Basic Video Tutorial/Guide for Total Beginners for SSF4

TBirdSF4

EDIT:
This is the comprehensive post for video tutorials:

Beginner Level:

"Basic Video Tutorial/Guide for total Beginners" by TBird

Part 1: Move overview and Basic Combo Theory 9:57


Part 2: EX-Moves 7:48


Part 3: Super & Gauge Management 8:42


Part 4: The Power of Buffering 9:56


Part 5: Understanding Hyperarmor 7:04


Part 6: Focus Attack Secrets 9:42


Part 7: FADC - The Ultimate Tool 9:47


Part 8: Training Mode & Execution 9:29


Part 9: Defense & Blocking 9:59




Advanced/Pro Level

"How to read and Use Frame Data" by OneHandedTerror

Part 1: Read Frame Data 9:56


Part 2: Use Frame Data 8:49



"Comprehensive Tutorial Collection" by VesperArcade

Youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/vesperarcade#p/c/744144A71C67D816


"Advanced/Pro Strategy" by Systran

Part 0: Frames, Cancels, Links 7:12


Part 1: Zoning 4:16


Part 2: Knockdown & Wakeup 8:02


Part 3: Adapting and playing solid 9:59


Part 4: Basic Mix-up Ryu 4:33



"3-Minute-Fundamentals" by Lord of Ultima

Part 1: Hit Confirming 3:17


Part 2: Option Selects 3:45

Unknown

Just wanted to say, great video and keep it up :)

Going to be getting into Super after exams after never really digesting the mechanics of SFIV when I played it last year. I hope you continue these videos as this one great in helping me understand the difference betweeen Combos, Links and Chains :)

BlueCloud

Very nice tutorial. I thought the explanation of chains, links, and cancels was very good and that's probably the most difficult concept for beginners to understand. The only criticism I would have is that that part is introduced a bit early in the tutorial. I think anyone who's learning something in the first 4 minutes is going to be completely lost in the last 6 minutes. Still, a very nice tutorial. I'll be watching for the next one.

Kelter Skelter

Doesn't help that fighting games never have tutorials. The challenge mode in Super4 has combos you can only perform in the corner but, they don't tell you that. A moderate player will know right away from the way it whiffs that you have to hit it in the corner but, a newbie will never have that epiphany.

Good job on making a basic video but, that's a lot to take in at once. You should include a transcript or just some bullet points so they can use it to "study" the things they have learned(EX. -Learn the range of your Normals).

dsky

Enjoyed the video. I'm glad someone is taking the time to explain certain combos and slowing the video examples down.

Looking forward to the newest edition.

SpARelentless

Next time you make such a video, prepare a transcript. The "uuh" every 3 secs gets very tedious to listen to.

The description about chaining isn't entirely right. You can also chain different normal moves together as long as they're... well, chainable :P eg cr.LK cr.LP with shotos is also a chain.

Also, the ending came a bit abrupt. "If you're lazy just look up what combos for your character there arethank you for watching". That felt a bit weird.

Other than that, nice job and good effort.

TBirdSF4

Thanks for all the feedback!

You should include a transcript or just some bullet points so they can use it to "study" the things they have learned(EX. -Learn the range of your Normals).

That is a very good idea, I will include that for the next part.

Next time you make such a video, prepare a transcript. The "uuh" every 3 secs gets very tedious to listen to.

Absolutely, audio parts with "uuh" should be re-recorded. I will try to improve the audio quality further next time.

The description about chaining isn't entirely right. You can also chain different normal moves together as long as they're... well, chainable :P eg cr.LK cr.LP with shotos is also a chain (can be done as a link as well ofc).

Ok, I didn't know that

Also, the ending came a bit abrupt. "If you're lazy just look up what combos for your character there arethank you for watching". That felt a bit weird.

Yes, the problem was that I calculated with a 6-7 minute video and suddenly had hit the 10 minute upload limit for youtube. I really did not want to split the video just to add my 60 second outro, but now I see it would have made more sense to do 2 parts.

Generally speaking, I will take more time for the next part to get it 100% right. Since these videos turn out to be more work than I expected, I wanted to check first if there is a actually any demand for these kind of tutorials.

Possum Hill Kid

Kelter Skelter, post: 4255543 wrote:

Doesn't help that fighting games never have tutorials. The challenge mode in Super4 has combos you can only perform in the corner but, they don't tell you that. A moderate player will know right away from the way it whiffs that you have to hit it in the corner but, a newbie will never have that epiphany.

BlazBlue collector's edition had a bonus dvd with tutorials and walkthroughs from players. I know that Super was only 40 bucks and packed with tons of stuff, so maybe the tutorial mode got lost in the shuffle. When you talk to people about Street Fighter, a lot of them pass on the game because they say it's too difficult and no one wants to help a novice player level up. Having competent a built in tutorial/dojo mode would remedy that problem.

But truth be told, you level up faster when you play against players in person that are better than you who are willing to push you to become better.

Possum Hill Kid

By the way, TbirdSF4, nice video. Keep up the good work--there's definitely a demand for tutorials for newer players.

Cata-Kai

Really great tutorial! Can't wait to see the next one!

Unknown

Awesome work, and highly appreciated by the noobies out there (like me). And I found your "Ummms" to be fine - English isn't your first language, so it's to be expected!

NVO

Nice tutorial. Just got my copy of SSF4 for the 360 today. Excited to start playing

gigabyte

Would you able to make one for ssf4?

Kooper

Very nice start, I appreciate the effort you're putting forth, and I look forward to seeing you improve on your future videos! Here's some things I would say to work on:

-Perhaps start at an even MORE basic level. I think you did well to explain some concepts, but even they were a bit high for someone who JUST hit the start button. My advice would be to try and get into the mind of the beginner. Pretend that you've never even see a fighter before perhaps... Though I guess it threatens to become TOO basic you may turn people away, I believe you'll have to leave it to your digression in the end.

-Have a basic set script/plan of action. As others have said having a script and an very good plan of action on what to talk about is very important. Be careful not to kill yourself reading something word for word though, or else you might risk sounding boring, which would be terrible.

-Diagrams were actually very nice! A bit basic looking but they got the job done. I really like the Linking/canceling diagrams using time as a reference point, very cool.

-Probably my biggest "problem" is that you need to get more editing in there! Maybe upgrade your mic, include more editing to have a more polished product. Things like transition effects, light background music when you're talking (or none at all during important explination parts), music during the gameplay segments (this is important for people who like to 'hear' combos like RSF, which I think you can appreciate as someone who plays Fuerte like myself). Instead of sitting on a static image of the SF4 logo try to be a bit more creative while also being informative. You have the whole forums and the wiki as a source to "translate" the information as you said, but what will really get people to pay attention will ultimately be the overall presentation and what they think of the quality.

By the way, I find your accent pretty cool, your English is understandable but it's obviously not your first language "As a rule of thump" hehehe. Keep making videos and you might end up as the next Chris Hu.


Here's an example of someone who does some game related videos with some very good editing:
http://www.youtube.com/user/rinrygamegame

Take a look through her videos, don't focus on the topics, but instead on how the information is being presented (along with the many video cuts, background music changes, text, transitions and timing, ect) and you'll see what I mean.

Really hope this helps, and I hope to see you improve in the future! Cheers!

TBirdSF4

Update:

Part 2: EX-Moves is up!

Would you able to make one for ssf4?

This guide is intended to be for SSF4. All the things I show work in Street Fighter 4 as well as in Super Street Fighter 4.

You have the whole forums and the wiki as a source to "translate" the information as you said, but what will really get people to pay attention will ultimately be the overall presentation and what they think of the quality.

First of all thanks for your constructive feedback :tup:You are right about the audio quality, I ran the audio through a compressor, a de-esser and some noicecancelling tools and I think the result is much better this time.
While I admit that there is lots of room for improvement on the technical side, I have a different philosophy when it comes to teaching.

What I want to do with these videos is to teach people the basic mechanics of Street Fighter so they will stay interested in the game and help grow the community. My goal is neither to be very entertaining nor visually very impressing. First and foremost the information has to be correct and structured and help people to get better.

I myself use professional video tutorials from video2brain.com to learn all kinds of software and I absolutely like the no-nonsense approach. Just a video of the desktop and a guy talking helps me to learn the fastest. If they would start to introduce background music, I would immediately stop buying from them.

I am sorry to say that, but sometimes I have the feeling that Youtube really overdoes it and people are more interested in having the latest and coolest Hip-Hop song along with flashy animation in their video than to actually get their point across.
In a nutshell: Better audio quality ? Yes. Better diagrams and video effects ? Absolutely. A flashy multimedia presentation, because the average teen is lacking the ability to listen for 7 minutes ? No.

Kooper

TBirdSF4, post: 4255554 wrote:

In a nutshell: Better audio quality ? Yes. Better diagrams and video effects ? Absolutely. A flashy multimedia presentation, because the average teen is lacking the ability to listen for 7 minutes ? No.

Fair enough, just don't forget who your target audience actually is. Just a different approach, it's fine. You just know that if it did have all which I said it would reach a wider audience, which I felt was your goal since it is aimed for beginners, you know what I mean? However I also see the point of no frills.

As a tutor/teacher, when I am teaching/tutoring students in a particular subject matter, I always make it entertaining to make concepts stick better. However when it comes to SF, it's towards an audience who wants to learn the information, so I'm going to assume perhaps it may not be necessary, hm.

stephenc87

Thanks a lot for these videos. They are helping me try make more sense of things :)

KonKlingon

very nice tutorials , beginners will defiantly love this

RyanMac

Subscribed. I hope you keep these up. It's going to be a very valuable tool for a newb like me.

Unknown

Nice tutorial. I'm a beginner to SSFIV and these videos have been very helpful in getting me up to speed. I look forward to future releases. ^^

TBirdSF4

Kooper, post: 4255555 wrote:

As a tutor/teacher, when I am teaching/tutoring students in a particular subject matter, I always make it entertaining to make concepts stick better. However when it comes to SF, it's towards an audience who wants to learn the information, so I'm going to assume perhaps it may not be necessary, hm.

I understand what you mean, if I would teach i.e. a calculus class which half of my students dislike, I would be worried about that point as well. But right now, I really believe that it is possible for someone to listen for 10 minutes and then go on to play the game for entertainment on his Xbox.

Added to this there is simply the problem of time and effort it would take for me to create a video with better "presentation". My video editing skills are only basic and I'd rather spend my time releasing more information than to polish a single video for a month.

DeltaOneEight

Thanks Tbird for the tutorial, it was very helpful for a newbie like me!

Suds

Thank you for the videos. I like the no frills approach. Kept me interested.

Sonnyducks

Nice. Just joined the forum today after lurking all week and this is good stuff. Thanks TBird.

Unknown

I am a bot. Beep boop beep boop.

TBirdSF4

Part 3 is out!

Topic:
Super & Gauge Management

stephenc87

TBirdSF4, post: 4255565 wrote:

Part 3 is out!

Topic:
Super & Gauge Management

This new one was useful too, I never thought about trying to hold back with my ultra so I wouldn't charge the enemy's super guage :) I always just fire it out as soon as I get an opening.
One of these days I will get a win streak lol.

Ruisu

I'm really liking the tutorials. Thanks a lot and keep them coming.

Ang Colette

As a beginner, I would like to thank you TBirdSF4. These guides are awesome, and actually makes you want to get better at the game. Please keep them coming

RyanMac

Woooo part three!!

RyanMac

I don't know if this forum has any type of karma or rewards for helpful users, but TBird deserves it if they exist. His videos have been amazingly helpful for me.

TBirdSF4

Part 4 is ready

The Power of Buffering


Release of new videos will be a bit slower from now on since I have some RL stuff to do, but I will keep adding additional parts. As always, if any pro players have corrections, don't hesitate to comment, I can correct mistakes in future parts

Unknown

That video about buffering was particularly interesting to me... I never knew about the shortcuts or buffering. Makes life so much easier...

On a side note, if anyone wants a laugh, activate the TRANSCRIBE AUDIO (BETA) feature on YouTube.

Zabuza0fTheMist

Thanks man those vids were really good and helped me out loads

Puppet_Doctor

Thanks for these tutorials they have been very beneficial to me. I also like that you actually speak during the tutorial rather then having to read. It makes it easier to understand and more user friendly. Keep up the good work.

RyanMac

TBird is the man!

JammyBoo

The tutorials are very good. Though, in relation to the buffering video, the DP shortcut isn't df, df, it's df, d, df. The game will recognise any forward, any down and any forward motion as a dragon punch. So you could do uf, db, f and get a DP. But you need 3 inputs, not just two.

Though, this is inconsequential nitpicking. Good stuff.

TBirdSF4

JammyBoo, post: 4255577 wrote:

The DP shortcut isn't df, df, it's df, d, df. The game will recognise any forward, any down and any forward motion as a dragon punch. So you could do uf, db, f and get a DP. But you need 3 inputs, not just two.

Though, this is inconsequential nitpicking. Good stuff.

Hm, I am unhappy :annoy: I don't like mistakes in my videos and you seem to be correct.

I got my information originally from Eventhubs
http://www.eventhubs.com/guides/2009/may/04/shortcut-motions-shoryukens-dragon-punches-street-fighter-4/#comments
and they explicitly state df, df as shortcut (along with df,d,df).

However, with input display turned on, SF4 always seems to add a down input automatically (even when I tested with my computer keyboard o.O). It's almost impossible for me to get a quick df, df without any added inputs in between, so that's probably why it's been working for me for such a long time.

Weird...

JammyBoo

TBirdSF4, post: 4255578 wrote:

However, with input display turned on, SF4 always seems to add a down input automatically (even when I tested with my computer keyboard o.O). It's almost impossible for me to get a quick df, df without any added inputs in between, so that's probably why it's been working for me for such a long time.

Yeah, I think that you have to be hyper precise to get df, df without a d in the middle. So realistically the shortcut works, you sorta have to go from df to d to go back to the second df. So in a roundabout way you're correct.

Though, I wasn't trying to be like, "YOU'RE WRONG YOU SUCK" I was more just pointing something small out.

Unknown

I've gotta say, these tutorials are, simply put, awesome. I'm not a beginner, and I learned some things from them myself. Keep up the great work, TBird.

Dander

Thongboy bebop is back with another screen name maybe? Don't forget you still owe me forty bucks.

verdisQUO

Having a hard time pulling off the Hadoken into Super Hadoken.

You say QCF, HP and then another QCF, HP since the game remembers the first input. But in my case, it seems like the game forgets and nothing happens. You reckon this is a timing thing?

TBirdSF4

verdisQUO, post: 4255582 wrote:

Having a hard time pulling off the Hadoken into Super Hadoken.

You say QCF, HP and then another QCF, HP since the game remembers the first input. But in my case, it seems like the game forgets and nothing happens. You reckon this is a timing thing?

Yes, it needs to be very fast, basically it's as fast as you do the ultra, you only hit a punch button in between the two QCFs.
For visual example of what the execution looks like, check this video:



At the end of trial 19 there is Hadoken->Super and you can see the motion of the player's hand on the fightstick.

Puppet_Doctor

TBirdSF4, post: 4255578 wrote:

Hm, I am unhappy :annoy: I don't like mistakes in my videos and you seem to be correct.

I got my information originally from Eventhubs
http://www.eventhubs.com/guides/2009/may/04/shortcut-motions-shoryukens-dragon-punches-street-fighter-4/#comments
and they explicitly state df, df as shortcut (along with df,d,df).

However, with input display turned on, SF4 always seems to add a down input automatically (even when I tested with my computer keyboard o.O). It's almost impossible for me to get a quick df, df without any added inputs in between, so that's probably why it's been working for me for such a long time.

Weird...

This is just a suggestion if you haven't done so already but you can put in an annotation at the part where you explain the Shoryrukens shortcut to correct your mistake.

TBirdSF4

Puppet_Doctor, post: 4255584 wrote:

This is just a suggestion if you haven't done so already but you can put in an annotation at the part where you explain the Shoryrukens shortcut to correct your mistake.

Oh, very good idea, thank you

rattlejaw

These vids are great, TBird. I've been spreading the love to some SF newbies on another forum I post to. Much appreciated.

Sonnyducks

TBird. (pat-pat). That was me patting you on the back. Video #4 is great!

verdisQUO

TBirdSF4, post: 4255583 wrote:

Yes, it needs to be very fast, basically it's as fast as you do the ultra, you only hit a punch button in between the two QCFs.
For visual example of what the execution looks like, check this video:



At the end of trial 19 there is Hadoken->Super and you can see the motion of the player's hand on the fightstick.

Just saw this. Pretty good, and I definitely have to build up some dexterity in my left hand to swing the stick like that. I'm not really, but I can be better. Perhaps some execution drills on movement and hadokens are in order.

Also gave me some insight on how to hold the stick to pull some of these moves off. Thanks for the link.

verdisQUO

TBirdSF4, post: 4255583 wrote:

Yes, it needs to be very fast, basically it's as fast as you do the ultra, you only hit a punch button in between the two QCFs.
For visual example of what the execution looks like, check this video:



At the end of trial 19 there is Hadoken->Super and you can see the motion of the player's hand on the fightstick.

Just saw this. Pretty good, and I definitely have to build up some dexterity in my left hand to swing the stick like that. I'm not really, but I can be better. Perhaps some execution drills on movement and hadokens are in order.

Also gave me some insight on how to hold the stick to pull some of these moves off. Thanks for the link.

verdisQUO

Looking at the vid again, there seems to be a rhythm into inputting the commands, and once you learn that, things should fall into place.

Unknown

Man, video #4 has been a huge, huge help to me. I had already suspected some of the attributes of buffering with this game, since executing certain things in Trials required inputting commands in a way I was already used to with Soul Calibur II. But breaking it down the way you do in your video makes things a lot more comprehensive.

Big thanks!