Assignment 15- Jasir Rahman- Smash (Bros.) or Pass

I love Super Smash Brothers.  Conceptually, it is the perfect franchise.  Fans of all sorts of games can come together and revel in the fact that they can play as their favorite characters in gaming history.  It has engaging, yet simple gameplay, fantastic and endearing visuals, and is a blast any way you play. 

I am geeked by the competitive side of Smash Brothers.  Personally, I really didn't know that there was a competitive scene until the release of Smash Bros. Ultimate.  My prior knowledge of the Smash Bros. series came from my cousins, with whom I spent hours playing when they visited our house when I was little.  Ultimately, Smash Bros. fell into obscurity over time.  One day many years later, I saw a video on YouTube of Grand Finals of Smash Bros. Ultimate at EVO in 2018, the biggest tournament for many competitive fighting games.  I was enthralled as I watched characters move in ways I had never seen them move before, as I watched sick combos that I could never even imagine be executed before my very eyes.  I wanted in.  As soon as I got the game, I began to learn competitive jargon such as "tech-chase", "edge guard", and "whiff punish."  Practicing in the lab allowed me to learn to string together multiple moves to recreate some of those crazy combos I saw on YouTube.  I loved every minute I played. 

I think I'm alright at the game, but I know I have so much to learn.  That is why Smash Bros. is so great.  It is easily accessible to those who don't understand the nuances of the game and is an absolute blast regardless of your skill level.  I am intrigued by the little things that competitive players do that make them the best and want to emulate them so I can dominate my opponents.  It geeks me out.