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Contest Stats and Discussion - Part 689

trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 4:40:21 PM | message detail
heh, times have changed when we're mad that Half-Life doesn't have a picture of Gordon Freeman.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
Masato_Tanaka | Posted 4/24/2009 4:41:27 PM | message detail
those are some good lookin pics
serge looks boss
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The Straight Up G
The Palace of Wisdom Hardcore Legend and Board 8er Masa/Hiko
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 4:41:55 PM | message detail
Times have definitely changed. That picture might draw up feelings of nostalgia in some people, but I doubt it's as good as the main character - the main character who has boosted significantly in the last three years. I guess the best thing HL has going for it is that it stands out in that picture, although objectively, it's still the least appealing one.
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
KamikazePotato | Posted 4/24/2009 4:43:00 PM | message detail
In fact, count HL lucky.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6610/r1finalfantasyix3.png

One of these days, you'll pick this, Bacon. One of these days.

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http://thengamer.com/guru/
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 4:43:13 PM | message detail
I think it's the most appealing one... well, FF9 fans aside. that thing *is* Half-Life. it's like.. uh.. like putting a huge mushroom in a Mario game or something. people see that and go HALF-LIFE.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
Mumei | Posted 4/24/2009 4:45:29 PM | message detail
I think it's the most appealing one... well, FF9 fans aside. that thing *is* Half-Life. it's like.. uh.. like putting a huge mushroom in a Mario game or something. people see that and go HALF-LIFE

Second this.

That icon "is" Half-Life. It ought to be very recognizable to anyone who has played the games - and a lot of people who haven't. I don't see a problem, and I definitely prefer it to Gordon Freeman.

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"Luxe, calme et volupte." - Charles Baudelaire, The Invitation to the Voyage
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 4:45:47 PM | message detail
But I doubt a big mushroom is as good as a Mario pic, just like I doubt the sword & shield combo or the Triforce would be as good as Link pic.

Ah well, it shouldn't make much difference. I will be providing the Gordon pics on match day.
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
Tohoya | Posted 4/24/2009 4:47:05 PM | message detail
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
Mumei | Posted 4/24/2009 4:47:14 PM | message detail
For some reason, I think that Gordon Freeman is much weaker than his games, and that his face probably won't help.

Maybe just me.

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"Luxe, calme et volupte." - Charles Baudelaire, The Invitation to the Voyage
RPGuy96 | Posted 4/24/2009 4:47:41 PM | message detail
I'd much rather see a lambda than Mr. Freeman's ugly mug, but I would prefer a leaf or a feather to Mario for Mario 3 and World, respectively, so what do I know.
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Mustache...and Green...
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Masato_Tanaka | Posted 4/24/2009 4:47:57 PM | message detail
So umm
When are we gonna have an interesting close match again?

>_>
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The Straight Up G
The Palace of Wisdom Hardcore Legend and Board 8er Masa/Hiko
Mumei | Posted 4/24/2009 4:48:35 PM | message detail
I'd much rather see a lambda than Mr. Freeman's ugly mug, but I would prefer a leaf or a feather to Mario for Mario 3 and World, respectively, so what do I know.

A man who knows quality, that's what.

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"Luxe, calme et volupte." - Charles Baudelaire, The Invitation to the Voyage
Tohoya | Posted 4/24/2009 4:49:37 PM | message detail
I think it's the most appealing one... well, FF9 fans aside. that thing *is* Half-Life. it's like.. uh.. like putting a huge mushroom in a Mario game or something. people see that and go HALF-LIFE.

I see that symbol and I think lambda legal

http://www.lambdalegal.org/
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 4:56:11 PM | message detail
well, I think raccoon Mario for Mario 3 is *far* better than regular old Mario - it evokes memories of the game. the Half-Life symbol is kind of the same thing.

I haven't even played Half-Life but I know that thing anywhere.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 5:02:08 PM | message detail
19.jpg - hey there squall, others look good too

20.jpg - i agree that the symbol does more for HL here than a picture of Gordon would. Vivi helps out FFIX too

21.jpg - whoa tidus, only thing clear in a sea of convoluted pictures
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Moltar Status: you can't hide forever
Match 18 - Bracket: MGS > FFT - Vote: MGS (52/68)
creativename | Posted 4/24/2009 5:07:17 PM | message detail
Any fight fans here? The new UFC game demo is sooo badass.

Ground and pound (or perhaps rather, knockdown and pound) KOs are ungodly satisfying.

War Shogun!
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Save_Us.RAT
BREAK THE BLOCK DOWN
MarioSuperstar | Posted 4/24/2009 5:08:54 PM | message detail
I'd prefer both Freeman and the symbol, but whatever.
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*is Dranze*
BGE2 - Today: MGS > FFT - Points: 49/68 Vote: G/S
Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 5:09:56 PM | message detail
Well both would be even better but between the two, symbol all the way
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Moltar Status: you can't hide forever
Match 18 - Bracket: MGS > FFT - Vote: MGS (52/68)
MarioSuperstar | Posted 4/24/2009 5:10:26 PM | message detail
And lol do I even have to ask why they centered the picture on Vivi? I'd feel more confident in HL if it was Zidane, though.
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*is Dranze*
BGE2 - Today: MGS > FFT - Points: 49/68 Vote: G/S
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 5:10:39 PM | message detail
I figure Shogun will get a title shot with one more win. Time to reestablish that Pride dominance.
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
KamikazePotato | Posted 4/24/2009 5:10:46 PM | message detail
Because I sent in 3 Vivi pics


What

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http://thengamer.com/guru/
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 5:35:05 PM | message detail
I'm gonna laugh if (when?) Metal Gear Solid gets overwhelmed in the day by RBY.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 5:41:17 PM | message detail
It obviously should, but MGS will probably be too far ahead for it to matter. I'm not sure why RBY would brutalize it so much more during the ASV than GS is doing now; MGS will obviously bleed faster, but three Nintendo games will be gaining benefit, not one.
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 5:43:42 PM | message detail
it's just a massive swing. this is Kuja/MH levels of turnaround, the only difference is that it wasn't close to start. if RBY keeps it close, it's going to explode in the daytime. Pokemon has one of the hugest day votes around, probably on the same level as a KH.

http://www.gamefaqscontests.com/images/poll_graph.php?matchnum=3463&type=1&seconds=60&max=0
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
Lieutenant Kettch | Posted 4/24/2009 5:56:49 PM | message detail
RBY didn't do much in the last match. It looks like standard Nintendo trends, it's just that MGS and FFT are heavy night games.
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FastFalcon and Solid Snake snapped my neck in the guru contest.
red sox 777 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:00:32 PM | message detail
Either way, Pokemon/MGS is a huge swing. I really look forward to the OOT/MGS/RBY/SC match (assuming it happens). We could see 2 huge comebacks in the span of 9 hours!.
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Link he come to town to win the Gamefaqs Contests.
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 6:02:21 PM | message detail
The fact that Mario does so much better in the morning than Pokemon suggests that older Nintendo fans are voting when the sun rises. I'd assume that the younger fans wait until they get home from school, but the older ones vote as soon as they reach their cubicle or college computer lab.

Ah what am I saying, they don't have jobs (which would also explain why quite nicely!).
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
RPGuy96 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:03:28 PM | message detail
GSC went from 40% on MGS in its worst hour to 52% in its best hour. It takes two games to pull that off; this isn't just MGS being bad with the day vote.
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Mustache...and Green...
http://backloggery.com/rpguy96
BlAcK TuRtLe | Posted 4/24/2009 6:03:48 PM | message detail
I'm not understanding the FF8 support. I took Starcraft here when I thought FF8 was strong, but after seeing Majora's Mask, I have no faith in it doing very much. Same goes for MGS2 by the looks of it.
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Like Darth Maul, the bastard child of Michael Flatley and Hellboy. -trancer1
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 6:04:50 PM | message detail
ha, that'd be crazy. Pokemon comes back on MGS only to get What Now, Pikachu?'d

let's do this.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
PartOfYourWorld | Posted 4/24/2009 6:08:45 PM | message detail
I'm not understanding the FF8 support. I took Starcraft here when I thought FF8 was strong, but after seeing Majora's Mask, I have no faith in it doing very much. Same goes for MGS2 by the looks of it.

Everyone knows Starcraft's run was at least a bit flukey, and many people are doubting that it can be anywhere near that strong again. Regardless, I think it's still a big favorite tomorrow. From what I've seen, most of the FFVIII > Starcraft talk deals with Round 2, and obviously, Half-Life will have to be there.
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I, like clockwork, have been humiliated by hochiminh
Hochiminh is better than me. I was a numbskull for thinking I could defy Him.
red sox 777 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:12:29 PM | message detail
I took Starcraft to take second in the final, but....let's look at its competition in 2004.

50% on Halo, 52% on Kingdom Hearts, 50% on Wind Waker, 49% on SSBM.

FFVIII should beat Halo and Kingdom Hearts easily, and probably Wind Waker too, though I'll grant that WW may have been substantially stronger back then than it is now. Of course FFVIII loses to Melee, but that was round 4, after Starcraft had already shocked everyone twice and build up quite a bandwagon. Starcraft vs. FFVIII 1v1, in round 1? Hard to pick against FFVIII there. SC needs to be within range (say 3000 votes tops) to be able to pull its comebacks.
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Link he come to town to win the Gamefaqs Contests.
red sox 777 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:14:42 PM | message detail
Xenogears and the format should suffice to allow SC to win though. I won't be too concerned it it takes second though- so did L-Block after all.
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Link he come to town to win the Gamefaqs Contests.
trannyscience | Posted 4/24/2009 6:16:56 PM | message detail
it's tough to say anything conclusively about Starcraft. this match is important just to see it five years later.

man, it doesn't feel like five years.
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xyzzy
http://i42.tinypic.com/2vbwhn4.jpg
charmander6000 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:26:45 PM | message detail
Match XIX: Final Fantasy VIII vs. Soul Calibur vs. Starcraft vs. Xenogears

Information:

Name: Final Fantasy VIII
Year: 1999
System: PS
2004 Performance: Did not enter

Name: Soul Calibur
Year: 1999
System: DC
2004 Performance: 49.40% against Kingdom Hearts

Name: Starcraft
Year: 1998
System: PC
2004 Performance: 50.17% against Halo, 53.57% against Kingdom Hearts, 50.10% against LoZ: The Wind Waker, 49.73% against Super Smash Bros. Melee

Name: Xenogears
Year: 1998
System: PS
2004 Performance: 57.95% against Pokemon Gold/Silver/Crystal, 19.97% against Final Fantasy VII

Analysis

Thirteen games returned from the infamous 128-bit division, the most out of any division though according to release dates three of them ended up in this division while the other ten fight it out in the next. It’s been five years, but only now may we begin to pick up the pieces and try to figure out what really happened. Also our final major snub makes its first appearance; will it flourish like Pokemon RBY and Super Mario Bros. or will it fall like Majora’s Mask?

I believe that like Secret of Mana Xenogears was SFF by Final Fantasy VII in the previous contest and had some strength. However these past five years have been unkind to Xenogears so while it may have been stronger back then we will never know how strong it truly was. Also Xenogears is unlucky again getting another Final Fantasy opponent so expect another beating putting the game in last.

Soul Calibur was the game that exposed Kingdom Hearts as the 2004’s biggest bust. It took until the ASV before Kingdom Hearts was able to defeat it. After ranking in the top 15 (though 8th in the division) people began to think that Soul Calibur was a powerful force, especially since Soul Calibur II was supposed to be a stronger game. Well a series contest and three character contests later Soul Calibur hasn’t been able to capture that strength it showed in 2004 leaving people to believe that it may be overrated. Starcraft/Kingdom Hearts probably had the least amount of rallying out of Starcraft’s matches which overinflated Kingdom Hearts and Soul Calibur’s position in the rankings; this is also true for Halo and Wind Waker’s four-pack. Soul Calibur not hanging with Starcraft will be the final nail in this long debate opening the debates for next division.

I’ve said all I’ve wanted to say about Starcraft’s performance in 2004, but that still leaves us with the question of how well it is going to do. Rallying is much easier to do here than one vs. one and battle.net is still as active as ever. Are fans just as rabid at rallying their game? This match is going to set the pace for Diablo II and World of Warcraft so Starcraft failing here could spell out the doom for the other two games.

Final Fantasy VIII and Majora’s Mask are often compared as the odd ball of the series and after watching Majora’s Mask every Final Fantasy VIII should be a bit worried. However a major difference between the two games was that Final Fantasy VIII was released in the middle of the Playstation’s life while Majora’s Mask was released near the end and like Final Fantasy IX couldn’t have garnered enough fans. Still for Final Fantasy VIII to fail to advance would require a major flopping.

I’m not too sure what to expect out of this match, all that I know is this match could very well set the pace for the entire contest. Of course if Starcraft is running unopposed rallying may be dropped to a minimum so we may not see the true potential of Blizzard rallying.

charmander6000’s Bracket: Starcraft > Final Fantasy VIII

charmander6000’s Prediction: Starcraft – 36.53%, Final Fantasy VIII – 30.63%, Soul Calibur – 21.32%, Xenogears – 11.52%

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Board 8 BOP: http://www.freewebs.com/charmander6000/BGE2%20BOP.xls
BGE2 - Today's Match: MGS > FFT Points: 51/68
charmander6000 | Posted 4/24/2009 6:30:39 PM | message detail
Since 3pm Pokemon has gone from 44.2% to 46.4%, quite impressive.
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Board 8 BOP: http://www.freewebs.com/charmander6000/BGE2%20BOP.xls
BGE2 - Today's Match: MGS > FFT Points: 51/68
creativename | Posted 4/24/2009 6:47:12 PM | message detail
From what I've seen, most of the FFVIII > Starcraft talk deals with Round 2, and obviously, Half-Life will have to be there.

I think FF8 should be a meager favorite in the 1st round. Almost a toss-up match tomorrow. Ranges are wide though - Starcraft is fairly unpredictable, Soul Calibur has a large range, Xenogears could be decent or utter crap, and FF8 is new.

The match might be tight or the winner might win comfortably. Hard to say.
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creativename | Posted 4/24/2009 6:48:55 PM | message detail
Starcraft – 36.53%, Final Fantasy VIII – 30.63%,

I'd be surprised if FF8 lost that badly though.

Unless you think pretty much all of Xenogears votes would go to it, which I guess isn't that unreasonable.
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Save_Us.RAT
BREAK THE BLOCK DOWN
Tohoya | Posted 4/24/2009 7:05:46 PM | message detail
FFVIII should beat Halo and Kingdom Hearts easily, and probably Wind Waker too, though I'll grant that WW may have been substantially stronger back then than it is now. Of course FFVIII loses to Melee, but that was round 4, after Starcraft had already shocked everyone twice and build up quite a bandwagon. Starcraft vs. FFVIII 1v1, in round 1? Hard to pick against FFVIII there. SC needs to be within range (say 3000 votes tops) to be able to pull its comebacks.

Rallying is exponentially more effective in 4-way contests.
red sox 777 | Posted 4/24/2009 7:42:56 PM | message detail
Exponentially? If SC and the other game are getting around 25%, it'd only be twice as effective. But yes, that, bandwagoning, and OOT/LTTP LFF is why I took Starcraft for second in the final.
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Link he come to town to win the Gamefaqs Contests.
M_e_g_a_6_4 | Posted 4/24/2009 7:43:15 PM | message detail
Dammit, I'm gonna pass out before I reach this bleeding match.

Probably for the best that I be unconscious while FF8 is in advancing position. Maybe I'll luck out and choke to death on my own vomit.

I can't believe I still type this well when I'm drunk.
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transience | Posted 4/24/2009 7:44:33 PM | message detail
SC's saving grace is that it gets to follow OOT everywhere. that makes its path goddamn easy if it can survive rounds 2 and 3.
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xyzzy
Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 7:49:13 PM | message detail
Division 5: Round 1 - Match 19 – Final Fantasy VIII vs. Soul Calibur vs. Starcraft vs. Xenogears

Moltar’s Analysis

FF8
2004 Results: N/A

Only FF8 character we’ve seen is Squall. Does the rest of the game stand up?

Soul Calibur
2004 Results: Lost in Round 1 against Kingdom Hearts

Needs the power of the Soul Edge to advance here.

Starcraft
2004 Results: Won in Round 1 against Halo
Won in Round 2 against Kingdom Hearts
Won in Round 3 against Zelda: Wind Waker
Lost in Round 4 against Super Smash Bros. Melee

The dark horse of 2004.

Xenogears
2004 Results: Won in Round 1 against Pokemon G/S
Lost in Round 2 against Final Fantasy VII

Going by today’s results, Xenogears is about equal with MGS!

Well this is a weird match. Instead of people looking at it thinking who’s going to be stronger, it’s turned into who’s going to bomb. FF8 and Starcraft both have reasons to be overrated, but which is going to come out ahead here?

Before I answer that, let’s look at the other two games. Xenogears got an impressive (considering SFF) 20% against FF7 back in 2004. Secret of Mana did something similar against CT, and performed really well in its match. The competition here is tougher here, so I don’t expect Xenogears to pull in a quarter of the vote. Plus, FF8’s presence doesn’t do it any favors either.

Soul Calibur was very overrated in 2004. It nearly beat Kingdom Hearts in R1, and then it’s behind Starcraft. Since then it hasn’t really done anything impressive. It’ll probably end up around Xenogears or a bit higher. It does have an outside shot at second if either FF8 or SC flop.

So between FF8 and Starcraft, the latter looks better to take first here. If you really believe in its 2004 run, the choice should be obvious as that would easily make it a Top 10 game on the site. FF8, while it should be strong, is in the shadow of FF7. It has its fans and it has its haters.

The problem with Starcraft is that no one really believes in its 2004 run anymore. Barely beating Halo, which was hated and anti-voted back then, isn’t impressive. Beating the original KH, which definitely wasn’t as strong as it is today, isn’t impressive. Beating Wind Waker, which was also hated, isn’t impressive. Coming close to SSB:M because of MASS CARRIERS isn’t impressive. Now throw in about 50000 more voters and SC isn’t looking too hot.

The format does help it out though. If it can muster up a consistent 30% through fans and rallies, it can go far. The format also helps out its opponent, FF8, which does have a tight fanbase that will vote it over anything.

With Xenogears and Soul Calibur bound to pull in decent percentages, this is battle of who isn’t going to bomb between FF8 and Starcraft. Starcraft has more reasons to disappoint, but it also has more fuel if this match is even remotely close. FF8 also has Xenogears holding it down, which I think is being overlooked a bit. Yeah yeah, I know SFF hasn’t been working out the way a lot of people thought it would in this contest, but Xenogears has proved it has a fanbase, and did that against FF7 of all games.

Moltar’s Bracket Says: Starcraft > FF8

Moltar’s Prediction is: Starcraft: 33% - FF8: 30% - Soul Calibur: 20% - Xenogears: 17%



Heroic Mario’s Analysis



Lopen’s Analysis

So you've got the unknown in FFVIII, a Xenogears that might look good after what we've seen from GS (not a chance), and Soul Calibur that went neck and neck with the game that lost to Starcraft a few years ago. By 2004 standards, this match could be interesting... I don't think it will be, though. Soul Calibur can't recapture the magic it showed against KH five years ago, and Xenogears will probably be pretty weak, even though The Fitness Guru Fong Wong looked better than fodder last contest.
Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 7:49:50 PM | message detail
Anyway, the real interesting part to me, in this match, is Starcraft. You may or may not know, but I have this badboy going pretty far. I think Starcraft has all of the X-Factors going into this contest-- a devoted fanbase, an independent fanbase, rally potential, and even bandwagon potential. The game never fell below 49.74% last time. Pretty rad, right? The game's just popular... this isn't like World of Warcraft where we're asking for rallies to raise a game from fodder status. This is the real deal... real strength, all the other stuff is just gravy.

Unfortunately, this match isn't going to tell us a thing about Starcraft's strength unless it totally flops. It could blow out this pack in epic fashion and we'll basically just think “FFVIII flopped” or it could get knocked down to second place, and I still wouldn't rule it out to keep going far because I think its fanbase will be more static than most others. I'm banking on the blowout here, though, mostly because FFVIII has always seemed the black sheep of FF that has a few crazy fans, and while that makes it perform well in the multi-way polls it makes it pretty weak in normal polls where it can't even get the full support of its core fanbase behind it. Before you scream “Squall omg omg” realize that before KH the guy only got like 35% on Snake. And also realize he's the only redeeming feature of that game. Okay, Zell is okay too, and maybe Sei-- no weakness! Prepare for fatality!

FFVIII is primed for failure, and I shall enjoy watching it die.

Lopen's prediction:
KOREAN RUSH KEKEKE – 40.02%
RUINED IN DISC 3 – 26.02%
Soul Calibur – 20.02%
RUINED IN DISC 2 – 13.94%



Transience’s Analysis

Starcraft is overrated trash.

It is the original bandwagon pick. Starcraft had a perfect storm in 2004 - an anti-vote magnet in Halo, Disney crap in round 2, Celda in round 3. Then, as the bandwagon picked up and Starcraft hype reached deafening levels, Starcraft increased in strength throughout the contest. Starcraft did this in a contest with 60% of the votes that we get today. Starcraft is five years older and is unlikely to repeat what it did again. In a format completely conducive to Starcraft -- The List -- it couldn't even pull off a top 15 spot. People have been overrating this game for years.

And yet, it's somehow not the most overrated game in this match -- that would be Final Fantasy VIII.

FF8 has always been assumed to be strong, and I believe that it would have been in 2004. I don't believe that time has been kind to it, though. FF6 put up a relative egg, losing updates regularly to a low-tier Zelda game. FFT is currently getting smashed by a game that it 50/50'd 2004 and a game that lost to Xenogears. (FFT has excuses, but let's face it - this is not a flattering performance.)

I think FF8 has kind of faded from the public consciousness. When I hear people talk about Final Fantasy, they talk about 6, 7 and 10. 8 and 9 have their fans, but they're not numerous -- hell, I hear more about 9 than I do 8 these days. The argument in favour of FF8 is Squall, but he's completely a different case - Kingdom Hearts means a ton to him. I've never believed Squall was a top 10 guy based primarily on FF8. Hell, I'd probably take KH over FF8 indirectly.

And then there's the whole anti-fanbase thing. FF8 is just not a uniformly loved FF title. For a series that's supposedly reliant on franchise voting, FF8 will be the exception. I can see FF8 fans voting for FF9, but I'm not sure if FF9 fans would do the same for FF8. Maybe I'm speaking out of bias - I don't like this game, after all - but I don't feel like FF8 has the full-fledged support of the Square fanbase. It's got its diehards, there's no doubt about that. But I think it'd need a bigger fanbase than that to beat Starcraft.
Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 7:50:30 PM | message detail
I haven't even mentioned my darling Xenogears. Yeah, fanbase overlap hasn't been that big this contest, but this is different. Xenogears's fanbase is *hardcore* and will not abandon it for one second. Not for FF8. The fact that Xenogears got 20% despite it being Xenogears's absolute worst match is pretty impressive, especially when you consider MGS only got 28%. Without Xenogears I might go for FF8 > Starcraft, but with it I've gotta go with the damn Blizzard game.

vote Xenogears vote
Xenogears vote Xenogears
vote Xenogears please

transience's prediction:

Starcraft - 34%
Final Fantasy VIII - 32%
Soul Calibur - 21%
Xenogears - 13%



Leon’s Analysis

Final Fantasy VIII: It’s hard to get a good read on Final Fantasy VIII on poll data alone because you can only find a few polls with it that aren’t a Final Fantasy series poll, and they’re all super old. The game did very well on The List, ranking in the top 20 and behind only the FF games you’d expect it to (FFVII, FFVI, and FFX). It even outdid StarCraft by two spots! Before the contest, I was thinking that FFVIII couldn’t beat StarCraft and may even be in danger of failing to place due to Xenogears’s presence, but after seeing how little LFF has seemed to affect results, I’m changing my mind here and going against my bracket! What’s this? Leonhart making a biased argument for Final Fantasy VIII?! Shocking! But hey, if I’m right, it’ll pay off! StarCraft is very overrated, and I think people are going to be expecting way too much of it this time around. Again, there’s not much logical reason for taking FFVIII because there’s not much data on the game, but I think the FF name and the fact that the PS generation are the most played and known games in the series will help it since it gets both franchise votes and more genuine fan votes than earlier FF games. I understand the game still gets a lot of hate, but it does have plenty of fans who love it. It is definitely strong enough to beat StarCraft on its own, but can it handle Xenogears? I think so!

Soulcalibur: This game surprised a lot of people back in 2004 when it not only nearly beat Kingdom Hearts, but it was the bracket favorite! The series got ripped apart by Metal Gear in the Series Contest and finished behind even Fire Emblem, which ain’t good. Soul Calibur IV also did pretty poorly in the 2008 GOTY poll, only getting 6.48% there. It seems that the 2005 site shift didn’t fare too well for the series. I think the game still has a small shot at second place due to FFVIII/Xenogears potential LFF, but I’m not expecting it. Plus, isn’t this game a Dreamcast exclusive? That can’t be good the longer it’s been since the system’s demise, though I don’t know if it really amounts to too much in the grand scheme of things.

StarCraft: StarCraft is basically the Gonzaga of this contest. It was the Cinderella story of the first Games Contest, making a run to the Elite Eight before being ousted by Super Smash Bros. Melee, but now it’s not going to take anyone by surprise. In fact, people are going to be overestimating it and expecting it to go super deep. And Gonzaga has never lived up to its expectations or up to the glory of their first contest appearance, though they always show up to the big dance. I think it’ll be the same for StarCraft. I think people are expecting too much out of it, and I don’t like depending on outside sources/illegal means for victory anyway, which people seem to be doing with this game. It may win due to that, but I don’t depend on it when I make my picks. It may even be strong enough to beat FFVIII on its own, especially with Xenogears there, but we’ll see.
M_e_g_a_6_4 | Posted 4/24/2009 7:50:57 PM | message detail
molty
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Master Moltar | Posted 4/24/2009 7:50:58 PM | message detail
Xenogears: After seeing Secret of Mana do so well, I’m thinking maybe Xenogears hasn’t really aged that poorly either! After all, the game is more recent and was released during Square’s peak years, when the company was most popular. It did defeat Pokemon without much problem back in 2004, and 20% on FFVII isn’t that bad considering that was the worst possible opponent it could’ve gotten. The game doesn’t have much of a chance to advance because it’s just not strong enough, but it may not do as poorly as some think.

Leonhart’s Vote: Easiest vote in the contest so far, Final Fantasy VIII!

Leonhart’s Prediction:

Final Fantasy VIII – 33.48%
Soul Calibur – 17.11%
StarCraft – 32.11%
Xenogears – 17.30%



Ed Bellis’s Analysis

Final Fantasy VIII. As Majora’s Mask was the biggest wildcard of the Zelda series, so is FF8 the biggest wildcard of the Final Fantasy series. Some estimates have pegged it as being as strong as 10 (HA) or as weak as 1 (HA); as usual, its strength will probably fall somewhere in the middle of those. The major question is whether or not it will be strong enough to defeat Starcraft. My take on this is WELL YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE WRITEUP WON’T YOU

Soul Calibur. Remember when this game almost beat Kingdom Hearts? I do. Remember when that was relevant? I don’t. Soul Calibur is a likely contender for last here, solely because the other games are out of its league; this is probably the first poll where all the games are decently strong.

Starcraft. And here we come to the first of Blizzard’s Terrible Three. In 2004 Starcraft shocked damn near everybody by pulling off one of the greatest Cinderella sprints in contest history. Now, faced with even tougher opposition, will it have the strength to move on? I say “probably,” at least for Round One – I don’t have nearly as much faith in FF8 as others do.

Xenogears. I really hate generational seeding, because it means that Xenogears gets wasted again. It’s probably really strong, but who knows? (Though watch it beat FF8…)

So yeah, Starcraft preps up its first victim for its second Cinderella run. This one won’t be nearly as successful (there is an OoT in the way), but it should be good regardless.

Prediction: kekekeke
Final Fantasy VIII with 31..00%
Soul Calibur with 10.46%
Starcraft with 37.83%
Xenogears with 20.71%



Guest’s Analysis - The Real Truth

Hey I actually get to do another one of these. I picked this match for a reason. FF8, Starcraft and Xenogears are all top games for me. I haven't had much experience with the first Soul Calibur, but I played SC2 a decent amount. It's really a shame that Xenogears isn't going to win a match, when it's such an amazing piece of work.

I'm not even going to look at past stats.

People are taking Starcraft to place first here, but I don't think it happens. It stands out for sure, but FF8 should do rather well and I'm expecting it to SFF Xenogears badly. There's a chance that Soul Calibur could actually beat out Xenogears for 3rd place here.

Starcraft may very well take first place, but I don't think it happens. Even though Fei did respectably in the character batttle and Xenogears beat Pokemon in the first contest, I think the votes it would receive here are all going to FF8.

I'd really love to see FF8 push 50% in this match if at all possible, even if it's at the expense of Xenogears. Although Starcraft 2 is on the horizon. What really happens will be a surprise no matter what, I'm sure.

Final Fantasy VIII - 44%
Starcraft - 35%
Soul Calibur - 11%
Xenogears - 10%

I'm sure I'm going too low with Starcraft, but that's just me hoping FFVIII looks awesome.



Crew Consensus: Leon and our Guest have FF8 > Starcraft, but the majority has Starcraft beating FF8.
Mumei | Posted 4/24/2009 7:58:30 PM | message detail
HM didn't send in an analysis? His predicted percentages a few days ago were FFVIII 35 / SCraft 30 / SCalibur 20 / Xenogears 15. for what it's worth.

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KamikazePotato | Posted 4/24/2009 8:03:10 PM | message detail
Wow, tranny. Your writeup is pretty much everything I feel about this match, word for word.

Gonna vote Xenogears now, just because.

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KamikazePotato | Posted 4/24/2009 8:08:03 PM | message detail
Also, I'm seeing people talking about a possible Starcraft Cinderella Run V2, but why would it? The only reason it got a V1 was because it beat some disliked opponents that everyone thought it would lose to. Now that the bar has been raised, I doubt people would be that surprised or care if SC won a few matches.

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