JuniorMints: Alright, the people would like to know just a little bit of who you are? Your gamer handle and where you are from?
BrettH123: My name is Brett Harbach. On SRK my name is 'ShinRaven' and on Xbox Live my name is 'Romneto.'
I'm from Chicago originally, but I honed my Marvel skills in NYC. Queens is the borough I rep
JuniorMints: East Coast represent! Ha
BrettH123: yeah man the realest coast
JuniorMints: As far as MvC2 is concerned, how long have you been playing competitively??
BrettH123: OK cool. My first tournament was the Chinatown Fair (NYC) 'Lockdown' tournament in late 2001. So I have been actively involved for 8 years. I have been in more console tourneys at peoples houses than arcade tourneys, but those are very competitive too.
JuniorMints: Wow that's a long time for playing MvC2! So you're pretty much a OG in MvC2 then
BrettH123: Yeah you could say that, ha ha.
JuniorMints How was your first tournament like? What did you place?
BrettH123: I'm glad you asked. My first tournament was an eye opening experience. To give some back story, up to that point (late 2001) I was playing only in my local area. I was the definition of the big fish in a small pond. Owning everybody and thinking I was a true beast. Back then the best I could manage with magneto was basic air combo into Hyper Grav xx Tempest. My Charlie was OK, but definitely not the Higher Charlie that he is today (lol,) so yeah back to the tournament. I will never forget when I first saw someone do the Iron man infinite into Proton Cannon. I got mad amped and just couldn't get enough of the competitive Marvel atmosphere. There was so much that players were doing that I couldn't understand, it was completely new to me. A really unique and great learning experience. So I was matched up vs none other than Arturo Sanchez (also from Queens.)
BrettH123: He chose Strider/Doom (and some third character that didn't even have to do anything.) I had never even heard of the legendary Strider/Doom trap and the tourney was called 'Lockdown' so it should be noted that this was before "Rushdown" became the predominant play style in MvC2. Back in 2000-2001 trap teams were running the show, so there were a lot of Spiral/Cable/Sent And Blackheart variants. Even Storm/Cable/Doom type teams! But yeah, Arturo owned me free using Strider/Doom. I was using Charlie/Spiderman/Psylocke. Team Old School Brett represent!!!! Well I tried to, but just got shut down by Arturo.
JuniorMints: Old school (lol)
BrettH123: Arturo was cool though (even though it was free!) , he shook my hand and said good game. I didn't play in losers bracket because I had to wait about 3 hours for my first match, and my friend's parents were getting pissed. It was an amazing experience though. Realized the many levels of skills in competitive Marvel. I started to scratch surface of the depth of the game.
JuniorMints: From there, after that match what did you do to become the player you are today?
BrettH123: Wow, tough question, but smart question. I did a lot , a heck of a lot! Hours and hours of training room sessions. I definitely didn't have much of a social life in High School. The Rom Infinite became my bible (and I'm not even religious), For several years I would play Marvel anywhere from 6-8 hours daily. I would literally lose myself in the game
JuniorMints:That dedication on at Higher level!
BrettH123: Yeah I was very focused in those foundation years. I started watching videos online, talking to players, really becoming a student of the game. Soaking in as much knowledge (both practical and technical) as I possibly could. I saw the videos and wanting to improve. I wanted to focus on a character that could demolish a team in the blink of an eye. That insane combo/offensive potential is why Magneto became my favorite character. The way I see it, he is the most dangerous, deadly, and exciting character in fighting game history. Nobody is ****** with Magnus!
JuniorMints: OK, after you became a student of the game and rose to that higher level of play what was your first major tournament victory and what was the best placing you achieved at a major tournament?
BrettH123: Well I'd say the rising to a higher level of play was a gradual process. There was a time when I started doing more advanced combos, but it took much longer to be able to improve my strategies so I could be in better position to land those combos.
I have not had great success at major tourneys. The farthest I've advanced is second or third round. However, since I mostly attended console tournaments, I have had some solid showings there. Way back i n 2004 I had a tournament at my house with about 8 or 9 players, and I placed 2ND. The grand finals were between me and Nelson (NY player), really close, some tight matches. I have had some exciting wins at other console tournaments, but never really was dominant. Its tough to advance far in tournaments when you play in NYC, that's the best of the best right there.
JuniorMints: Speaking of the community, EC is extremely dominant in MvC2. Especially Philly and NYC. If there was one word to describe the scene what would it be?
BrettH123: One word, wow that's tough The word is, 'intensity.' NYC and Philly players are mad hungry. Shout-out to Florida too. Mixup is a true beast. Mixup was my inspiration to get better with Magneto
JuniorMints: When you arrived on the scene, what were your initial thoughts on the players?
BrettH123: You mean the top players? Or just players in general?
JuniorMints: Just the community and the players in general. Like was the scene really chill like here on the west coast, or players were out for blood. No respect, unless you earned it.
BrettH123: OK I got you. I'd say it was a mix of that intensity I mentioned before, and chill atmosphere. Chinatown Fair aka the Best and the only arcade in NYC was always intense and you really had to prove yourself to get respect. Like I said I would regularly go to console tournaments and Marvel sessions. Those were more relaxed. You didn't have to wait long, or pay, and it was mainly with people you were cool with. Less pressure, more just having fun with friends. I still wanted to win, and so did they but there's something about the difference between sitting down at someones home and standing in a crowded loud arcade, totally changes the dynamics between people. I found people for the most part to be pretty cool. I'd strike up talks with random Marvel players, and if they seemed like interesting people then I might become friends with them. If not, then its just whatever. I definitely have met some of my best friends through MvC2 experiences. That's a really cool thing.
JuniorMints: Alright lets fast forward to the MvC2 scene now as a whole, what are your thoughts on the scene now since it has been about 10 years into the scene?
BrettH123: Well it has certainly gone through a lot of changes. A lot more of a focus on Money Matches. Hey it definitely brings hype and intensity to the scene and that's good stuff. I myself don't really get into money matches often. The only negative aspect of the MMs is the hate it can bring. There was that whole drama with Dark Prince and some other players. It made for some funny videos and all that, but to me Marvel was never about people outright verbally shitting on each other and threatening real life violence. I really dig the fact that players are still discovering new techniques and combos. Also, since Marvel has gone online that is a whole new frontier for the game.It's really exciting, and I like to think of online Marvel as a totally separate game. Even though it has the same characters, same combos, it plays differently enough so that it feels like a different game. There are some things you can count on in the Dreamcast version whereas online they wont work and vice-versa. The transition to online is really brilliant because it allows players across the world to battle and communicate with each other simultaneously.
JuniorMints: Yeah i was just about to ask you about the whole MvC2 XBL/PSN compared to Dreamcast, which to many is considered the best arcade port.
BrettH123: Oh yeah how could I forget. The addition of custom colors and music. It really brought new life to the game, gave players the ability to make MvC2 a personal creation. I myself have made almost 30 custom music marvels and about 10 color mixes! But yeah, the Dreamcast is the definitive port of the game, nothing can or will beat it. However, I gotta give respect to the newer version on 360/PS3 because they have the superior online interface. There are some random flaws with both new versions, but they are still very playable.
JuniorMints: I have noticed that in your MvC2 Online videos you have been playing some very good competition, are these players you are playing OG's like yourself?
BrettH123: Yes, and I'm glad you asked. Every now and then I play against Josh 360, and he has been beasting at the game for ages. I play vs Mixup sometimes too. I have learned a lot about the game from watching his matches and from discussing strategies with him. I like playing online because there is such a broad range of skill levels. When you meet some people that are near or above your level you can just friend them and get in some great sessions.
JuniorMints: Yeah I understand exactly what you mean by that. Since the release of MvC2 online do you think it is too late for players that are just getting into the scene?
BrettH123: No way man! It's never too late to get into Marvel. There is a monstrous learning curve for people wanting to catch the intermediate to advanced players. But hey, you gotta start somewhere and it helps to just think of it as a gradual learning process. There was a time several years ago when even Justin Wong was getting owned in MvC2. I think one problem that new players have is that they want to reach the highest levels of play without being dedicated. That kind of mentality is only going to hold them back from reaching their true potential.
JuniorMints: Good stuff! So as far as the community and where it is now with MvC2 Online being out, what is it that your do to contribute to the community?
BrettH123: I maintain a Youtube account that is almost 100% focused on MvC2 matches and combo clips. I regularly scan through MvC2 videos on Youtube and have found that I am uploading more MvC2 Online match videos than anyone right now. I've been the leader in that field for about two months. In total I have nearly 1500 MvC2 videos on my Youtube. Most are of the DC version, but I have a solid 500+ MvC2 Online videos (And growing.) Also, I made a blog with my friend Pedro aka 'Epyonx' (shout-out to Pedro!) here: http://longislandmvc2.blogspot.com/. He came up with the idea that there should be a blog for the Long Island MvC2 scene. As it turns out we post a variety of content. Everything from standard tourney videos, to a rundown and explanation of how to set up GGPO (an online fighting applet), to a comparison of the PS3 and 360 version of MvC2 online. It's really useful and exciting to have another outlet to get the videos out there. The blog format is quite versatile and offers more freedom than Youtube, it's a great combo.
JuniorMints: Awesome stuff with the blog!
JuniorMints: What do you think MvC2 will be like 5 years from now? Where do you see yourself in the scene as well?
BrettH123: you are really giving me some great questions here. Hmm 5 years from now...I'd say people will still be actively playing online and there will still be console tourneys across the nation and across the world. As for me, I'm sure I will be creating content (forever haha), and it's tough to say exactly what that content will be. It's probably going to be more awesome match videos, along with some concept videos. You know, combo stuff and maybe I will even have completed "Project Tempest" by then (lol.) I imagine most of my close friends who are big into Marvel will still be playing it 5 years from now. Nobody ever really quit Marvel...you just go away from it sometimes. The only people who ever quite Marvel, were never true Marvel players to begin with.
JuniorMints: Wow that's real talk right there. When are we going to see another cheap meals video?
BrettH123: Ah aha that's good shit. Well I'm gonna let the people out there know. That I am currently working on the Outtakes video for Cheap Ass Meals v.2, it's gonna be freaking hilarious. Oh man , I'm about 20% through editing it and it's already a riot! As for volume 3, well I gotta keep the food secret for now. I plan on recording it in January or February of next year. Also, I am going to do a director's commentary for volume 1 and 2, so look out for that.
JuniorMints: Alright, any final thoughts?
Brett123: Yeah, just want to say that MvC2 is the best fighting game of all time, and nothing is gonna top it. I've had a great time these past 9 years, going to tourneys, meeting new people, losing some crazy matches, making some insane comebacks, and really going out there and enjoying my life. The best thing is when you meet someone because you both like to play Marvel, and then you find there is more depth to that person so you end up talking about other stuff and expanding that friendship beyond the borders of the game. Shout-out to the best Magneto player to ever live: Michael Mixon aka Mixup! Also gotta give mad respect to the Japanese player 'Rom' who discovered the Rom infinite. That dude is the truth. Can't forget my good friend, Pedro. Big ups to him for thinking up the idea of a regional Marvel blog. Also for really doing whatever he could to inspire me to create new content and keep the blog interesting. Good stuff.
JuniorMints: Thanks for answering all these questions and enlightening me on the MvC2 scene!
Brett123: Hey man I am honored to be interviewed for AllisFighter! Thanks for the opportunity, and for asking such great questions