We've got you covered

Tomorrow will see the return of one of the fighting game genre's strangest and most esoteric characters, as the mysterious, and surprisingly tragic, Bedman? makes their grand return to the roster of Guilty Gear Strive �And to get fans into their PJs and prepped for slumberland, publisher Arc System Works has released a new Starter Guide, reintroducing fans to this bizarre combatant.

The original Bedman seemingly perished at the climax of Guilty Gear Xrd �Revelator, but not before having the foresight to ensure that their personality had been programm?ed into the bed itself, essentially allowing the sickly Gear to live on after death. And so, both guided by and protective of his loving sister Delilah, Bedman? returns to the GG ring. The bed itself is looking a little worse for wear, but is no less the formidable opponent, equipped with an array of attacks and weaponry capable of ensuring the siblings' existence �At least in som??e form or other...

It has to be said that Bedman? is looking to be a particularly complex member of the GG Strive roster, requiring masterful use of both timing and positioning, as well as full understanding of their non-standard hit/hurtbox �even by Guilty Gear standards. Bedman's set play is based arou??nd launching specials, either at range or in melee, and then effectively spacing out a range of automatic follow-up attacks, which can themselves be delayed by?? the player or cancelled entirely by the opponent.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4PXpsqQrSA&ab_channel=ar?csystemworks

Bedman's projectile, Call 4BA, dash attack, Call 4B3, and brutal knockdown attack, Call 4B9, are among the attacks that put Bedman in Error 6E State, resulting in one of several follow-up attacks a second or two later. The masterful Bedman? player will not only learn to effectively use these attacks to close distance and overwhelm their opponent, but will also need to effectively learn how best to manage the follow-up attack?s, and the timing between their activation and det??onation, to keep the opponent locked down and anxious to counter.

This is not to speak of Call 13C, a Tension-based move that powers up Bedman's range of attacks and can cause an auto Area Shift in the corner. Bedman? looks to most assuredly be an expert tier character, and one that essentially "directs" the fight, once in the hands of a player who truly understands the timing of their skills. It should also be noted that the Bedman? design is excellent, and the addition of the nervy-but-loving Delilah is another one of those touches that truly sets GG apart from its contemporaries.

Bedman? is available to purchase tomorrow, April 6, in Guilty Gear Strive as part of the Season 2 pass. As a quick refresher, here are the links to the previous Guilty Gear Strive starter guides for May & Axl Low, Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske, Chip Zanuff & Potemkin, Faust, Millia Rage, Zato-1, Ramlethal, Leo Whitefang, Nagoriyuki, Giovanna, Anji Mito, I-no, Goldlewis Dickinson, Jack-O Valentine, Happy Chaos, Testament, Bridget, and finally Sin Kiske.

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Why, Why, Why, Delilah?

During this weekend's ARC World Tour festivities, developer Arc System Works took the time to reveal the next character headed to its gorgeous flagship fighter Guilty Gear Strive, and you best put on your PJs and s??ay your prayers, as we're witnessing the return of former series antagonist, Bedman?

While the original Bedman met his end at the climax of previous release Guilty Gear Xrd - Revelator, the ca??nny science lad has preprogrammed his psyche as an A.I. within the mechanized bed itself. And thus, piloted by his loving sister Delilah, Bedman is able to return to the ring under the amusing Pseudonym of Bedman? �which you should always pronounce in the form of a question for maximum fun effect.

//w?ww.youtube.com/watch?v=79fZGkcI4Yc&ab_channel=arcsystemworks

The bed itself has clearly seen better years, weathered with cracks and battle damage,?? but young Delilah seems to be maturing into a young woman, although one with the weight of the world, literally, on her back. It seems, from this short trailer, that Bedman? will operate independently of its sibling, who nervously follows it into battle, confused and unsure of her or her "brother's" destiny. It makes for an interesting character design, and one that, much like previous Bed...uhhh...Men, will be a confusing oppone??nt with a somewhat vague hit/hurtbox.

I really like the design of both the Bed and Delilah herself however, I'm happy to see the Goths well-represented in the GG universe. Bedman? will join the battle on April 6, as the third character for Season Pass 2 �following Bridget and Sin Kiske. A fourth and final character will arrive in May. Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox.

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Kept you waitin' huh?

One of the most chaotic and dynamic fighters of the current age, Guilty Gear Strive, is now ready to rock o??n Xbox and PC (Microsoft Store) platforms,?? following on from its initial 2021 release on PlayStation and Steam.

Arc System Works' dazzling anime fighter can be purchased in standard digital form for around $40 USD from the Microsoft Store or downloaded via paid subscription service Xbox Game Pass. For those who wish to get fully up to speed, then an "Ultimate Edition", complete with Season Pass 1 & 2 as? well as a fistful of special character colors, is available to purchase for a loftier $80. So if you want to play as post-release DLC characters such as Bridget, Goldlewis Dickinson, Happy Chaos, Baiken, or my main squeeze Testament, that's the version to bag.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LN2?XLp81_Ao&ab_channel=arcsystemworks

Guilty Gear Strive is an effort by ArcSys to wind back the intricacies of the uber-deep fighter, hoping to wedge open the door a little for series newcomers. While this direction has admittedly met with some pushback from the long-time GG community, it can't be denied that Strive is the most approachable GG title in some years, and is the release to grab for anyone on the fence about this fine fighting series. For the old-schoolers, the excellent Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 recently got updated netcode on Steam, so there's a GG out there and ?ready to ro??ck for all y'all. C'mon, let's be pals.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on P????layStation, PC, Xbox, and Xbox Game Pass. Check it out.

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Hey Yo, (yo)

Guilty Gear Strive superstar Bridget is the latest beloved gaming character to join Good Smile Co's "Pop Up Parade" range of affordable figurines. The yo-yo swingin?g scrapper is available to pre-order now at Good Sm??ile Co. and other anime-lovin' toy stores.

Produced by legendary merch-makers Max Factory, Pop Up Parade Bridget stands a little under seven inches in height and is rocking her modernized Guilty Gear Strive look �standing in a cute 'n' coy pose with her "Tricky Spinner" in han??d. Like her Pop Up brethren, Bridget is a static figurine with zero points of articulation or any accompanying accessories, but that doesn't mean that she isn't sporting som??e fine detail and great, vivid coloring.

If you want to pick up a Bridget for your bookshelf, then you can pre-order her now from the official Good Smile Co. website or whichever anime/gaming merchand?iser is your turf. Bridget retails for around ¥5,500, (roughly $40 USD), not including any shipping or potential customs charges. She is exp?ected to come rolling into your world later this summer.

Since Bridget made her Guilty Gear return, our girl has become pretty popular on the merchandise market, with this adorable plush doll, also from Good Smile Co., and this devastatingly expensive replica of her iconic bullet yo-yo. Additionally, Bridget has featured highly in the realm of fan art projects, such as this cute PS1-style animation. She's most certainly ??on her wa?y to becoming one of the franchise's most recognizable characters.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC?? platforms. An Xbox port will arri?ve this spring.

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Heaven (the items) or Hell (your wallet)

Trendy Japanese label SuperGroupies has teamed up with publisher Arc System Works to release a new line of apparel based on slick 'n' sexy fighter Guilty Gear Strive. The Guilty Gear gear is availab??le to pre-order now ahead of its eventual rele??????????????????????????ase in the summer and fall seasons.

Regarding apparel, SuperGroupies has unveiled a slick model jacket, based on GG Strive poster boy Sol Badguy. The slim-fitting jacket (available in sizes M - XXL) is outfitted in black and red and is subtly embroidered with Sol's insignia. The front pocket features the phrase "Fight Fire with Fire" and the jacket is labeled as if designed by "RIOT" �the top fashion label within the Guilty Gear universe. The Sol Badguy Model Jacket retails for $220 USD and is expected to ?ship in late-July.

In addition to the jacket, a selection of four backpacks and tote bags are also available to pre-order, based on characters Sol Badguy, Ky Kiske, Ramlethal Valentine, and May. Each bag features a design unique to each characte??r, along with instantly identifiable color schemes for the knuckle-dusting heroes. Ky K??iske's example is a hand-held tote bag, while Ram, May, and Sol each get backpacks. The bags retail for $170 each, and all four are expected to launch in August.

Rounding out the collection is a fine collection of wristwatches, once again representing Sol Badguy, Ky Kiske, Ramlethal Valentine, and May. Each watch face features a distinct design based on the respective character �so a regal look for Ky, a nautical theme for May, and so on. Each watch features three sub-dials, a real leather strap, as well as mottos and insignias that represent the chosen character. I'm heartbroken that there isn't one fo??r my main squeeze Testament, but they're all pretty stylish. Each watch retails for $220 and is expected to ship in September.

Ad??ditionally, there are bundles available for matching character watch/bag combos.

You can check out the full range on the SuperGroupies website. Pre-orders for all items will close on March 5. Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStat???ion and PC, with Xbox to follow this spring.

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Extremely good

Good Smile Company has some more Guilty Gear on the way, and this time, it's all about Bridget. A new plush of Bridget, the yo-yo wielding fighter who made her re-entrance in Guilty Gear Strive not too long ago, is on the way.

The Bridget plush specifically highlights her Guilty Gear Strive appearance, down to blue hood and handcuff belt. The plush will go on sale first in Japan, but the Good Smile U.S. shop has pre-orders open. The plush will run $40.99 and is expected to start rolling out for Canada and t?he U.S. in August 2023.

/?/twitter.com/GoodSmile_US/sta??tus/1622429897695137792

The Bridget plu??sh itself is 7.87 inches in height, made of polyester, and is super rad. So if you want to spotlight your main or just have a cute plush of a character you dig, it seems like a solid way to check that box.

Doll fighter

Bridget has been in the Guilty Gear series for quite a while, but made her return to the modern roster last year in Guilty Gear Strive . A major part of her storyline was coming to terms ??with her upbringing and identity, eventually affirming her own sense of self. And somehow, Goldlewis Dickinson plays a role in it.

It's a heartwarming story, and that popularity ties in well with her yo-yo-flinging arsenal of moves and Strive's ??absolutely incredible style. So whether you're a new Bridget main or a longtime fan, now you've got a pretty decent merch option to clip ??onto your bag before the next Evo rolls around.

Guilty Gear Strive is gearing up for another year of content, with an Xbox launch on the way. A cross-platform beta just took place too, so hopefully this means the online pool will be even larger as the year goes on. It's looking like there's still plenty of Strive on its way.

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Let's boost those community numbers!

Arc System Works has announced that it will be holding a new beta for its dazzling fighter Guilty Gear Strive in February �Not only will this weekend trial be used to test the title's upcoming cross-platform functionality, but it will also give Xbox owners their first taste of GG Strive's wild, colorful fighting action.

The beta, which takes place between Friday, February 3 and Monday, February ?6, will take place on PlayStation, PC, and both Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S platforms. The beta will feature all 22 characters, including DLC warriors, and a varie??ty of modes including Tutorial, Survival, Mission Mode, Combo Maker, Gallery Vs. COM, and Vs. Online. That's a heck of a lot of free content.

Best of all, the trial is open to all players on all platforms, regardless of whether they have purchased Guilty Gear Strive or otherwise. So, if you've been on the fence or wondering what all the fuss is about, then the beta weekend will? absolutely provide you with your best opportunity to jump into battle with a massive range of characters and modes. Additionally, PlayStation and Xbox users can battle it out online even without a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold sub. Not too shabby!

We'll be sure to give a heads-up when the Guilty Gear Strive beta application is available for download, so k?eep your eyes glued to the good ship Destructoid.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms. The Xbox por?t will launch in spring.

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Hey Yo (Yo)

Damn, it looks like the era of BRIDGET is set to continue �Not only has the Guilty Gear star made her GG Strive debut, appeared in some fun fan projects, AND received her own, real-life Bullet Yo-Yo, but merch maker Spiritale has now ??revealed a prototype wicked-looking figurine, currently in production.

The prototype captures Brisket in all of her glory, posed exactly as she is in her Guilty Gear Strive splash art. Rocking her big ol' shoes �Bullet Yo-Yo in one hand and haunted companion Roger in the either, our girl looks set and ready to embark upon her next Bridgetquest. The fixed-pose figurine looks very similar in quality and design to Kotobukiya's "Bishoujo" range, though Bridget is also sporting a nicely detailed base as she c??omes kick-kicking her way into the next battle.

//twitter.com/Spiritale_shop/statu?s/1613453295808569345?s=20&t=YPDS_v7VvYZruEFEXsxmHg

Unfortunately, Spiratale has not revealed a price nor a release window for the Bridget figurine. For whatever it's worth, Spiratale's typical character figurines tend to stand at a 1/7 scale and usually run around the $200-$300 dollar mark. So the more har?dcore fans among you might have to start saving up the pennies. To be clear, this price is pure speculation on my part, merely based on the company's previous releases. We'll be sure to give you a heads-up when Bridget is ready for pre-order.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms. An Xbox port arrives this spring.

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Well, that escalated...

Do you know who has tons of fans? Me? Well, you're very kind but no, I'm kinda lonely... Erm... Anyway, the answer I was looking for was Guilty Gear yo-yo spinner, Bridget, as demonstrated by the huge amount of fan art, cosplay, and other prjects dedicated to the young lassie online. Case in point: This wonderful fan animation, produced by the su?per-talented artist/animator ??Liz Caingcoy.

The 45-second short sees our gal making the most of a bright and sunny afternoon, taking to the streets with her yo-yo and plush companion, Roger, in tow. It's a pretty delightful affair, and who could possibly expect things to get surprisingly... out of hand. The animation is masterfully created out of te??xtured wirefo?rms, which were designed and built within the software package Autodesk Maya. This gives the short its curious and highly recognizable "'90s PlayStation Cutscene" vibe.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiwbfME8g-o

If you take a look at some of Caingcoy's tweets, you can see the Bridget model in its raw form, which spotlights the authentic textures applied to  Bridget in order to perfectly replicate her Guilty Gear Strive style. Be sure to check out some of Caingcoy's animations over on her YouTube channel, and he??y, if you're a developer in need ??of an animator, it's worth noting that she's currently looking for work.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on Pl?ayStation and PC platforms.

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Update 1.24 brings balance tweaks and bug stomps

Developer Arc System Works has released a new update for its gorgeous anime fighter Guilty Gear Strive, bringing with it balance tweaks, bug fixes and, most notable of all, crossplay? support between console and P??C editions of the game.

Players on PS4, PS5, and PC can now all step into the? ring against one another, as well as converge in lobbies, spectate each other's matches and replays, view player profiles, and even check out the delightfully dioramic "?Digital Figure" creations of their brethren. Additionally, PlayStation and PC players can also share the extremely useful "Combo Maker" mode with each other, helping all players to grow their pugilistic potential on all platforms.

The meat-and-potatoes of the update �at least for competitive players �lies in a litany of balances tweaks made to Strive's cast of characters, as well as smaller adjustments to mechanics such as the Tension Gauge, proximity striking, and overall damage scaling. It seems that the rebalance as a whole has been more about "everybody coming up" rather than higher-tier characters "going down". You can check out the changes to your favorite gear over on the official blog.

On a technical front, Update 1.24 also brings with it a lit?any of tweaks and adjustments across the board, from U.I. and menu issues, to audio fixes, and the stomping of a variety of bugs that would crop up in online situations. A new "Report" feature has also been added, allowing players to call out toxic behavior via another player's "R-Code" (profile). Players can also now choose to both mute and block troublemakers, which should help to keep the locker room ??a little more cheerful.

Adding crossplay to Guilty Gear Strive will only help to prolong the life of the title into 2023 and beyond. This action widens the player pool and offers up the opportunity for greater battle experience across the board. It is assumed that the incoming Xbox port of Strive (scheduled to launch in spring 2023), will only bring more players into the fold, ensuring that the top-tier fighter will continue to hold its own against incoming releases such as Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC pl??atforms.

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Mid-range. Midriff.

With the arrival of a new Guilty Gear Strive combatant, we see the return of Arc System Works' super-handy Starter Guide series, giving us the ins and outs of the new fighter in ??order to get players up and running �And this time around, it is the turn of ass-kicking offspring Sin Kiske!

Sin Kiske, as his name denotes, is the son of Guilty Gear's rega??l poster boy Ky Kiske, his mother being the ethereal Half-Gear, Dizzy. As such, Sin has inherited her Gear blood, bolstering the fighting abilities handed down by his father. As a relatively young man of great spirit, Sin is far more happy-go-lucky than his parents, boasting a somewhat cocky attitude and untamed personality. But his heart is just and true, and he remains a stalwart defender of the good and righteous, operating alongside Sol Badguy as a bounty hunter-in-training.

Sin would make his playable debut as a DLC character for 2014's Guilty Gear Xrd –SIGN�

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk6jRE1dgfI

Brandishing a flag as hi?s unique weapon of choice, Sin Kiske is the master of mid-range, able to frustrate his opponent with just-out-of reach pokes and defensive strikes, while antagonizing with his two main gimmicks: Stamina, and Gazelle Step. Sin's Stamina gauge offers him numerous follow-ups on a variety of his attacks, allowing him to spend a bar of stamina to turn fished specials into lengthy and damaging combos. In addition, he can spend a bar of stamina on Gazelle Step, essentially a dash cancel out from his various mid-range strikes, closing the distance with fearsome speed.

This Stamina play forms the core of Sin's battle plan, allowing him to frustrate with mid-pokes, then convert into Gazelle Step combos, or extended specials, at the cost of stamina. This meter houses three blocks for the round �though it seemingly rebuilds after cooldown. Additionally, the guide shows Sin Kiske taking a break to eat some tasty grub. While it isn't clearly stated, performing this action may increase the speed at which stamina rebuilds. Sin's super, R.T.L., sees the lad lunge forward with and in??vincible strike, before launching into one of several follow-ups, dependent on player choice.

Sin Kiske is available to purchase tomorrow, November 24 in Guilty Gear Strive as part of the Season 2 pass. As a quick refresher, here are the links to the previous Guilty Gear Strive starter guides for May & Axl Low, Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske, Chip Zanuff & Potemkin, Faust, Millia Rage, Zato-1, Ramlethal, Leo Whitefang, Nagoriyuki, Giovanna, Anji Mito, I-no, Goldlewis Dickinson, Jack-O Valentine, Happy Chaos, Testament, and finally Bridget.

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Sin brings a flag and some meat to the party

A familiar face is returning to Guilty Gear with a fresh look. Sin Kiske is the next fighter to join the Guilty Gear Strive roster as part of its Season 2 pass, arriving on November 2??4.

Sin, the son of Guilty Gear mainstay Ky Kiske and Dizzy, shows up here as the "ever-growing wild boy." He's? still wielding his flag weapon. And yes, he can still pull out?? a hunk of meat to chow down on, mid-match.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQoNLBJ0xSc

The younger Kiske also makes mention of his mom, lending more fuel to the fire that we might see Dizzy alongside Sin Kiske in Guilty Gear Strive. As for gameplay, IGN had a special presentation revealing the new trailer, as well as some gameplay demonstration of Sin Kiske and how he's changed for Strive.

He's got a special bar, a stamina bar, rather t?han his hunger meter. He seems to have some interesting potential in his follow-ups using this gauge, as well as a buff he can pick up from chowing down on some grub mid-fight.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfsw4BwiNI

The fight continues

At the end of the Sin trailer, we also get confirmation that two more fighters are due out in 2023 as part of Season 2. It looks like the content roadmap shown off earlier this year is holding up.

Crossplay is also hopefully getting officially integrated soon, as its held some beta tests already. Considering an Xbox release is set for next spring, that will be of i?nterest to the ne?w platform's players.

As for the last remaining fighters? Well, Slayer seems to be a much-requested addition, and Dizzy getting mentioned in the trailer plants some speculation. I've really liked the original characters so far too, though, so I hope there's at least one more newcomer in the pipeline for Strive.

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Rockin' All Over the World

Sharpen your scythes, brighten your blades, and paint your toenails, as Arc System Works has announced a date for its crossplay open beta for stylish slapfest Guilty Gear Strive �The beta will take place on PlayStation and PC platforms, worldwide, on the weekend of Octo?ber 14 to October 17.

During this time, players on PS4, PS5, and PC will be able to duke it out amongst themselves, will ArcSys gathers data, stress-tests servers, and attempts to identify and eradicate issues that arise from putting all GG Strive players into a single pool. This beta will give the developer all of the information it needs to progress its plans to roll out crossplay to Guilty Gear Strive proper at some point in the foreseeable future.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=egDKVZ8QBOQ

The beta will run within its own client, separate from the main GG Strive build, which will be available to download from October 13, ahead of the server's opening times. The beta will be open to all, regardless as to whether you own Guilty Gear Strive or have a PlayStation Plus account. A full roster of 21 characters will be available, as will a wide variety of modes including Tutorial, Practice, Survival, various Online and CPU Vs. options, and even the very fun diorama builder, Figure Mode. No player data from the beta will be carried over into your main GG Strive account, so you wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts!

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on PlayStation and PC platforms. It will launch on Xbox platforms in spring 2023. In related news, rollback netcode is coming to series' predecessor Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2.

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Bridget Be Ballin'

Fighting game modders will never cease to amaze us with their talent and ingenuity, always creating lavish costumes, fun crossovers, and other creative concepts for some of the community's most beloved games and characters. Submitted for your approval: This fantastic "Basketball Bridget" mod for Arc System Works' slick anime fighter Guilty Gear Strive.

The new look, meticulously crafted by modder manmadee, sees the happy-go-lucky scrapper trade in her nun-like hoodie and trademark Bullet Yo-Yo for some sweet gym sweats, fingerless gloves, and a meaty B-Ball. She looks adorable as all hell, a??nd is set to tak??e the court by storm, and I pity any luckless opponent who is getting set to take Bridget's basketball straight to the face... I mean, it's happened to us all at least once, right?

Check out this video from GAMETV. (And ??keep an ??eye out for a cameo by the Mod King at 1:10)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpJCoDzxH4s

BY THE BUCKET!

Manmadee's mod comes with several color variants, which include options for eyeglasses, cat ears, and an instantly recognizable purple-and-yellow ensemble, as worn by NBA team L.A. Lakers. Because of the yo-yo's propensity to return to Bridget's hand, it makes her basketball attacks simultaneously believable and also hilariously physics-defying �but that's all part of the fun. I think she looks fantastic, and the new gear is a great way to celebrate her highly publicized arrival to the GG Strive roster.

You can pick up Basketball Bridget, alongside manmadee's other great mods, over at GameBanana.

Guilty Gear Strive is availa??ble now on PlayStation and PC platforms.?? It is coming to Xbox in spring 2023.

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Still my heart is blazing

During this morning's Microsoft Tokyo Game Show live stream, Arc System Works announced that the gorgeous fighting game Guilty Gear Strive is coming to Xbox platforms in spring 2023. In addition, the studio announced that BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle is also coming to Xbox in the same release window.

Guilty Gear Strive is available now on?? PC and PlayStation platforms.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=SljJrY3GczU

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The curse of 0-2 beckons...

VSFighting, perhaps the UK's most prestigious fighting game tournament, will make its grand return this week for the first time in three years. Players from across the UK, Europe, and wider international communities will gather? together once again in a bid to lay claim to bragging rights in some of ??today's (and even some of yesterday's) hottest scrappers.

The annual throwdown, which has run yearly since its inception in 2010, has been on hiatus since 2019 �impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdown rulings. The coming weekend will see the 10th iteration of the tournament, once again hosted by West Midlands FGC Electronic Dojo, retur??n to the Millen?nium Point complex in Birmingham for three days of sweet 'n' salty action.

"For a community that demands face-to-face competitive action, the last two years have been tough, so we're super excited to finally be back," said Electronic Dojo head Justin Xavier. "We're expecting incredible things for the FGC over the next few years and we hope ?to put on an event that signals the start of a great run!"

//twitter.com/electronicdojo/status/1539925847611695105?s=20&t=RegOKDHCG??SEuw2ArBLaX9g

Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive, Bandai Namco's Tekken 7 and Dragon Ball FighterZ, Capcom's Street Fighter V, SNK's The King of Fighters XV, and Nexon's DNF Duel are all on deck as the main games for VSFighting X. In addition to the main roster, various national FGCs will be hosting a series of side tournaments on Capcom classics Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike, Ultra Street Fighter IV, and fighting game tournament mainstay Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

And, if all that wasn't enough, then Bandai Namco's Soulcalibur VI and Sega's Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown will also be in attendance �as well as official demo pods hosting a build of the highly anticipated Street Fighter 6! What a lineup!

//twitter.com/StreetFighter/status?/1551931278378913793?s=20&t=bCx5EIr0dgeXP6bFvq4zYA

VSFighting X will unquestionably be the UK's biggest fighti?ng game gathering in some time, with over 1000 people currently signed up in a competitive or casual capacity. Fortunately, Millennium Point is a large, multi-level, spacious venue, so ??attendees should hopefully be well accommodated without the environment getting a little too close for comfort. This is sure to be a stellar weekend for Europe's fighting game community.

Of course, I will be in attendance, ensuring that someb?ody, somewhere, gets a free ride up the bracket.

VSFighting X takes place August 19-21 at Millennium Point, Birmingham. For more details on the event, including pass prices and travel information, visit the official VSFX website.

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One more round for Street Fighter V

Without hyperbole, it's sa??fe to say that Evo 2022 was a huge success �perhaps one of the greatest editions of the Evolution Championship Series ever, in fact. Returning in a physical capacity for the first time in years, fighting game fans were treated to hund?reds of exciting matchups, some quality presentation, a fistful of exciting reveals, updates, and announcements, and some amazing in-ring action.

And the good times are set to continue, as it has been officially announced that Evo will be returning not only to western shores in 2023, but also in the east, as Evo Japan makes its own grand stage return next spring. The Japanese iteration of the event will take place at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, Tokyo, for the weekend of March 31 �April 2. While a full card is yet to be announced, Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive, SNK's The King of Fighters XV, Bandai Namco's Tekken 7, and Capcom's Street Fighter V: Champion Edition are all confirmed to be in attendance.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9I0GG0UR-k

The appearance of SFV on the main card is something of a curiosity, given that Capcom is looking at a spring 2023 release for its successor, Street Fighter 6. The Industry's Chris Moyse is still betting on a February release, but one would imagine that such a launch date (March at the latest) would be just a tad too late to see the new fighter headline the Evo Japan card. Still, it's quite clear that Capcom will want SF6 out in plenty of time to qualify for ?next year's Evo USA, so the predicted date still stands.

Evo Japan will return in March 2023. Be sure to check out all of the fighting game headlines from the past weekend over in our round-up guide right here.

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Now get to Slashin'

Input lag �even in 2022, it continues to be a frustrating thorn in the sides of online fighting game players. And, ironica??lly, while the ninth generation of gaming is well underway, it appears that Sony's shiny new PlayStation 5 ??platform tends to exacerbate the issue, rather than repair it.

Case in point: Arc System Works' Guilty Gear Strive, which currently suffers from an est?imated 4.5 frames of input lag on PS5 when compared to its sibling PS4, whi?ch only suffers from around 2.5 frames. Input lag is an inevitability in almost all fighting games, but the lower a developer can get the fateful number, the better it is for all players.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GYL5FVpjG4

To that end, ArcSys has released Version 1.21 on both PlayStation and PC platforms, bringing with it a few small bug fixes, optimized con?trols for the Figure Mode and much requested improvements to the server connection time on startup. Specifically for PS5, however, the input includes reoptimized input lag. This should bring the PS5 edition more in line with its PS4 and PC brethren, although ArcSys is tight-lipped on exactly how much faster your chosen fighter will respond to your instructi?ons.

Courtesy of Kimagre Gaming, here are some post-patch results for all ?pla??tforms.

//twitter.com/kimagreGamin??g/status/1556955540001267712?s=20&t=jIt6?z9pG9PRXOEUaWIyCYQ

Guilty Gear Strive is preparing to launch its second season, bringing with it new characters, new stages, a new competitive season, and further updates. The wonderful Bridget is already available today, with more content coming to the title over the coming year. Guilty Gear Strive has already smashed the one million sales mark, and ??hopefully, this popularity will continue across the remainder ??of 2022 and into 2023.

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That's the original Starla

_{[This article contains story spoilers for Guilty Gear Strive.]}

It was a fine surprise for Guilty Gear Strive fans at this weekend's Evo 2022 tournament when Arc System Works not only revealed that returning superstar Bridget would be the first DLC character of the flashy fighter's second season, but also announced that they would be available in less than 24 hours! The developer has released a new entry to its "Starter Guide" series, which hopes to get you walking the dog in no time at al?l.

Bridget's appearance in Guilty Gear Strive?? is a particularly notable one, as it sees the complicated and androgynous character finally "hatch," accepting themselves and their identity for the first time in series history. Offered a (somewhat bizarre) pairing with government agent and all-around conspiracy nut Goldlewis Dickinson, Bridget initially finds herself at a crossroads in her life, before ultimately declaring with great happiness that they are a girl at the climax of their arcade mode. Good for her.

Bridget might be sporting a rad new look, but her barely-controlled yo-yo skills remain the backbone of her fighting ability. Rocking the spinner harder than Treat Williams in The Substitute 2, (there's a reference for nobody), Bridget is such a threat from any distance, able to flick out her weapon at range, or use her diminutive stature to quickly close down the?? distance on ?her opponent in the blink of an eye.

//youtu.be/xs_kL3IaC5U

If that wasn't enough, Bridget can set up her yo-yo as an on-screen trap, offering well-practiced players the opportunity to extend their combos and add juggles to their strings. The yo-yo setup can be recalled at any point, which offers an additional point of concern for the opponent, and can be used to both distract and interrupt their game plan �for newcomers, think Menat's orb in Street Fighter V.

A combination of forward planning ?and spatial awareness, Bridget looks to be something of a ??challenging character to learn, albeit one that will offer a ton of reward once her core mechanics are understood. By combining her send & return yo-yo abilities with her speedy nature, a good Bridget will leave her opponents in a state of distraction, and unable to get their "flow" started. Goddamn. I can't even do "around the world" without smashing in my own orbital socket.

Bridget is available to purchase now in Guilty Gear Strive as part of the Season 2 pass. As a quick refresher, here are the links to the previous Guilty Gear Strive starter guides for May & Axl Low, Sol Badguy and Ky Kiske, Chip Zanuff & Potemkin, Faust, Millia Rage, Zato-1, Ramlethal, Leo Whitefang, Nagoriyuki, Giovanna, Anji Mito, I-no, Goldlewis Dickinson, Jack-O Valentine, Happy Chaos, and Testament.

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Alright for Fighting

It's fair to say that the Evolution Championship Series, more commonly known as "Evo," returned in grand style this weekend. Evo 2022 saw Guilty Gear Strive, Street Fighter V, DNF Duel, Dragon Ball FighterZ, The King of Fighters XV, MultiVersus, and many, many other scrapper?s take to the stage and stream in global fashion, as players from all over the world gathered at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in their respective efforts to lay claim to being The Best of The Best.

And, against the backdrop of this utterly electrifying cacophony of violence, ??the biggest fighting game developers and publishers also took the opportunity to share wit??h their fans exciting news, details, and updates pertaining to their current, upcoming, and (in some cases), former fighting game releases.

And so, for those of you?? who couldn't quite handle the red eyes of staying up until the wee hours of the morning, here's a brief rundown of all of the fighting game news from this year's tournament, which saw a veritable banquet of character reveals, tech upgrades, new releases, and obscure teasers to keep the fists 'n' feet flying well into 2023 and beyond.

//twitter.com/E??VO/status/1556548098335424515?s=20&t=F83Jnv7lbN2zIK-??WF8JZNg

Guilty Gear Strive:

Yo-yo master and all-around cutie-pie Bridget will return today, August 8, as the first season 2 DLC character. The crossplay beta is scheduled for September, with a launch t??entatively planned for late 2022.

Developer Arc System Works is currently looking into reducing both the lengthy load times and the particularly frustrating server connection times on startup. In addition, GG Strive has surpassed the one million sales mark. You can check out the roadmap for season 2 here.

Street Fighter:

Capcom dropped an official reveal for veteran troublemaker Juri and newcomer Kimberly, who are both getting into gear for 2023 release Street Fighter 6. Check out their new trailer right here. We will be? looki??ng at these characters later today.

SNK:

The legendary arcade developer perhaps had the biggest and most exciting bevy of updates for its Evo 2022 presentation. Regarding The King of Fighters XV, SNK confirmed a second season of DLC for 2023, revealing a new team of characters from Samurai Shodown. Speaking of which, it was also revealed that SamSho itself will be receiving a rollback netcode update in spring 2023, which wil?l hopefully?? breathe new life into a great, undersung fighter.

SNK announced that is working on a brand new Fatal Dury/Garou title, but no other info was revealed.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=OocpMVBLxlk

Tekken:

In a somewhat confusingly presented reveal at the end of the Evo 2022 Tekken 7 finals, Bandai Namco announced that the 3D fighter would be receiving a new tournament season in 2023, with a brand new balance update planned for August 17. A teaser, spotlighting a gorgeous new Kazuya Mishima model, seemed to be announcing... something. A lack of concrete confirmation, complete with a very confusing commentator response, has led to muddled community musings on whether this was Tekken 8, a Tekken 1 remaster, or something else entirely.

Dragon Ball FighterZ:

Not a whole lot to report for Arc System Works' brilliant, long-life tag fighter. Fans did not go away empty-handed, however, as it was announced that rollback netcode would be heading to the anime f?ighter in the near future. The update will launch on PC, alongside all-new PS5 and Xbox Series X ports of the game, while PS4 and Xbox One fans should stay t?uned for further announcements.

It was also announced that Lab Coat 21 is definitely the final DBFZ character. In addition, there will be no more balance updates going forward. DBFZ is, in essence, "complete".

Skullgirls: 2nd Encore:

Speaking on long-life fighters, Autumn Games' Skullgirls: 2nd Encore had a marvelous weekend, with lots of eyes on the stylish, enduring 2D fighter. Alongside new footage of the incoming Blach Dahlia, it was revealed that Skullgirls' all-powerful boss character, Marie, will finally be making her grand debut as a playable character on PC?, console, and mobile platforms in 2023.

Melty Blood: Type Lumina:

Following the recent tease of new DLC characters Mash Kyrielight and Neco-Arc, Melty Blood director Kamone Serizawa released a six-minute video offering up further detail and explanation in regards to the Tsukihime fighter's upcoming mechanic changes, bala??nce tweaks, and gameplay overhauls. These include a reworking of the Shield system, as well as changes to Dashes, Moon Drive, and combo mechanics. In addition, the dev team is looking into netcode improvements and an updated Replay function. You can check out the full video below.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef1aXVm8d8Q

MultiVersus:

At Evo 2022, Player First Games revealed a couple of neat tidbits for the upcoming platform fighter, announcing that Ranked Mode will officially launch in the delayed Season One update. In addition, two new DLC costumes were revealed, restyling LeBron and DC Comics hero Robin, and Bugs Bunny in his legendary Valkyrie costume from the award-winning short, What's Opera, Doc?

A rescheduled date for season one remains unanno??unced.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax:

The re-release of Atlus' very flashy anime fighter has received a rollback netcode update. It is available to download right now on PS4 and PC. This will come as a huge relief to P4A fans, as Atlus had previously seemed a little disinterested in t??he idea of implementing the much-vaunted online technology.

//twitter.com/RareBreedMG/status/1555673768533536768??s=20&t=rTSxWFZ9uehgbzxSZo7dBw

Blazing Strike:

AkSys Games' retro-infused 2D fighter Blazing Strike has been hit with an unfortu??nate delay and will no longer meet its previously announced 2022 street date.

"It’s gut-wrenching to admit but Blazing Strike‘s release date has been moved back to spring 2023," tweeted developer RareBreed Makes Games. "However this dela?y will help polish the game to ensure the best game experience pos?sible (maybe with cross-play), so I really hope you guys stick around a little longer."

Blazing Strike will now launch in spring 2023 on PlayStation, PC, and ?Nintendo ??Switch.

Arcade 1UP:

The retro arcade cab developer announced its newest incoming cabinet, which celebrates Capcom's legendary 2000 release Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. The new cab, which will be able to pre-order from Arcade 1Up from September 8, will feature a grand total of ?eight Marvel/Capcom fighters from the '90s and '00s.

Evo Japan will take place in Toky??o from March?? 31-April 2, 2023. Evo will return in summer 2023.

The post Here are ?all of the reveals, headlines, and updates from E??VO 2022 appeared first on Destructoid.