Yeah, I know, it's early. We're also on a pace to 500 Part 43 before the next time I'm online, which will be in 18 hours at 6 PM EST after I get home from work. Have fun, y'all.

Stats websites:

Everything you could ever imagine:
http://www.sc2k4.com

Summer 2002 Contest:
http://solarshadow2002.tripod.com

Summer 2003 Contest:
http://solarshadow-stats.tripod.com/2003/index.html

Spring 2004 Contest: (not currently updating)
http://solarshadow-stats.tripod.com/sp2004/index.html

Stats topics:

Summer 2002 Contest:
http://solarshadow2002.tripod.com/page1.html

Summer 2003 Contest:
http://solarshadow-stats.tripod.com/archive/topic1p1.html
http://www.angelfire.com/games5/sum_contest/Page1.htm (See note)

2003-2004 Off-Season:
http://membres.lycos.fr/shindohikaru/stats1.htm (See note)
Note: Don't use the links in the topic to browse through the pages, change the page number in the URL.

Spring 2004 Pre-Season:
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringPreSeason1.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringPreSeason2.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringPreSeason3.htm

Spring 2004 Contest:
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats1.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats2.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats3.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats4.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats5.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats6.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats7.htm
http://sc2k4.com/archive/04SpringStats8.htm

MMXcalibur's Prophet Sites:
http://prophetchallenge.hyperboards2.com/index.cgi
http://www.freewebs.com/mmxcalibur/

!yawA tsoP
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

teh first post!11
---
You will never be able to guess who I-- aw screw it. I'm Steal This Account.

Tagged for future reference.

...Go Ratchet!
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Early tag. Go Hayabusa!
---
Current Pick: Joe; Current Vote: Joe; Points: 26/26
Henshin a bye-bye, my perfect bracket.

preemptive *tag*
---
Did you know A LONG LONG time ago in the days of the mayans people used to live for more than 500 years? Some, even, FOR ETERNITY-Jax1298

Tag. Go Jill, for the sake of a perfect first round.
---
Not all those who wander are lost...
There is no god, and the cage wasn't 30 feet. - CM Punk

*builds new base*
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Joe vs. Tails - Bracket: Joe - Vote: Joe (25/26)

tag
---
"The black wind begins to blow... Ok, give me your best shot... If you're prepared for the void!"

Tag
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See my writings at http://www.alexkaulfuss.com as the GrandioseGadfly
Fujin is the greatest character ever conceived by man.

*steals all moltar's base*
---
Hmph.

Cool. =)
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Part 44 all ready.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I think Hayabusa vs. Jill should be a good match. I don't see either winning with more than 53%, myself.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Why Jill will beat Ryu (for those of you who have not seen it):

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=8&topic=15839983

---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

And yet no one sees that Jill will beat Ryu

I do, but I have my reasons
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Come on, Ratchet! Get that 20%!
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

If Jill wins, I think it's pretty safe to say there won't be any perfects this year.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I don't expect to see any perfects this year.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

If Hayabusa does it's not outside the range of possibility.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Come on, Ratchet! Get that 20%!

I'm pullin' for Dante to stay above 80%. =p Hopefully he does so once we hit night.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I'm sure that a few of the remaining perfects have Jill winning. I don't know how many of them will seriously contend. It'd be hilarious if the guy who has Tidus winning it all was the last perfect to fall.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

"I don't expect to see any perfects this year."

I never expected any perfects this year. As much as I wanted my bracket to do it I jsut couldn't see half a dozren perfects.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I think Ryu Hayabusa will take this match with 57-43

---
"I just wanna protect the people I'm with. Doesn't matter whether I can or not. It's what I believe in."
-Zidane (Final Fantasy IX)

Why Jill Valentine will beat Ryu Hayabusa

Yes, I am predicting what will be the biggest upset of this contest, and will ultimately result in the winner of the four-pack including the deceptively easy to call Sora vs. HK-47 match (no analysis is necessary to call a Sora victory).

I’ve seen this match hailed as everything from “easy to predict” to a “coin-flip” to a “bracket buster.” What most people don’t see is that a 3 vs. 14 match can result in an upset, and I genuinely believe it will. I know I’m going to take tons of flak for this prediction, and although I am not 100% confident in the pick, I am more comfortable going with Jill as opposed to Ryu. I may be slightly biased because my Jill over Ryu pick is my bracket make-or-break gamble (based on UltimaterializerX’s idea that you have to take a gamble or two to break free of the pack and win the contest: his picks of Starcraft over Halo and SSBM over FFX and Wind Waker gained him the title of “Winner of the 2004 Spring Contest” as well as many free games). However, I do believe that this will be the match that decides the contest. If Jill wins, almost all the perfect brackets will fall and will create some headway for others to move up. If Jill wins this match: I guarantee I will finish in the top 50, if not win the contest. Anyways, enough about me, match analysis time.

The first piece of evidence that I shall provide is in regards to the seeding. Ryu Hayabusa is horribly overseeded. This is a primarily X-Box character (disregarding the early Ninja Gaiden titles) up against a staple of Playstation and Nintendo gaming: Jill Valentine of Resident Evil. Why do I disregard the early Ninja Gaiden titles? Because the vast majority of people voting in this poll are not old enough to have played those titles. How in the world did Ryu get a 3 seed? As much as I do not like to make this argument, I believe having his name on the nomination page got him a substantial chunk of nominations that he would have otherwise not gotten. Ryu would not nearly be as favored if there were no seeds on this match. 3/14 is deceptive. Without his name on the nomination page, I doubt Ryu Hayabusa could have cracked an 8 seed. I really don’t. Secondly, if the seeds were reversed and Jill was the 3 seed and Ryu was the 14 seed, he would not nearly be as favored. Seeds mean nothing, and if you can’t switch the seeds and come up with the same result, odds are you may have an upset on your hands.

You may be tempted to cry “Look! Ninja Gaiden is way up on the FAQ page for X-Box!” Okay.. how many decent games are there for X-Box? Pokemon is high on the GameBoy FAQ page too.

---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

GO RATCHET!
GO RATCHET!
GO RATCHET!

Anything that makes Sonic look good is a veeeeery good thing.
---
Well, when the parents are away... brother and sister can play..

If Hayabusa does it's not outside the range of possibility.

This match isn't one that will determine whether or not we have perfect brackets. There are plenty of matches that could change that.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I could still see a perfect this year with Jill winning. It all depends on upsets happening or not of course, but it isn't out of the question.
---
Not all those who wander are lost...
There is no god, and the cage wasn't 30 feet. - CM Punk

What I think people fail to realize is that a lot of the time, the voters are not as stupid as we make them out to be. In some cases, they actually make decisions based on who the better character is, and the one that has been more meaningful to gaming (notable exception: Pac-Man). When Final Fantasy is not involved, the general voter does tend to gain a little bit of sanity and vote for characters who have made a greater contribution to gaming (see Knuckles over Kefka, Ryu (SF) over KOS-MOS, and the vehement support of Liquid Snake in a bid that ultimately fell a little short). Resident Evil has been ingrained in the gaming industry for quite some time, with many games released for all different systems as well as in arcades. Resident Evil is instantly more recognizable than Ninja Gaiden, which will hurt Ryu. Jill Valentine is a veteran of these contests. If for absolutely nothing else, people will recognize her from other forays into the Summer Contests.

Second, contest history. Jill Valentine beat Kirby two years ago?! That’s some potential right there. Yes, I know, it’s been two years, and a lot can change in two years (including a marked decrease in Jill’s popularity: see http://sc2k4.com for more details). This enough to prove that at least she is not typical first round fodder (see: CATS, Crash Bandicoot). The fact of the matter is, she didn’t exactly do poorly in last year’s contest either. She faced Squall first round and managed to pull down 40% of the vote against a popular Final Fantasy character. That’s no small feat. You may disregard 40% as not enough of the vote to consider it close, but look at Squall’s next opponent: Luigi, who pulled down LESS THAN 40% of the vote against Squall.

Squall vs. Jill: http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1309

Squall vs. Luigi: http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1339

Jill got a higher % of the vote against Squall than Luigi did. If Jill can pull down a higher % of the vote against Squall than Luigi, I believe that it’s safe to loosely connect the two of them in terms of popularity. This is not a concrete connection, but let’s just say Ryu Hayabusa got paired up in a match against a 14-seeded Luigi. Luigi would win that match quite easily. I don’t see why Luigi and Jill Valentine can not be loosely connected in terms of popularity, but if you think you can explain why I am wrong, do so.

Another thing: look at the polls for each system for most anticipated upcoming game. Gamecube poll:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1698

No, your eyes are not deceiving you: Resident Evil’s upcoming game is more anticipated than Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and is second only to the new Legend of Zelda title. It’s more anticipated than Paper Mario 2 and Star Fox 2. Resident Evil’s popularity on this site is extremely underrated.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

I'm sure that a few of the remaining perfects have Jill winning. I don't know how many of them will seriously contend. It'd be hilarious if the guy who has Tidus winning it all was the last perfect to fall.

The guy with Vivi would be even better.

---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Ryu Hayabusa shall win!

---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Match picture advantage? I really don’t think the match picture makes that much of a difference, except in extreme cases like where Duke Nukem is on a milk carton. Notice that the Ness/Jak picture made Ness look “lame” and “stupid” while it made Jak look “badass”, and we all know how that ended up. Kain had the Vampire coolness factor against a pink marshmallow named Kirby, and Kirby still beat Kain quite handily. Yes, Jill has The Jug Factor (TJF), and Ryu has the Ninja Factor. So the match picture advantage will be relatively close, with the slight advantage going to whatever group comes out in greater force: the horny pre-adolescents or the loner pre-adolescents. Seriously. Also, now that the picture is up, Ryu is at a disadvantage since he doesn't even look that badass.


I also hate to use this argument because I’ve argued against it before, but Resident Evil has greatly outsold the Ninja Gaiden series. I’m not arguing that sales = popularity, because I argued against that in the Ness vs. Jak match. What sales does though, is it creates recognizability. As I pointed out above, recognizability will get a chunk of casual voters, and in a close match like this, it will decide the outcome. Since Ryu doesn’t have a popular cameo (as Ness did in SSBM, or as Cloud and Sephiroth do in Kingdom Hearts), he won’t get the benefit of a casual vote from those cameos.

Even though the newest Ninja Gaiden title was successful, it is not as recognizable as the Resident Evil series or its characters. The percentage of voters who will have played Resident Evil will be higher than the percentage of voters who have played Ninja Gaiden, ESPECIALLY on this site. The final nail in the coffin for Ninja Gaiden is that it’s on X-Box. The X-Box hate on this RPG-dominated site, while overrated, is still somewhat existant, and in a close match like this one, will make a difference. Arguably the X-Box’s two strongest games: Halo and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic were both bounced in the first round of the Spring Contest. Master Chief was beaten in the second round last year after barely squeaking a win over Fenix. A 3 seed almost lost to a 14 seed last year, and it will happen this year. This year, a good chunk of people thought Crash would beat Master Chief in the first round(about 30%). Where’s the respect for the 3 seed there? Where is the support for the X-Box flagship character there? Master Chief would wipe the floor with Ryu Hayabusa, there’s no doubt in my mind. Now take a look at extrapolated rankings regarding Master Chief and Jill Valentine from 2003 (courtesy of http://sc2k4.com) :

26 Master Chief 26.15% expected against Link
28 Jill Valentine 25.38% expected against Link

Closely ranked. Undoubtably, Master Chief is better supported than Ryu will be. If Master Chief is even a fraction a percent better supported than Ryu Hayabusa (which is almost a given), let’s shuffle around the standings. Drop Master Chief a few places and you’ll see where he is ranked even with, if not below, Jill.

If the X-Box flagship character from Halo doesn’t get respect in this contest, where is the respect going to come from for Ryu Hayabusa in this match?
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

TheRye, you are ignoring two things that will clinch Ryu > Jill. Dead or Alive and NES Ninja Gaidens.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

It still shocks me that Super Smash Brothers Melee going to the Final Four was considered a gamble. Only Final Fantasy X had me nervous about that. I figured it could handle all the rest.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

The reason everyone is picking Ryu Hayabusa is because he’s a 3 seed that has never been in a contest before. The last time this happened, Master Chief was getting picked by some to realistically make the Elite 8, or win the entire contest. Lots of people had Halo picked to win the entire Spring Contest. Another example of an overhyped new entrant last year: Tommy Vercetti. After barely beating Donkey Kong last year, Tommy is regulated to pretty much second-round fodder or less for as long as this contest stays in existence, unless he gets extremely generous seeding. Even Frog, who was picked by some to beat Solid Snake, struggled to beat Liquid Snake by .1%. More overhype. His match versus Master Chief will pit two of the most overrated characters in this contest against each other. “Jak will beat Ness!” many cried. Hype. New entrants are generally overhyped, and Ryu Hayabusa is no exception. This will become apparent when Jill Valentine wins the match 52%/48%.

---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

This is not a concrete connection, but let’s just say Ryu Hayabusa got paired up in a match against a 14-seeded Luigi. Luigi would win that match quite easily.

Ahem...Prove it.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Dead or Alive and NES Ninja Gaidens.

I'm very hesitant to believe that DoA is going to make any sort of difference.

I'm positive the NES Ninja Gaidens will not. Anyone who played those probably played the new Ninja Gaiden and was voting for Ryu already. The casual voter doesn't know who Ryu Hayabusa is. Most of the people voting in this poll are not old enough to have played the NES Ninja Gaidens.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

This match isn't one that will determine whether or not we have perfect brackets. There are plenty of matches that could change that.

I was just in the middle of making a post about where I expect to lose them, but then I rememberes you have Megaman winning so it was a waste of time. I'll give ya this, if Megaman does make up that 13% on Cloud and wins, I bet there won't be any perfects.

---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Undoubtably, Master Chief is better supported than Ryu will be.

Other than the fact that Hayabusa has other sources besides the XBox to draw support from.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

The reason everyone is picking Ryu Hayabusa is because he’s a 3 seed that has never been in a contest before.

No. Not even a little bit.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

This is not a concrete connection, but let’s just say Ryu Hayabusa got paired up in a match against a 14-seeded Luigi. Luigi would win that match quite easily.

Ahem...Prove it.

Luigi would beat Ryu until his face turned blue. Seriously, you can't honestly think an obscure X-Box character is going to take down Luigi without being on some kind of drugs.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

It still shocks me that Super Smash Brothers Melee going to the Final Four was considered a gamble. Only Final Fantasy X had me nervous about that. I figured it could handle all the rest.

I'm more shocked that only 60% had it over MGS2, and 20% had it win the 4-pack. It was always a lock to win that for me.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Rye, you will be just as right about this match as you were on Tails vs. Joe.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Other than the fact that Hayabusa has other sources besides the XBox to draw support from.

The NES Ninja Gaidens barely matter at all. Who has played the NES Ninja Gaidens that did not play the X-Box version? Very few people.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

Seriously, you can't honestly think an obscure X-Box character is going to take down Luigi without being on some kind of drugs.

Since when is one of the higher selling XBox games with other sources to draw from "obscure"? What? Never? That's what I thought.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Luigi would beat Ryu until his face turned blue. Seriously, you can't honestly think an obscure X-Box character is going to take down Luigi without being on some kind of drugs.

Whoa, I think I've just been transported back to 2003.

"Seriously, you can't honestly think that a hated Final Fantasy VIII is going to take down Luigi without being on some kind of drugs."

Again, I'll say this: Prove it.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Rye, you will be just as right about this match as you were on Tails vs. Joe

Or as right as I was on Starcraft/Halo, Starcraft/Kingdom Hearts, and StarCraft/Wind Waker.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

I was right on those too. I thought I was taking a risk in my bracket having Halo take those instead.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

From last topic

I know that. But after this:

"I meant to say from the BradyGames strategy guide. If you have it, you can tell. CJayC even used Cloud's name graphic from that strategy guide."

I just felt like mentioning that that artwork wasn't the strategy guide's artwork.

Yeah, of course. The strategy guide was just the first place I saw the artwork.

And about the whole in-game vs. in-battle thing (I'll shorten it since the topic closed before I could post), of course I like the in-battle pic better. But looking at Samus, Bowser, and Snake, I want to see what type of opinion the in-field pic would bring. Those pics would have been more fun for the board. I remember the first time we saw the Snake sprite, a lot of the board was saying "What....is....that?"


---
"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

Ahem, Final Fantasy VIII character, that should say.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Ahem, Final Fantasy VIII character, that should say.

It did say FF8, I believe.

Ninja Gaiden =/= Final Fantasy

Please, prove me wrong on that.
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

This performance by Dante really isn't making Luigi look very good...
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

I left out the word "character."

And all Final Fantasy characters are not created equal. Prove me wrong on that.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

FF8 is an FF game tho =|
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

And all Final Fantasy characters are not created equal. Prove me wrong on that

I agree with that...
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

I have a question let's say Ryu H. was only from the Xbox would you still put him over Jill?
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

I'm positive the NES Ninja Gaidens will not. Anyone who played those probably played the new Ninja Gaiden and was voting for Ryu already.

You have no idea there. I've barely played the Xbox Ninja Gaiden, but one of the reasons I picked him to win this match was because how great those NES versions were. Ninja Gaiden was huge back on the NES and he has plenty of people who would vote for him based on those alone.

The casual voter doesn't know who Ryu Hayabusa is.

His name has been constantly thrown around the industry as of late. He's not an unknown character by any means.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I have a question let's say Ryu H. was only from the Xbox would you still put him over Jill?

Good Lord, no.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Does no one remember how ridiculous it seemed on this board in 2003 that Squall could even carry Luigi's jock strap, much less beat him into the ground? People were expecting Luigi to beat Squall as bad as he got beaten.

One more time, I'll say this: Prove to me that Luigi would beat Hayabusa without telling me it's common sense or something like that. That doesn't always prevail in this contest.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

HM, I'm banking on the fact that his name has not been thrown around enough to make the impact everyone is implying.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

*Raises hand as one who has played the NES Ninja Gaidens and not the X-Box version*

If Ryu's game was only on X-Box I still would have taken him over Jill, but for the same reason why I took Viewtiful Joe over Tails and look were that got him... <_<
---
"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

HM, I'm banking on the fact that his name has not been thrown around enough to make the impact everyone is implying.

I disagree. Link's name is never mentioned in the Zelda games (outside of the occasional subtitle...see Zelda II and Link's Awakening), yet he has no trouble winning matches.
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

Luigi would beat Ryu until his face turned blue. Seriously, you can't honestly think an obscure X-Box character is going to take down Luigi without being on some kind of drugs.

Your problem is already in the fact you think Hayabusa is an Xbox character. He most certainly isn't. While his game is featured on the Xbox he has plenty more to pull from without that. And you haven't proven at all that Luigi can beat him.

The NES Ninja Gaidens barely matter at all. Who has played the NES Ninja Gaidens that did not play the X-Box version? Very few people.

Really? That's very, very wrong. There are plenty of people who would not have bought Ninja Gaiden on the Xbox and played the NES versions. If anything the new game on Xbox allowed for more people to play the games that previously hadn't been able too.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Prove to me that Luigi would beat Hayabusa without telling me it's common sense or something like that

Once it's seen how well Hayabusa does, I'd be more than happy to. As of right now, I have nothing concrete to judge Ryu on, and thus, can not make a "proof" on the matter. If Ryu beats Jill, I would happily concede to being wrong on the Luigi/Ryu matter. If he does not, I will undertake a proof. You can hold me to that.
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

I'd put Ryu H over Luigi, he's really one of the weaker Nintendo characters that fail to impress.

If Ryu H was just on Xbox then I'd pick Jill to win.

But I know it'll be close, I thought I was taking a risk in the first place putting Ryu over Jill, but then again I took a risk putting Vivi over DK and a risk putting Tails over Joe and those never failed me. If it wasn't for my stupid mistake of Shadow over Tidus, I'd still be perfect.
---
Current SC2K4 Score: 26/27
COWS are for Milking, not GAMES

The NES Ninja Gaidens barely matter at all. Who has played the NES Ninja Gaidens that did not play the X-Box version? Very few people.

Really? That's very, very wrong.

I'm relying on the fact that most gamers who come to this site will not have played the old Ninja Gaidens. Most kids who come here aren't old enough to have played the NES Ninja Gaidens, while more will have played the Resident Evil games. There's my logic.
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

HM, I'm banking on the fact that his name has not been thrown around enough to make the impact everyone is implying.

He's becoming far more known among this generation of gamers. The thing about him is that he doesn't pull just from the Xbox crowd. He has people who played the three Ninja Gaiden games on the NES and to a lesser extent the Dead or Alive games. He's got areas to pull from that aren't just Xbox. If that were the case I wouldn't have taken him over Jill.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

true I think the average casual gamer here started around the 16 bit era
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

He's got areas to pull from that aren't just Xbox. If that were the case I wouldn't have taken him over Jill.

I know he's pulling from them, the difference between you and me is that I don't think that those votes are going to make much of a difference, whereas you (and many others) do.

It should be a fun match.
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

Well, most gamers on this site are between the ages of 13-18 and then 19-25. Those are the two most dominant age sets at GameFAQs. The 13-18 crowd comes first and then very close behind it is the 19-25 crowd. I'd take it there have been a good portion of people who have played the old NES games. Even if they haven't, it's possible they could have picked up the trilogy on the SNES and then we have the new Xbox game for those Playstation/Nintendo 64 era people.

Resident Evil is far more well-known and Jill holds more namesake than Hayabusa, I'll give you that. She's not a weak character, but then again I wouldn't expect Hayabusa to be.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Sidenote: Don't forget about Ninja Gaiden Trilogy on SNES. Sales numbers anyone? Were they even significant?
---
"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

With all of this said, I'll be voting Jill come Monday.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Don't do it HM. It's a trap !!
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Sales numbers anyone? Were they even significant?

I can't find sales numbers for the SNES or NES titles.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

tag
---
...and it begins! 190/192 (stupid Ness & Tails) Next tough match: RYU vs. Jill

Although, as far as sales go Resident Evil does have quite the upperhand.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Don't underestimate the power of DoA. Kasumi easily finished in the top 32 in 2k2.
---
"Do these huggies make my ass look big?" - Stewie Griffin
Vote Dante!

Don't underestimate the power of DoA. Kasumi easily finished in the top 32 in 2k2.

Heh, she actually finished ahead of Alucard, for what it's worth. Then again, even Ryo Hazuki finished in the top 32 that year.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Ratchet finally hit 10,000 votes, heh.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Still pushing for that 20% as well. He's gonna get it.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I don't think he will.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Nope I think Dante will get the Night vote so if Ratchet is going to break 20% he's going to have to do it soon
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

As of now Dante is doing 2.87% better than what he'd be expected to do.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

You know, if Dante were to increase in the standings this year he'd be set for four years of constant increase.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Too bad this years standings will be so ****ed up they are hardly worth looking at.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

true, but Dante also overperformed against Ryo even if you add his increase
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Too bad this years standings will be so ****ed up they are hardly worth looking at.

True

---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

There are a few characters this year who would be looking at a favorable increase but it won't show, thanks to the lovely SFF-riddled bracket.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

<3 SFF matches
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Dante vs. Ratchet - Bracket: Dante - Vote: Ratchet (25/27)

Yeah. The standings will be very screwed this year with all the SFF we'll see.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

CJayC may have done the company-based brackets just to pwn us.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Thankfully the bracket wasn't a completely company-divided bracket, an idea CJayC had actually thrown around.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

So, what is everyone expecting from Sora tomorrow?
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Huh... win?
---
Well, when the parents are away... brother and sister can play..

I'm expecting 60% from Sora, at the least.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Sora will not make his spread, but he will be close to it. Sora with easily 54%.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Wow Leonhart, that's optimistic. Do you have Sora or Ryu H or Jill V?
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

I have Hayabusa, but I think Sora will be very close. The possibility of SFF against Aeris is still out there, and he wouldn't have needed to suffer all that much to put him in the top 32.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

HM I've been thinking a lot about Isaac/Samus/Felix/MC/Aeris and I was wondering if you could get me some sales figures for Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age. I want to see if there is really any reason for Felix to be considerably stronger then Isaac.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Heh, I have Sora. We'll see how wise that was on Monday.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Plus, I also think that HK-47 isn't very strong. I'd be very surprised to see him perform near the level of the upper half.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I was wondering if you could get me some sales figures for Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age. I want to see if there is really any reason for Felix to be considerably stronger then Isaac.

Golden Sun

NA: 742 000
Japan: 338 000

Golden Sun: The Lost Age

NA: 423 000
Japan: 250 000

---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Golden Sun

NA: 742 000
Japan: 338 000

Golden Sun: The Lost Age

NA: 423 000
Japan: 250 000

Keep in mind that this is a plus for Felix. Why? Both characters were mute in their respective games, and their personality was developed in the other's game.
Felix is much more popular among those who have played both anyway, and casuals will obviously go for the cooler looking character, again Felix.
---
Current Score: 24/27
Today's Pick: Dante

I agree with Leonhart4 and say Sora will take the match with at least 60%

---
"I just wanna protect the people I'm with. Doesn't matter whether I can or not. It's what I believe in."
-Zidane (Final Fantasy IX)

Something else I've noticed is that the vote total is really low for this match...this DEFINITELY doesn't make Luigi look good...
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

Hey, HM, where do you get all of your sales figures from? Just curious...
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

What percentage would Sam Fisher get on Gordon Freeman??

---
"I just wanna protect the people I'm with. Doesn't matter whether I can or not. It's what I believe in."
-Zidane (Final Fantasy IX)

Something else I've noticed is that the vote total is really low for this match...this DEFINITELY doesn't make Luigi look good...

It's still around 4,000 votes ahead of Magus vs. Luca Blight for the same point in the match. That is a dubious honor, though =/.
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

I think ulti said this, but out of all the matches Jill has had (except with Link) she has gotten a simaliar vote total so if she gets around the same vote total that would mean for her to win the match would have to have less then 75k votes, which looks possible
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Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

That stat for Jill is very useful when determining her fanbase. It is without a doubt noteworthy in her matches against Kirby, Bomberman, and Squall. However, all her matches were against characters who were primarily well known. The question with Ryu will be how well known will he be when the voting comes? I can see people who don't know who he is automatically voting for Jill which would then increase her vote total beyond the 38k that she normally gets. Of course she would get more against fodder characters.

I'm trying to think like the voting audience. Of course I would go with Ryu in a heartbeat. I just hope there are a good 50k who think like me on this site. <_< I'm still very much confident that he will get by Jill. I just don't know with what ease.
---
"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

What percentage would Sam Fisher get on Gordon Freeman??

If my math is right (which it may not be, as I'm sort of new to this) Sam would get 66.31 on Gordon. But it'll probably be a little closer than that.
---
Summer Contest Match 25 Sonic the Hedgehog vs. Terry Bogard
Status 23/25 Points: 020 Next: KOS-MOS vs. Ryu (SF)

Something else I've noticed is that the vote total is really low for this match...this DEFINITELY doesn't make Luigi look good...

...And why is that exactly?
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Has anyone else not thought that Luigi might not suffer from the same anti-vote plague that his brother suffers? I thought that be common sense.

he doesn't
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Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

I find it somewhat ironic that there's a large fad of Gmail related topics on the same day I get a Gmail account from an entirely different source :-)
---
Jon Thomson - today: Dante, tomorrow: Sora - 21/27
Nominate Ridley for Summer Contest 2005

what's gmail?
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Your probably right.

But this match doesn't really mean that Luigi is weaker, especially when he appeared stronger than last year in his last match.

Ratchet probably decreased in popularity for a reason, also the matchup was not favorable to him. They appeal to the same Sony base.

yup, plus if you look at Dante's previous matches not many people come to vote
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Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

*tag*
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GameFAQs can gain justice from this petition! Please visit it at http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=7&topic=15656619 (994 Signs!)

Has anyone else not thought that Luigi might not suffer from the same anti-vote plague that his brother suffers? I thought that be common sense.

Actually, Mario may not even have them. Shadow's showing was about as legit as it gets, and he actually made a non-Nintendo character look like fodder. All that's left is Servbot and Morrigan. Morrigan is probably legit, mind you, and could therefore beat an assload of people, probably including Jill and Luigi.
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SC2K4 Status - Points: 025/027 - Matches: 25/27 - Rank: 00414/33221 - Today: Dante - Tomorrow: Sora

and I guess for Servbot it was the first match ever most people didn't know what to do, probably
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Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Morrigan's numbers still strike me as odd, even so. We need to rally to get her into the contest next year to see what she's really made of.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Though the first year it clearly said, "Choose your favorite".
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SC2K4 Status - Points: 025/027 - Matches: 25/27 - Rank: 00414/33221 - Today: Dante - Tomorrow: Sora

Good points. I still think that Ratchet might be affected a bit by the Snake/Tanner factor where the same type of people like the game and Dante is just more liked by those people.

Yeah. I mean, Morri being on the same level as characters like Luigi or DK is just, well, "you don't belong here"-ish.
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SC2K4 Status - Points: 025/027 - Matches: 25/27 - Rank: 00414/33221 - Today: Dante - Tomorrow: Sora

Time to go and respond to old stuff:

If some n00b comes and does it, then that's stupid, especially if they steal the title. One guy making the topics is best, even beyond the "tradition" sense (though that mostly went out the window with solar). But really, there's no need to assign only a couple backups. Any of the regulars should suffice.

Makes sense, and isn't a hassle. Deal.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

Or as right as I was on Starcraft/Halo, Starcraft/Kingdom Hearts, and StarCraft/Wind Waker.

I like how you conveniently left Starcraft/SSBM out of that =p
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

I would've loved to see him trying to justify a Starcraft win over FF7. ;)
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 025/027 - Matches: 25/27 - Rank: 00414/33221 - Today: Dante - Tomorrow: Sora

He apparently made a 'Why Starcraft will beat Final Fantasy 7' topic, but I ****ing missed it. I'm still pushing for him to find where he saved it.

The odd thing about TheRye is that he once posted how he was inspired to make those topics because of my Starcraft/Halo analysis. We have created a monster, though I posted quite a lot in his Ryu/Jill topic about why I think Ryu has that thing won. Charmander6000 pulled numbers from my posts, even.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

Shadow could have increased from Sonic Heroes.
---
Henshin A Go-Go Baby!!!--Viewtiful Joe

And Tidus would've had to increase in direct proportion to Shadow for no reason whatsoever.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I only say no reason whatsoever because people seem to discredit the idea of Final Fantasy X-2 helping Tidus.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Hey, HM, where do you get all of your sales figures from? Just curious...

Many different places.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Shadow increasing from Sonic Heroes would mean Tidus increased from FFX-2. Evenly. That just doesn't make sense to me.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Ratchet probably decreased in popularity for a reason,

I could see him decreasing some, but he did have Going Commando released since last year.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

He apparently made a 'Why Starcraft will beat Final Fantasy 7' topic, but I ****ing missed it. I'm still pushing for him to find where he saved it.

He did. Sucks that you missed it =(. It was probably my favorite one.

---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

That's why I think the similar fans idea is probably a better explaination.

Almost up to 20%! Come on Ratchet, you can do it!
---
You play with your controller in one hand for 85% of the game. If that isn't a gaming experience, I don't know what is. -the jp, on FFX-2

Dante's got to hold on.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

So how much would this Ratchet beat Tanner by?

I was saying that Shadow still could have gotten Mario anti-votes, but Sonic Heroes cancelled most of them out for this year.
---
Henshin A Go-Go Baby!!!--Viewtiful Joe

Ok thanks charmander.

Golden Sun

NA: 742 000
Japan: 338 000

Golden Sun: The Lost Age

NA: 423 000
Japan: 250 000

I actually expected GS to be higher then TLA. TLA is only worth playing if you liked GS, and if you don't play GS before TLA the story in TLA will make little sense. But if you play GS and don't like it, then you won't buy TLA. That makes me wonder why Felix did better then Isaac. His character is no better, nor more developed, so I can't imagine why he would be higher ranked other than massive SFF in Samus vs Isaac.

Then if you put Felix in Isaac's place he should do comparably if not worse, thus making MC and Aeris look worse on Samus then they already do. Having just spent an hour teaching myself to use extrapolated stats (yay!), putting Felix in Isaac's place yields MC getting 26.12% on Samus, Aeris getting 31.42% on Samus, Sonic getting 33.32% on Samus, and (my personal favorite) Cloud getting 44.12% on Samus.

Conclusion: I just wasted an hour getting stats using a method that seems to make sense to me but can't be correct. Can someone help me figure out why?

Keep in mind that this is a plus for Felix. Why? Both characters were mute in their respective games, and their personality was developed in the other's game.

Yeah, but it's more or less an accepted fact that an RPG's main character will do better then the secondary characters, even if they are more popular. See Auron vs Tidus. I think most people who know what they are talking about (I know Ulti, Leonhart and myself for a fact) would put Tidus over Auron. With GS having higher sales, Isaac should be stronger than Felix.

Felix is much more popular among those who have played both anyway, and casuals will obviously go for the cooler looking character, again Felix.

There is no real reason to think Felix is the better character, they are about equal to me.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=8&topic=15839983

Here's some good arguments against TheRye in the topic.
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I lost my perfect bracket! Now I'm going to get pwned by <insert username here> in the Guru Contest! Ugh!!!

Hey guys, I need some help. I'm currently writing up the Prophet Challenge for Sam Fisher/Gordon Freeman, and I refuse to take Gordon seriously.

But I also can't be funny whenever I choose. Help me out, plz? Just post stuff in this topic and I'll use the best posts in the writeup with full credit given.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

Too bad you can't ask Amazing Te- I mean Phoenix Flattener for that. I'm not exactly good at making jokes like that, sorry. Wish I could help...
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

Stick with becoming serious. MMX may be funny, but I don't like perverts.
---
Metroid Prime > Wind Waker

everytime I try to be funny no one gets my jokes :(
and all I know about Gordon Freeman is A: Hes from half life
B: he looks like a nerd C: he never wins.
---
I dont know what is going on, my world has turned upside down.
Married SemiFinal vs Belarus on 6/1/04

Ratchet best not be here next year...this performance is embarrassing!
---
Steve Illumina: Official Satirical Commentator of SC2K4
Perfects to Fall: 40 SC2K4: 24/27 (Go Link!)

He is going up against a strong Dante, but more than likely he won't return unless Up Your Arsenal helps him out.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Dante looks like he'll hold onto 80%.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

He's even capitalizing on the night vote, nice.

Something I just realized, we should be seeing Mega Man with his buster pointed at Tidus' head come round 2. If CJayC keeps up with the tradition.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Which one is half-life? is that the one that counterstrike came from? i guess when you think about it gordon should be killing someone like sam because of the whole "humongous popularity of counterstrike" thing. in fact, i have no clue why sam is supposed to win other than the fact that gordon lost to max payne. but honestly, the only reason why i picked max in my bracket last year was because i had no idea who gordon was. of course, this year now that i know who he is i still picked sam...there's just something unappealing about gordon...his glasses? his haircut? his name? when you look at him you don't really see counterstrike at all, you see fodder. pure american fodder.

that's all i know about that. sorry if it isn't helpful or too late to be read.
---
Mario Sunshine-120 Shines || BtT 3:44.87 || HRC 36,265.2 ||
SC2K4 22 / 27 Next Pick: Dante

Gordan Freeman does horrible because most people don't know he is from Half-Life.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Gordon Freeman is from Half-Life, the mod Counter-Strike came from that. Sam Fisher comes from Splinter Cell, and from what I've seen has picked up popularity in the last year.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Plus, from what I've played of Counterstrike, you don't even play as Gordon.
---
Henshin A Go-Go Baby!!!--Viewtiful Joe

You only play as Freeman in Half-Life.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Hey guys, I need some help. I'm currently writing up the Prophet Challenge for Sam Fisher/Gordon Freeman, and I refuse to take Gordon seriously.

But I also can't be funny whenever I choose. Help me out, plz? Just post stuff in this topic and I'll use the best posts in the writeup with full credit given.

He's the epitome of contest loserdom.

He symbolizes the inner nerd in all of us.

And then, of course, there's the hypothetical Gordon Freeman vs. Tanner match.

>_>
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

The real question is how many votes would a GF vs Tanner poll get. 2? 5?

777.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Match XXVII: (5) Viewtiful Joe vs. (12) Tails Review

Tails beat Viewtiful Joe, 54.80% - 45.20%

Well me and almost the whole board weren’t expecting that to happen so what happened? Well I knew Tails would be slightly stronger so I guess I must’ve overestimated Joe. Tails has finally won a match after 2 years of losing in a row. He may have some close, but he’s finally did it. I would actually like to see these two go up against each other next year since I would expect Joe to gain popularity by next year. Hopefully he could win. Even though I lost a point I don’t really care since the character that I liked better won.

---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Match XXIX: (6) Sora vs. (11) HK-47 Preview

Past Performances:

Sora: 2002

Did not attend
Ranked: N/A

Sora: 2003

Lost to Aeris, 33.34% - 66.66%
Ranked: 39th

HK-47: 2002

Did not attend
Ranked: N/A

HK-47: 2003

Did not attend
Ranked: N/A

Analysis:

Sora is from Kingdom Hearts. The same Kingdom Hearts that got Cloud the win last year. Even though Sora was beaten in the first round it was by one of his own, Aeris. People have been saying that Sora was hit by SFF which could be true because Aeris is from the same game as Sora. As of now Sora is one of those characters that can only beat weak characters, but can also hold his ground against stronger characters. Even though Sora was upset last year this year he returns with the same seed that he got last year. Will he be able to beat an 11 seed or will there be a curse for Sora?

HK-47 is from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. HK-47 is another new character to have entered this contest, but his game was in the Spring contest a couple of months ago. KotOR lost in the first round to Vice City, but one of the favorite Xbox game did do a good showing against Vice City who made a good showing against Super Smash Bros. Melee who ended up winning the whole division. So that’s good, but many of us know that character don’t equal to there game. So that can pose a problem for HK-47 so what will happen to him?

Well this match like others can be anywhere from a blowout to a nail-biter, but I think Sora should be able to win this match. Most factors in this match usually end up in a loss for HK-47 so for HK-47 to win it will be more shocking then when Tails beat Viewtiful Joe, but I shouldn’t take this four-pack lightly. Even now I can’t tell you who’s the huge favorite in here, but we should know by the end of tomorrow’s match.

Well first from the games contest we know that Kingdom Hearts > KotOR, but like I said characters =/= games. If we take a look at the roles each character plays we see that Sora is the main character so pretty much everyone who’s played it knows Sora, but on the other hand we have HK-47 and from what I’ve heard he’s an optional character which means that you don’t need him for KotOR so even if you’ve played KotOR you may never have known about HK-47. Sora has the big advantage there.

Also Sora was in last year and that gives him two advantages. First we know that there could’ve been some SFF in Sora’s match since he was against Aeris in round 1 so Sora can be stronger. Second, this is more of a note then a factor is that all, but 1 vet vs. newbie were won by the vets. The only newbie that won was Vivi. So looking at past newbies most of them have underperformed by more then we thought. Sora is still looking good.

Also HK-47 is from the Xbox and unless your name is Master Chief then most non-Xbox players will most likely have never heard of you and being in the minority doesn’t help. The only reason KotOR did okay was because it had the name Star Wars on it and most of us have heard of Star Wars and will vote for it, but actually never played it before. From the looks of things HK-47 could be a fodder, but even with all those things working against him he still can do okay against Sora.

Charmander’s Bracket: Sora

Charmander’s Prediction: Sora wins, 59.58% - 40.42%

---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

Dante holds on. Good, good.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Sora vs. HK-47:

HK-47 has nothing going in his favor in this match.

Let's look at a section of the 2K3 standings:

47) Raziel - 17.9
48) Kite - 17.79
49) Fox McCloud - 17.54
50) Crash Bandicoot - 17.46
51) Max Payne - 17.23
52) Kefka - 16.08 (without SFF adjustment)
53) Gordon Freeman - 15.86
54) Pac-Man - 15.78(without SFF adjustment)

How can HK-47 be stronger than any of these guys? An optional character from a non-Square XBox RPG? Sure, Knights of the Old Republic is quite popular--but one would figure that HK-47 would suffer from Gordon Freeman Syndrome to an even worse extent than Gordon Freeman!! Seriously, an optional character. Wow.

I mean, I just see no freakin' way HK-47 could beat guys like Max Payne or Fox McCloud or Raziel. Yet we have every reason to believe Sora would beat these guys with room to spare.

Gordon Freeman's 2K3 number was 15.86% on Link; Half-Life was at 29.28% on FF7. KotOR ranked at 27.71%. Set HK-47:KotOR::Gordon Freeman:Half-Life, in comparing the character and game contests, and you get HK-47 at 15.86%/29.28*27.71=15%--which, to me, seems just about right actually, even though character/game contest comparisons are inherently flawed.

And with that figure, HK-47 would get only 34% on Sora. And that's assuming that Sora wasn't hurt by any SFF against Aeris.

Honestly, something is screaming at me to put something like 70% or 75% in the oracle challenge, but I just can't bring myself to do it; I think it might be me simply being unable to imagine Sora getting that high on *anybody*. But, logically, I find it difficult to see how HK-47 could get much over 30%.
---
Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

I agree completely. I've never once given thought that HK-47 would win or even make it close.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I have HK-47. I don't know why. It just "feels right" to me. It may be wrong, but it's part of what makes my bracket mine.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

I think this match will finish in the 60's, but my heart says no
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

I agree with Hm who agrees with creativename. I don't see the match being close.
---
Happiness is like peeing on yourself. Everyone can see it, but only you feel it's warmth.

I agree with Sora winning, but I wasn't always sure about it. I had HK-47 winning for a little while. 'Course, that wasn't my stupidest thing I did >_>. I had several other ridiculous choices before I went over my bracket >_<.
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

I won't be surprised if HK-47 keeps it close for the first 5 min since the board seems to like him
---
Summer 2004 Contest 23/27 Dante vs. Ratchet

I hate to move the conversation back a few matches... but all those who were speculating that Viewtiful Joe would get a boost b/c VJ was coming out on PS2 just before his match would find it ironic that VJ has indeed appeared on the Top 50 FAQ's leaderboard...



a couple days too late...
and back on the GC(not the PS)...

So much for gaining the new I just discovered VJ on PS2 vote along with my bracket =/.

Around 65% for Sora at the moment. Doesn't look like the board will make this too interesting.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

good
---
Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

And another potential upset fails me. I need Ryu to make it to the Final Four to retain any credibility.

....

If you had either Ryu in the Final Four, you never had credibility...
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

lol that won't happen. Ryu (SF) will probably lose next round, but has a small chance of getting to the Elite 8

Ryu H. will lose tomorrow or to Samus

Also I predicted 60/40 for this match, I gave HK-47 too much credit
---
Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

I predicted a 60/40 match as well. After reading creativename's little rundown I wanted to change my prediction to around 65%, but it was to late.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Looking at Dante's final percentage, he managed to exceed his projected percentage of 77.24% by 3.04%.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

66%, and against a character like HK I'm still trying to figure out how strong Sora really is. A first round match against a new character who is optional in his only game makes it kinda hard to judge strength.
---
Not all those who wander are lost...
There is no god, and the cage wasn't 30 feet. - CM Punk

....

If you had either Ryu in the Final Four, you never had credibility...

I was banking on the multitude of sources Ryu Hayabusa had to pull from, including a very well recieved game recently released *even if on the Box*, his old school support, the DoA recognition factor, and most importantly, The Ninja Factor. If Ryu beats Samus, which until he underperforms tomorrow I think he can do, he can beat Sonic and get into the Final Four.

No he can't. At all.
---
The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Something tells me this percentage will only go up during the day. HK's better known on the boards and Sora definitely gets the pop. vote, and that's without brining up KH's Day vote surge in the spring contest. Wouldn't surprise me at all if Sora broke 70%, and 75% isn't out of reach.
---
Theifenburg Uncertainty Principle - Without any witnesses, who's to say what happened?

Nearly a 10% increase for Sora during the day? That seems a little much if you ask me.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

^^All I know is that KH gained around consistently after East coast schools started letting out at 3:15 ET (read: the day vote population of GameFAQS) against a stronger opponent with far superior name recognition to casual voters than HK-47. I think a 4-5% gain is probable and up to 10% within the realm of possibility.
---
Theifenburg Uncertainty Principle - Without any witnesses, who's to say what happened?

I like how you conveniently left Starcraft/SSBM out of that =p

Better to let someone else point out your failings as opposed to doing it yourself. I am not claiming to have picked SSBM/SC right. I do believe that picking SC over WW was extremely unpopular, yet was still correct.

He apparently made a 'Why Starcraft will beat Final Fantasy 7' topic, but I ****ing missed it.

I did. Twas probably my best joke topic.

The odd thing about TheRye is that he once posted how he was inspired to make those topics because of my Starcraft/Halo analysis. We have created a monster

Aww, a monster? I disagree on one pick. It’s a fairly justifiable position. It’s not like I just said “TJF” for reasoning, I did actually make some points. Others just do not agree on how little I think the NES Ninja Gaidens will have an impact. I believe it’s statistically insignificant. Others like Heroic Mario believe it is crucial. We’ll see tomorrow.
---
I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 25/27
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

I was just wondering who would you expect Ryu Hayabushas popularity to be closest to? I would expect him to be about the popularity of Sora/Vyse in all honesty ~_~

---
^ Smurf, The cream of Sonic fanboyism ™

85% picked Dante. We lost another perfect, though.
---
Theifenburg Uncertainty Principle - Without any witnesses, who's to say what happened?

Aww, a monster? I disagree on one pick. It’s a fairly justifiable position. It’s not like I just said “TJF” for reasoning, I did actually make some points. Others just do not agree on how little I think the NES Ninja Gaidens will have an impact. I believe it’s statistically insignificant. Others like Heroic Mario believe it is crucial. We’ll see tomorrow.

It was sarcasm. You had a nice topic, and with Tails/Joe, you may be right about it.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

66%, and against a character like HK I'm still trying to figure out how strong Sora really is. A first round match against a new character who is optional in his only game makes it kinda hard to judge strength.

When I was making my Oracle prediction, I picked Luca Blight as HK-47's best comparison. Both characters come from a non-Square RPG. Both are from a game that was well received, but not all that widely played. Both are evil and neither one is a main character. Both seem to have a cult following. Both of them earned an 11 seed, which suggests they had around the same number of nominations.

Extrapolating Sora vs. Luca (through Magus) gives Sora 69.16%. I bumped HK-47 up a little because his game is less obscure than Suikoden II. Because the number was already so high (and because I'm not convinced it existed), I didn't factor in any Sora/Aerith SFF. So to me, these results say that Sora is right around where his extrapolated numbers had him.

---
Contest Winner: Mega Man | Score: 26/28
Current Oracle ranking: 3nd | Pick: Sora with 66.96%

I'm thinking saying HK = Luca is a bit harsh, but meh.

On another subject, you think Gordon is going to take the early lead with all the joke votes coming from the board?
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

This match makes me confident that the winner of next match will be in the sweet sixteen.

Please mr Hayabusa, do what it takes to defeat Jill.
---
"I have AgentONeal XTREME to thank for saving my life, ask me how!" "Bigboi was right. Tidus > Shadow." 26/28

Joke votes? There are no joke votes when it comes to Gordon. He *IS* a winner. I say if Tails can do it, Gordon can too. Stat-crunch all you want, but if he wins a match, I will throw a party and there will be cake and ice cream and gloating. And balloons. I like balloons.
---
"I don't know who you are but I thank you for arousing me." -- Terranigma

Alright, Sora is makin me look good in the Prophet Challenge. Hopefully he'll fall a little during the day and everything should be alright.

And now I really want to say Ryu's match, so we can see his strength...
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Chaos Division: Round 1 - Match 30 – (3)Ryu Hayabusa vs. (14)Jill Valentine

Moltar’s Analysis

Ryu
Game/Series Known From: Ninja Gaiden/Dead or Alive Series
Extrapolated Rank in 2002: N/A
Extrapolated Rank in 2003: N/A
Seed in 2002: N/A
Seed in 2003: N/A

Wow. Talk about overseeded. No newcomer to the Contest deserves a seed so high. I mean...he’s the same seed as CRONO!

Jill
Game/Series Known From: Resident Evil Series
Extrapolated Rank in 2002: 16th
Extrapolated Rank in 2003: 28th
Seed in 2002: 3
Seed in 2003: 11
Lost in Sweet 16 to Link in 2002 and to Squall in Round 1 in 2003.

Speaking of messed up seeds, how did Jill get only a 14? She’s way better than this.

Yes, I have used this phrase about a billion times already, but it’s Ceej who makes the matches, not me. With that being said, this is another match that is Contest newbie vs. Contest vet. Just like in Joe vs. Tails, the newbie is horribly overseeded. This will lead some bracket makers to go with the newbie because he is seeded much higher. But this match is one where it isn’t painfully obvious that the higher seed will win. Jill has a VERY good chance of pulling off the win, not upset, win.

Ryu Hayabusa is not the biggest name on our site. Infact, the reason he probably was seeded so high is because of the other Ryu in the Contest. Some people probably put “Ryu” on their nomination list, but didn’t specify which one. CJay then must have given some of the “Ryu (SF)” votes to the other Ryu and all the other Ryu votes to this Ryu. This could hurt lots. He is though in the pretty well-known Ninja Gaiden and DoA Series. And he is bound to get the “Awesome Name” vote. What, Ryu is a pretty cool name. Don’t forget pic factor favors him too. How can you look at it and not smile...

Now onto Jill. In 2002, she was a pretty decent competitor. Then again, in 2002, we had TJF. Don’t think it exists? Look at Tina vs. Gordon. ‘Nuff said. She might have lived up to her seed in 2002, but in 2003, ouch. Going up against a powered up Squall in Round 1 is not fun. Then again, she didn’t deserve an 11-seed. Ok, enough about the characters seperately, onto the match.

Usually, I would say not to worry about a Round 1 match so much. They’re only 1 point. But this match is slightly different. The winner of this match will most likely win their next Round match against Sora/HK-47. So if you get this match wrong, that’s 3 points gone. Ouch. This match will be decided by 2 things. If Ryu can live up to his seeding and if Jill isn’t weaker now than in 2003. The people nominated Ryu to a 3 seed, so he should get a decent amount of votes. He is also the fresher of the 2, with Ninja Gaiden just being released. But Jill is no pushover, she can muster up around 38,000 votes against her opponent thanks to her loyal fanbase. Can Ryu beat that? I think so. I won’t be though if surprised if Jill beats, not upsets, Ryu.

Moltar’s Bracket Says: Ryu will win.

Moltar’s Prediction is: Ryu 52% - Jill 48%
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Ulti’s Analysis

I once had a rather long writeup about how Jill Valentine was going to win this, but I've rethought this match. The logic that Ryu H has a high seed simply because of his name being used as an example of how not to get characters crossed up makes no sense. If it affects Ryu H so much, then why is Street Fighter's Ryu only a 9 seed? And why didn't Breath of Fire's Ryu make the contest at all? I don't buy it anymore.

Ryu H has NES roots with the NES Ninja Gaiden games, as well as a part in the Dead or Alive series. Add in the recent success of Ninja Gaiden the Xbox title, and you have a character deserving of a 3 seed. Maybe not in comparison to everything else, but he still deserves it due to a recent, large fanbase. Another thing that I feel we're all wrong on is that Ryu H has to somehow be stronger than Master Chief to win. One, Master Chief should remain constant, while Jill Valentine's somewhat equal strength gets thrown out the window in this match. Two, Jill Valentine is a washed up slut that has been on a gradual decline for years. To think that she will retain last year's strength is a little insane, if you ask me. It won't be easy for him, but Ryu H can and should win.

Ulti’s Bracket/Prediction - Ryu H/Ryu H with 53.77%



Cena’s Analysis

Hmmm. Honestly, Jill should win this. Her games are more popular, she's a better character and she's female. I don't even think the new Ninja Gaiden for X-Box could help Ryu take down Resident Evil's most popular character. But look, Ryu's a 3 seed, so my guess is that a hell of a lot of casual bracket-makers chose Ryu to win, and will vote for him just to protect their brackets. That's the only reason why Ryu is could win this, because of his seed. I mean, Jill's had amazing success against Kirby and even did better against Squall than Luigi did. She has a great chance of ruining some brackets here. Jill is more recognizable and she has the advantage, and this would be the easiest thing to predict if Ryu didn't have such a high seed.

Cena's Vote: Jill

Cena's Prediction: Jill with 50.01% (Yes, folks, that close!)
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Cena you rule! <3 Jill!
---
SC2k4 Winner: Sephiroth
Status: 26/28 ;.; Next Pick: Sora

85% picked Dante. We lost another perfect, though.

It's interesting how someone can get the first 27 right and then pick Conker to beat Dante... but there's not a lot that will surprise me in this tournament now.

What's also interesting to note is that, assuming Ryu beats Jill, there will be precisely 64 characters who, in the course of the first three summer contests, have either won a match or appeared in more than one contest and lost each time *cough*Freeman*cough*. Looks good for a little tournament I'm planning on running after this SC has finished.
---
Jon Thomson - today: Sora, tomorrow: Ryu Hayabusa - 22/28
Nominate Ridley for Summer Contest 2005

Hey guys, I need some help. I'm currently writing up the Prophet Challenge for Sam Fisher/Gordon Freeman, and I refuse to take Gordon seriously.

Say how the iron bar GF is holding on his picture will net him votes because people will recognize it as "The bar from Half-Life".

---
Well, when the parents are away... brother and sister can play..

Well...Sora seems to be owning the morning vote. He is now into the low 66% and rising.
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

I think the problem that most people have on putting Jill as the winner is the seed difference, but Starcraft proved that seeds means nothing.

Also I think it's a very good possibility for Jill to return back to her 2k2 numbers since she usually gets 38k votes and the vote totals are now lower making it harder for better characters to beat her by a lot.
---
Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

think the problem that most people have on putting Jill as the winner is the seed difference, but Starcraft proved that seeds means nothing.

XD

Starcraft proved that the Spring contest's nominations were ****ed up. Look at the rest of that division. 3 first-seeds and a 2 seeds were the final four.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Because of the way nominations were done, the seedings in this contest are much better than those from the Spring Contest.

-Dabu

Think fast. Click faster.

Yeah, but still, Sonic as a 1-seed doesn't swing with me. ;x

---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Still think CJayC made sure that each 1 seed was from a different company
---
Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

...Plus, Sephiroth still didn't get a 1 seed. And considering his match against Cloud...he might not get it next year.
---
Yuber lives in Pennslyvania...watching...

I think the problem that most people have on putting Jill as the winner is the seed difference, but Starcraft proved that seeds means nothing.

I'd like to think most people here don't look at the seeds and determine who will win. We've seen Jill before and we've seen she does well.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

The morning vote looked pretty evenly split.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Is it a crime to for me to base my assumption of who won the morning/day/night vote by looking at percentage instead of votes?
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Looking at the percentage? That's what I do to determine if they won or lost the morning/day/night vote.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

You mean like

Sora 60% - HK 40%
7:00 - 12:00 - Sora 61% - HK 39% - Sora = won the morning vote
12:00 - 6:00 - Sora 63% - HK 37% - Sora = won the day vote
6:00 - 12:00 - Sora 62% - HK 38% - HK = won the night vote

That's how you do it HM?
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Yeah.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Same here..
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

"I'm positive the NES Ninja Gaidens will not. Anyone who played those probably played the new Ninja Gaiden and was voting for Ryu already. "

I assure you, I have played the original NG games but not the new one and I am voting for Hayabusa based on his old games.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Jill has my vote, I've only seen vids of Ninja Gaiden, never played it.

RE, on the other hand, owns. Loved the game, and Jill is a cutie. >.>
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Moltar, you should actually play some NG games then, the originals rocked.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I was looking at some sale numbers and I see that Vice City is one of the most sold game of this generation for only NA numbers is that true?
---
Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

I was looking at some sale numbers and I see that Vice City is one of the most sold game of this generation for only NA numbers is that true?

...duh?
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

Yes, that's true. Vice City sold like crazy.

Wow, I know I said I expected Sora to win with at least 60% comfortably, but nearly doubling up HK-47 is surprising. Looks like he's pulling a complete 180 from last year.

So where does this put HK-47?
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Wow, I know I said I expected Sora to win with at least 60% comfortably, but nearly doubling up HK-47 is surprising. Looks like he's pulling a complete 180 from last year.

I think it's more likely that HK is just that weak.

So where does this put HK-47?

Fodder of the sub-Gordon Freeman variety.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

I was looking at some sale numbers and I see that Vice City is one of the most sold game of this generation for only NA numbers is that true?

Yes. It's the best selling console game this generation.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Yeah, who would like HK-47 anyway?
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Yeah, who would like HK-47 anyway?

Die.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

I wasn't expecting HK-47 to be much of a competitor. I said nothing about this making Sora look strong, but I still wasn't expecting him to do so well. Plus, he goes from nearly being doubled his first year to doubling his opponent the second year.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

HK is overrated IMO, very overrated.
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

It puts HK-47 inbetween Ness and CATS in the 2003 stats (14.5% on Link).
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Actually, it'd be more than 14.5% but you get the picture.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Wow, that's pathetic.

...He's still stronger than Ratchet though.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Die.

I love you too.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Actually, it'd be exactly 14.85% on Link if Sora didn't get any SFF from Aeris.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Well, to be fair Chichi, you did basically insult one of smitelf's two sacred cows. But I'll forguve you, if only for Ryu's sake.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

I love you too.

*stabs a pick axe into Chichi's skull*

I only hurt the ones I love :)
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

If Sora suffered the estimated amount of SFF 21.88% to 23.67% that'd put HK-47 around Kefka's non-SFF 2003 level (16% on Link). Either way, he's nothing but fodder.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

"I only hurt the ones I love :)"

that was supposed to hurt? Uh... ow... ow...
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

that was supposed to hurt? Uh... ow... ow...

Hmm...you have a point. Technically, piercing your cranium with a pick axe would kill you instantly and, thus, not cause the pain necessary for me to show my true feelings for you :)
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

Heh. Sora's actually losing the day vote.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Yeah, and so did Dante. Your point?
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Hmm...I could sic HK-47 on Chichi...he knows how to cause pain.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

I wasn't expecting HK-47 too, that'd be my point I suppose.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

If someone as bad as Ratchet can win a portion of the vote, anybody can.

Well, except Tanner.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

True.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

What I'm most curious about is what next year's bracket will look like. Cjay makes a lot of similar matchups which really hinders some characters from doing as well as they could. I think it would be interesting to see a lot of other matchups played out...like crono vs. samus or sonic instead of always sonic vs samus. And instead of always snake vs. megaman switch those up a bit. how would they do against mario or samus or sonic etc...Also there's plenty of first round matchups that could be tight. I feel like there's too many spots on this years bracket that just resemble last year. Also, there seem to be many characters that just don't get any recognition or even opportunity to join the contest. It would be neat to see the field expanded to 128 with 2 matches a day for at least the first round or three. Then all the characters like Ryu H. could easily get in with legit seedings, and more nintendo/square characters with popularity could be played out. All the stronger characters could just take out the fodder for a while. Just a thought though, never would happen, but nice to think about.
---
Mario Sunshine-120 Shines || BtT 3:44.87 || HRC 36,265.2 ||
SC2K4 23 / 28 Next Pick: Sora

If Crono beats Mario, or vice versa, solidly this year, like 51-52%, don't expect Mario/Crono 4...
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

The main problem I have with 128 characters is how much fodder we'd get. There are a lot of good matchups that could happen in the division finals such as the ones you listed, Mario vs. Samus; Crono vs. Sonic; Mega Man vs. Crono; etc.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

"Hmm...I could sic HK-47 on Chichi...he knows how to cause pain. "

Yeah, he does, it pains me just seeing him in this contest. :)
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Even if Mario wins by just 50.05% again I don't want another Mario vs. Crono or at least not until the final four.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Oh and everyone in here should be kind enough to gets Masters back in for 2005.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I don't want Mario-Crono IV next year. I want Mario vs. Sonic, and set Crono up against Mega Man or Samus.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Yeah, he does, it pains me just seeing him in this contest. :)

Sacred "cows" insulted: 1 of 5
On way to destruction? Yes
Chance to survive? Yes, but make your time, meatbag.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

Ah, yeah, Mario vs. Sonic would be good just because of that rivalry.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Ah, yeah, Mario vs. Sonic would be good just because of that rivalry.

No, it would be boring, like 99% of the matches in this contest, because we all know who would win.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

Of course, but I would take great pleasure in Sonic losing.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Also I think it's a very good possibility for Jill to return back to her 2k2 numbers since she usually gets 38k votes and the vote totals are now lower making it harder for better characters to beat her by a lot.

I've seen this argument several times and it makes no sense. You're saying Jill gets 38k votes regardless of what the vote total is? Think about what that means... If 10000 additional people vote, none of them will vote for Jill? If fewer people vote, none of the people who don't vote were Jill supporters? WHY?

Jill's vote totals staying near 38k is just a coincidence.
---
Contest Winner: Mega Man | Score: 26/28
Current Oracle ranking: 3nd | Pick: Sora with 66.96%

"The main problem I have with 128 characters is how much fodder we'd get."

Sure, characters like Tanner would have the chance to be let back in, but then characters like Aeris and Zelda wouldn't get snubbed despite having very good performances and deserving a return spot.

Frankly, 2 matches a day wouldn't really work though. We've seen what having two polls does to us. What I would propose is something proposed last year, I do believe, and that's have a system with byes. Characters like Link and Cloud can sit it out until round 3 or whatever, and no one would really care anyway since the matches don't even get good until then, and the fodder can fight it out to start with.

That may bore the general public early on but it'd make bracket makers sweat bullets. 96 characters could enter, we could have less uncalled for snubs, and some rather powerful characters will still come out of the "fodder" matches.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I also expect some better seeding this year.

1 seeds: Link, Cloud, Seph and Mega Man
2 seeds: Mario, Crono, Snake, Samus
3 seeds: Sonic, Magus, Tidus/Auron/Ganondorf/Shadow

and so on...
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

If Mario vs Crono happens next year, it better be in the Elite Eight.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

The trouble with perfect seeding is that it limits the amount of possible close matches/bracket busters. I tried making a bracket for 2004 with what I judged as about perfect seeding, and it made it so that the only exciting matches outside the top tier were the ones between 7-10, 8-9, 4-5, and 3-6 seeds.
---
Hmph.

I'd like to see them not even be close to each other next year.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

You're right smit, at least it's not Kerrigan. :) I do kid with you though. It's fun to see you get angry-ish.

"Jill's vote totals staying near 38k is just a coincidence."

Actually she only got in the 38k rangs once, in all other matches she got in the 37k range except when she faced Link. Vote totals are down from the time when she got 38k, so if you think it's just a coincidence then she has even more fighting to do than you'd think.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

You're right smit, at least it's not Kerrigan. :) I do kid with you though. It's fun to see you get angry-ish.

Smitelf = Queen ***** of the Universe = Kerrigan

>_>

<_<

*runs*
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

Mario-Crono IV would be stupid next year. Especially when we have a whole bunch of other matches among the top tier that we haven't tried out yet and would be close.

For example:

Sonic vs. Snake
Samus vs. Snake
Sephiroth vs. Crono
Mega Man vs. Mario
Mega Man vs. Crono

Also, there's a tier right below the Noble Nine that could give some interesting matchups...

Shadow, Tidus, Auron, Zero, Squall, Aeris, Zelda, Bowser, Ryu

Pick any two of that group and stick them in a match together. You'll get a close and interesting match.
---
Hmph.

"Shadow, Tidus, Auron, Zero, Squall, Aeris, Zelda, Bowser, Ryu"

Actually right under the noble nine it would be Tidus, Zero, Magus, Gannondorf, Auron, Shadow and maybe Squall. Ryu, Aeries, Zelda, Bowser are on the next one or two levels under.

About the two polls per day.

I think this could actually work out well if Ceej somehow figured out a system, so that whenever you visit GameFAQS you randomly get one of the two polls, so that neither poll has an advantage. Kinda like he did with the match pic for the final match this Spring.
---
"Later? We could be dead by then!"--Ratchet

Here's an interesting way of extending the bracket..

1 - bye
16 - 17

8 - bye
9 - 24

5 - bye
12 - 21

4 - bye
13 - 20

6 - bye
11 - 22

3 - bye
14 - 19

7 - bye
10 - 23

2 - bye
15 - 18

The top half of existing characters have byes, and of course the tournament is extended an additional month. 96 characters get in giving a much better range of competition and the characters that are actually worthy don't need to face off with so much fodder. With so many more characters and of course so many more matches bracket making becomes much more difficult. And, as I stated, there's a good chance that some of the 32 characters not normally able to get in may make a killing. Vincent hasn't made it in in the last 3 years but I bet he'd win his first match no trouble in a bracket like this, and the only seeding that can really screw him would be 16, 17, 15, 18 and maybe 14 and 19. Anywhere else and he has a legitimate shot at round 3 probably round 4
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Squall, Aeris, Auron, and Bowser are all very close to each other, actually. Well, Bowser would probably be a little lower than that depending on how much SFF he got against Ness.

Matter of fact, from Magus down to Zelda in the extrapolated rankings, all characters are within 5% of each other.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I think this could actually work out well if Ceej somehow figured out a system, so that whenever you visit GameFAQS you randomly get one of the two polls, so that neither poll has an advantage. Kinda like he did with the match pic for the final match this Spring.

So then casuals would never see the other poll. Also I got the same FF7/CT pic 5 times in a row at some points in that match. Therefore, this theory would never work. Sorry.
---
I'm safe until the next toss-up match, which is Bowser vs. Guybrush. ~SuperLuigiBros
SC2K4 Score: 26/29 Next Pick: Ryu H

The only way two polls would work is if they were side by side on top of the page visible in any resolution.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

The only way two polls would work is if they were side by side on top of the page visible in any resolution.

Or if it was done in one poll, with four different options for the winners:

1A
2A
1B
2B
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

You could get a lot of new characters in by removing the amount of fodder we have in the contest already and still keep 64 characters.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

"Or if it was done in one poll, with four different options for the winners:"

We don't wnat to confuse the voters.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

We don't wnat to confuse the voters.

Putting the poll out of sight at the bottom of the home page has already confused 15 to 20 thousand of them.
---
I'm safe until the next toss-up match, which is Bowser vs. Guybrush. ~SuperLuigiBros
SC2K4 Score: 26/29 Next Pick: Ryu H

Putting the poll out of sight at the bottom of the home page has already confused 15 to 20 thousand of them.

Hehe.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I agree that the only way it could work is if they're at the same height, side by side.
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

they should make 16 boxes with 4 characters in each, and each character plays one another, and the 2 charachters with most wins goes through to a knock out
---
police toilet stolen, cops have nothing to go on
THE-KiRBY-ARMY<("<)<( " )> (>")> Member no.56

But then its a longer contest, and I'm sure CJay weeps over the sacrifice of his cheesy Polls of the Day (with their ads attached) to give us two month long contest as it is.
---
I'm safe until the next toss-up match, which is Bowser vs. Guybrush. ~SuperLuigiBros
SC2K4 Score: 26/29 Next Pick: Ryu H

But then its a longer contest, and I'm sure CJay weeps over the sacrifice of his cheesy Polls of the Day (with their ads attached) to give us two month long contest as it is.

I was under the impression that Ceej had the contests to attract more people, thus increasing his revenue from the ads already put up.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

So, with all this talk about Auron possibly being underestimated, what seed would he deserve? 5? 4? 3? Why not a 2 while we're at it!

Hey people, let's mobilize for Hayabusa, a certain someone goes poof if he gets 45%!
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

You could get a lot of new characters in by removing the amount of fodder we have in the contest already and still keep 64 characters.


But I like those who almost never wins.

Bomberman is a true classic, he must be in this thing.
Ryo Hazuki is from one of the most unknown series, he must be in.
Gordon Freeman, A true classic, it's no contest without him.
CATS, ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US.
Lara Croft, She's a legend, and therefore she should be in here. I still don't care much about her.
Crash Bandicoot, He could be removed, but he still has sme fans that wants him in.
Conker, "A rare character". Keep him.
Pacman, I don't understand why everyone says he's so wellknwon, but his first game is fun so he should still be in.
Ratchet/Sly Cooper/Jak, the 3 ps2 platform heroes, one is enough IMO.
Duke Nukem, Got Milk? A new classic.


---
"I have AgentONeal XTREME to thank for saving my life, ask me how!" "Bigboi was right. Tidus > Shadow." 26/28

If that was the case he shoulda made the poll visible near the top of the home page. Then he would get even more people voting, which could mean more people visiting the ads, meaning more cash for CJay.

He should try it, really.
---
I'm safe until the next toss-up match, which is Bowser vs. Guybrush. ~SuperLuigiBros
SC2K4 Score: 26/29 Next Pick: Ryu H

All of the characters you mentioned, or most of them, could go and it would only open up for better, stronger characters.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Ryo, Sly, Ratchet and Jak have to go. So does CATS... he just keeps on fading away. I don't want to see him get beaten by Tanner in the X-Sts in three years.
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

HM, the problems with that are two fold... one, we have only gotten 15 new character this year, half of last year, which of course due to circumstance was half of the year before. We'd be lucky to get another 15 new characters next year without changing the way the bracket is made.

Second, all the new entrants but one have yet to prove themselves to not be fodder. I expect 4 to prove themselves this year, but no more. If those four do prove themselves and they stay next year plus we get back Aeris and Zelda who deffinitely aren't fodder and should be back we may halve our total again. We need excitement, the excitment to see bomberman win a round next year, the excitement to see someone pull themselves up from barely being a contest hopeful to being a contest powerhouse.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I'm thinking the following layout might work for two polls:

index (not too tall)
-----------------
poll 1 | ad | poll 2
-----------------
news . . . . . | top 10 FAQs, requests
. . . . . . . . . |
. . . . . . . . . |
-----------------
GameSpot junk
---
For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to refer to Gordon Freeman versus Tanner as Schrodinger's Match. -Phoenix Flattener

Heh, Tanner will never be stronger than anyone in the extrapolateds. He'll be forgotten once the Driver series fades away, if it was ever that big of a deal anyway.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Meh. I just don't care for a 128 character contest.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

This contest has degraded so far I don't even want to look at it. In the second round about 3 or 4 good characters will be left. The others are either ****ty or just mediocre. I'm pissed.
---
See my writings at http://www.alexkaulfuss.com as the GrandioseGadfly
Fujin is the greatest character ever conceived by man.

..I never considered Lara to be a legend...more of an annoyance that gave most gamers a bad name as perverts with her torpedo boobs. She was in a decent platformer series that got worse and worse as the years went on...

But, that's just me.
---
Yuber lives in Pennslyvania...watching...

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

ChichiriMuyo:

Here's an interesting way of extending the bracket..

1 - bye
16 - 17

8 - bye
9 - 24

That's exactly how I was going to be working the little tournament I mentioned back at around post 190. The 64 characters that have won a match/appeared more than once would get the 1-16 seeds (assuming Ryu beats Jill), and then the remaining 32 characters would be a mixture of those that have only appeared once and lost which might be interesting (Liquid Snake, Joe etc.) and entirely new characters (Ghaleon, Geno, Ridley etc.) Could be interesting.
---
Jon Thomson - today: Sora, tomorrow: Ryu Hayabusa - 22/28
Nominate Ridley for Summer Contest 2005

Lara's first game, for all the arguments about the objectification of women, was probably one of the top ten games of that year. Gradually, the games got worse, to the point where she's a laughingstock.

And the sad thing was that Angel of Darkness was supposed to be a good game. Everything I heard about it made it out to be the revitalization she needed, as a game that was finally better than mediocre.

Then it shipped.

I don't believe that Lara Croft will EVER have another good game.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

Top 10 Biggest Blowouts (difference in percentage)

1) 88.60% - Solid Snake over Tanner
2) 75.66% - Link over CATS
3) 72.74% - Sephiroth over Sly Cooper
4) 67.08% - Mario over J.C. Denton
5) 65.98% - Bowser over Guybrush Threepwood
6) 65.96% - Megaman over Eartworm Jim
7) 62.08% - Magus over Luca Blight
8) 61.68% - Sonic the Hedgehog over Terry Bogard
9) 60.56% - Dante over Ratchet
10) 60.38% - Cloud over Duke Milk'em

Top 10 Biggest Vote Gaps (difference in votes)

1) 69759 - Solid Snake over Tanner
2) 65362 - Sephiroth over Sly Cooper
3) 62319 - Link over CATS
4) 55813 - Megaman over Earthworm Jim
5) 53705 - Cloud over Duke Milk'em
6) 52337 - Mario over J.C. Denton
7) 49299 - Sonic the Hedgehog over Terry Bogard
8) 49079 - Bowser over Guybrush Threepwood
9) 44835 - Dante over Ratchet
10) 44770 - Crono over Conker

Top 10 Closest Matches (difference in percentage)

1) 0.10% - Frog over Liquid Snake
2) 1.62% - Tidus over Shadow the Hedgehog
3) 9.60% - Tails over Viewtiful Joe
4) 10.16% - Ness over Jak
5) 12.94% - Vivi over Donkey Kong
6) 14.32% - Ganondorf over Alucard
7) 14.92% - Knuckles over Kefka
8) 20.46% - Vyse over Laharl
9) 23.92% - Tommy Vercetti over Max Payne
10) 24.26% - Ryu over KOS-MOS

Top 10 Smallest Vote Gaps (difference in votes)

1) 93 - Frog over Liquid Snake
2) 1546 - Tidus over Shadow the Hedgehog
3) 7397 - Ness over Jak
4) 7673 - Tails over Viewtiful Joe
5) 11105 - Vivi over Donkey Kong
6) 12358 - Knuckles over Kefka
7) 12533 - Ganondorf over Alucard
8) 14072 - Vyse over Laharl
9) 18618 - Tommy Vercetti over Max Payne
10) 20471 - Ryu over KOS-MOS

Top 10 Most Popular Polls (by vote totals)

1) 95122 - Tidus vs. Shadow the Hedgehog
2) 90064 - Auron vs. Scorpion
3) 89848 - Sephiroth vs. Sly Cooper
4) 88953 - Cloud vs. Duke Milk'em
5) 87733 - Frog vs. Liquid Snake
6) 87557 - Ganondorf vs. Alucard
7) 85781 - Vivi vs. Donkey Kong
8) 84625 - Megaman vs. Earthworm Jim
9) 84379 - KOS-MOS vs. Ryu
10) 82798 - Kefka vs. Knuckles

Top 10 Least Popular Polls (by vote totals)

1) 68808 - Vyse vs. Laharl
2) 70495 - Magus vs. Luca Blight
3) 72863 - Ness vs. Jak
4) 74039 - Dante vs, Ratchet
5) 74383 - Bowser vs. Guybrush Threepwood
6) 75307 - Luigi vs. Pac-Man
7) 77021 - Master Cheif vs. Crash Bandicoot
8) 77860 - Tommy Vercetti vs. Max Payne
9) 78031 - Mario vs. J.C. Denton
10) 78608 - Yoshi vs. Ryo Hazuki

---
That's it. I have reached my threshold of pain. I am going home and I am going to play Megaman, eat snack cakes, and do my woman.

Top 10 Highest Individual Votes

1) 77605 - Sephiroth
2) 74251 - Solid Snake
3) 72344 - Link
4) 71329 - Cloud
5) 70219 - Megaman
6) 65184 - Mario
7) 64615 - Sonic the Hedgehog
8) 62375 - Crono
9) 61731 - Bowser
10) 60057 - Yoshi

Top 10 Lowest Individual Votes

1) 4492 - Tanner
2) 10025 - CATS
3) 12243 - Sly Cooper
4) 12652 - Guybrush Threepwood
5) 12847 - J.C. Denton
6) 13367 - Luca Blight
7) 14406 - Earthworm Jim
8) 14602 - Ratchet
9) 15316 - Terry Bogard
10) 17605 - Conker

Top 10 Most Impressive Losers (by votes)

1) 46788 - Shadow the Hedgehog
2) 43820 - Liquid Snake
3) 37512 - Alucard
4) 37338 - Donkey Kong
5) 36102 - Viewtiful Joe
6) 35220 - Lettuce Kefka
7) 32733 - Jak
8) 31954 - KOS-MOS
9) 31660 - Scorpion
10) 29621 - Max Payne

Top 10 Least Impressive Winners (by votes)

1) 40130 - Ness
2) 41440 - Vyse
3) 43775 - Tails
4) 43913 - Frog
5) 47578 - Knuckles
6) 48239 - Tommy Vercetti
7) 48334 - Tidus
8) 48443 - Vivi
9) 50045 - Ganondorf
10) 51008 - Luigi

Top 10 Easiest Matches to Predict (based on entrants choosing the winner)

1) 98.79% - Link over CATS
2) 98.28% - Mario over J.C. Denton
3) 97.97% - Cloud over Duke Milk'em
4) 97.47% - Megaman over Earthworm Jim
4) 97.47% - Sonic the Hedgehog over Terry Bogard
6) 97.37% - Sephiroth over Sly Cooper
7) 97.27% - Solid Snake over Tanner
8) 95.00% - Bowser over Guybrush Threepwood
9) 93.43% - Crono over Conker
10) 90.45% - Magus over Luca Blight

Top 10 Hardest Matches to Predict (based on entrants choosing the winner)

1) 35.13% - Vivi over Donkey Kong
2) 43.05% - Knuckles over Kefka
3) 44.33% - Frog over Liquid Snake
4) 46.30% - Tails over Viewtiful Joe
5) 54.16% - Ness over Jak
6) 63.02% - Ganondorf over Alucard
7) 66.71% - Vyse over Laharl
8) 68.69% - Luigi over Pac-Man
9) 70.06% - Tidus over Shadow the Hedgehog
10) 70.09% - Ryu over KOS-MOS


---
That's it. I have reached my threshold of pain. I am going home and I am going to play Megaman, eat snack cakes, and do my woman.

I'm going to be a little old fashioned:

70,000 vote club:
Link (72,344)
Mega Man (70,219)
Solid Snake (74,251)
Cloud Strife (71, 329)
Sephiroth (77,605)

60,000 vote club:
Yoshi (60,057)
Crono (62,375)
Bowser (61,731)
Mario (65,184)
Sonic the Hedgehog (64,615)

All of the Elite 9 so far has gotten at least 60,000 votes. It might be close for Samus. Sephiroth was the closest to reaching 80,000, but still no cigar. I doubt we'll see any 80,000 in Round 2.

Under 10,000 vote club:
Tanner (4,492)

---
"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

..I never considered Lara to be a legend

Neither do I actually but she got many new people to play games (I haven't played a single Tomb Raider game)
---
"I have AgentONeal XTREME to thank for saving my life, ask me how!" "Bigboi was right. Tidus > Shadow." 26/28

I doubt we'll see any 80,000 in Round 2.

Maybe if vote totals pick up a tiny bit, like averaging 85,000 to 88,000 per poll instead of 81,000 per poll, then maybe a few could come close <_< </wishful thinking>
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

I've always considered Lara a legend. A fallen legend, but a legend still. When Guinness says you've been more recognizable than Mario at one point in time... catch my drift?
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

She does have the Guiness World Record...thingy going for her.
---
Yuber lives in Pennslyvania...watching...

Lara Croft was once a very, very recognizable gaming character. Everyone was hooked on the Tomb Raider game(s) back on the Playstation, but like Crash she's fallen greatly since then.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Maybe if vote totals pick up a tiny bit, like averaging 85,000 to 88,000 per poll instead of 81,000 per poll, then maybe a few could come close

The biggest blowout expected in the second round is Cloud/Vyse, with a projection of 82% for Cloud. Even huge Link/Ganondorf SFF wouldn't put it near that.
---
SC2K4 Status - Points: 026/028 - Matches: 26/28 - Rank: 00400/33221 - Today: Sora - Tomorrow: Hayabusa

Slowflake: Meaning that we'd need 100 thousand votes to break 80 thous for Cloud? Damn, son.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Seeing Vyse in round 2 makes me happy. Now if he could come close to 20% that'd be nice.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Yea...no one is breaking 80,000 votes this Contest.
---
Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Vyse can probably get 18 to 21%, methinks.

---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

Come close to 20%? With ease.
---
My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

All he needs to do is get over 1.57% of what he's projected to get and he'll have 20%. I think he can do it. =p
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I doubt he will though. An obscure character overperforming against Cloud Strife? Seems odd to me.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Crash Bandicoot, He could be removed, but he still has some fans that wants him in.

At the very least, if Crash does leave next year, us Crash fans still have this:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=971
And no one can never take that away from us, no matter how far he falls.

BTW who is Ulala anyway?

And I'm a sucker for the tag-team idea. Done by seedings, of course. 1 and 16 are a team, 8 and 9 are, and etc. That makes it literally impossible to be sure on a match because no one knows if a team of Megaman and Jim would win or a team Tidus and Shadow could beat them first round. It's simply impossible to predict. Would the FF fanboys all swarm for any team Sephiroth are on, or would they team with the Nintendo fans and put Vivi and DK over Sephiroth and Sly? It's very exciting.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I think some people just wouldn't give a crap who the teammate was if one of their favorites was in a match.
---
Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Yes, but you have no proof at all.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

If Vyse gets higher than 20% then I will be happy.
---
"I have AgentONeal XTREME to thank for saving my life, ask me how!" "Bigboi was right. Tidus > Shadow." 26/28

And I'm a sucker for the tag-team idea.

Tag team!! That would be awesome.

"Mario's got JC Denton in a headlock... but Denton just tagged his partner, Link! Link dropkicks Mario! Mario's out! But here comes Luigi... he's hitting Link with a folding chair!"

---
Contest Winner: Mega Man | Score: 26/28
Current Oracle ranking: 3nd | Pick: Sora with 66.96%

"Mario's got JC Denton in a headlock... but Denton just tagged his partner, Link! Link dropkicks Mario! Mario's out! But here comes Luigi... he's hitting Link with a folding chair!"

Make a JR version of this ^_^

---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

1 perfect fell...the HK47 guy...LOL :)

Today we will lose...1 or less :)

Tomorrow we will lose...15 or so!

Thats all for today...3 days til satire resumes :)
---
Steve Illumina: Official Satirical Commentator of SC2K4
Perfects to Fall: 39 SC2K4: 26/29 (Go Ryu!)

Bah Gawd! Look at the carnage!

And here comes Gordon Freeman to help his pal Mario... No! He's gotten held up by the ropes! He's helpless! And here comes Link...

STEEL CHAIR! STEEL CHAIR!

>_>
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

Tomorrow we will lose...15 or so!

Nah, I think we lose half either way. We'll hopefully be under 15 perfects by the end of round one.
---
Current Pick: Sora; Current Vote: Sora; Points: 27/28
Henshin a bye-bye, my perfect bracket.

Seriously though, tag team would be fun. I don't think it'll ever happen, but it would be fun. Would the teams stay the same for the whole tournament? Would the poll say "Link and CATS vs. Tidus and Shadow", or would it be Link vs Tidus for a while and then switch to CATS vs. Shadow?

---
Contest Winner: Mega Man | Score: 26/28
Current Oracle ranking: 3nd | Pick: Sora with 66.96%

Make a JR version of this ^_^

"Mario's bouncin' off the ropes and aimin' to crash smack-dab into Crono with a clothes-line and...BAH GAWD!!! BAH GAWD!!! HE BROKE HIS NECK WITH THAT!!! Good God! What's this...he's goin' out of the ring and to the announcer's table. He's got a, a, he's got a...A POISON MUSHROOM!!! BAH GAWD, A POISON MUSHROOM!!! He's gonna make that sword-weilding hoss eat it! I can't believe it! I, I...I'd eat it to if I had some of my BBQ sauce on me! BAH GAWD!"
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Supporting both Earthworm Jim AND Mega Man in 2004
Spring Contest Score: 151/192

Excellent JR impressions XDDDD.
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M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

Would the teams stay the same for the whole tournament?

In my opinion, they should.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I agree with Leonheart on people probably not caring who the teammate is as long as one of their favorites are in the match.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

So you're saying the the DK and Vivi vs Sephiroth and Sly match, where the average voter thinks:

Sephiroth>>>>>>Vivi>DK>>>>>>>>Sly

They will vote for the Sephiroth team instead of the more average team?

It's really a toss-up in my opinion. But if you say Sephiroth, that's ok. HOWEVER:

It only gets harder in Megaman and Jim vs Tidus and Shadow, where the average voter thinks:

Megaman>>Tidus>Shadow>>>>>>>>>Jim.

Will the people who like Shadow the most or Tidus the most outnumber the people who like Megaman the most or Jim the most? Most assuredly so. So who would win that one?

Oh, and *laughs about HM's feelings towards the Sonic and Terry team, as well as the Joe and Tails team*
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Mega Man and Jim, obviously. ;)

And a Sonic/Terry and Joe/Tails team would suck, but I'd vote for them purely based on Terry and Joe.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Cloud and Duke Milk'em would own everybody. For every anti-vote that FF7 may get, Duke would counter with two joke-votes.
---
Supporting both Earthworm Jim AND Mega Man in 2004
Spring Contest Score: 151/192

Hm, looks like I was mistaken. Sora seems content to sit around 66%. One thing I've been wondering though, why did CJ give Link his badass pic from an upcoming game, but had Sora keep his sorry looking Character art from KH, instead of the older and much better looking Sora for KH2?
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Theifenburg Uncertainty Principle - Without any witnesses, who's to say what happened?

Gah, I'm not being clear enough.

Assume there are 80,000 voters.

The X-Stats have Shadow and Tidus not all that far off from Megaman, while they will put Jim considerably lower down.

So say of those 80,000 voters:
23,00 like Tidus the best
23,00 like Shadow the best
30,000 like Megaman the best
4,000 like Jim the best

Then assuming every voter votes for his or her favorite character, the Tidus/Shadow team will have 46,000 votes and the Megaman/Jim team will have 34,000 votes.

And thus the Shadow/Tidus team wins with room to spare.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I'd wager many more liked Mega Man. <<
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Pending what he can make up this year:

4 West 2 Mega Man 38.60% 37.35% 1 -1 5 5 0
5 South 1 Mario 38.18% 36.95% 2 1 4 4 0
6 South 4 Crono 38.14% 36.91% 3 -1 3 4 -1
7 North 2 Samus Aran 37.94% 36.72% 2 0 4 4 0
8 West 1 Solid Snake 35.90% 34.74% 2 1 4 4 0
9 North 13 Magus 34.93% 33.80% 3 -10 3 3 0
10 East 2 Sonic the Hedgehog 34.92% 33.79% 2 0 4 3 1
11 North 12 Ganondorf 34.72% 33.60% 4 -8 2 3 -1
12 South 9 Shadow the Hedgehog 34.28% 33.18% 4 -5 2 3 -1
13 North 5 Tidus 34.25% 33.14% 5 0

With a ratio of around 38% for Megaman (on Cloud) to 34% for Tidus and Shadow (on Cloud), my 30000 and 23000 numbers were actually being pretty generous.
---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

If there was going to be a tag-team tournament, pairing 1 seeds with 16 seeds would just be a waste. Everyone would vote for 1-16 team just because the 1-seed is in it.

In order for it to work, you'd need to pair up each respective seed with another character of their caliber.

For example, if Link and Cloud were paired up, how would the masses vote? Would the fanboys not vote for that team because Link/Cloud is in it?

That's the X factor that would make such a tournament interesting, and therefore viable.
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

With prior talk of people returning to 2002 numbers, I noticed that if Mega Man were to do so he'd get 60.09% on Tidus next week.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

For example, if Link and Cloud were paired up, how would the masses vote? Would the fanboys not vote for that team because Link/Cloud is in it?

That's the X factor that would make such a tournament interesting, and therefore viable.

I would doubt anything but maybe a Megaman/Sephiroth team could break 40% on a Link/Cloud, and out of the noble nine, I doubt any characters could break 25% on them. That team would just be unfair.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

How many perfects were there after round 1 past years?

With prior talk of people returning to 2002 numbers, I noticed that if Mega Man were to do so he'd get 60.09% on Tidus next week.

Is that using Tidus on 2002 or 2003 levels?
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Tidus on 2003 levels, because if I used 2002 Tidus, Mega Man would win by more.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

what you're not realising is this the fans that aren't hardcore.. you're assuming every voter has a definite favorite out of the four characters and will vote accordingly... this has been proven to be completely not the case in gamefaqs voting.. i'm willing to bet a lot of the people that like shadow and tidus will still vote megaman just cause they like him slightly more than them.. whether or not his teammate is someone they've never heard of.. just cause tidus and shadow are close to the popularity level of megaman doesn't mean they will get the swing vote..
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If you're worried people are talking about you... you're probably right.

Tidus on 2003 levels, because if I used 2002 Tidus, Mega Man would win by more.

Yep. Either way, that doesn't look to good for Leonhart and my 45%.

*shudders*

what you're not realising is this the fans that aren't hardcore.. you're assuming every voter has a definite favorite out of the four characters and will vote accordingly... this has been proven to be completely not the case in gamefaqs voting.. i'm willing to bet a lot of the people that like shadow and tidus will still vote megaman just cause they like him slightly more than them.. whether or not his teammate is someone they've never heard of.. just cause tidus and shadow are close to the popularity level of megaman doesn't mean they will get the swing vote..

That's simply how Leonhart and HM said people would vote. I don't believe it at all.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Cloud and Duke Milk'em would own everybody. For every anti-vote that FF7 may get, Duke would counter with two joke-votes.

Oh my god, my favourite character in the tournament and my least favourite character in the tournament. Power overwhelming...
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Jon Thomson - today: Sora, tomorrow: Ryu Hayabusa - 22/28
Nominate Ridley for Summer Contest 2005

CJayC needs to use something very similar to this, but done better.

http://img53.exs.cx/img53/8101/sum02b37.jpg
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

XD...

...it would kick so much ass if Ceej used those pics for them.
---
"Thank you, Mario. But our princess is in another castle."
-Toad in Super Mario Bros.

We just need a charge-shot actually hitting Tidus in his face in the pic, and all will be good.
---
Supporting both Earthworm Jim AND Mega Man in 2004
Spring Contest Score: 151/192

so you're assuming that unlike any other vote in the world this one would be completely disimilar and everyone voting would already have a pre-determined favorite choice out of the four?
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If you're worried people are talking about you... you're probably right.

so you're assuming that unlike any other vote in the world this one would be completely disimilar and everyone voting would already have a pre-determined favorite choice out of the four?

I have no idea how people would vote, and that's why I like the tag-team idea so much.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

True since I would vote for Mega Man and Shadow for there matches, but if they would go against each other I would vote Mega Man
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Okay, so I overestimated HK47, over a character like Sora who has nothing at all to him. Fine. People have no taste on this site anyway.
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"Spira is full of death...only SIN is reborn, and then only to bring more death. It is a cycle of death, spiraling endlessly."- Auron

If there was going to be a tag-team tournament, pairing 1 seeds with 16 seeds would just be a waste. Everyone would vote for 1-16 team just because the 1-seed is in it.

As an attempt to limit this, I would list the lower seed first. So you would have CATS and Link together, as opposed to Link and CATS. Also, I would put the team with the higher seeded character at the bottom of the bracket. So a grouping would look like this (though we would go up to 32 seeds with a full bracket).

11/6 vs.
14/3
10/7 vs.
15/2

12/5 vs.
13/4
9/8 vs.
16/1

That way, the voters are forced to look at the team with the lower seed first in each of the matchups (Their picture will be on the left, and their voting circle will be on top). They won't be able to just see Link and not bother with the rest.

They may just vote Link's team anyway, but at least they're exposed to the other team.

Take as an example the matchup of CATS/Link vs. Alucard/Ganondorf. Just going by their percentages against Link (assuming Ganondorf gets about 30% in a few days), the A/G team would be expected to win with 57.56%. However, you then have to factor in what CATS will do, how much Ganondorf and Alucard's fanbases overlap, and how many people there are who would vote Link over Alucard and Ganondorf individually, but like A and G together more.

Taking a look at an older PotD here, only 28% of the voters thought FFVII was the best game ever, and would be assumed to vote it over anything. So, if you put the rest of the games together, they would get at LEAST 72%. I would bet it would be even higher, since I would put my #2 and #5 favorites over my #1, and I'm sure a good number of others would as well. The tag team format is just a really watered down version of this. The top characters aren't guarenteed to lose, but it's certainly possible as this shows.

In my opinion, this contest would be far more intriguing than what we have now. Even if the four 32/1 seeds run the board, the matches are guarenteed to be far closer. We also wouldn't need any company limits with 128 characters being in, and the nomination process would be the same as always. You would just take the top 128 characters and put them on their teams, 1/128, 2/127, etc. I don't think we would have too much fodder, because there are more than enough reasonably strong characters that don't get in each year. And hell, if people vote for the higher seeded character on every team we'll just end up with a normal bracket, except somebody gets to tag along for the championship.
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SC2K4 Score: 26/28 (Hayabusa, Yoshi). About to be owned by ____ in the guru contest (Unless Magus and Sephiroth win).

I just have one question about the tag team concept: who would be the "Triple H" of the contest?

Personally, I expect Link to marry BethanyM and hold Crono down.
---
Contest Stats: 26/28 Next Pick: Sora
Today's subliminal thought is:

With prior talk of people returning to 2002 numbers, I noticed that if Mega Man were to do so he'd get 60.09% on Tidus next week.

But you're forgetting about the possibility of Tidus increasing in direct proportion to Shadow and thus doing better on Mega Man than previously expected.

Tidus didn't change that much from 2002 to 2003 anyway. Out of all the returning characters who had an increase, his was the smallest.

Either way, characters returning to 2002 levels seem to be erratic at best. It's almost like a character is chosen at random, even among characters that were supposedly hit by WDF. Sonic acted like he returned (though we have no definitive proof yet) and Ryu stayed almost exactly the same.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

About the West Division Factor...the only character that originally didn't fit with that was Crash Bandicoot. However, Crash's performance this year against Master Chief suggests that Crash overperformed against KOS-MOS. So, basically, there's no glaring problems with the idea of WDF. Tidus increased because of the KHF, or just that he wasn't at his peak yet, like Dante in 2002.

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"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

And regardless of what some others think, I believe Tidus has improved due to FF X-2.

You don't necessarily need to be in a lot of the game if you are the focus of the story.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

But you're forgetting about the possibility of Tidus increasing in direct proportion to Shadow and thus doing better on Mega Man than previously expected.

Why would Tidus increase from 2003 to 2004 directly with Shadow? Surely you don't mean to tell me that Shadow increases the directly with Tidus when he gets a new game while Tidus receives nothing more than one short moment in FFX-2.

Tidus didn't change that much from 2002 to 2003 anyway. Out of all the returning characters who had an increase, his was the smallest.

I know of this. More than likely he benefited slightly from Kingdom Hearts or just hadn't fully gotten to a point where he'd sit yet.

Either way, characters returning to 2002 levels seem to be erratic at best.

Since that was a big topic of conversation earlier I just felt the need to post how Mega Man would do should he "return" to these 2002 numbers. At the very least I'd expect him to get back at that point from MMAC.

It's almost like a character is chosen at random, even among characters that were supposedly hit by WDF. Sonic acted like he returned (though we have no definitive proof yet) and Ryu stayed almost exactly the same.

Well, of course, there's nothing to say that anyone has returned to what they had in 2002. The best way to determine if Sonic, or anyone, did so would be in matches such as Sonic vs. Ryu and Link vs. Mega Man (as examples).

Anyway, I was just throwing that out there.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Tidus was in Final Fantasy X-2 more than he was in Kingdom Hearts, and he was the central focus of the story.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

You don't necessarily need to be in a lot of the game if you are the focus of the story.

I still do not understand who is going to like Tidus from FFX-2 that already hadn't liked him before. The point of the game is to find Tidus and you get to see him in once or so. How that would increase Tidus evenly with Shadow from Sonic Heroes doesn't make an ounce of sense to me.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I honestly don't believe he's increased at all from FFX-2 and if he did the most I could see is even less than what he had last year.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Plus, I find it very hard to believe he benefitted from Kingdom Hearts. It's like saying Crono benefitted from Chrono Cross.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I still do not understand who is going to like Tidus from FFX-2 that already hadn't liked him before.

Then why do we throw around the idea of characters increasing from new games when they play the exact same role in the exact same type of game? Dante, for example.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

It's like saying Crono benefitted from Chrono Cross.

...But he did. CC helped revitalize interest in CT. Perhaps his role in the game didn't help much, but the game itself could have made a big difference.
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The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

Maybe Tidus stayed the same, and Shadow either slightly over-performed against Mario or took a slight fall.

There is no way that Tidus could have increased though...
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Tommy vs. Max - http://www.stripcreator.com/comics/Moltar
Sora vs. HK-47 - Bracket: Sora - Vote: HK-47 (26/28)

Nice. I'm glad people are talking about tag-team again.
I don't think tag-teams would be one-sided towards the strongest characters, if you ask me. Let's take the Mega Man/Earthworm Jim and Tidus/Shadow example again.

Okay, first of all, Mega Man isn't (or at least WASN'T, to please HM) exactly heads and shoulders above Tidus or Shadow. If there was a 3-way poll including MMan, Tidus, and Shadow, it would be pretty split. The accuracy, linearity and transitivity of the extrapolated standings give pretty good evidence of this. Also, split fanbases in a team would make next to no difference. Seeing Nintendo and Square characters getting close to 90% shows that there are not many true fanboys/anti-fanboys.

So...I still believe Tidus/Shadow would beat MMan/Jim without too much trouble.

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"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

And why not? Plenty of characters last year had increases or decreases for no reason whatsoever.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Then why do we throw around the idea of characters increasing from new games when they play the exact same role in the exact same type of game? Dante, for example.

It'd be different if Tidus was actually a character you could get in the game or something. Then I'd understand completely how he could increase, but he's simply mentioned and is shown a couple of times. It'd be mindblowing to see him increase from that.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Yes, because brief appearances in games don't make much of a difference, I guess.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

It'd be different if Tidus was actually a character you could get in the game or something. Then I'd understand completely how he could increase, but he's simply mentioned and is shown a couple of times. It'd be mindblowing to see him increase from that.

Yet again I bring up Ganondorf/Zelda.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Yes, because brief appearances in games don't make much of a difference, I guess.

Even looking at Cloud I could understand an increase, but I can't with Tidus.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

And the one thing about Final Fantasy X-2: The whole driving force behind it is finding Tidus. That's the big question of the game. That's what people who loved Final Fantasy X bought the game for. Physically he's barely in the game at all, but his presence is everywhere.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Even looking at Cloud I could understand an increase, but I can't with Tidus.

...And Sephiroth or Aeris?
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

...And Sephiroth or Aeris?

Of course Sephiroth and Aeris is somewhat iffy with me.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Then why do we throw around the idea of characters increasing from new games when they play the exact same role in the exact same type of game? Dante, for example.

Any new game can be expected to help a character, no matter how minorly. Here's why.

Gamer A has been gaming for seven years, and is familiar with Gary Frogman, who's had one game four years ago, and Pam Disher, who's had two games in the past year. It's not known who Gamer A will vote for, but he can make a choice knowing both characters.

Gamer B started gaming six months ago. He's less likely to know Gary, but since Pam's more recent, it's more likely that Gamer B will at least recognize her. Between a match of a known entity vs. an unknown, the known entity will likely have the advantage.
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The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

Of course Sephiroth and Aeris is somewhat iffy with me.

But a significant increase in undeniably there. It's something that doesn't have another reasonable explanation.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

....Yeah. Yuna's just 'oh so independant' my butt...can't live without her big strong MAN.
---
Yuber lives in Pennslyvania...watching...

How that would increase Tidus evenly with Shadow from Sonic Heroes doesn't make an ounce of sense to me.

Shadow was over-rated in 2003, because of anti-votes from Mario. SH just raised him up enough to almost match would Mario anti-votes would get him.

And as others have said, many characters increase/decrease for no reason at all. Tidus could just increase randomly, easily enough.

Aeris's appearence isn't *that* breif...
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These days, the geekier I get, the more employable I get. So calling me a geek is not an insult, but a statement of hope. Level 1: Petrifier (105 points)

It's about on the level of Tidus in FFX-2, and even he's in Kingdom Hearts longer than Sephiroth.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

The biggest thing about these cameos helping characters is someone not knowing of them previously and then seeing them in one said game and start liking him/her. After that they could easily go and check up where that character had come from and even go out, buy the game, and become even more attached to them.

Now, the hardest thing for me to believe is that people A) didn't know of Tidus before FFX-2; B) changed from liking him to disliking him based on FFX-2; or C) played FFX-2, hadn't heard of Tidus, and then proceeded to buy FFX.

Why someone would do C is beyond me, but why exactly are we discussing an increase for Tidus? There wasn't exactly anything glaring that said he should have increased.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Sephiroth was a wee bit more impressive then Tidus in KH...one of my favorite boss fights. Up there with Luca.

Same thing in X-2. Tidus was held in such high regard as Yuna's 'man' that it was hard not to feel hyped to fidn him...
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Yuber lives in Pennslyvania...watching...

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

I'd hesitate to really call Tidus's appearance in FFX-2 a cameo. Like I said, he's the driving force of the game. Plus, it's possible that Shuyin could have changed some minds about him since they're so identical. He's basically Tidus toned down, so they could come to appreciate the character better.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I think that the proposed changes would only be interesting to us, personally. The contest needs a change, but nothing that drastic. All we really need in the spring are prelims before the bracket, and all we need for the summer is a better bracket. The problem this year is that the bracket has turned out to be pretty bad. If you left any one of a number of us to make a bracket, it would be a good one.
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Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

If you left any one of a number of us to make a bracket, it would be a good one.

Second'd.
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My life retain'eth its meaning!
Next up on the menu: Master Chief.

Yes, but there would inevitably be complaining from various sources.

For example, my ideal bracket would anger most people on the board, because it would have 20 to 25 RPG characters, and cater mostly to an older crowd.
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The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

If you left any one of a number of us to make a bracket, it would be a good one.

I made a bracket (with the goal of trying to make it hard to predict and accurately seeded at the same time) and considered e-mailing it into Ceej, saying something along the lines of "Look I made a bracket, what do you think". I figured at the very least he would respond with something. I'm well aware I would be making myself look stupid in the process (because Ceej never asked for anything related to brackets to be e-mailed to him, plus I would just look stupid trying to give him bracket advice and all) but I figure he's a reasonable guy who could see I was just trying to help him, and what's the worst that can happen.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Who needs all this seeding by nomination. For a fun summer contest next year, CJay should take the top 64 nominations regardless, and check out from the board opinion/extrapolateds to make an awesome bracket. No more of these repeat battles, just set up unpredictable match after unpredictable match all the way into the finals.

You can tell he tried it here, with crono/mario, samus/sonic, and all the SFF battles going on in the next few rounds, but he could do better. Lets see some NEW matches, not old rivalries.
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Score: 26/27
Upcoming picks: Dante, Sora, Ryu, Sam

Plus, we don't need to see a 1 in front of Link to know he's a strong character. Who cares of he's somewhere else in the bracket, to line up some other killer matches.

Without any numbers, just names and a bracket tree, predicting would be way more fun, and so would the matches.
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Score: 26/27
Upcoming picks: Dante, Sora, Ryu, Sam

Yes, but there would inevitably be complaining from various sources.

For example, my ideal bracket would anger most people on the board, because it would have 20 to 25 RPG characters, and cater mostly to an older crowd.

We're not talking about one of the thread regulars making their ideal bracket, we're talking about them making the ideal bracket, perhaps after seeing nominations. I know that a couple have been created, and they've been excellent, with a fine lack of fodder. Qutie nice, in my opinion.

If you left any one of a number of us to make a bracket, it would be a good one.

Agreed.
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SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

I was mulling over possible ways to liven up the contest, and was wondering what your opinions would be on this change:

Same contest same format, the only change: there is three competitors in every battle. Thus you start out with 81 competitors, have the 27 winners move on, the next 9 move on from there, etc.

Pros:
- Unique format, potentially harder to call in many matches (a Link v Cloud v Mega Man final could be a royal pain, for instane)
- It becomes much harder to rely on previous statistics, as a third variable would introduce many new complications
- More characters are used (81 over 64), allowing for more fan favorites and newcomers while still preserving the requisite regulars (could also be a con)

Cons:
- Increase in number of unfortunate characters to never leave round one (54 over 32)
- Bracket becomes potentially confusing
- Contest itself is shorter (40 matches instead of 63)

Your thoughts, opinions?

Zagro, I wish that'd be done in a way, but overall I think that the only way I'd like to see that is just for fodder characters before the contest to see who gets in the contest.
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Supporting both Earthworm Jim AND Mega Man in 2004
Spring Contest Score: 151/192

Here's a random fact for slow

Knuckles is the weakest character to have won at least one match in each contest
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Seeding may not mean that much, but I still think a character has to have some pretty good strength to earn a 3 seed. Matter of fact, not counting 2002 because there were no nominations, Luigi is the only 3 seed who ranks below Jill in the rankings, and that's just barely. Even so, Luigi appears to be stronger a year later, like Kirby in 2003 when he had his 3 seed. He would've beaten Jill last year had they met.

Actually, looking at the 2003 rankings, all of the 3 seeds last year are within nearly 1% of each other, and Kirby was actually the strongest one.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Seeding may not mean that much, but I still think a character has to have some pretty good strength to earn a 3 seed. Matter of fact, not counting 2002 because there were no nominations, Luigi is the only 3 seed who ranks below Jill in the rankings, and that's just barely. Even so, Luigi appears to be stronger a year later, like Kirby in 2003 when he had his 3 seed. He would've beaten Jill last year had they met.

Yeah, but 3 seeds are still cursed. Makes me worry about Hayabusa and Crono and not worry about Frog over MC. I think Auron is pretty much set, though; he did have one of the weakest 4 packs considering his strength.
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Current Pick: Sora; Current Vote: Sora; Points: 27/28
Henshin a bye-bye, my perfect bracket.

I think it would be a bigger curse and more shameful for Hayabusa to lose to Sora rather than Jill. Besides, the curse of the 3 seed didn't seem very prevalent in the Spring Contest.

Also, last year, every 3 seed won his first round match, and only Master Chief had any difficulty with it.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

true, but look at how strong they are
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Hey guys i have a personal problem i think...(this is how all great posts start). So anyways i just read Master Moltar's comic strips, well not all of them but most, and they are the worst things i've ever read. Not even close to funny. It was depressing because MM has tons of good posts on the board but when it came to cartoons and jokes....man....his karma should be dropped like 100. I still love you MM just not in a "have your children" kind of way anymore. Sorry.
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Mario Sunshine-120 Shines || BtT 3:44.87 || HRC 37,179.9 ||
SC2K4 23 / 28 Next Pick: Sora

Besides, the curse of the 3 seed didn't seem very prevalent in the Spring Contest.

Only one of them made it past the round of 16.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

Compared to only one 3 seed even making the Sweet Sixteen last summer. Super Metroid was the only 3 seed not to even get that far, and the Legend of Zelda had one of the most dominant stretch of matches in any contest, despite the fact that its competition was mediocre. Seeding-wise, the Sweet Sixteen is where 3 seeds are supposed to lose.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

yes, but the only seeds in the character contest that haven't gone atleast one round more then they should've are 3, 4, 8, 15 and 16
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Legend of Zelda went further than it was supposed to as a 3. Even so, every 3 seed has a chance to actually make the Sweet Sixteen this year.

Gordon Freeman is the only 3 seed in ANY of the contests to lose in the first round.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

I'll hate for Jill to lose to tomorrow, but given what Hayabusa has to pull from and how cool he is I can't see him losing it.
---
SC2k4 Winner: Mega Man
Ken Masters; the fighting king clothed in blazing fire.

Also, the reason why the seeds you listed don't go further than they're supposed to is because it would involve beating a 1 or 2 seed, likely someone from the Noble Nine.
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Squall Leonhart's Road to the Summer Championship
2nd Round: (5)Kirby

Alicia Keys is beautiful. ;_; Sorry, I just had to say that.

Is anyone besides me anxious about the Ryu/Jill match? This is the most important match in the contest by far. I just realized how much this bracket sucks. This match will make or break for the most part. This match looks like it will make or break chances of winning the tournament. 178 and 183 likely won't cut it in this contest. It may be due to the availability of the extrapolated rankings, but most of the matches in the contest are pushovers. I agree that there could have been far better brackets made with almost every match being a challenge.

Come to think of it though, last year I was on the leaderboard until Luigi/Squall. Go figure. o_O

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"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

Master Chief still has the potential to beat Frog, Ryu has MINIMAL potential to beat Sonic, but it could happen, Crono vs Mario is.. yeah... And the final is of course a large deciding factor.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

From: Heroic Mario | Posted: 8/29/2004 11:06:51 PM | Message Detail
I'll hate for Jill to lose to tomorrow, but given what Hayabusa has to pull from and how cool he is I can't see him losing it.

Whatever happened to all your fervent support of Hayabusa? I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering that.

---
Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Bah, I won't get to see tomorrow's match :( I need to pack up my computer for college now. Hopefully, I'll be able to check up on things here again by Saturday. Have a nice week, everyone.
---
***Married to UltimaterializerX on 5/21/04***
Official Queen ***** of the Universe! Contest Score: 26/28, Next Winner: Sora

Does anyone have the link to Slowflake's Board Odds Project Excel document? Thanks =).
---
M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

http://www.freewebs.com/slowflake/sc2k4.xls
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

'preciate that ^_~.
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M-me? Queen ***** of the Universe?
This is the happiest day of my life. ~ smitelf

Hopefully tommorow will be close. Tidus vs Shadow kind of dissapointed and our only close match was LS vs Frog. We are due another.

MasterMage119: Yeah, I had all those matches listed, but I accidentally erased what I wrote. I'm just talking about the contest in general and agreeing that it needs to be more difficult.

smitelf: What college are you attending if you don't mind me asking? The same thing happened for me for Jak/Ness when I had to drive back up to my apartment for school. Except I snuck a peek on my family's computer before I left and already saw Jak losing. I hope that isn't an omen....
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"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

I think that to avoid any stupid snubs in the future, that every character who wins a match should automatically be let into the next contest.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

"Heh, Tanner will never be stronger than anyone in the extrapolateds. He'll be forgotten once the Driver series fades away, if it was ever that big of a deal anyway."

Whihc is why I find it hillarious that anybody thought Jak would beat Ness thanks to better sales... you know, because Driv3r sold more than both Jak games combined, let alone the first two, both of which I believe surpassed a million with ease.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

"Shadow was over-rated in 2003, because of anti-votes from Mario."

I no longer put any stock whatsoever into significant anti-Mario or anti-Chief votes. If anyone is going to vote against Mario just because it's Mario they will vote agaisnt Mario every single time causing a variable we can't quantify that doesn't actually affect Mario's standings. Shadow of all characters was not overrated due to any such anti-votes.

Anti-votes exist, they are merely too deceptive to track.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I think that to avoid any stupid snubs in the future, that every character who wins a match should automatically be let into the next contest.


SECOND'D Unless your name is Serious Sam.....
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"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

hey, I just got back from vacation, anything interesting happen in discussion world? and whoamg at tails winning, not so much for dk losing, but that hurt my bracket, also, since its relevant, for tomorrow, Jill's chances?
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Go vote in today's survivor please!!!
http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=8&topic=15716433

While letting every character who wins a match into the next year is a good idea, I think winning 2 is better. Yes, that defeats the purpose for the most part, but at least powerhouses (in the sense that fodder cringe upon hearign their names as much as they would for any elite) like Aeris would't get screwed while we could still see fresh blood.

I liked the preliminary matches idea that Ulti proposed as well, though I'd rather see it for Summer. Bump the Game contest to winter, since it'd delay the Summer contest again if we didn't, then use the early spring for nominations, set aside the "sure things" which would be the top 16 characters by actual strength, select a pool of the 32 highest nominated characters and set them aside as well, then take the next 32 and have them duke it out for the last 16 spots. Of course, going strictly by nominations may not work, so manipulate it some to insure at least a good portion of new characters.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Jill's chances, 45% chanve she will win. The odds slighty favour Hayabusa, but who knows, GO Jill!
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BIGPUN999 is all man, even in the bedroom *Tee Hee*
There you go you snot nosed punk!

Yeah a lot of the Ryu support has wavered recently, not been lost mind you, but a lot of people are calling this match much closer then they once did. As for myself, I have Jill in my bracket and am 49% behind that pick.
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Not all those who wander are lost...
There is no god, and the cage wasn't 30 feet. - CM Punk

That's only because the've estimated other cahracters wrong. I had Joe almost on the mark, slightly higher than he seems to have done, and it's only Tails overperforming that was the surprise to me. If they wouldn't go all crazy sometimes then there wouldn't be nythign to worry about. If Jill somehow returns to 2k2 levels AND manages to break her normal voting pool she still can't beat 2k3 Dante, and I have a feeling that Hayabusa sits right about there.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Yeah a lot of the Ryu support has wavered recently

Everyone loved my writeup
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 27/29
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

"Everyone loved my writeup"

In all honesty it was good, but far from convincing. I had more doubts about Joe than I have about Hayabusa.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

From: TheRye | Posted: 8/30/2004 1:18:44 AM | Message Detail
Yeah a lot of the Ryu support has wavered recently

Everyone loved my writeup

Because the recent lack of faith in Ryu has everything to do with your topic and nothing to do with the fact that Viewtiful Joe got his ass whipped.
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

You're all a bunch of ****ies for losing any faith at all in Ryu for something a totally unrelated character did. In fact, you're all a bunch of fools if you think Joe did any worse than he was supposed to.... just that damn Tails doing better than anyone could have expected until it was too late.

As much as I wanted Joe to win the result was almost exactly what I expected once I knew how much of a jump Auron had taken.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Automatically letting the Sweet 16 back in makes perfect sense. I just suggested the round of 32 to make it less of a hassle to decide who the other 32 characters would be.

As for the proposed preliminary idea for character contests, I don't agree with it. I can deal with one or two snubbed characters that are on a lesser level (Red 13 and Vincent have no business being in this contest above Aeris, for example), but certain games not being in make no sense. I mean, Soul Calibur over Soul Calibur 2? What was CJayC thinking?
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

"Red 13 and Vincent have no business being in this contest above Aeris, for example"

Vincent is more deserving than Aeris. Take this from a person who readily considers Aeris his third favorite character from that game and almost without question his favorite heroine in the series.

"I mean, Soul Calibur over Soul Calibur 2? What was CJayC thinking?"

Well, anyone who actually knows the series would readily take SC over SC2. Sure, the noobs who were attracted by the chance to play Link or whatever nonsense may think SC2 is better but anyone who actually likes fighting games, which is apparently nobody in this topic other than myself and one or two others, knows damn well that SC1 is inherently surperior as a game. It plays better. It's balanced better. The chracter roster is better. SC1 is the better game. SC2 has added bells and whistles and slightly improved graphics yet lacks the same depth and substance.
---
True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Match XXVIII: (4) Dante vs. (13) Ratchet Review

Dante beat Ratchet, 80.28% - 19.72%

Nothing much to say about this match, Dante as usual overperforms against his first round opponent and it looks like Sonic and he will be the only characters in this division to have break 80%. Nothing much else to say except that we lost one perfect today, I thought if someone got the first 27 matches right why wouldn’t they get a very easy match right?

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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Match XXX (nice): (3) Ryu Hayabusa vs. (14) Jill Preview

Past Performances:

Ryu Hayabusa: 2002

Did not attend
Ranked: N/A

Ryu Hayabusa: 2003

Did not attend
Ranked: N/A

Jill: 2002

Defeated Kirby, 53.34% - 46.66%
Defeated Bomberman, 57.97% - 42.03%
Lost to Link, 27.37% - 72.63%
Ranked: 16th

Jill: 2003

Lost to Squall, 40.01% - 59.99%
Ranked: 28th

Analysis:

Ryu Hayabusa is from the Ninja Gaiden series. This is the other Ryu in this contest. Ryu’s newest game is in the Xbox, but he did have games in the NES as well, but nothing much in between except he was one of the guys in the Dead or Alive series. Ryu is also another new character, but he is overseeded. Many people thought that he got such a high seed because his name was mentioned on the nomination page. Though many people say whoever wins this match is most likely to win their round 2 match. Even though seed wise and the board favorite Ryu does look like to be the favorite to win the match.

Jill is from the Resident Evil series. Jill is probably the most underseeded character in this contest. She deserves a 7/8 yet she got a 14 seed. Anyways in 2002 she beat everyone’s favorite puffball, but underseeded, Kirby and Bomberman before she was stopped by the future champ, Link, but she did come in second in her very weak division. Last year she was upset by the new improved Squall who beat her 60/40, but at least she did do better against Luigi and Squall lost to Samus 60/40, which makes her look okay. Now she’s back this year and she does have a chance to make it to the Sweet 16, only if she can win her first match, which reminds me of 2002. This may be Jill’s last year if she loses in the first round.

Well here’s probably one of the most hyped match of the round. This is probably the only match where whoever wins there match gets to win next round, so really this match is worth 3 points. I’m going against the board this time and will be going for Jill. I’m surprised that most people have Ryu H. winning. I could believe if it was 50/50, but almost everyone has Ryu H. winning. I’m almost positive that Jill will win.

First like some characters did, Jill may go back to her 2002 numbers which will make her stronger. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t, but I see no reason why Jill would drop again. She’s probably the most popular Resident Evil character. If you ask me Jill is probably the most underseeded character in this contest, while Ryu H. is probably one of the most overseeded characters in this contest (behind Ness).

Now we don’t know how strong Ryu H. is since he is a new character, but we could make guesses. First let’s look at his Xbox game. First we all know whose Xbox’s number one character, Master Chief. You don’t even have to own an Xbox yet you would still know who Master Chief is. He’s like the icon for the Xbox. Now we see Jill who’s slightly weaker then Master Chief. We all know that Ryu H. can never come close to his popularity with his Xbox game. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he was much weaker then Viewtiful Joe and we know how his match with Tails went. Plus the Xbox is part of the minority of GameFAQs that doesn’t make Ryu H. look very strong.

Though that isn’t Ryu Hayabusa’s only game. He still has game all the way from the NES and that’s where most people are banking him for the win. The last what’s you age poll had 13-18 as the winners and 19-25 not too far behind. 13-18 casual gamers probably have never played the NES, but the 19-25 casual gamers have. Though I don’t think that’s enough for Ryu H. to become the heavy favorite besides tell me a character that’s had a game on the NES, but not on any other consol and isn’t a complete fodder. The NES game may giver him a few votes, but not enough for the win. Plus being sold near the end of the NES era isn’t really the way to go.

This is going to be the biggest seeding upset since Tina beat Gordon in 2002. I guess we were due for another big seed upset. Also this may not be a factor, but it is an interesting fact, every match Jill has done expect against Link she has gotten about the same vote total in every match. Even though I don’t think that’s true that would seal the fate of Jill’s victory since she needs the vote total to be below 75,000 and she doesn’t really attract a lot of voters. I hope Ryu H. could keep this close so this match won’t be such a snooze-fest. Also as for the ninja factor I think that’s only worked once and that was from Striders’ round 2 picture.

Charmander’s Bracket: Jill

Charmander’s Prediction: Jill wins, 55.23% - 44.77%
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Vincent is more deserving than Aeris. Take this from a person who readily considers Aeris his third favorite character from that game and almost without question his favorite heroine in the series.

And I say that Aeris is more deserving of a spot, based on the fact that A) she's not optional, B) she's appeared in more than just FF VII, and C) she's female.

When Vincent gets his game released (or at least close to it), then we'll talk about him getting in.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

"I thought if someone got the first 27 matches right why wouldn’t they get a very easy match right?"

Yeha, I've heard that too many times though. I heard it for Sephirtoh, even, fact fo the matter is either people don't know or don't care about how the matches are often set in stone or they are looking f some upset that we know has no chance of happening but they don't. Easy or not, people are going to miss it, even this far in with perfects. It happens, and if it didn't then we could never eliminate all the perfects.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

JonPen:
That makes it literally impossible to be sure on a match because no one knows if a team of Megaman and Jim would win or a team Tidus and Shadow could beat them first round. It's simply impossible to predict. Would the FF fanboys all swarm for any team Sephiroth are on, or would they team with the Nintendo fans and put Vivi and DK over Sephiroth and Sly? It's very exciting

Tidus and Shadow win. There is NO WAY they lose that match, trust me.

That match would be incredibly obvious. Anybody that says otherwise it out of their minds.


Phediuk:
For example, if Link and Cloud were paired up, how would the masses vote?

Such a team would crush all competition with ease.

Don't worry about Link fans not voting for him because of Cloud, or vice versa--we have seen over and over again true anti-votes aren't really an issue.

You'd have to put 3 opponents against them to beat them--Sephiroth+Mega Man+Sonic would probably easily beat even Link+Cloud.
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

"besides tell me a character that’s had a game on the NES, but not on any other consol and isn’t a complete fodder."

None. But then again the longest Ryu H went without appearing a new game was at most 3 years, so I don't think he falls into that catagory either.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I can see for Sephiroth since there were still a lot of perfects, but after Tails win other then the few joke brackets I think everyone who's left is trying to win it
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

None. But then again the longest Ryu H went without appearing a new game was at most 3 years, so I don't think he falls into that catagory either.

what are games are there except for that SNES one?
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

"I think everyone who's left is trying to win it"

Before Auron's match we'd have said anyone who had Tails winning a match obviously wasn't trying to win it. I'm not saying that the one said fool was or wasn't trying to win it, but unless they come forward and explain themselves we can't say that they weren't trying. Maybe they thought Ratchet had a legitimate shot at an upset.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

well anything can happen in these contests
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

"what are games are there except for that SNES one?"

My mistake, 4 years between NG3 and NGT. Nevertheless, you have heard of Dead or Alive, correct?
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I don't think that'll help him.

Anyone who's bought that game, bought it so they can watch women jump around in suits. Heck I bet not even half of them know there name

Men there all alike, yet it's true
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

On the format of the next contest, which is the current hot topic of discussion:

I'm not too big a fan of the tag team idea--but it is vastly superior to the 3-way idea. 3-way is a terrible, god-awful idea. It would be an abomination.

But tag team can be pretty interesting. Though it would have to be completely un-contrived--contrived teams would suck. I mean, imagine Cloud+Sephiroth vs. Link+Mario. What would the point even be?? And you just KNOW that CJayC wouldn't be able to resist contriving something like that. No doubt he would just be dying to wreak havoc on the bracket and make it suck by his interference.

The main interesting team would be Mario+Crono. That might actually be fun--but if it means other contrived teams, at what cost??


The most simple solution would just be to get the strongest characters. Forget all limitations--get rid of *all* the jokes and jobbers. Lower tier characters? Forget about you, you're gone.

Fact is, there's still plenty of potentially exciting match-ups that have never happened, and a huge number of characters you just know would be strong who haven't gotten a chance.

However, I wouldn't mind seeing a tag team contest. While there are many exciting matches we've been denied, repeating the same contest for a 4th time seems somewhat redundant to me. This isn't sports--there's a lot less volatility than with sports. There is no "any given Sunday" here. I'd go with a tag team contest above anything else--as long as the tag teams were either random, or random according to some general methodology (e.g., putting high seeds together so they don't get screwed over--but in a random fashion).
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

Tidus and Shadow win. There is NO WAY they lose that match, trust me.

That match would be incredibly obvious. Anybody that says otherwise it out of their minds.

Then Heroic Mario is out of his mind. =p

He was the one that believed Megaman and Jim would win. Him and Leonhart thought that people would vote for their favorite regardless of their teammate. Personally I think Shadow/Tidus would win the whole tournament, the only two teams stronger then that one in any contest are Tidus/Ganondorf and Solid Snake/Squall.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Obviously people would vote their favorite regardless... A tag-team tourney would just be a combined fanbase tourney.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

besides tell me a character that’s had a game on the NES, but not on any other consol and isn’t a complete fodder.

Let's see... this is hard because most NES games got a psuedo-port to the SNES or Game Boy, but I think I have a few who might be a bit stronger than fodder, thanks to outside influence.

King Hippo - Punch-Out!
Duke Togo - Golgo 13
Little Nemo - Little Nemo in Dreamland
Max Force - NARC
Angry Sun - SMB 3
Kuribo's Shoe - SMB 3


Men there all alike, yet it's true

Hey! Bite me, Pokéboy.
---
The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

"I don't think that'll help him."

I don't think you're correct.

Time for Chichiri's Word Twist game (patent pending)

Anyone who's bought that game, bought it because they were fans of Disney.

Sure, they didn't buy it for Hayabusa, but if the KHF is at all in the slightest real then we also have to assume that there are people who didn't buy it for Cloud and Seph... but they still got it, and it still left an inpression. Anyone who has played DoA for more than 15 minutes has at least seen Ryu Hayabusa, and that's a hell of a lot less of a stretch than Sephiroth in KH. Sure, this place isn't big on fighters, but one look at the 25th spot in the 2k2 extrapolated clearly shows that somebody around here has played DoA.

"Heck I bet not even half of them know there name"

You don't know DoA fans...
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Leonhart thought that people would vote for their favorite regardless of their teammate.

For the most part they probably would. Which is exactly why Tidus+Shadow easily defeats Megaman+Earthworm Jim. Square+Sega fanbase easily defeats Megaman+jobber. I mean, there really isn't even a debate possible here.

Personally I think Shadow/Tidus would win the whole tournament, the only two teams stronger then that one in any contest are Tidus/Ganondorf and Solid Snake/Squall.

I don't think they'd win the whole tournament--in all likelihood, there would be at least one team stronger than them.
---
Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

King Hippo - Punch-Out! - Fodder, even if the game could do well.
Duke Togo - Golgo 13 - Not a legit entry, was an anime charcter first
Little Nemo - Little Nemo in Dreamland - Not Legit, from a comic strip first
Max Force - NARC - NARC is seeing a sequel, but without it deffinately fodder
Angry Sun - SMB 3 - joke
Kuribo's Shoe - SMB 3 - joke.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

What would appeal to me would be the following kinds of teams, as opposed to the stereotypical Cloud+Sephiroth or Link+Mario:

Magus (9) + Solid Snake (8)
Samus Aran (7) + Sonic (10)
Crono (6) + Ganondorf (11)
Mario (5) + Tidus (12)
Mega Man (4) + Shadow (13)
Sephiroth (3) + (whoever was 14, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante
Link (2) + (whoever was 15, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante)
Cloud (1) + (whoever was 16, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante)



The idea of teaming top characters with characters slightly below them works well in this case because I've matched the top eight characters with others in the top eight. In this manner, no one can really complain that certain characters got "shafted" (aka, Cloud won't be teamed up with fodder, and Link teamed with a heavyweight, which would obviously logically upset the Cloud fans).

The idea is to team the 8th best with the 9th best, and then work out from there. 7th with 10th, 6th with 11th, etc.

I got some of the matchups wrong but I don't have the statistics with me. But the element I'd be interested in is: would Team 8+9 do better than team 1+16? in other words, would having one VERY strong and one somewhat strong character offset having two characters inbetween them in the rankings? Could Magus and Snake win by both having high scores, or would Cloud in effect carry someone like Dante to victory? Those matchups would be hard to predict, and thus interesting.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

I agree with Scipio Africanus regarding how teams should be formed.
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

but one look at the 25th spot in the 2k2 extrapolated clearly shows that somebody around here has played DoA.

Yah the same bracket that had Ryo and Pac-Man in the top 32. In 2003 she would be ranked in 38th
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Nice sig, MWIS. Cam Clarke aka Jimmy Flinders rocks... however the one hundred vote penalty was factored in and Frog still won. :)
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

For the most part they probably would. Which is exactly why Tidus+Shadow easily defeats Megaman+Earthworm Jim. Square+Sega fanbase easily defeats Megaman+jobber. I mean, there really isn't even a debate possible here.

My argument on them was pretty much that:

Gah, I'm not being clear enough.

Assume there are 80,000 voters.

The X-Stats have Shadow and Tidus not all that far off from Megaman, while they will put Jim considerably lower down.

So say of those 80,000 voters:
23,00 like Tidus the best
23,00 like Shadow the best
30,000 like Megaman the best
4,000 like Jim the best

Then assuming every voter votes for his or her favorite character, the Tidus/Shadow team will have 46,000 votes and the Megaman/Jim team will have 34,000 votes.

And thus the Shadow/Tidus team wins with room to spare.

Of course you know how HM tends to inflate Megaman's fanbase.

I don't think they'd win the whole tournament--in all likelihood, there would be at least one team stronger than them.

Using the bracket and seeds as they are now, I think they are easily the strongest team.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Doesn't matter what she'd be ranked, you foreign devil you, it merely points out as a matter of fact, not opinion, that Dead or Alive has been played by a fair number of GameFAQs users. That being said, I highly doubt it will have 0 effect tomorrow.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

What's Ryu's role in DoA?
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Magus (9) + Solid Snake (8)
Samus Aran (7) + Sonic (10)
Crono (6) + Ganondorf (11)
Mario (5) + Tidus (12)
Mega Man (4) + Shadow (13)
Sephiroth (3) + (whoever was 14, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante
Link (2) + (whoever was 15, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante)
Cloud (1) + (whoever was 16, maybe someone like Ryu or Bowser or Dante)

I don't like that because then any of those teams would beat any team other than those with no sweat.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Yeah, it was hard to find legitimate entries, so I fudged it a bit and hoped that noone would notice. Curse you Chichiri!

Using the bracket and seeds as they are now, I think they are easily the strongest team.

I think Link/CATS wipes them out easily.
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The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

He's a usable character... And a pretty good one.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

but what does he do? Just stand there?
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

Yeah, so maybe instead of pairing the top 16 that way, you pair the top 24 or something.

So Cloud would be with #24, Link with #23, etc.

The thing is, you can't go too far into the mediocre catagory, or you're hurting the dominant characters too much. The Noble Nine DESERVE to continue to go far into contests, regardless of the structure of the competition.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

"What's Ryu's role in DoA?"

IIRC, he's freinds with Ein (can't remmeber if that's his name...) who is Kasumi's brother. Kasumi is seeking her brother and at one point in her story Hayabusy is sent to stop her. It's a fighting game though, so story isn;t the main focus. All you need to know is that he has been a selectable character in every DoA game except Extreme Beach Voleyball which had no males other than Zack.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

I think Link/CATS wipes them out easily.

I assume this to be a joke?
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I still don't think that will help him that much
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

I don't see why you don't do 1 and 64, 2 and 63, etc.

The thing is, you can't go too far into the mediocre catagory, or you're hurting the dominant characters too much. The Noble Nine DESERVE to continue to go far into contests, regardless of the structure of the competition.

Meh, I say make the Nible Nine work for their wins. Let them pull along a weakling and see if it is still enough to overcome a mid-level team like Vyse and Laharl.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I don't like that because then any of those teams would beat any team other than those with no sweat.

Ahhh...but what if they were facing each other?

Frankly, there's not much of intersting in a Link+CATS team-up. It's almost completely *pointless*, as just about all the votes the team gets will be for Link. It becomes just a rehash of the single character contest.

To make a tag team bracket truly interesting, you need to put strong charcters togther--or at least a strong character with a semi-strong character.

Two ways to make this work:
* Put jobbers together, make them job for the first couple rounds, until we're left with stuff like Mario+Tidus vs. Cloud+Bowser and the other matches Scipio described.
*Just have really short tournament, consisting of only the top 16 or top 32 characters.

A tournament with a whole bunch of tag teams where both characters are elite or near elite level would be a lot of fun.
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

"a mid-level team like Vyse and Laharl."

You consider that a legitimate mid-level team?
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

If you mean Tina, she faced Gordan Freeman. That's enough to prove you wrong.
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BIGPUN999 is all man, even in the bedroom *Tee Hee*
There you go you snot nosed punk!

I don't think most of the bottom tier fodder characters deserve to go back into the competition at all, and a Cloud-Tanner pairing doesn't interest me remotely as much as, say, Cloud-Dante VS Snake-Magus.

At that point, with Cloud/Tanner, you're hurting Cloud too much. Cloud would be outed in the first round, and a lot of FF7 fanboys would have every reason to complain about it. It's the equivalent of slapping Cloud with a 16 seed and a first round match against Link in 2K3. Even though the first round match is exciting, the final matches will not be.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

I think Link/CATS wipes them out easily.

I could conceive of Link/CATS beating Tidus/Shadow--but certainly not easily. Not a chance that they win easily.
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

If you mean Tina, she faced Gordan Freeman. That's enough to prove you wrong.

That's the only time I say that TJF was a factor. In 2003 Gordon recovered 7%.

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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

But with that seven, Gordan still lost to Max Payne.
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BIGPUN999 is all man, even in the bedroom *Tee Hee*
There you go you snot nosed punk!

pathetic isn't it
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

"If you mean Tina"

Apparently you're either lacking in intelligence or you're just really freakin' lazy. Either way, no, I wasn't talking about Tina.

Tina is one of the last characters from DoA I'd have picked for the contest falling very far behind Ayane, Ein, Hayabusa (before NG on the Xbox, even), Jann Lee and Lei Fang. I might even take Helena before Tina, which would then make Tina last of all females.

Why Ceej went with Tina over Ayane is beyond me considering that Ayane is much more important to the main story AND hotter looking, but we've seen how he makes a bracket so it's not that surprising.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

CN:Frankly, there's not much of intersting in a Link+CATS team-up. It's almost completely *pointless*, as just about all the votes the team gets will be for Link. It becomes just a rehash of the single character contest.

Ah, but when that team faces off on Ganondorf vs Alucard, the votes will be for Ganondorf and Alucard, and thus will be almost a three way poll.

MWIS: I don't think most of the bottom tier fodder characters deserve to go back into the competition at all, and a Cloud-Tanner pairing doesn't interest me remotely as much as, say, Cloud-Dante VS Snake-Magus.

CN:A tournament with a whole bunch of tag teams where both characters are elite or near elite level would be a lot of fun.

I agree it would be more fun, but it would also be a lot shorter. I really would prefer something longer and slightly less fun.

Chichiri:You consider that a legitimate mid-level team?

That was just randomly chosen.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

And frankly, so what if teams like Snake-Magus or Cloud-Dante/Bowser/whoever were given an "easy" first few rounds? It would still be difficult to predict by exactly how much they'd win, and the final few rounds, when it gets down to the final 16 or 24 left, would be immensely exciting.

Would you rather see Cloud/Tanner VS Link/CATS, or Cloud/Bowser VS Link/Dante?

End of discussion.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

I'm lazy.
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BIGPUN999 is all man, even in the bedroom *Tee Hee*
There you go you snot nosed punk!

Obviously.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

And frankly, so what if teams like Snake-Magus or Cloud-Dante/Bowser/whoever were given an "easy" first few rounds? It would still be difficult to predict by exactly how much they'd win, and the final few rounds, when it gets down to the final 16 or 24 left, would be immensely exciting.

Yes, but you could make it all slightly less exciting in the end but more exciting overall. It's really a trade-off; everyone will have their own opinion.

Would you rather see Cloud/Tanner VS Link/CATS, or Cloud/Bowser VS Link/Dante?

The second, obviously, but that would not be a long tourney.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

Because the recent lack of faith in Ryu has everything to do with your topic and nothing to do with the fact that Viewtiful Joe got his ass whipped

I hope you read the sarcasm
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I GOTTA HAVE MORE COWBELL; Contest: 27/29
“TheRye is like Jesus, if Jesus ever played video games.” -Inviso

"I hope you read the sarcasm"

Oh thank god! I thought your ranting and raving about Jill beating Ryu H was serious...

Thanks for letting me know you were being sarcastic, I was really worried for awhile.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Well, Jon, that's what we have now with 2K4. Frankly, we know Snake, Mega Man, Cloud, Sephiroth, Link, Samus, and Sonic are seven of our eight elite eight competitors.

And I'd still say a lot of these early round matches are pretty exciting.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

I agree it would be more fun, but it would also be a lot shorter. I really would prefer something longer and slightly less fun.

Then do the logical thing and have multiple short tournaments among the tiers. Different divisions going from the Nobles down to the Freeman/Tanner Memorial Division.
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The race to revitalize Figaro Desert is on! Find out how at www.rpgdl.com

Well, Jon, that's what we have now with 2K4. Frankly, we know Snake, Mega Man, Cloud, Sephiroth, Link, Samus, and Sonic are seven of our eight elite eight competitors.

And I'd still say a lot of these early round matches are pretty exciting.

Yes, but technically we don't know if Link/CATS would beat Alucard/Ganondorf. For all we know Link could lose in the first round.

Then do the logical thing and have multiple short tournaments among the tiers. Different divisions going from the Nobles down to the Freeman/Tanner Memorial Division.

Then the winner of the nobles has a guaranteed win in the semis and finals.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

"Then do the logical thing and have multiple short tournaments among the tiers. "

What good does that do? If you break it into groups of 8 it gives Crono an easy victory as opposed to making him work for it... and it's still within range for him, yet he will not get the respect to push anyone out of the top eight. Groups of 16 then? If it were done statistically by 2k3 strength with this year's roster then hand the trophy to Auron, because his closest competitor is Ryu and we already know that Auron is now damn close to Tidus' level giving him a huge gap over the competition.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Someone give me a link to the extrapoliated 2K3 rankings and I'll carve out a possible bracket (I'll even throw in some projected 2K4 characters with possible strengths)

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

But Jon, people, well, most GameFAQs folks, don't want to see a character like Cloud or Link lose in round one.

I know Round One would be really exciting that way, but the teams would be...blah. In later rounds, who would care when Team 32-33 inevitably wins? There aren't all too many fanboys for the 32nd and 33rd ranked SC2K4 characters.

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

http://sc2k4.com/excel/sc2k3_extrapolated.htm
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

There's no #20. O_o

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The fact that Frog isn't voiced by Cam Clarke should be worth an automatic one-hundred vote penalty, dammit..

I think if a tag team were based off of this year's bracket that a day's vote total could have a lot to say about the strength of a given team. I would take Ganon and Alucard over Link and CATS. Link and CATS couldn't muster up any real excitement while their oposing team did. Crono and Conker have a deffinite advantage over Magus and Luca, and te vote totals show it. No one in their right mind would have Luca over Conker, few would have Magus over Crono without hopes of a big upset, and so the superior team is obvious, the superior team also had the best performance for total votes in the day.


Statistically both Tidus and Shadow were highly shafted this year... both deserved to be 4-5 higher at least.. and it shows. They would deffinitely make for the strongest team, and look at that! They also had the most popular poll. And look, Seph and Cloud pull off amazing results with any given jobber... so it's not too hard to beleive I'm right.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

But Jon, people, well, most GameFAQs folks, don't want to see a character like Cloud or Link lose in round one.

That's actually the best argument I've seen against my method (not saying I thought it up first or anything, just that I'm arguing it now)

I know Round One would be really exciting that way, but the teams would be...blah. In later rounds, who would care when Team 32-33 inevitably wins? There aren't all too many fanboys for the 32nd and 33rd ranked SC2K4 characters.

Again, this goes back to 'would the average voter vote for the team that is more balanced, or the one with a big gun and fodder?' Perhaps at times one way and at times the other. We can speculate, but we have no proof.

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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I think if a tag team were based off of this year's bracket that a day's vote total could have a lot to say about the strength of a given team. I would take Ganon and Alucard over Link and CATS. Link and CATS couldn't muster up any real excitement while their oposing team did. Crono and Conker have a deffinite advantage over Magus and Luca, and te vote totals show it. No one in their right mind would have Luca over Conker, few would have Magus over Crono without hopes of a big upset, and so the superior team is obvious, the superior team also had the best performance for total votes in the day.

Statistically both Tidus and Shadow were highly shafted this year... both deserved to be 4-5 higher at least.. and it shows. They would deffinitely make for the strongest team, and look at that! They also had the most popular poll. And look, Seph and Cloud pull off amazing results with any given jobber... so it's not too hard to beleive I'm right.

Wow, you petty much just tore an enormous gaping hole into my argument other than the fact that the actual tag team bracket would not just use the seeds we have now. I'm using them as an example, but Ceej would have more nominations and a new bracket.
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

"'would the average voter vote for the team that is more balanced, or the one with a big gun and fodder?"

The strongest team is neither of those, it's the one with the two most underrated characters. If it were based on this year's bracket that is no doubt Tidus and Shadow... If it is based on 2k3 extrapolateds I'd be willing to bet that it is Auron/Duke or Sonic/Ness.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

"but Ceej would have more nominations and a new bracket. "

And I too used it as an example only, to show that there are definite flaws in ceej's seeding abilities AND there remain ways to divine the winners.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Scipio:
There's no #20. O_o

Are you talking about the standings...? Auron is #20.

later rounds, who would care when Team 32-33 inevitably wins?

I know what you mean, but Team 32-33 would probably get beaten badly by a team with the Big Three :) You're talking about Felx+Wario level stuff there...ugh. Cloud+Tanner would beat them.
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Data for all matches - http://sc2k4.com/displaytable.php
SC2K4.com/Frog

Let's fill this topic up before the match
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

*the match starts
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

And I too used it as an example only, to show that there are definite flaws in ceej's seeding abilities AND there remain ways to divine the winners.

I appear to have been beaten.

*grins*

=p
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Man is equally incapable of seeing the nothingness from which he emerges and the infinity in which he is engulfed. -Blaise Pascal

I really think this is one of the make or break matches we have, along with Crono/Mario, Seph/Cloud, and Link/Cloud/Seph. Losing three points will really kill hopes of winning, especially this year.
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Not all those who wander are lost...
There is no god, and the cage wasn't 30 feet. - CM Punk

Read over my own post again and...

Jesus Christ... Sonic being teamed with Ness? Evil. Sonic is obviously a bit underrated in 2k3, made apparent with his beating of Terry which shows a 2k2 Sonic. Ness is (propably) one of the most underrated characters in 2k3 XSt due to SFF... WHat a nasty team that'd make.

Oh, adn Tidus/Kefka? *shudders* the XSt doesn't make a nasty team there, oh no. And I do like Crono/Raiden's chances oh so very much. Mario/Pikachu is going down in this tag team battle!
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

Losing three points will really kill hopes of winning, especially this year.

Pfft. No.
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

Jeez, this topic filled up fast.
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Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

"Losing three points will really kill hopes of winning, especially this year."

The winner of the spring contest missed more points than that. It hurts, but by no means is it the end of one's bracket...

Okay, I lied, people who picked Jill are screwed out of prizes.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

True I'll probably almost call it quits if Jill loses, unless I get a perfect round 2,3,4,5 and 6 then I have no chance of winning
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

liar
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47

You have to have perfect 4, 5, and 6 anyway. With even one miss on any of those your'e done for. Round 3 is the last time you can make a mistake and still win.
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True love is a fairy tale. I'm damaged, so how would I know? - Plummet: Damaged

How could you guys honestly think missing 3 points would make you lose the tournament... Be realistic...
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The topic is dead. Not the kind of dead that can be cured with a Phoenix Down. I'm talking FMV sequence dead.- The King in Teal

My head hurts.
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Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

Or does it?
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Winner of the Spring 2004 'Best. Game. Ever.' Contest
*Married to smitelf on 5/21/04* ++SCC GOD++

true, but look at my score maybe 3,4,5,6
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Summer 2004 Contest 24/28 Sora vs. HK-47