Keep doing this amazing work.

[@Retroman2000]

I loved it, especially the raw game footages

[@stevenross-watt8640]

I played Original deathwatch for Doom and Doom 2 and we played 1:1. I was much better at Doom than I have been at any fighting game but that intense no place to hide one on one challenge appears to me to be very similar to what is described by fighting game players. Love it.

[@Jooders]

Truly amazing! My friends and I are roadtripping to EVO this year! We are leaving tonight at midnight! See everyone there!!!

[@johnroxas123]

Joes's dad is a bad ass. Dude is drinking coffee off a hello kitty mug.

[@Wladislav]

Fun highlight on some of the personalities in the FGC. We definitely have character.

[@beandahbest9250]

Great film! Well done! Truly captures the spirit of the fgc. Bravo Esteban!

[@DaffWings]

11:21 couldn't help but tear up here . Such a touching moment

[@charles7164]

This is really awesome, great production excellent documentary.

[@level3xfactor]

this was amazing I loved it. big props to everyone involved

[@diavolog5997]

Awesome documentary!

[@Vandylizer]

10:07 James Chen getting so hype! LMFAO I love it! You the man, James! #JChensor

[@MrAlexthegreat24]

Brooooo that face !!!! Hahaha he literally ended up squinting and closing his eyes 😆😆😂😂😂😂 hahahaha lol

[@micpango]

1 on 1 is why Fighting games are the best competitive esport

[@f1r3hunt3rz5]

The one who put the subtitles is the MVP.

[@DarkSnake78990]

4 years later and man, this is bigger than ever

[@ericv2247]

Well done. Great portrayal of the community.

[@donpunchpunk]

Thanks for shairng !!! this totally made my day !!!

[@GodRandomGaming]

watch this in 2024 kinda crazy

[@Yakuo]

THANK YOU!

[@Darkholow]

Good stuff..i can't WAIT for Evo..it's gonna be hype.

[@JavierReyes-vi7vj]

Great doc, am going to be listening to this every time I hit training mode in sfv

[@chise3020]

I can't believe that this was made so recently, I thought this was made years ago until I looked at the description :D

[@Holdbacktoblock]

Many thanks to those who submitted English subtitles. I've updated those with a full transcript, so there are now English subtitles for the entire movie. If anyone would like to take those and translate them to other langauages, feel free! - Esteban

[@PpAaNnDdRrAa]

We are fighting gamers

[@Pan_Z]

Rise up

[@Mr.Foxhat]

Well that's not nice. What have gamers ever done to you to make you want to fight them? Shame on you.

[@firehunterz2311]

@@Mr.Foxhat Boomers probably: "Pfffff kids these days are watching other people _play video games as a sport?_ Video games for heaven's sake! And they're not even the ones playing?? Back in *my* day we watch real sports, which is just the same as watching people playing games competitively but we're too old to notice the similarities!"

[@rings-cn1yn]

10:42 PROG DA GOAT

[@popo2k3]

Great stuff! Keep it up, guys!

[@jongibson4766]

Alright that ending shot was fucking dope. The button smack into the credits *chef's kiss* Grade A shit right here.

[@dcwastaken]

Great movie!

[@evilded2]

Still holds up.

[@TijuanaFanduber]

Thanks for the video man, I really liked it

[@JustSomeGoy]

EVO was on ESPN2, i couldnt believe what i was watching, so awesome!!

[@iamdopeasfcuk]

34:02 I always thought DC looked like a geeky version of Common LMAO

[@ABCMeEFG]

Fantastic movie and fantastic post!

[@NegoClau]

Fighting games are something so powerful that you can legit HATE something because the way he plays the game you love.

[@veganvmjr9007]

Thank you for this!

[@stevenross-watt8640]

Great video. Thanks.

[@hydrosting]

" It needs a way to put yourself in the game with the character you love It needs to have the head-to-head It needs to have the saltiness " This is a great description of the games we're passionate about. Also 1:01:28 Now i'll think of that guys face every time i see a carl player lmfao

[@jbulletc]

Kinda sucks how little they showed Mortal Kombat. That's a huge franchise with a huge player base but it still doesn't get the recognition it deserves. MK9 was one of the biggest and best fighting games ever.

[@burch11]

10:00 the definition of commentary HYPE!!

[@aRBy125]

@38:09 - Heh, I actually remember during a family road trip back in the day that we stopped for a bathroom break at a Dairy Queen and they had a Darkstalkers cabinet in the corner. Unfortunately didn't have time to stop and play but man, crazy how common arcade games were back then...

[@flyingbutthole]

Not sure I totally understand the story I was being told, or where it was going. I feel like I didn't have a connection with any of the personalities of the people being interviewed or featured. Like, was I supposed to feel bad when LIJoe's friend stopped running the event with him? I would mention him by name but I'm not sure they used it more than 2-3 times. This documentary was just uploaded today, and sadly... it's already dated. What happened after Lord Knight lost at EVO2014? Did he train harder for EVO2015? Did he travel more? Did he stop playing all together? WHAT HAPPENED?!?!?! All in all it felt like the director just interviewed a bunch of his friends and edited clips together and put b-roll of someone else's footage in between to fill space and kill time. There really lacked any subject of a 'community' even though it's mentioned in the title. Actually... it's even mentioned TWICE. I'll quote the person I was watching this with who has ZERO connection into the FGC... "So what you're telling me is the whole fighting game community is James Chen, Lord Knight, LIJoe, and that other guy who you didn't go to far into and all I know is he co-created ECT... ".

[@flyingbutthole]

I've watched it, it's very well put together. Before I saw it I had zero knowledge of the people involved in smash.

[@hockey1973]

Valid points and I feel like some basic narration between transitions would have helped with what you mentioned. Maybe if he were to recut the video adding some narration to assist with the transitions.

[@jussi81]

I have same feelings about this documentary. Beginning was good and I was pumped when James talked little about mechanics and mind games. I liked the arcade history part, but then suddenly it just went to boring. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but telling more advanced things like plinking, piano, option select would probably be mind blowing for casual fighting game players who probably are interest to watch this. No matter what everyone thinks about Fchamp, he got pretty good comments how player who wants to be on the top thinks and do, somekind of a growing story. That is always interesting to hear when guy has something concretic to say and it's understandable.

[@29once]

I'd recommend "Focus", the documentary with Mike Ross. It has a clearer structure and relatable characters.

[@supervideomaker9136]

Agree but honestly making a documentary about the FGC probably is hard since there is so much to talk about. There are so many different game series with so many different stories that it must be tough

[@rickyrub1106]

12:15 you know this guy is a pro when he says he's average

[@petrus7977]

I remember the dark ages of fighting games, post arcade era circa. 2003-2008, there were NO FUCKING FIGHTING GAMES

[@petrus7977]

@Tiger wich came out in 2008, thanks for proving my point, bro

[@petrus7977]

@Tiger that proves my point in the sense that I literally wrote "there were no fighting games in 2003 to 2008" and you mention one game that came out in the end of 2008 so, self explanatory.

[@petrus7977]

​@Tiger ​ If I coulndt read I wouldnt be answering your self explanatory questions now would I? Yes you mentioned those games, but not in your first comment, wich is the one I replied to. That being clarified, the point here is those years were "dark ages" to fighting games, not because of a COMPLETE lack of games coming out, but because there was no hype for fg aynmore, due to the arcade declive, rise of other game genres and poor or non existing fighting game online community. Those 5 games (wich you seem to have deleted from the comment), as much as you may like them, do not configure a fighting game trend on their own.

[@TheHellasavagex]

Any plans for a new 2017 FGC documentary? : )

[@cartoonjerk]

Watched so much EVO you can tell which games the audiences are watching just from their reactions.

[@Holdbacktoblock]

We just added Japanese subtitles across the entire film. Tell your friends!

[@asherxs]

Lord Knight: Best posture in the FGC.

[@riki9573]

XD his mom taught him well.

[@burningisis]

I've tried repeatedly to get involved with the FGC, maybe I have the world's worst luck but all of my encounters have been very negative. And maybe its that emotion that I feel that makes the FGC not really work for me. Its not going to stop my love of games, but it does feel difficult to "put down that quarter" without being mocked just for daring to put down the quarter.

[@supersonicstep]

wait your being mocked?! dude tell me your story, dont ever let anyone tell you you cant compete

[@burningisis]

I'd be happy to, but honestly, I dont like living in my past experiences. I just keep working to get better, and to become a better player. While at the same time being respectful of my fellow players, grateful for the time they spend with me helping me learn to be better, and grateful for the time they spend competing against me to also help me become better. The jeering I've heard might be some overzealous mind game players, or just some jerks, or like I said, I have the world's worst luck. But I dont let it deter me. I dont need a "community" persay. The "community" for me are those who have not become toxic but choose to behave civil.

[@supersonicstep]

+Thyri Carver Dang.. Im sorry You had To run into those toxic Players. Trust me No top or high level player will ever treat you like that, Sometimes its even hard to keep going when people just shit on you with Bad Manners. Im glad to see youre pulling through and Ignoring the minority of Toxic Players, Much respect dude.

[@Rift93]

What game do you play and what system I'm always down to run a set and teach what I know may not be the best but any experience is always a plus when it comes to training

[@burningisis]

You folks really have warmed my heart. Thank you. I mostly play MKX but I've tried getting into SFV as well, I think the latter is just committing the muscle memory I play on Xbox and PC. Hopefully this winter will add a PS4 to the collection to give it a try there as well

[@itspaulmora]

I love fighting games because its 1 on 1 competition.....you vs me....lets see who wins or whos better.....amazing!!

[@GDPanda69]

This shit is great! I remember in the early 2000's looking for CvS2 tournaments to enter and all that was available were arcade settings (would grind max stars on PS2 for hours #padlife), and thinking 'nah'... damn was I a fool...

[@shanebrandy6074]

I have a MAD respect for the F.G.C you know what I wish for the community to be legitimate as it already is have pro wrestlers to play against fighting game gods like Jwong ,Punk, Alex vaule, etc that would be SICK

[@noahrockson]

Pretty good, I like the parts with LK and the beginning is very good, but I wish it covered the mechanics a bit. Like to say that "a lot is going through a FGC players head" is one thing, but people don't know the extent of it. I wish they covered in a simple and broad way, the idea of overheads, mids, lows, combos, hard knock downs, option selects, okizeme. If people could simplify that but get the point across to non video game players it could be amazing.

[@Oracle719]

I hope Lord Knight wins EVO. I'd like to see him win more than anyone else. After all, he was the inspiration that got me into fighting games.

[@saief66661]

Is there nothing about Brollylegs? Because story of this guy should be here.

[@Brandon_Brando]

Im pissed I missed this at magfest but thanks for posting it on youtube

[@nafsiammara]

Why do I feel like I've seen heaps of this interview footage before? Seems like I've been seeing Seth in that flanney and cowboy boots on that couch for years. Okay he says "here" so he's obviously done a lot of interviews that day at whatever EVO it was.

[@atsunymphae2723]

Thank you 💜

[@Holdbacktoblock]

Hey everyone, I've added the ability to add subtitles/translations. If you're interested in taking a shot at translating some or all of the film into a language, you know can do so. Just click the gear icon, "Subtitles/CC", and "Add Subtitles". Never done something like this with a video before, but figured I'd give it a shot! Good luck, and let me know if you contribute. Thanks! - Esteban

[@carloscamargo6625]

Cool, is a great option. Please enable automatic subtitles too, works very well in this type of documentary films. Thanks in advance, great job.

[@Demondzeta]

i dont know how much work it is but i maybe try to translate it to spanish

[@carloscamargo6625]

Would be great if you can do it. Thanks in advance William.

[@Demondzeta]

i just translated the first 10 minutes (a long work it seems) do i have to translate everything to submit it for review or can i do it on chunks, i think i can compromise to add 10 minutes at day (it takes almost 2 hours to do it)

[@Holdbacktoblock]

I believe you can submit it piece by piece. Not exactly sure how to as this is my first time, but I do think it is possible.

[@Roxas_DM]

Thank you!!

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

Amazing documentary

[@Topsietegames]

Like this good job, FGC

[@Pr3datorGAME]

I like how this is an FGC documentary but the first game that appears is Smash lol

[@rings-cn1yn]

>Video about shared community >Video about the love and togetherness the FGC creates >Smartass comment about how a game you don't like isn't really FGC The point, you completely missed it

[@Pr3datorGAME]

I actually play Smash way more the any of the other fighting games, I'm just pointing it out because it's kinda funny

[@sushifgc8929]

You are missing the joke, smash players chose to not be part of the "FGC" for the longest time, then suddenly they back asking to join as FGC rises in popularity ;D

[@supervideomaker9136]

+D-MMA someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed

[@Grimhart89]

+D-MMA You're pretty much that one guy no one likes. Lmao. Piss off you goof.

[@vividleo]

Hey i watched this last night it made me feel good that fighting games are still being played by many people I wish I could’ve been there during those tough years even though I know I’m not that good I mean I get all frustrated trying to play kof 94 or Samurai Shodown on normal difficulty haha start throwing the remote on the ground start cussing get all pissed I love it though I strive to get better that’s why I spend hours days years trying to master certain characters I love the backstory of the characters I’m obsessed with kof I was into mk and it all started with Street Fighter II I mean I was no good but watched others beat the game with Chun li they made it look easy any ways I’m glad I watched this haduken!

[@Karthig1987]

man that ending scene was amazing. what do you call it cinematography?

[@piscisproletariat8030]

6:39 smash confirmed not a fighting game

[@supervideomaker9136]

You know he said probably right.

[@RXH14]

you don't need health bars, if your beating the shit out of the other person on screen other than you, is a fighting game

[@Pan_Z]

@@RXH14 Minecraft pvp confirmed fighting game

[@soupboy-yn8oz]

they wouldn't have shown all those smash clips in a FGC documentary if it wasn't cmon guys

[@kevmaninc201]

I love all the Jersey refrences! GO JERSEYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dreg2802]

This is beautiful

[@WillWileyOfficial]

I love you Esteban.

[@lansanganj]

we're just gonna ignore the fact that tekken wasn't covered much?

[@Holdbacktoblock]

Unfortunately due to the scope of things, there was no way I would be able to cover every game/scene. I have plans for more in-depth content in the future. But I'm currently working with Bandai Namco on covering their current Tekken Tour. You can watch all those videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PLjw4VUNxDgU7ggjnkHPTcxXkdApY2CNIn Thanks for watching! - Esteban

[@xuvial1391]

Not every game could be thoroughly covered obviously.

[@devote]

Tekken sucks

[@IchigoVizardful]

+MNDFND LOL you suck because Tekken is badass

[@whinyoldman2579]

they only covered streetfighter tho.

[@Zerog65]

like how Seth said most of the people who go have no chance of winning yet he encourages them to come out

[@A.X.N]

Very nice... still KI had 20 secs of blurry background screen time... that's sad

[@Morventhus]

yeah certain games really got some cameo treatment

[@Vin50000]

this is a history ki is good but street fighter is just to huge part of fgc's start

[@A.X.N]

vin w yeah, but is BB really that much bigger than other games like KI or MK? I would have been fine if it was just about SF

[@Wowthatsfail]

Yatagarasu should have been half of this video

[@UndeadMafioso]

Beautiful

[@Demondzeta]

Can some one spell the website name that seth mentions at 7:45 ? im trying to make a spanish sub of this but i don't get what he says

[@iamdopeasfcuk]

rec.games.video.arcade. It seems to be a google group. Hope that helped!

[@Demondzeta]

thanks

[@shdwdrgn]

back in the day (they still exist in some capacity but arent quite the mainstay they once were), people posted to something called newsgroups. these differed from webpages/email - imagine a forum 'email-ified' that you could subscribe to. they had the rec.games.sf2 type format to the 'url' which he refers to, the google groups i believe are born from them.

[@willnelson9906]

when it comes to fighting games, they did go over the basic archetypes, these games are all still seperate, street fighter and mortal kombat are horizantal fighting games, that use meter, two life bars, special moves and such to acomplish the goal of beating your opponent, but they're also vastly different. mvc3/umvc3 and dbfz are also horizantal, which uses meter, but they have 3 life bars, for a team of 3, in a 3v3 match, and dbfz also dabbles in the anime fighting game style.

[@jessejace]

10:09 a hype man and a hype man

[@solarwolf857]

this was great I love this😍😍