Street Fighter Club takes over Brooklyn dive in underground fight night

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 27th 2008 at 11:00AM }

The first rule of Street Fighter Club is: you do not talk about Street Fighter Club.

In spite of that ominous rule, we have no choice but to talk about Capcom's incredibly well-orchestrated community event last Friday night. It's rare to see a games company reach out to the fans with early access to its most anticipated games. It's even rarer to see a games company conduct a PR event in a location like this: a converted bodega in the middle of Brooklyn.

We were told that some of the higher-ups at Capcom were uncomfortable with the location, and for good reason too. The neighborhood wasn't "safe" nor "clean," being one of the few neighborhoods in NYC that hasn't been hit by rapidly spreading gentrification. Guys in suits would never come here. And that's exactly what this event was about: reaching out to real fans (who, as you know, don't wear suits).

It took some time, but the 300+ fans waiting outside eventually made their way in. Should we have been surprised that it actually looked like a functional store inside? There were items scattered around, appearing to be on sale. Upon closer inspection, the labels showed off some puns that would've made Ludwig proud. The "Sonic Broom?" One, please.

After the "initiation process," we were escorted into the back area of the bodega, converted into a nightclub of sorts. There, a few Xbox 360 systems with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix were almost able to lure people away from the free pizza and soda further down the hall. Almost. Getting a slice required tactics from another Capcom game: Dead Rising.

Pizza and SSFIITHDR were cool, but the main event awaited fans downstairs, in the slightly dark, slightly damp basement. Here, fans were crowding around Street Fighter IV, trying to prove their dominance. Unfortunately, many ambitions were shot down by a terrifyingly skilled Sakura player.

While a small handful of media appeared from other outlets, it was clear this event was for the fans. While waiting in line to enter, I got to hear genuine excitement from the people around me -- a refreshing change from the group of jaded video game journalists that would usually attend these kind of events. Friday night proved to us that, unlike most other gaming companies, Capcom actually deserves the love its fans show them.

[Images via Capcom-unity]

Tags: capcom, street-fighter, street-fighter-4, street-fighter-club, street-fighter-iv

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Willieche @ Oct 27th 2008 11:06AM

I would have so gone to this! What email list do I have to sign up for to know about these things?

KingOfGods @ Oct 27th 2008 11:06AM

Same here...Whens the nest event?

Andrew Yoon @ Oct 27th 2008 11:16AM

Here's a link for y'all:
http://sfc.streetfighter.com/

codemule @ Oct 27th 2008 11:35AM

You have to be a member of Capcom's community site, www.capcom-unity.com in order to find out about these events.

vectorelement @ Oct 27th 2008 11:38AM

More importantly, why didn't Joystiq tell us New Yorkers about it??

Metal Geario 360 @ Oct 27th 2008 11:44AM

SF4 has been in chinatown ("The Arcade") for quite sometime, if no one knows. Only problem is the system there for the crowds, you have to sign up to play, then after 5 wins ( if you do ) you have to forefit game, for someone else to get on. Havent been there in a while but im sure its still crowded with the DDR kids, and SF Elite.

vectorelement @ Oct 27th 2008 12:01PM

A few buddies of mine have been there, but they never mentioned signing up to play. I've only been to that arcade once; I hope they still have Marvel vs Capcom 2.

Metal Geario 360 @ Oct 27th 2008 1:03PM

Ahh they might be done with it, the signing up, that is.
When it first was there there was a huge line like it was a club or something, so im guessing it died down.

Superstar90 @ Oct 27th 2008 11:45AM

That's cool, I love going to events like these only when there aren't any cosplayers or annoying journalists (no offence Joystiq).

Obie @ Oct 27th 2008 11:53AM

First rule of Street Fighter club...YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT STREET FIGHTER CLUB!

Nigeria @ Oct 27th 2008 11:56AM

I'm still waiting for a SF machine to hit London.

Nice snark, Yoon.

benatlastexit @ Oct 27th 2008 12:32PM

Since when is Bushwick not gentrified? It is probably the 2nd most gentrified neighborhood in NYC, next to Williams-bourge.

Other than that, this sounds awesome...

Sam @ Oct 27th 2008 12:47PM

Park Slope? Greenpoint? DUMBO?

acme @ Oct 27th 2008 12:41PM

My friend went to this event. He said the Sakura player was Jason Wong. And there was no food to be found when he got in, lol

Ghaleon @ Oct 27th 2008 1:08PM

uh probably Justin Wong -- he plays everybody

acme @ Oct 27th 2008 3:42PM

yeaa tats the guy

metrokard @ Oct 27th 2008 1:19PM

how the hell did they get street fighter 4 for ps3?

Jimiisama @ Oct 27th 2008 2:10PM

Probably because they're the company that makes the game.

M @ Oct 27th 2008 1:27PM

Wow that sounds like it was a lot of fun. Props to Capcom!

jay @ Oct 27th 2008 1:30PM

anyone know the cross-streets where this took place? location in the picture looks familliar...

carg0 @ Oct 27th 2008 1:47PM

yea and where's that same "love" for the million+ fans of Dead Rising who still can't even get a straight answer as to whether or not a sequel is even happening?

if that's your definition of "love" then...uh...no thanks.

jorojoserojas @ Oct 27th 2008 4:05PM

Sometimes, love hurts.

bodega-dude @ Oct 27th 2008 2:04PM

The Bodega is a music and art venue on Broadway and Dodworth in Brooklyn.

emirabal @ Oct 27th 2008 2:14PM

Yeah, even though i didnt get to go to the event mad props to Capcom. Bigups.

Jimiisama @ Oct 27th 2008 2:14PM

NYC? I wouldn't play a Street Fighter game if I lived in the same city as Justin Wong, lol. It's just asking to have 0 chance at a tourney; not that I have a lot of chance anyway--I've been through my share of first round embarrassments.