SoulSeverSmile: Raysoul's Blog: October 2008

Last Sunday, the Anicon 2008 event was held at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 3. This is my first time to enter a Anime related convention. Me and my friend Hero(Mario)are the only ones from my friends in SM Fairview that are able to attend the event. But what makes me interested in going on this convention is the PinoyXbox's Soul Calibur 4 tournament. I haven't played SC4 since the event so I don't expect to win (So I'll rely on what I'ved read from the Internet and from my experience on playing Soul Calibur 3).

When we finally got there, there were so many cosplayers on the entrance of Megatrade Hall 3. My friend's hype got up. This is also his first time to enter this kind of event. At the entrance, we were given a free Yakult and a free HighStreet5 CD Installer with a poster (HighStreet5 is a new online dancing-socializing game). The next thing that got to my mind is the PinoyXbox booth so we searched for it. Luckily, the event area is small so we didn't have a hard time finding it. They made a good effort bringing those consoles and big LCDs. We saw a crowded place on a part of the booth, and there was the Soul Calibur 4 game. We got there and we were suprised that our friend, Dennis, was there (One of the best Sc3 players). Luckily the tournament hasn't started yet, what we saw is only free play. Unluckily, the registration is over. But the organizers told us not to go because we might allow to enter the tourney if some of the players don't show up.

While the tournament has not yet started, we practice playing Sc4. Unluckily, my first game is a mess. I played with a great player named Jemecats. I have no match for his Hilde. I was just trying to learn the new moves and mechanics of Sc4. I also played with Coke, one of the best Cassandra users. After some time, I played with my friend Hero so we got a chance to learn the game. Unluckily again, The rollcall for the players started. Luckily again, many players didn't show up, so we got the chance to enter the tournament. I entered the tournament as "Litton Raysoul". My friends said "WTF is that name?? Pwedeng namang Raysoul nalang." There were 24 players on the tournament. Minutes later, tension builded as the tournament starts.

The Round 1 Single Eliminations started. It was best of 5 rounds. I was on the 11th bracket so I got the chance to watch who are the players which I should be careful. One of them is Jemecats. There is also Don Regis, a good Talim player. There are some mashers on the tournament, but who cares. I used Nightmare because most of his moves from SC3 retain. I also know some of that the new Nightmare can do based on what I'ved read on the Internet. My first match is with a Sophitia user, which luckily, is not that quite skilled (At least not a button masher and knows how to play). My friend Hero, also advances to the second round.

The Round 2 Single Eliminations. Unluckily, my next match is my friend Hero. He said he'll do his best in our match. What happened is he used Ivy, which is it is his first time to use. I lost my guard on some rounds because I was too confident on defeating his Ivy, but still won the match. Some joked "Niluto yung laban nila!! Magkaibigan eh!!" After the Second Round Eliminations, there were six who advances to the Semi-finals, namely Coke (Rey), Don Regis, Red Ollero, Jemecats, Dennis, and me. Since there were six remaining players, the organizers changed the rules. The match is best of 5 rounds, but the player with least losses will automatically be seated on the Finals and the remaining two will fight for the next seat to the finals.

The Semi-Finals started. The first match, Coke vs Don, is won by Coke 3-1. The next match, Red vs Jemecats, is won by Jemecats 3-1. The next match is the critical match of the semis, me vs Dennis. That time, the only thing in my mind is give my best to defeat Dennis, not knowing that if I won 3-0, I would be seated on the finals, and if I won 3-2, I would be eliminated. So neither of us shall lose by 2 rounds. I was so nervous because I remembered Dennis having a good match against Jemecats before the tournament. I still used Nightmare and Dennis used Sophitia. The battle is full of tension. What I did was a miracle, I used most of Nightmare soul charge set-ups and frametraps, that made me won the match 3-0, giving me the guaranteed seat for the finals. That would guarantee me the 2nd place. I was very happy and contented for what I'ved reached considering it is my first time to play SC4. The deciding match for the finals, Coke (Rey) vs Jemecats is next. The rules is best of 3 matches, and they cannot change their characters. I want to see this match because the winner will be my match for finals. These two are very great players from what I'ved saw. The match is good but Coke defeated Jemecats 2-0. Jemecats is the 3rd placer, and the finals would be me vs Coke.

The Finals. All eyes are on us. I know I don't have a chance against Coke, but still I'ved gived my best on our game. The rules are best of 5 matches, players cannot change the characters. I chose Nightmare and Coke chooses Cassandra, and yes it is a bad matchup in terms of tiering. Our game was fun, no pressure. I enjoyed it because I know I'm not gonna win because of the lack of experience. There was a time I accidentally pressed the start button and Coke joked "disqualified na yan" and I replied "Warning palang!!" and we continue in our game. Coke won 3-1 making him the champion.

We were suprised that there will be an awarding ceremony on the stage. When I asked what are the prices, they said the 2nd placer will have a "Too Human" Xbox 360 Game. The problem is I don't have a Xbox 360 console. But I said that's okay, I'll just sell it or keep it as a remembrance. When the organizers are on the stage, they really enjoyed the tournament and said, "Pag nakita nyo yung tatlong ito sa Arcade, wag nyo lalabanan kasi ang gagaling talaga nila." They even pronounced my name as Sitton Raysoul.

Here is the recap of the tournament results.

After that we continue to play Sc4 on the PinoyXbox Booth. Me and Hero walked around the venue and took pictures with the cosplayers, and returning to the Xbox booth when we want to play Sc4. All in all, the day was great and we are hoping to go to another event like this.

Here are the picture we've taken on the event. Credits to the PinoyXbox Community for some of the pictures. Watch out for more pictures soon. :)