#favoritefaces2014

While the spectators were my last highlight, they wouldn't have much to be excited about if it weren't for the players.  They play their heart out match after match ... and in a bracket a deep as Evo's every win is a milestone, every loss a step closer to defeat.

Pack thousands of die-hard fighting game fans from around the world into a ballroom and their energy multiplies into something much greater than the sum of its parts.  It shows on every single face.

Two El Fuerte players made Top 4 at Spring Fighter 2014. 'Nuff said.

At East Coast Throwdown, Flux and Coach Steve faced off in an hour-long grudge match coming down to a nailbiter finish, with Coach Steve winning 15-14.  Most of the crowd seemed as emotionally invested in the outcome as the players themselves. Coach Steve later went on to be awarded Most Improved Player at Evo 2014.

Despite taking 2nd to PPMD in Smash Bros. Melee singles, Triforce took to the stage to remind everyone just how well M2K did at Apex overall.

If the main stage of a tournament is a boxing ring, the Apex Salty Suite was a veritable Colosseum. Spectators stacked to the walls in every direction, cheering for their favorite player with every hit.  Egos bruised, money lost, all in the name of Smash.