Two weekends ago I covered and attended this month's New York City Tekken local as a part of the ongoing Tekken World Tour, the final year for Tekken 7. While I was unsuccessful in making a significant placement, the event was still an essential moment in my own self-discovery. I figured I'd ask myself the question "Why stop there?" and decided to take a cross-state visit to the city of 'Sisterly Love', Philadelphia.
If you're not from the tri-state area or the Northeastern United States in general, the thought of going a few states over to attend a bi-weekly tournament may sound like a daunting task. Fortunately, it was equal parts "daunting" as well as a straight dash from New York City. I've had longer trips going to places within the State outside of NYC than to Philly.
A two-hour bus ride later and I was dropped off on Market and 8th, right in the heart of Downtown Philadelphia. It was over a year ago from this date that Next Level had their first "Five-A-Side," a city vs city tournament exhibition. While the score is currently tied 1-1 after Philly surmounted a comeback, this event, in particular, is Philly's own, much like how the NYC Tekken monthlies are our thing. With the release of Street Fighter 6, it was one of the first locals to feature the new fighting game within its rotation.
Titled The Gulag, these tournaments are held every two weeks at Local Host Philly off on Broad St, hosted by Iron Phist Philly. While I have passed through Philadelphia several times, usually to get to South Jersey, this was the first time I've been at an event exclusively within the city limits. The city itself is more akin to "New York" than what I'd give Boston credit for. Wonderful people, confusing city to find your way around as I'd find out during my stay for PAX East. Thank the architects for following a proper grid system for the inner city. Regardless, I boarded the 4 O'Clock bus and arrived fifteen minutes before seven despite backed-up traffic along the Turnpike.
This was a trip that was a long time coming for me as I had promised one of the Philly tournament organizers that I would visit, dating as far back as PAX East. When we covered the event, I wanted to take a magnifying glass and put focus on the Boston fighting game community. The biggest weekend in Boston was the perfect time to feature Balance Patch as the variety of games and the sheer volume of gamers turned what would have been a regular local into a "mini-Regional" tournament in terms of numbers. New York wasn't the only city that came out, but also some specks of Philly were there too, more specifically the "TO" I mentioned, Phatboi.
Philadelphia had always shown New York love as far as the Tekken scene goes. Every month, there's at least a handful who make the effort to visit. I wanted to show that same love but I went by myself as it was more of a "personal side quest" of my own growth. Not just as a player, but as a person. You begin to really appreciate life when you enter unknown territory and get out of your comfort zone yet still feel the love amongst peers. Notable players that I've played against in both Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 7 were Reckless, Blitz, and Asar to come to mind. However, pillars including the aforementioned Phatboi, Sir Afronomical, and Ovaltine are but one of many who help keep Philly and the surrounding township as a threat.
As a New York player, I tend to underestimate just how massive this city is and I hail from Brooklyn, a borough that is big enough to be split into two cities. When I mention I'm from "New York," I always preface it with "Brooklyn" because even within the city it depends on where you are from that carries a lot of weight. A perfect example is the annual Red Bull Subway Showdown series, pitting a team captain representing each borough and leading a team of prominent players representing said location. iDom, one of the best Street Fighter 5 players during its tenure, may represent New York, but he's a different beast when representing Queens.
We take these like badges of honor and come together to form New York much like how each of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are all their individual animal until they form into a Megazord. With other cities, there are just the individual animals representing their sole city although there may be those from "Outskirts, PA" or "Somewhere, NJ." If I'm coming from "Brooklyn, NY" and I enter "Philadelphia, PA," then for the next few hours I am now a Philly resident. Vice versa for anyone else who may come to our home. I used to think everyone in the FGC was a part of their own group but we're all just one big family after all.
Players in the Philly, South Jersey, and New York areas should definitely check out Local Host if you hadn't already. Getting from New York to Philly may sound far, but it's a quick two-hour bus ride. I've been to places in the city, again, that took longer to get to than Philly and if you've traveled from Brooklyn to like, Bayside Queens, you'd know what I mean. Tekken 7 hype may have mellowed in favor of Street Fighter 6 and the upcoming Tekken 8 beta, but so long as there are games to be played, people will come out to be among found family. I know I most certainly have. As always, thank you for showing this girl some love.