Lunch with Choco Blanka and Momochi

Last week Playworks headed down to Round1.SG’s Battle Medley Singapore. While we were there we got the chance to sit down with two famous Japanese players, Momochi and Choco Blanka to talk about our favourite fighting game and the Singapore fighting community. Here’s a preview of what they had to say.

When and how did you get started with fighting games?

Choco Blanka: I started with Street Fighter IV about 2 years ago in 2008. I went to an arcade with my friends.

Momochi: I started playing seriously with Street Fighter III: 3^rd Strike but I was mostly playing casually before that.

When did you decide to enter the tournament scene?

C: The first tournament I watched was the 2008 Nagoya Street Battle, I didn’t play in the tournament but it looked really fun so I decided to join the next tournament.

M: While playing at my local game centre I started losing less and winning more so I decided it was a good time to test my strength in tournaments.

What do you think of Super Street Fighter IV?

C: I like the large cast of characters, it’s really fun.

M: The balance has been improved in SSFIV. The damage overall has been reduced so there is less chance that accidental mistakes will decide a match. Games are more consistent.

What is your favourite and least liked part of SSFIV?

C: My favourite part is the large cast but at the same time it makes learning all the match ups difficult.

M: I like the large cast and the better online play, there are more people playing online now. I don’t really like the Ultra system. Unlike the Super meter, you are guaranteed to fill up your Ultra meter each round when you get damaged enough. With the Super meter you have to manage how you use it carefully as it carries over to the next round.

Who is the toughest opponent you have faced to date?

C: Momochi, he knows everything I’m going to do.

M: Kindevu.

What do you think of the Street Fighter scene in Singapore?

C: I like how everyone in the Round 1 community works together using their strengths to organize tournaments. I hope that the community continues to hype up events and grow larger.

M: I feel the Singapore community’s skill level is really high. After all, I placed third at the 1v1 tournament while two Singaporeans clinched the first and second place. I think that if players were to visit Japan to play for 1 ? 2 months they would get very strong.

Why did you decide to play Ibuki for the Gods Garden tournament?

M: In Super Battle Opera we’ll be playing use Street Fighter IV so I didn’t want to affect my Akuma by using him in Super Street Fighter IV. I used Makoto in 3^rd Strike but she is too weak in SSFIV so I decided to use Ibuki who is also a 3^rd Strike character.

What do you think of women playing video games? Is it becoming more popular?

C: I think women who play video games are really cool, if a female could reach Daigo’s level I would be very happy. I think that its becoming more popular because Street Fighter IV is easier to play than older versions so beginners can pick it up more easily. In 3^rd Strike it was harder to block and execute commands.

How can video-games be more appealing to women?

C: I think characters are very important. For example I feel that there is a larger group of females playing BlazBlue because there are more handsome and cute characters compared to Street Fighter. I also think the environment is very important. In arcades there are a lot of male players that are very competitive which makes it hard for females to enter. Even if females do manage to get in they will stick out like a sore thumb. In Japan we’re trying to create a female community for gaming so that its easier for women to join.

Do you have any words for your fans in Singapore and around the World?

C: Everyone in Singapore was very kind and skilled at Street Fighter. Let’s get stronger together. I want to come back to Singapore again.

M: Singapore is very clean, the food is great and the players are nice. I want to come back here again. To the world, let’s have fun together.

If you like what you read here be sure to get our August copy of Playworks which includes information on how Choco Blanka and Momochi prepare for tournaments, their advice for beginners and some thoughts on Akuma by Momochi. Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/playworksonline to find out how to win an autographed copy of our magazine.