FSD Community Member Interview - VirtuaPai

D Glock

Well-Known Member
In our very first one-on-one FreeStepDodge community member interview (outside of the FSD DoA Podcast), I had the great opportunity to have a sit-down with the DoA scientist, the evangelist of DoA, or more commonly known to everyone else as VirtuaPai. He discusses how he got into DoA, his love for the series, Virtua Fighter and much more.

D Glock: First and foremost, thank you sir for granting me the opportunity to talk with you today. With that being said, could you please share on how long you’ve been playing DoA and how did you get started with the Dead or Alive series?

VirtuaPai: Thank you for interviewing me. I have been playing DoA since DoA1. I was actually first interested in Virtua Fighter. I remember going to Toys “R” Us, and hearing this woman make this loud shout in the video game. To my surprise, it was Pai in Virtua Fighter 2 on the Sega Saturn. I loved the VF engine, and it felt so right. Later on I played Fighting Vipers, which also used a similar engine, but was more flashy and hectic. Around the same year or so, I saw a few articles about DoA1, which looked very similar to VF2, but was even more flashier and was touted to have this new triangle system with danger zones.
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It's so Interesting that you mentioned Virtua Fighter because the next thing that I was going to mention is that, judging from the name VirtuaPai, I couldn’t help but shake the feeling that you’re a fan of some sort of Virtua Fighter? Something is also telling me (a strong gut feeling) that Pai Chan from the series could be a favorite of yours as well? I could be completely wrong here (laughs) but could you elaborate on that?

I fell in love with Pai while playing VF2. The game was beautiful, and she was very elegant, yet powerful. She’s a quick jabbing character that had a good mix-up with a roundhouse kick and a sweep. She embodied the beautiful Kung-Fu chick that would mask her deadly skills behind her beauty.
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Ironically, speaking of Pai Chan, she was just recently confirmed as another character to DoA5’s roster. Now that all the speculation can be laid to rest, how excited are you that she’s joining the cast?

I am very excited. In my humble opinion, DoA as a whole was based around her character. She’s quick and beautiful. Having her in DoA is a no brainier, she is DoA! (laughs).

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Adding to Virtua Fighter, are there any other fighters out there that you play besides DoA? If so, which are they?

I’ve dabbled in all the Street Fighters, Dark Stalkers, all the Capcom fighters, with my favorite being X-Men vs. Street Fighter. But I hold Sega's fighting games close to my heart. I adore Fighting Vipers and Last Bronx. Sega's engine is really spectacular.

That being said, what is it about DoA that makes it your ideal fighter of choice compared to the others? What really makes it stands out?

Interactivity! DoA took the best of VF and was able to take it to the next level. I was in absolute awe and admiration with what they did with the environments in DoA2 and DoA3. The game makes you feel like you are really fighting in one of those great Kung-Fu movies! Who wouldn't want to experience such greatness?

Right on. So tell me, out of the entire series thus far, which DoA game has been your most favorite and why?

This is a hard question. If I must choose, It would be DoA3.1. This is the game that sets the bar high for the series. Not only was the graphics spectacular (It still looks great even with today’s standard), but the gameplay was even better. It was one of the best fighters out at that time. This is the DoA game to beat!

I’m sure it is. I have heard nothing but great things about it. So what about your least favorite. Which DoA game didn’t really meet your expectations or left a bad taste in your mouth, so to speak?

DoA4. The game had such promise, but took a turn for the worst. Whatever good things that DoA had built to solidify itself as a great fighter, a contender to the big 3, was stripped away. The only thing that was left was the shell of DoA, primarily its name.

I’ve noticed over the many years that Tina seems to be your go-to character in DoA. What is it about Tina that personally sets her apart from the rest of the DoA cast for you?

I like chicks that look good and hit hard. She was the original model for this in DoA, and only got better with each game, with the exception for that one game that I mentioned earlier (laughs). Her personality is also something that drew me to her. She doesn't take herself seriously, and is just goofy. Did I mention that I like good looking chicks? (laughs).
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Don’t we all? You definitely get my nod on that one! (laughs). Let me say, I know that there a lot of players out there that knows DoA very well and can break the game down for pretty much anyone. But I’ve never seen anyone who can really break DoA down to its finest microscopic element like you and Sorwah do. How did you gain such vast knowledge of the DoA series?
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I learned from the best. I studied Virtua Fighter players, and employed their method of game dissection, and guide creation. Like with Team Ninja, I also have been influenced and have respect for my peers, being the Virtua Fighter community. I have learned so much from them, and have many friends in that particular community. I learned how to use a stick from them. I would also like to add that I learned a great deal from Tom Brady. I would not have any higher level understanding if it wasn't for him. So The VirtuaPAI you see today was heavily influenced by him. He is my mentor.

Nicely said. With Dead or Alive 5 on the horizon and is just mere weeks away, I know you’re just as excited as the next fan. However, you recently had some hands-on time with a close to final-build at GVN Summer Jam 6 in Philly. Judging from the time and experience that you had with it, what really stood out to you? What did you observe over the duration that left you impressed, making you more eager for its September 25th release?

I can say with sound mind that the game is not anything like DoA4, so no one should have any fears of a disastrous repeat. The game felt really good in my hands and I can see players coming up with strategies that have been long missed as well as some new ones. The game didn't feel quite like 3.1, but felt like a good hybrid of DoA2U and DoA3.1, with a sprinkle of the good game play mechanics that was introduced in DoA4. Do not get me wrong, just because it is not a mirror image of Doa3.1, do it make a bad game. This hybrid that is known as Doa5, is a far more balanced game, and will allow for more variations in game play styles and techniques. I cannot wait to see what the community come up with. I was mostly impressed with the side-stepping system. Yes, The side-stepping system. It did not feel like any other SS out there, it felt very DoA. I think Team Ninja have been reading my guides on Free Step Dodging for DoA3.1 (laughs). The concept is exactly the same, except that there are some invulnerability frames added for evasion purposes. I love the new side-step dashing, it is very unique.
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At that time, did you see anything of concern that you wish would get adjusted or ironed out in time for the game’s final release?

It cannot be impressed upon any further than having more guaranteed set-ups and situations. This makes for a great interesting, competitive fun game. We like having a challenge that is constructed on tangible gameplay elements that allows for yomi, but not purely based around it.

What are your thoughts on some of the new Dead or Alive 5 mechanics, such as Power Blows, Critical Bursts, Cliff Hangers and such?

I love them, they are great additions that add new life into the game. My only concern is how much they play a backseat to other mechanics in the game. For example, Critical Bursts only come about after 4-5 hits while in stun. If that was shortened to, say, 2-3, you will see the mechanic more often. Power Blows face a similar dilemma. You have to both get 50% life + only having one chance to use it. I feel this is stifling and do not allow for creative use of the new features.

Touching back on GVN Summer Jam 6 a bit, I know you’re a strong advocate and enforcer for the offline DoA scene. How proud did it make you to see a capped 128 man tournament for Dead or Alive 5, the biggest turnout for a DoA tournament ever?

I was very surprised, yet very happy. DoA5 is getting a lot of buzz, and we at FSD are on overdrive supporting the game and letting everyone know how much better the game is compared to DoA4. This word-of-mouth support manifested itself with such a great turnout! With DoA5's release, hopefully we can get the same enthusiasm and turn out to all major events.

Most definitely. So before we wrap things up here, there’s one last thing that I would like to ask. What type of success are you hoping to see for Dead or Alive 5 within the fighting game community?

I would like for DoA to get the respect that it deserves. It was never a bad fighter, just needed players like myself to showcase how great the game is. Now that the DoA community is no longer divided by consoles, we can all come together and support our game. Hopefully this reunion will result in many more 125+ man events, and community fun!

Any special shout outs you would like to give?

I would like to give shout outs to you old friend, Mr. Wah, Tom Brady, Smithy, Faceless Master, Rikuto, Hatrify, Konjou Akira aka Rodnutz(from the VF community), Team Ninja. There are just too many people to name. I love all the people in the Dead Or Alive community.

Any wise words you would like to pass on to the DoA community?

Unite, and get ready for the fight!

Amen to that. Thanks again, VirtuaPai, for taking this time to talk to me. Looking forward to all of your wisdom in regards to Dead or Alive 5 once it arrives.
 

virtuaPAI

I must say Thank You all!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Cool interview. Hope there will be more to come :)
-Thanks, I was glad to do it. I love DoA, and it is my favourite fighting game series along with the VF.

Hope we'll have more itw like this.

"Unite, and get ready for the fight!"

EXACTLY !
-That is what its all about. Coming together,playing and enjoying our game!

One of the best interviews I ever read. It's such a wonderful feeling that DOA5 is shaping up to be a huge major improvement than DOA4. :)
-Thank you! If I go by my hunches...which are usually correct, DoA5 will be a brilliant fighter! I know this, because I usually have trepidation for those games that end up being great. DoA3 I had it, and DoA4 I did not. DoA3(3.1) end up being the best fighter in the series, while DoA4 was the worst.

-It is so funny, and kinda eerie...I know Mr. Wah can vouch for me. When discussing DoA4 before its release, I was saying how in my gut that I was getting the feeling(premonition), That DoA4 was going to add elements of VF, and there was going to be a robust Side Stepping System. I guess I seen too far in the future lol.
 

Chaos

Well-Known Member
Shimbori is a new director, I know he will NOT stripped any tools away from DOA5. I believe TN will make the best DOA ever but I don't understand why they stripped away all the amazing tools for DOA4?
 

Caster Shell

New Member
Great interview here. Man this takes me back! I remember and enjoyed the fighting game days of old as well. My brother and I ran our Saturn and PS1 into the ground playing VF2 and Doa1 back then. (sigh) Good times. Excellent work virtuaPAI and D Glock. :)
 

Berzerk!

Well-Known Member
Great interview. Right there with you on all of your sentiments. VF and DOA stand side by side for me as well
 
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