Analysis: Getting Better at Fighting Games

A look at an age old topic through the lens of pro players, cognitive science, and my first-hand experience teaching absolute beginners.

Follow me on Twitter: @CoreAGaming

BGM in order:
SF3 New Generation - Ibuki Theme
SF3 Third Strike - Makoto Theme
SFA2 Gold - Birdie Theme
SF3 2nd Impact - Ibuki Theme

[RadiationLemon]

"In page 102, Lord Daigo says..."

[MrThuralion]

I've been playing classical guitar for over 10 years and I'm so happy that people draw similarities between it and fighting games because practicing combos and playing etudes truly have the same therapeutic effect.

[sharpshooter]

-buys book- -Gets home and excitedly opens it- -""GIT GUD" written and repeated through all 500 pages-

[CoreAGaming]

Unfortunately the paperback copy of Daigo's book isn't being sold online currently. You have to get it from the man himself usually at events.

[JimGiant]

"Make continued growth your goal rather than winning"

The same is true of real martial arts and I've made huge progress since fully understanding this concept. I like to implement what I call "objective based sparring". Winning in a sparring match becomes a secondary objective and focusing on a particular skill I want to work on such as maintaining solid defence, putting pressure on my opponent or landing a technique I'm weak at becomes the primary goal.

[CyberPunk]

How to get better at fighting games: Don't be like LTG

[Reeepaaa]

have you studied sports/performance psychology? your content is incredible

[rearnessfactorof]

Playing the same character for 11 years. That helps a lot.

[crybirb]

"How to get good at anything"
Could be also a title for this, great video as always man, very motivational.

[SOH]

what has made me get better at fighting games? just the will to play with my friends and do cool things. simple reasons. I've only started playing fighting games 2-3 years ago and it just because my friend put me on Maximilian and watching people compete one on one was so different than my fps mindset. seeing my friend enjoy these games and the reactions of joy or saltiness in the end of a match made me interested. I usually play in 32 player servers and this idea of one on one was other worldly to me. I enjoy getting better, trying to keep up, losing, winning, all these emotions I get from fighting games have really changed my life. I know I've rambled, anyone who actually read this, thanks.

[bzrkr]

I've just started to play SFV, and I'm pretty bad, but watching videos of people pulling crazy combos with the character I use always motivates me to play again

[shaunonsite]

One day in 2009, I played about 40 games of King of Fighters XII.

I loved KOF but I wasn't good at the game. Each loss I got was a lesson in how to actually PLAY the game. It became fun when I got closer and closer to winning.

The more I played, the more things click. I eventually got the win!

I was more impressed with how much better I was getting as opposed to just trying to get that W.

Wins and losses mean nothing in video games. It isn't the end of the world if you lose. Yeah it can be frustrating as hell but if it gets to the point where you're a butthole because of the loss, you gotta step away.

Edit: Damn, I didn't realize I got so many likes 4 years later!

[MrKastle]

you touched on it a little bit and its really answering that question "what makes you want to play?" in other words the motivation. And that becomes so different for so many people but it ultimately leads to the same path of practice. One of the best aspects i love about Esports is you can look at Pro players and just think "I can't do that" but you get the benefit of trying it yourself immediately. I mean a cool play in Football requires a situation pending on 21 other people but games are something we get to try for ourselves straight away and that makes the cycle for motivation way faster than mastering traditional sport.

[Neyanca]

You don’t really loose anything when you loose in fighting games; there are only positive outcomes. You either loose the match/interaction and gain understanding of what doesn’t work and a drive to get better, or win and find out what can work and gain the confidence to keep on improving.

[frogmin]

The scenes with your cat had me cracking up. Very nice analysis.

[mehgamer]

beautiful. I always get excited for your videos. This stuff applies to life as well and goes on a much deeper level than just fighting games.

I wish I could find that book in hardcover format though lol.

[ge]

your videos are brilliant. I feel they are sometimes relevant to life beyond fighting games. they're philosophical and inspiring at times. thanks again for these times.

[keatonramey]

One thing that really helped me get farther in the game I used to play (I moved from Smash 4 to Melee) was always thinking from the perspective of my opponent and then trying to adjust your play as a result of what they're punishing and not. I think its getting super difficult now with melee because there's always so much going on and it gets really overwhelming to think that way, but it really helps in terms of understanding the sort of flow the game you're playing has and how certain characters work. Doing dittos against someone with your main is incredibly helpful with this because when you think that way, you're understanding the punishes (From the perspective of the opponent), and the approaches (From your perspective). Neutral is something that can't be taught really, at least in Melee, because there are always so many options at a given time that everybody's neutral has a certain style and yours develops with experience and knowledge.

[pacific_images]

My psychology mentor showed me this video when it went out. I was maybe 15 yo and now I’m 23 and still watch cause sometimes, you have to get back to the basics. Thanks for this amazing analysis. You made really interesting metaphors and parallels 🤘🏾🌌🙏🏾

[pointlessfailure]

Fuck that. I'll just wait for Capcom to release some paid DLC that makes me win all the matches.