Neutral Game

Neutral Game Episode 53 – Prepping for a Major

Scanline Media — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:55:10 +0000

How do you turn this show on again? Oh, like that. Ok. Hello, friends and folks! Welcome back to Neutral Game, your newbie friendly fighting game podcast! 2025 was a year where we were both super busy and there wasn't a lot of fighting game stuff we wanted to talk about, but 2026 will be different, starting now.

Kyrie and I are gonna be heading to Combo Breaker this year- our second time attending. Between that, playing in locals and online tournaments, and Kyrie's decades of convention experience, we're here to give you advice as to how to have the best possible time at a major tournament: the prep work to do, the things to do on site, and the mindset that will help you get the most out of the experience.

Our artwork for the show is drawn by @WistWhistley! Our opening is Scene38 強者の足音, and our ending is Battle6 さあ、戦いを楽しもう!!, both royalty-free offerings from the wonderful Kazuki Kaneko. You can find both our cohosts on Bluesky- Six is @six.scanlinemedia.com and Kyrie is @kyrie.scanlinemedia.com. The Scanline Media Discord can be found here!

Neutral Game Episode 52 – Tekken 8

Scanline Media — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 04:49:11 +0000

Well, it's a bit overdue, but let's talk about Tekken, shall we? The King of Iron Fist has returned, and our hosts have taken a while to sort out their feelings. Clearly, it's a well made game that does some impressive and admirable things. But it also engenders a weird sort of animosity in us? We finally sat down and decided to figure the whole thing out.

Our artwork for the show is drawn by @WistWhistley! You can find both our cohosts on Bluesky- Six is @sixdettmar.bsky.social and Kyrie is @kyriepage.bsky.social. The Scanline Media Discord can be found here!

Neutral Game Episode 51 – Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

Scanline Media — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:49:00 +0000

Six and Kyrie are more than ready to Rock the Dragon with the newest fighting game in the Dragon Ball series! But, while Dragon Ball FighterZ was a tag fighter in the style of Marvel vs. Capcom, and thus very familiar, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is an ~arena~ fighter. You know, that genre that people scorn as being casual, fanservice only, broken and unbalanced, only fun for spectacle not to play... a lot of scorn from the FGC (fighting game community) in general. Is it deserved? Is this arena fighter worth taking seriously? While we're on the subject, is it worth taking not seriously? Or should one simply... not take it?

Our artwork for the show is drawn by @WistWhistley! The Scanline Media Discord can be found here!

Neutral Game Episode 50 – Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (Part 2)

Scanline Media — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:08:40 +0000

Today in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, 2B was released as the latest DLC character! Don't expect thoughts on her in this episode recorded last Thursday, but we have plenty of other thoughts about the cast of GBVSR, the modes and tutorials, the missteps, and the future of the game.

Our artwork for the show is drawn by @WistWhistley! You can find both our cohosts on Cohost- Six is @sixdettmar and Kyrie is @KyriePage.

Neutral Game Episode 49 – Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (Part 1)

Scanline Media — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 02:13:49 +0000

The original Granblue Fantasy Versus, high-budget fighting game adaptation of the popular gacha game Granblue Fantasy was... imperfect, to phrase it kindly. Netcode, balance, systems, there were some shortcomings that could use addressing. Unfortunately, the game hit at the worst possible time, and its life was squashed out of it- not given a chance to grow and realize its potential. I for one mourned the loss.

Fast forward to 2023, and a successor is announced- the Super Street Fighter to GBVS's Street Fighter. With the number of things that could use changing, does Rising fix this fighter? Or do its changes move us further away from the goal, instead of closer? Let's find out, together.

Our artwork for the show is drawn by @WistWhistley! You can find both our cohosts on Cohost- Six is @sixdettmar and Kyrie is @KyriePage.

Neutral Game Episode 48 – Street Fighter 6 (Part 2)

Scanline Media — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Our Street Fighter 6 breakdown continues with discussions of the other half of the roster, modes, tutorials and training, handicap settings, World Tour discussion, and more. Plus, what's this about Rashid being legal at Evo despite how soon after his release that tournament will be? All this and more as we conclude our thoughts on SF6... for now!

Our intro music is Ken's Theme, and our outro music is Marisa's Theme, both from Street Fighter 6. You can find both our cohosts on Cohost- Six is @sixdettmar and Kyrie is @KyriePage.

Neutral Game Episode 47 – Street Fighter 6 (Part 1)

Scanline Media — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Neutral Game is back with a new cohost to cover a 2023 hit! Street Fighter 6 has been eating up a lot of time over at Scanline Media, as many normal hang sessions quickly become SF6 lobbies. Where does this new game fit in the legacy of Street Fighter, how is it a response to the lessons of 4 and 5, and what makes it just so electric? These questions and more answered in the first of our two part coverage of Street Fighter 6!

Our intro music is Ryu's Theme, and our outro music is Juri's Theme, both from Street Fighter 6. You can find both our cohosts on Cohost- Six is @sixdettmar and Kyrie is @KyriePage.

Neutral Game Episode 46 – BlazBlue Centralfiction

Scanline Media — Sat, 12 Mar 2022 00:53:10 +0000

The power of a rollback netcode update has revived an old favorite! Six and Miodrag bonded in early days over BlazBlue, and yet somehow have never done an episode on a main series entry- only the Cross Tag Battle spinoff. How does it fair when approached with a 2022 mindset, and does this new netcode do the job?

Our intro and outro music is Boss 06 from Demon Souls, a Japanese royalty free music site. Don’t forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game – DNF Duel

Scanline Media — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 18:26:01 +0000

For this special episode, Six is joined by fellow Scanline Media staffer Kyrie to talk about the DNF Duel beta! The first 8ing fighting game in a long time has Kyrie buzzing with excitement, and Six a little anxious though enjoying it. Let's talk new systems, new characters, new stuff!

Miodrag will be back on the next episode, this is just a side thing we decided to put up on this feed!

Don't forget to check out Six and Kyrie on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @KyrieAPage respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 45 – Touhou 12.3: Hisoutensoku

Scanline Media — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Conventions deserve to be challenged in every medium, that's how we truly explore the form. It's in that spirit we are checking out Touhou 12.3 Hisoutensoku, the expansion to Touhou 10.5 Scarlet Weather Rhapsody. As you might guess, it's a Touhou fighting game. It's not the first, and it's not the last. And if the others are anything like this, they're worth checking out. Let's question our fighting game assumptions together.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 44 – Guilty Gear Strive

Scanline Media — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 18:35:09 +0000

This is an extension of our coverage of the beta, which you can find here or on the RSS as episode 42!

Strive has now been out for almost a month, and met with great sales success. But how does the game hold up for our two genre fan hosts? Unusually, the podcast is split: Miodrag is pretty onboard, and Six is quite skeptical.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 43 – Learning to Lose

Scanline Media — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 19:00:00 +0000

To pursue the way of fighting games is to pursue mastery. You aim to be stronger, faster, smarter, all in pursuit of the win. And thus, most fighting game education is around teaching you to win, making you more likely to win. But the reality that folks don't want to talk about is no matter how good you are, you're going to be doing a LOT of losing. So let's talk about how to lose: with dignity, with grace, and to grow stronger from your defeats.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively! A big thank you to Kayin for joining us on this ep, you can find them on Twitter at @KayinNasaki.

Neutral Game Episode 42 – Guilty Gear Strive Beta

Scanline Media — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 19:00:00 +0000

NOTE: This podcast was recorded before the announcement of Guilty Gear Strive's delay.

The year's most anticipated fighting game briefly opened its doors and let us inside! Miodrag is a longtime Guilty Gear fan, whereas Six runs more hot and cold on the series. This beta of the newest entry offers a LOT to love, but some structural choices that don't quite come tog

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 41 – Deckcember 2020

Scanline Media — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:00:51 +0000

Another year has come and gone, and so has another Deckcember! Miodrag spent another month streaming tons of fighting games, and is here to report about a bunch of classic and forgotten fighters, as well as the current state of Fightcade 2's multiplayer services.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 40 – Marvel vs Capcom Infinite

Scanline Media — Sun, 13 Dec 2020 18:59:14 +0000

An unlikely year ends with us checking out an unlikely game! The followup to the beloved Marvel vs Capcom 3, Infinite was the punchline of many jokes at the time of its release. And certainly, its presentation is a proper mess. But if you look beneath the surface, there's some cool gameplay to be found.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 39 – Ninja Master’s

Scanline Media — Sat, 24 Oct 2020 13:00:00 +0000

Even further into uncharted waters we go, as 2020 continues to offer little in the way of new fighting games. But glad we are for the shortage, as it has given us the occasion to explore gems of old. Few remember the name Ninja Master's: Hao Ninpo Cho, but this little-known Neo Geo fighter has gameplay and ideas beyond its age.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 38 – Bloody Roar 2

Scanline Media — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:00:56 +0000

Mankind knew that they could not save society. So instead of reflecting on themselves, they blamed the zoanthropes. In this long fighting game drought we're living through, Miodrag and Six turn to the past for another classic. The Bloody Roar series doesn't have a lot of life these days, but if 2 is any indication, it deserves a lot more love and attention.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 37 – Capcom vs SNK 2 & Kensei: Sacred Fist

Scanline Media — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 16:00:00 +0000

In the middle of a strange year, Miodrag and Six take a look back at some... classics? That title might be a little generous to one of these titles. Capcom vs SNK 2 is a much beloved, never imitated team fighter classic, and Kensei: Sacred Fist is a video game that you can play! Make time for old fighting games, friends: they have a lot to teach you.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 36 – Street Fighter V

Scanline Media — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 17:03:48 +0000

Miodrag and Six are back to talk fighting games, and this time, V has come to(o). Street Fighter 4 was a WILDLY successful game that helped usher in a revival of the fighting game genre. After several years of expansion and patching, how does the legacy of its sequel stand in the line of a series that has defined the genre for decades?

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 35 – Granblue Fantasy Versus

Scanline Media — Sat, 02 May 2020 17:48:24 +0000

Neutral Game is back with the hottest pull in 2020 fighting games! The prolific veterans Arc System Works have adopted the Japanese gacha game juggernaut Granblue Fantasy into a fighting game. Will this olive branch extended from anime fighters towards Street Fighters stick the landing? Listen and find out!

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 34 – Tekken 7, Revisited

Scanline Media — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 23:28:49 +0000

The Neutral Game crew is back to re-evaluate Tekken. How have the shifting meta, changes to the game, and new insights into how the game works affected their thoughts on the most popular 3D fighter in the world? Also, is Virtua Fighter ever coming back? (Probably not.)

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 33 – BBTAG 2.0

Scanline Media — Wed, 25 Dec 2019 16:06:13 +0000

The Neutral Game cast is revisiting BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle in the wake of its 2.0 update! More RWBY! More Persona! More UNIEL, more BlazBlue! ...A boobie ninja and a tank? Wow, this roster got weird. How has this tag fighter changed in the last year, and what do these new characters bring to the table?

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 32 – Them’s Fightin Herds

Scanline Media — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 20:24:20 +0000

There ain't no cryin at THIS rodeo. The team at Mane6 making a My Little Pony fighting game discovered that while Friendship is Magic, legal action beats magic. And so they were forced to shelve their project... until an unlikely solution presented itself. The fruit of their efforts, Them's Fightin Herds, is in early access and plans to release by the end of the year. Six and Miodrag hoof it to this dog and pony show to give it a try.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 31 – Ultra Fight Da Kyanta! 2

Scanline Media — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:00:31 +0000

By popular demand, Miodrag and Six checked out Steam's hottest early access fighting game: Ultra Fight Da Kyanta! 2. It is possible you think you are prepared for what this game is. You are mistaken. It's a meme, it's a chaotic fast fighting game, it has interesting mechanics, surprisingly fun writing, unusual character designs. JUMPANG with us into 2019's hottest* new fighting game.

*not really

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 30 – Dead or Alive 6

Scanline Media — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:00:51 +0000

Faaaaaaame Douglas. On this episode of Neutral Game, Miodrag and Six play maybe the best 3D fighting game? Wow, it turns out DoA is really good! The two have their complaints about the costumes, the rough launch, and the focus on ecchi content, but the core gameplay is unassailable. If only they'd add those Virtua Fighter characters into this one too....

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 29 – Evo 2019

Scanline Media — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 19:00:37 +0000

With Evolution 2019 now in the rear view mirror, we have a decent idea of how the various subcommunities and metas of the fighting game community are shaking out. What can we learn from the top 8s, the announcements, and from the choices Evo made as an organization? It's not all smiles and rainbows: we're displeased with some of Evo's choices, as well.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 28 – Samurai Shodown 2019

Scanline Media — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 07:00:40 +0000

Show up to shodown. SNK is giving its samurai a spirited revival in the form of Samurai Shodown, a 2019 series reboot of the classic 2D weapon fighter. Will this turn out to be their last blade, or does the soul still burn? Six and Miodrag endeavor to find out in the latest episode of Neutral Game. Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 27 – Mortal Kombat 11

Scanline Media — Sun, 02 Jun 2019 23:46:16 +0000

Netherrealm's latest is also the newest episode for Miodrag and Six! Six has never played an MK seriously before, but Miodrag has given them a real shot in the past. How will this one treat newcomer and returner alike? Unfortunately, we can't just talk about the game, we find ourselves obligated to talk about the studio's labor practices and casting choices.

Don't forget to check out Six and Miodrag on Twitter at @sixdettmar and @mdkii respectively!

Neutral Game Episode 26 – Retro Collection 1 (TMNT, SSF2, SamSho3)

Scanline Media — Thu, 02 May 2019 21:53:46 +0000

On this latest episode of Neutral Game, Miodrag and Six cover a trio of old fighting games: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Hero Turtles: Tournament Fighters for the NES, Super Smash Flash 2 for the PC, and Samurai Shodown 3 for the Neo-Geo. From this collection, often overlooked fighting games, what fresh ideas and insights can be drawn?

Neutral Game – Interview with LostSoul

Scanline Media — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:57:38 +0000

This week, Six had the opportunity to sit down with Guilty Gear pro and Evo 2018 top 3 player, LostSoul. One of the best GG players in the US, the Elphelt from the East Coast has proved that result was anything but a fluke, with impressive tournament showings that cement him as perhaps the best Elphelt in the world. Six sat down with him to talk about everything from his start in the arcades, to how he picks a main, to the merits of an unbalanced game. Please, enjoy the interview.

Neutral Game will have a regular episode early next week. Until then, please enjoy this rare opportunity I received! LostSoul can be found at @Lost_Relic on Twitter, his Twitch channel is here, and he plans to attend Texas Showdown 19 next month if you want a chance to see him work!

Neutral Game Episode 25 – VS Puzzle Games (Magical Drop 3 & Money Puzzle Exchanger)

Scanline Media — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 19:04:46 +0000

This month, Bear and Six sit down to talk about VS Puzzle Games, which share a lot with fighting games. We particularly focus on Magical Drop III and Money Puzzle Exchanger.

Neutral Game Episode 24 – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Scanline Media — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 04:51:07 +0000

The world’s biggest platform fighter has come to a new platform (heheh) with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and a whopping roster of 74 fighters, with more still to come. And yet, none of them is host Miodrag, who is out on vacation! Scrambling to put together a show, Six grabbed ver friends Kat and Tai to come talk about the latest and greatest in the world of fighting games, and why Falco should really have more to say about how weird Pikachu is.

Neutral Game Episode 23 – Soulcalibur 6

Scanline Media — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 21:48:27 +0000

This month, Miodrag and Six welcome you back to the stage of history. Soulcalibur claims to be a tale of souls and swords eternally retold, and after over ten games, we can at least agree that the series has remained true to the elements at the soul of its success. The fundamentals are the same, but how do new characters and new mechanics push the series forward? Let’s take a look.

Neutral Game Episode 22 – Garou: Mark of the Wolves

Scanline Media — Wed, 14 Nov 2018 02:19:17 +0000

SNK has a storied history of fighting games, from Art of Fighting to Samurai Shodown, and a wealth of other styles of fighting game besides. But of all their works, one of them is mentioned as perhaps being the best fighting game ever made. The end game of the Fatal Fury series, Garou: Mark of the Wolves is a masterful summation of what makes fighting games unique and great. This month, Miodrag and Six tackle one of the greats of the genre, and examine what makes it tick.

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month.

Neutral Game Episode 21 – Mario Tennis Aces

Scanline Media — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 17:14:00 +0000

Miodrag and Six welcome Mario to the show for the first (but likely not last) time as they discuss the Switch release, Mario Tennis Aces. It’s not that much of a stretch to imagine how a sports game can fit into the fighting game mold, but a Mario sports game? Well, this one’s a real moldbreaker. This month, we’re discussing the changes that made Mario Tennis into a fighting game, and how much they committed to that vision.

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month.

Neutral Game Episode 20 – The Spectator Experience

Scanline Media — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 05:13:45 +0000

Another Evo has come and gone, and in its wake, Miodrag and Six contemplate what makes a good watching experience in a fighting game. Mechanics, presentation, commentary, community: all this and more combines, often in unexpected ways, to produce great spectator experiences. Plus: the duo comment on a few high profile Evo incidents, and their implications. Unfortunately, Six’s audio is rough due to some technical difficulties. It shouldn’t recur, and we’re sorry! You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month.

Neutral Game Episode 19 – Fighting EX Layer

Scanline Media — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 20:00:33 +0000

This year has been so packed with new and noteworthy fighting games that Six and Miodrag have had to split the duties of coverage! When the developers of the old Street Fighter EX series finally decided to come back to the fighting game genre, we knew we had to be there to see what they made. What they made is Fighting EX Layer, or FEXL: a new fighting game with a classic feel, at once both crisp and loose, and wholly unlike any other fighting game currently on the market. Do the PS2-styled fighter’s ideas have enough merit, or is its vision of a different type of fighting little more than a Skullodream?

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 18 – BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle

Scanline Media — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 17:00:04 +0000

Fate will not be denied. Though we try to resist, fortune conspires for Miodrag and Six to come together once again and make a fighting game podcast… this time about the newest Arc Systems Works fighting game, BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle. Worlds collide, mechanics cross, but spacing and rushdown are the same as you ever knew. How have existing characters changed in this crossover? What has been done with new character designs? And how does this crossover game pay homage to BlazBlue’s history without being trapped in the shadow of its classic mechanics? You can’t escape from the answers to these questions.

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 17 – Street Fighter Alpha 3

Scanline Media — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 06:58:39 +0000

As 2018 prepares to head into a fevered pace of fighting game releases, Six and Miodrag take a moment to look at the past before diving into the future. Neither of them played the Street Fighter Alpha series when it was popular, but it still has lessons to teach, even years removed. What systems and gameplay decisions in the oft-forgotten prequels of the Street Fighter series bear merit today, and what ideas from that golden age of fighting games were lost in the shuffle?

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 16 – Frame Data

Scanline Media — Wed, 02 May 2018 19:00:13 +0000

One of the most common scapegoats for players frustrated by the complexity of games, frame data is demonized as the inscrutable language of the elite that the average player cannot make use of. You have to be OBSESSIVE to learn frame data. It’s such a BURDEN, it’s unreasonable! Or… is it? Maybe you’re thinking about frame data the wrong way. Maybe you can just dip your toe in, just a little, and come out a stronger player. Miodrag and Six are here to help you understand this misunderstood cornerstone of fighting games. What is frame data? What does it mean? And how can I make it work for me, without doing a whole ton of studying? We’ve got your back.

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 15 – Teaching Guilty Gear, and a True Rivalry

Scanline Media — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 22:43:37 +0000

This month, we’re focusing on the more personal challenges of our cohosts, as Miodrag and Six tackle different elements of fighting games in their lives. Miodrag introduces friends and coworkers to Guilty Gear, and observes the challenges and pitfalls of new players trying to adapt to the most anime of heavy metal fighters. With all of the newbies coming at the game from different perspectives, what does that mean for their play? Meanwhile, for the first time in ver life, Six has a genuine rivalry on ver hands!

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 14 – Dragon Ball FighterZ

Scanline Media — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 20:00:39 +0000

We’re about three months into 2018, and still no game has hit with the impact that Dragon Ball FighterZ has. With one of our favorite developers, Arc System Works, going all out to make a fighting game for a classic franchise, we couldn’t stay away. Miodrag and Six have spent the time in the lab and the ring, and now it’s time to sit down and talk about the most popular fighting game in years. From systems to roster, netcode to DLC, we’ve got a thorough analysis of what makes DBFZ so interesting.

You can contact Six on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 13 – Fantasy Strike

Scanline Media — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 17:19:35 +0000

It is ever our endeavor to be your newbie-friendly fighting game podcast, so when famed competitive game designer David Sirlin and the team at Sirlin Games released a fighting game focused on making the genre more accessible, we took notice. Fantasy Strike declares that it has “cut the chaff to focus on the heart of the genre.” It’s certainly an impressive claim, but does the game itself back that up? Miodrag and Colin investigate, and come away with mixed feelings.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @sixdettmar, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 12 – Deckember in Review

Scanline Media — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 19:00:33 +0000

Over the course of December, Miodrag undertook an ambitious task: to stream over eighty different fighting games, and demonstrate their systems. This great project would be known as… Deckember. Now, on the other side of the endeavor, Colin and Miodrag convene to discuss the lessons of dozens of fighting games, and what moments and games stood out as remarkable in the crowd.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 11 – Gundam Versus

Scanline Media — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 20:00:51 +0000

We touched on it briefly last month, but on this episode, Miodrag and Colin talk in-depth about Gundam Versus, the first of its kind to hit western shores. From mechanics and systems, to strategy and personal favorites, it’s a great beginner’s guide to a game that is at once both fresh and familiar to fighting game veterans. Among your busy schedule of Street Fighters, Tekkens, and Guilty Gears, Gundam Versus can be the change of pace you need in an often predictable genre.

I deserve an award for the self-restraint I showed not making a bunch of Gundam puns in this writeup.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 10 – Team Fighting Games

Scanline Media — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:00:51 +0000

This month on Neutral Game, we take a look at team fighting games! No, not… not the games where you build a team out of characters like Marvel vs. Capcom. I can see how you made that mistake, Miodrag did too! I’m actually referring to games where multiple PLAYERS work together on one team, like Gundam Versus, or certain modes of Super Smash Bros, Dead or Alive, and Tekken. It’s not the most widespread mode, but it has joys and challenges all its own, and it’s well worth exploring.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 9 – Building Better Fighting Games

Scanline Media — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 19:00:16 +0000

As much as we love fighting games, they drive us crazy sometimes too. There are so many backwards ideas and traditions about how they should be built, stemming from the genre’s arcade origins, hardcore player elitism, or simple thoughtlessness. This episode, Miodrag and Colin take the opportunity to discuss the quality of life changes that fighting games really need to undertake to move towards a better future, from input code to training options, and much more still.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 8 – Interview With Harrison

Scanline Media — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 16:53:14 +0000

It’s easy for us to talk about what it’s like to get started in fighting games as a newbie, but in truth, it’s been a long time since either Miodrag or Colin started taking the genre seriously. We hope our advice can be a tool for newcomers, but… what is it actually like for someone who’s just getting started? In the interest of finding out, we’ve brought on our friend Harri as a guest to discuss how, several months ago, he finally started to actually get into fighting games, and how his journey has been.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 7 – Evo 2017

Scanline Media — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 16:30:44 +0000

The world’s biggest fighting game tournament, Evolution, has come and gone! There were many fantastic fights, incredible comebacks, and all around stunning displays of skill Miodrag and Colin may never hope to match. In the wake of this yearly clash of titans, what announcements made us excited, and what is the state of the competitive meta for various games?

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 6 – Diving Into Tekken 7

Scanline Media — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 03:17:39 +0000

For the first time on Neutral Game, Miodrag and Colin have both played a new fighting game, and tried to learn it using their own advice. What are their takeaways from their time in the King of Iron Fist Tournament? From story to online, bears to CEOs, and of course, with the looming threat of being tossed into a volcano, we’re ready to talk Tekken.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 5 – Platformer Fighters and Sword Fighting

Scanline Media — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 16:46:31 +0000

With this episode of Neutral Game, we take a look at two subgenres within fighting games. First, we discuss platformer fighters such as Super Smash Bros and Rivals of Aether, then we move on to the varied world of sword fighting games like Nidhogg, Bushido Blade, and Blade Symphony. How should you adjust your expectations when tackling these subgenres as compared to standard, Street Fighter-style fighting games?

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 4 – Single Player

Scanline Media — Tue, 02 May 2017 01:46:38 +0000

Thus far, we’ve been pretty fixated on multiplayer, but fighting games also have a lot of single player options. On this episode, Miodrag and Colin talk about the various single player modes in fighting games, what they have to entertain you, and how they can be useful in the process of learning the game. There’s anything from Arcade and Story modes to minigames and RPG campaigns, for whatever tickles your fancy.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 3 – Character Archetypes

Scanline Media — Sat, 01 Apr 2017 18:01:30 +0000

Finding the character that clicks with your playstyle is always a major undertaking when starting a new fighting game. However, if you can recognize your own pattern of behavior and preferences, you can start to draw some conclusions. How do you like to play, and what characters are designed in a way that facilitates that? Miodrag and Colin tackle shotos, zoners, rushdown, and grapplers in this character-centric episode of Neutral Game.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 2 – How to Be a Great Player

Scanline Media — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 15:34:01 +0000

What makes someone great at fighting games? What are the attributes that lead to success and performance? Miodrag and Colin are back to break down the elements that make up a successful player, and what wins matches. What lost that match for you? How can you figure out what your strengths are, and what characters or games play to those strengths?

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!

Neutral Game Episode 1 – Your Newbie-Friendly Fighting Game Podcast

Scanline Media — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 18:07:30 +0000

Old friend of the site Miodrag Kovachevic and Colin have teamed up to bring this new monthly fighting game podcast for all the aspirants, newbies, and fighters-in-training out there! Ever wanted to get into fighting games, but just couldn’t quite make the dive? Maybe you were intimidated by the community, maybe you didn’t know where to start, maybe you just didn’t click with the game you tried. We want to help.

You can contact Colin on Twitter at @SixTwoSixFour, and Miodrag at @MDKII. We’ll see you again in a month!