STAY FREE: The Team Spooky Story - FGC Documentary

[@FGCSimSim]

I used to watch spooky's stream back when he had just started. I am Norwegian and only chatted in stream chat. Many years later, when Spooky was much bigger, I visited New York and stopped by the local tournament he was streaming. He treated me as a friend, bought me pizza and I hung out with him and the rest of the team for a few days. That is who spooky is. He has stayed humble and a great guy through it all. This documentary is great, but he deserves tenfold the recognition he is getting:)

[@MasterChibi]

Hey, I'm the (previously) fat head who ran Melty tournaments back in the day with Sp00ky and Zar. I made most of the early abundantly red overlays for his streams too. Vic is an outstanding individual and I honestly would have stopped playing in the fgc if it wasn't for him sooooo many years ago. Guy deserves the world and then some. I honestly can't say enough about the guy. God bless him.

[@MasterChibi]

I also made the original logo but never got a shirt! Haha 💞

[@RadiantNinja]

Melty is dumb.

[@MasterChibi]

K~ @@RadiantNinja

[@RadiantNinja]

@@MasterChibi unist > GG > Blazblue > melty.

[@MasterChibi]

K~ @@RadiantNinja

[@CoreAGaming]

Good shit, Esteban.

[@RekkabitesThirteen]

I'm surprised your not partnered with these guys... Considering your remarkable talents

[@Kiet1]

I love your videos.

[@MrOxihom]

shut up fraud

[@jensonweall5898]

@Core-A Gaming Love your content man found you through cosmonaut variety hours video on fighting games. Keep it up

[@BornFreeYT]

This is fantastic FGC history. Thank you Esteban and Spooky.

[@1Mic1Life]

Wow seriously guys this is excellent......thanks

[@Robstafarian]

Thanks for reminding me to subscribe to your channel.

[@sagewaterdragon]

This is such a good documentary. The documentaries covering large games are fun, but these kind of excursions into sub-cultures are what make Noclip unique.

[@deebznutz100]

The "Free" Clip at EVO literally brought a tear to my eye.

[@OisCreg]

The human stories of gaming will always be less popular than big name game docs. I appreciate NoClip highlighting the everyday champions behind the games.

[@TheAaron3dg]

Very cool choice for a doc! I've never played a fighting game in my life, but seeing an in-depth look at a single person in the gaming community is awesome.

[@michaellaherty9093]

Honestly you should check one out. Mainly because the community is different from most gaming communities. For instance, when I got back into fighting games. The community was very generous in helping each other out, myself included. Like when I was playing injustice, I mained as Hawkgirl but was having trouble with combo fundamentals and stuff of that nature like frame traps and whatnot. I saw this guy online who pummeled people with her and asked if he could show me in a practice sesh; how to be a better player. He more than willing showed me different combo strings and other things, like the characters break down. I also eventually reciprocated this with others, with practice sesh's. It's weird too because the trash talk is hilarious sometimes and the way roast each other, but in a friendly manner. Very cool experience unlike your typical online interaction. I'll put it this way, Its one of the least stressful online experiences with a very engaged community.

[@bennymountain1]

Check them out, they're awesome. Kinda put all other videogames into a new perspective.

[@kingtop]

as someone thats been around on JTV/TTV since 2007. Spooky was really one of those guys that took streaming into a revolution of what was considered entertainment. He was one of the great streamers that showed what streaming is capable of.

[@spiderbat4956]

What a beautiful story about a very niche community that is just so damn cool and underappreciated.

[@ryankerns2450]

As a guy who watched this growth first hand... very heartwarming stuff and definitely does sp00ky justice

[@jmcrofts]

Spooky is my dad

[@CheddarGetter]

Brother! Is that you? My beautiful egg brother?

[@70smebbin]

lucky

[@GrayFoxRJ]

Hmm

[@BrunoB78]

and that's why the FGC is leaps and bounds above the esports scene

[@MrFankle]

I could listen to Seth Killian talking for hours

[@Jotamide]

I miss S-Kill

[@---do2qd]

Me too. That guy is really well spoken. You can just see how smart he is.

[@griftgfx]

Watching this again a year later, and still agree. It's not just how articulate Seth is, it's how passionate he is about fighting games. Evo isn't Evo to me unless it ends with Seth Killian and James Chen crying because they love fighting games so much.

[@boreussimius1100]

I usually could not care less about fighting games, but you got me to watch a 37 minute video about them, and thoroughly enjoy it. I think that perfectly encapsulates the level of consistent quality Noclip puts out. Fantastic doc once again.

[@darkinertia2]

Spooky has done right by the tekken community, he supported us even when no one did in ttt2

[@amp448]

You guys should have played the "You are all free now" clip to end the video.

[@deckard3755]

Eric Yeah, that was a missed opportunity. Cool docu though

[@TheBAGman17]

nah it would be overplayed, they already had the bookend moment.

[@Wladislav]

It's in the trailer.

[@redcomet9751]

Bro thats Riki-Oh!! movie was hella fire!! lmao

[@NezumiDark]

Wonderful! I think this kind of representation of the gaming community and it's most dedicated members is something that is easily overlooked. I'm not even into fighting games or the FGC, but seeing people like Spooky and the people of the FGC being so dedicated and tightly knit is very inspiring. Kudos on EVO for not going with the (relative) giant IGN but instead giving the job to someone who was a part of their community. Great job as usual Noclip!

[@roronoapedro]

What a great surprise documentary. I *really* like NoClip kind of sponsoring and hosting documentaries made by other people who are into industries that the staff at NC may not necessarily have all the time in the world to get into themselves. I hope this spells good things for the future of the channel.

[@mariotaz]

Been watching Spooky for over 10 years. Love from the U.K!

[@dannyboi2500]

Noclip puts IGN in all other gaming media into shame they're well-rounded and break down the video game in the street like none other I wish more could do this as well. Noclip no.1

[@DogginsFroggins]

I can actually recall that stream dropping during grand finals, one of the loudest WTF's I've ever given. Excellent doc!

[@dociletoad]

The ending clip spooky uses is from a film named 'Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky' I wouldn't neccescarily descirbe it as a kung-fu film either! Just to slightly elaborate, the clip is right at the end of the film where Ricky has liberated the prison and they are all free thus implying us stream monsters (plebs would be the term nowerdays I guess) are free!

[@TheRedJacks]

That clip and how SF2 Bison was based on the antagonist in the manga actually made me read the manga. It was a wild ride and answers the usual "Why didn't he broke the wall in the first place?" question.

[@imraw17]

That movie is so sick

[@jesselee9223]

I'll stick with the term Stream Monsters

[@onreload]

Yup. it's a super-fun movie and a surprisingly faithful adaption of the manga it's based on. I kinda thought that "you're all free now" was initially a reference to players who suck being "free," and then it turned into freeing the viewers.

[@sftigershot9586]

It's a shit movie for sure but, nostalgia is nostalgia.

[@vesselspirit]

Spooky is what got me into watching fighting game streams which also brought me back to Street Fighter during the SF4 days. He embodies everything about the arcade era in NY during the 90s. He's also one of the best commentators in the FGC. Even when he wasn't streaming a fighting game I would tune in because he was so chill. Shout outs to Spooky. Good stuff, Esteban.

[@AbbreviatedReviews]

I actually randomly watched the movie that the wall punching scene is from. It's fully insane. The wall punching is probably the least crazy thing.

[@Noisetank007]

Riki-oh is ridiculous

[@TheRedJacks]

Try reading the manga, it gets better/weirder

[@dudeonthasopha]

00:32 seeing Vampire Savior in the background gives me immense joy. An amazing classic.

[@StreyX]

Shout-outs to Spooky for holding it down all these years. I remember those basement streams past midnight trying to watch tournaments in Japan.

[@HotTagProductions]

That scene with the "you are all free now" in the stadium, gave me legit chills.

[@HAIDAYY]

Not gonna lie 33:47 gave me feels. Such an inspiring story. Evo is the only gaming live stream event that I watch, and the only one I recommend to people who normally do not watch gaming live stream.

[@mastadonxo7662]

Spooky was a big reason I was really into sf4 and ultimately fighting games now. I would watch 8 on the break and both Wednesday night fights every week. I seen every tournament back then and he provided me a way to watch it so shout out to him.

[@mattsponholz8350]

Ohhh man. Brilliant video. This brings me back. I was a part of a Street Fighter club back in 2010. Those were some good times. Thanks for making this this!

[@alchemystn2o]

I've gotten into FGC because of Spooky.

[@heyheyryry]

Whats up Spooky, this is guys

[@ethanalspencer7294]

Can proudly say I've watched Spooky since the Justin.tv days. Him and arturo and all the guys that've come, stayed, and gone from that scene are to me the embodiment of the best parts of streaming as a whole, let alone just the FGC. Grassroots, real people just playing videogames and shittalking and having fun. No fake smiles or 'pro esports analysts' (shoutouts to adam sessler and ESPN's costume restrictions bullshit). I'm ecstatic for all the success they've had but to keep it 100% real a part of me appreciates that the small NLBC weeklies are still very much not a shitton of viewers or sponsorships or anything, just the locals pooling in and the small yet dedicated fanbase funding the prize pools and all that.

[@rahb641]

SPOOKY, my love!! This shit needs so many more views. My favorite thing from Noclip by far because i feel so connected to it. A native new yorker whos first experience with fighting games was Spooky stream. Hooked ever since

[@kogazor]

Great stuff! Also really enjoyed Seth Killian's insight. The FGC is special in the sense that's it's run by and for its own grassroots crowd, ssomething that's disappearing fast these days, and Spooky totally embodies this very concrete and authentic ideal.

[@superarisu]

Just as Seth says around 36:11, in addition to being a pillar of the community, Spooky exemplifies the best of the FGC. The world is a better place with Spooky in it. Thank you, Esteban.

[@NoMoEggRoll]

I love Spooky. Ever since when I started diving into the FGC, he was one of the first people that I enjoyed watching. Great documentary.

[@MordecaiWalfish]

Nice doc! Please do Aris (AvoidingThePuddle) next. I want an in-depth biopic of his Armenian upbringing and eventual conquering of the competitive skin flute scene.

[@cristyd1306]

I second this

[@sunn000]

He's THE PILLAR of the BGC also, glorious leader.

[@aramondehasashi3324]

Knowing Aris he'd be lazy to do it.

[@ShaunInce123]

Hey alright

[@Kelpie9423]

Just wanted to say how great this doc turned out! I love the FGC and appreciate everything spooky has done for it!

[@ArmandoodYT]

Such an amazing doc. Thank you so much for compiling this piece of FGC history. Seth is such a great guy.

[@ShellComics]

I had no idea this existed! Man, Vic is so goddamn cool! Esteban, you are a legend :D

[@CorruptedFlame]

Great work! 👏👏👏 Shoutouts to Mr. Victor Font... To Mr. Victor Font...To Mr. Victor Font...To Mr. Victor Font...

[@atsunymphae2723]

Fantastic documentary, thank you. It's a gift to have these intimate looks into the FGC's past for a relative newbie like myself 🙂

[@Wladislav]

Congratulations to Esteban and thank you to Noclip for making this happen!

[@Brokout]

Spooky is responsible for the best time I have ever had as a fan of fighting games, his input into the FGC during SF4’s life cycle made some of the most legendary and exciting moments possible, thank you Victor.

[@INCA_]

I am sharing this video to all my friends in Argentina. Great material!

[@asiemko]

This is so out of my daily gaming life, but it was fucking incredible. Thanks for the look into the community.

[@Thocked]

I am incredibly pumped for this one.

[@quackcharge]

I'm a DotA guy, first time seeing sp00ky what a great guy! I really really enjoyed this thanks for the insight into the FGC community you guys are pretty cool

[@HuyNguyendotme]

I really enjoy documentaries like this about the FGC, it's like little bits of a history unseen by the general public.

[@NoclipDocs]

If you'd like to see more docs like this consider becoming a Patron. But wait until tomorrow (the 1st), because Patreon bills on the first of the month and you will get DOUBLE BILLED otherwise which would suck super bad heading into the holiday season. Half-Life doc coming real soon, along with some more surprise treats in December. Thanks for watching! patreon.com/noclip

[@aldi_901]

I just saw spooky on an ad for one of those clickbait mobile puzzle games evony. Idk y but i almost cried, hes such a legend n its painful to see him doin that ya know. Just want the homie to be alright

[@PirateZ1]

The best thing about Spooky is that you can never have heard or seen the man himself but he lets everyone else become the protagonist

[@FredSamson]

Very good documentary! Was watching when Spooky started streaming and dope to see his progression to where he is now. Salute! Subscribed.

[@BoatsAndJoes]

Been looking forward to this for some time! Very excited to finally watch it!

[@-nomi.-]

it's always a toss up when a general gaming channel does a fgc video but you got the right people for this

[@Rayviche14]

Thank you for the FGC documentary. Been following it/participating for like ten years now and really loved this one. Also rare footage of JiyuThicc at 5:46.

[@gavacho131313]

Nice work! Thanks for making this documentary, and I'm glad to see Sp00ky get some well deserved time in the spotlight. I've enjoyed watching NLBC, grateful to Sp00ky and everyone else who have provided that stream.

[@BubblegumCrash332]

Spooky is a true eastcoast Everyman. It’s something only people from the Northeast can understand.

[@kuniosolis]

I've been a fight games players since i was a child, love them. It is very strange and heartwarming to realize how small and loyal the FGC is compared to other games, i mean... other SINGLE games, not even a game genre, just compared to another games. its ridiculouslly small, but soooo loyal. When I started watching FGC streams, i saw the viewrs numbers and tought "man, this must be a tiny corner of it all" but nope... this was it. as big as it gets, and its good enough. just try to find a FGC video that has more than 250k views. there are some, but mostly are compilations, or very specific moments. other wise you get a few thousand views. I used to tought that was BAD, but hey, if spooky and others make their money, and the FGC continues, that is good enough. Lets keep watching and playing Fighting games.

[@marc07112]

Spooky got the voice tho, I love his VOICE

[@Nihiliste-]

Spooky is not the hero we deserved, but the one we need.

[@psychotronic_x]

Spooky rocks so grateful for his contribution to the FGC

[@pinkfloyd36123]

dope video! the world needs more documented history of the fgc. i would've loved to hear from some more people in the community, but regardless this was great

[@Colest503]

"Does it cost $5 to watch your documentary" My sides are moving on their own.

[@nickstradamuss]

Colest503 do I have to pay $5 to comment on chat?

[@atlame]

Isn't that shit coming from Canada Cup a few years ago where you had to pay to see it or something ?

[@drunkredninja]

8.95 never forget

[@sharanchandran5659]

@@atlame No, this specifically is a reference to the Spooky Twitch channel going sub only.

[@atlame]

@@sharanchandran5659 Right ! Thanks for the info

[@TohirT]

Awesome doc Esteban! Now, officially, welcome to Noclip family! The doc was great and I learned a ton about Vic and Team Spooky! Love how bonded and loved that fighting community is.

[@Boloricealt]

Really great documentary, you guys really captured the sense of community that some companies and coverage really miss out.

[@ratmdex]

I FUCKING LOVED THIS DOC! Thank you NOCLIP and Thank you Team Spooky for the many years of entertainment. Love you Vic, you crazy bastard

[@mattmyles]

Brooklyn, we out here!

[@meltycloudy7660]

gumballz YERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@shivajones108]

A Bowl of Miso Udon YEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR

[@TheMightyPipe]

Excellent.

[@StandardsFtw]

This is worth a watch for Spooky alone. Honestly a fucking outstanding guy

[@LazlowUK]

Dude is a legend. Always has been, always will.

[@orale_]

Damn went they told Spooby to start from the beginning he literally started from child birth lol

[@c0mmanderKeen]

I know and care very little about this particular genre or community, and sat through the whole thing with great interest and enjoyment. Thanks guys, great stuff!

[@kimcheeseller]

Poverty at the outset, poverty to this day. Viva la Melty Blood.

[@fateful_wanderer228]

Much love to Spooky, man. Thanks for doing this.

[@Sch1n89]

Spooky saved my Life. Hello from Germany.

[@marcinmichalak155]

I was really interested in who Spooky is as a person. Thanks to your documentary I was able to find out. Thank you so much.

[@cartmanshome]

I didn't even know what Spooky looked like until now. But can instantly recognize his voice.

[@ephramwest8368]

What a well shot, thoroughly informative, and downright fun to watch documentary. Excellent work.

[@GhostCarnival]

Excellent work on this one, couldn't have asked for more

[@MikeNmurdoc]

This is so dope! Spooky been setting us free for a grip now!!

[@MrRand0mGamer]

Can't wait to see Spooky at KIT here in a couple weeks. Thanks for this doc Noclip. I hope you do more FGC content in the future.

[@gramirez7736]

Didn't know about this documentary, but glad it showed up on my recommendations. Great job. Really enjoyed it.

[@mzilla911]

Amazing work spooky has done so much for the fgc community we thank you for your work and ppl you've inspired along the way

[@wonderbread141]

Never cared about fighting games or anything but this was such a great story. Had me tear up a few times, the passion is so real.

[@beepz]

Awesome seeing the fgc here!

[@naohro]

Can't wait to watch this Danny, Spooky will never get enough credit for all the work he's put in the FGC!

[@DaPurpleSharpie]

Such a good documentary. It suuuuuuuuuper captures everything FGC is about. This is my shit.

[@apjm4053]

Really glad to see something like this exists, Spooky is a fantastic person for the FGC to have

[@yazoo55]

The first tournament stream I ever seen was from stream from Spooky, Season Beating 5v5 SF exhibition I think. Without him, it would have taken me a whole lot longer to discover the FGC and get into tournaments, so for that I truly belive he probably is the most important personality in the FGC. Thanks Spooky

[@canofnothing]

Awesome documentary. Much respect to Spooky and all the work that's been done over the years.

[@chrischris824]

Great documentary. Had a blast watching. Thanks

[@ninetailedemonking]

I love entering at Nlbc even though I lose a lot. Got to keep on training.

[@kingnifkin6846]

I've watched this at least 3 times and it inspires me more and more every time, good shit Esteban!

[@HomeslicedVideos]

@Noclip keep up the fascinating documentaries! At the end of the day, these moments are about the people more than the games!

[@antoniop1933]

The legendary Mr. Victor Font

[@RASENGAN1081]

LMAO THAT'S YOUNG JIYUNA!!!! Man it nice to see this documented thank yall for your work.

[@davidjeffries9562]

I have no interest in fighting games, but your documentaries are consistently interesting, thoughtful and well produced. Love your work, keep it up.