Absolute Guard

Jon and Benny chat with shogberg about his origins as a fighting game player and musician, and what he offers as a mentor to the modern AZ FGC. We also take viewer questions and discuss the future of the show. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Jon and Benny catch up on an up-and-coming player who recently placed 2nd at Phoenix Fan Fusion, AZ_Young02. We also discuss the latest Street Fighter 6 Season 3 patch, and fighting game news with Freezie. Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Jon and Benny continue their march to 100 episodes, 6 months into 2025. This time, we break from tradition and away from fighting games to talk about our favorite JRPG (and possibly game) of the year, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We're joined by Jess, Mary, and Mike as we discuss the impact of the game on ourselves, and how its themes and messages related to our own personal experiences. Content W...

Jon and Benny connect one more time before the new year to discuss their 2024 experience. We also remember Southwest Shockwave, a high-profile tournament that Benny ran in 2017. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralserie...

Jon and Benny reunite after two months to discuss their non-fighting game activities in this most recent hiatus. We also discuss our plans for the show in the next months and year. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralse...

Jon and Benny are joined by TheXButton and Freezie to discuss their recent experiences with the 2XKO Alpha. We also touch on recent AZ events and tournaments. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spot...

Jon and Benny are joined by Cody, aka Honorable, aka xLHonorable, aka Mr. Run 'n Gun, and TheXButton to discuss what it means to help welcome and vet a newcomer in the community. We also discuss Honorable's history as a competitive fighting game player and his origins in the scene. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twit...

Jon and Benny are joined by Cody, aka Honorable, aka xLHonorable, aka Mr. Run 'n Gun, as we return from our Evo experiences: Jon as a 14+ year veteran, Cody as a first-time goer, and Benny as a stream viewer + Alaska liaison. Together we discuss how Evo went for us, and how AZ performed and what to expect in the future. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/s...

Jon and Benny return from an unplanned hiatus to catch up on where they've been and are going in the future. Maynard, aka TheXButton, also joins to provide updates on the current state of the community. Together we discuss our expectations for the upcoming Evo '24. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_...

Jon and Benny continue their discussion of the SF6 May 2024 Akuma Patch, this time joined by regulars Sabre and Thrasher. Together we go through more character changes and our opinions of the current discourse. The scrubs will riot. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com...

Jon, Benny, and Tanner give their initial impressions of the SF6 May 2024 Akuma Patch. We also discuss the community impacts of the patch, including the upcoming Combo Breaker this weekend. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv...

In this second of the two part episode featuring Mary Claire, aka Queen B, we discuss her experience as an Evo competitor in 2016 and her observations of players tackling anxiety and depression while competing. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow o...

In the first of this two-part episode, Benny brings on his beautiful wife Mary and they discuss with their history in the Alaska FGC together as a tournament organizers. They and Jon also discuss the relationship dynamics of being an FGC family. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube a...

No guest this week! Jon and Benny catch up on recent Street Fighter 6 news and reflect on the current global scene. We also discuss how spectator culture has influenced the competitive community, and our general thoughts on Akuma and the upcoming Season 2. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe o...

Jon's back from his honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, and so he and Benny sit down with Mike, aka Lumina1re, to discuss their respective experiences in the country. We also discuss Mike's background as a strength coach and how he applies that to labbing and improving at fighting games. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us...

Benny recounts a drunken conversation that Jon and Nam totally had at a recent party, and Maynard reflects on the X Championship Series Finals that he ran this past weekend. We also discuss 2XKO and its status as a successor to...well, everything. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube...

Welcome to the the second part of Gettin' Old w/ Sabre! Jon and Benny continue their discussion with Scott regarding Street Fighter x Tekken, and reflecting on early AZ memories and how we find the pride in those we teach. We also discuss some tips that the older generation has for newer players who may be facing their first disappointments and stumbles. Want to be featured in our intro? Submi...

Welcome to the first two-parter! Jon and Benny sit down with Scott, aka Sabre aka Milfhunter to discuss mentorship and legacy within the scene. We also discuss Scott's experience with Tekken 8 and the current FGC discourse regarding new games and old games. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscr...

Jon and Benny sit down with Isaac, aka Chipmunkdown2, to discuss his history in the Arizona scene, his love of technique and performance, and his competitive drive as a top player in Arizona Street Fighter. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Tw...

Recent tournament results with Devils Duels, Down to the Wire, and GameOn 2024 have given Benny, TheXButton and CYA the opportunity kick ass and take names, and we're here to find out how! Jon rediscovers his love for whiskey while we also discuss excuses from our opponents, and how we cope with bad days and loss ourselves. Stay tuned after the show ends for bonus content! Want to be featured...

Benny was unavailable this week, and so Jon Marvin (Kyoku) and Mike (Thrasher) try to fill the void left in their hearts. We discuss our motivations for playing fighting games, the thrill of competition and the pursuit of mastery. We also discuss what it means to be "the best" and its ever-changing definition in competitive fighting games, and how that relates to setting and achieving go...

Benny, Jon and Mike connect with Freezie, a young rising star in the local AZ community. Together we discuss Ed, learning how to play a new character, learning how to play against a new character, and the blessing/burden of experience. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit a clip! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube....

Sabre joins Benny and Jon to reflect on Capcom Cup and SF6's recent balance patch. We also discuss our latest hardware acquisitions. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for...

We're back after a brief hiatus! Benny, Jon, and Maynard discuss recent tournament news and announcements. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtube.com/spiralseries Follow on Twitch at twitch.tv/spiralseries Follow us on Spotify by searching for Absolute Guard!

Tekken 8 has arrived and it's heating up the local AZ scene! Tekken community leaders WillGetPaid and Shaundude join Jon and Benny to discuss the recent launch birthday tournament in Tucson, and their first impressions of Tekken 8. Want to be featured in our intro? Submit an intro! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5f1br57RYDU Follow us on Twitter at @absolute_guard Subscribe on YouTube at youtub...