Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Zach Snoddy
Rising Melee Star Jmook on his breakout year: “I had no idea that it would change my whole life”
An in-depth interview with Melee’s newest star player! Super Smash Bros. Melee might be over 20 years old, but young star players are still making their presence known. This year’s breakout star is Jake “Jmook” DiRado. The innovative Sheik main burst out onto the scene with his second-place finish at GENESIS 8. Jmook followed that up by finishing 4th at Smash Summit 13, 5th at Battle of BC, and 2nd at Get On My Level 2022. He’s yet to finish outside of the Top 6 at any major this year.
CLG launches New FGC tournament series “Run It Thursdays”
CLG keeps making big moves in the FGC! Check out more details for CLG Run It Thursdays! Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) keep on making big waves in the FGC. With the launch of their new division CLG FGC, the premier esports organization continues to show their commitment to fighting games with a new tournament series. “CLG Run It Thursdays” will be a weekly online FGC event featuring the most popular games and top competition.
Anakin wins CEO 2022 Tekken 7 Tournament in legendary set
The 2022 Tekken World Tour kicks off with a bang! The Tekken World Tour (TWT) has finally returned! CEO 2022 kicked off this year’s international circuit for Tekken 7. It marks the first official TWT event since 2019 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held in Daytona, Florida, players from across the world traveled to the United States to compete in the first Master event of the 2022 Tekken World Tour.
FaZe Sparg0 taking a break to focus on mental health
FaZe Clan’s Sparg0 is taking a hiatus from competition in order to better his mental health. FaZe Clan’s Edgar “Sparg0” Valdez will be taking an indefinite hiatus from competing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. After his seventh-place finish at the Gimvitational, on June 20th, Sparg0 posted a twitlonger where he revealed that he will be taking a break. This break is to focus on his mental health and to prepare for future events.
Japan dominates Battle of BC 4 Smash Ultimate tournament. “The heart of these players is undeniable,” says HungryBox
Japan meant business at the BC 4 Smash Ultimate event, finishing with 4 players in the top 8. “Japan came in clutch this tournament,” said caster HungryBox on stream. Battle of BC 4 was one of the most exciting Smash Ultimate competitions of the year. The Smash World Tour Gold-tier event held in Vancouver, Canada saw many international players travel overseas to attend. As a result, the Top 8 featured many players from Japan and Europe rarely seen at North American tournaments.
The God Slayer returns to claim his second Battle of BC 4 title. Team SoloMid’s William “Leffen” Hjelte took first place in Melee at Battle of BC 4. The Swedish Smash icon was one of many international players to make the overseas trip to Vancouver, Canada for the Smash World Tour Gold-tier event. Leffen’s run was nearly flawless, going undefeated in sets and only dropping three games the entire tournament.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list but it's based on complaints from the Smash community
There are few things Smash Twitter loves to do more than complain. On any given day you’ll find various tweets about outlawing characters, nerfing certain moves, or just plain salt. Interestingly enough, this treatment is not handed out evenly. Though Ultimate is often lauded for its balance, that doesn’t keep some fighters from being attacked on social media.
Breaking down all confirmed Street Fighter 6 characters (so far)
Breaking down all confirmed Street Fighter 6 characters (so far) Published: Jun 8, 2022 12:44 am Updated: Jun 8, 2022 12:48 am The first roster for Street Fighter 6 has been leaked! Who will be your main? In the past few weeks, Capcom has revealed the aesthetic, gameplay, and a host of new features for the upcoming Street Fighter 6. The most notable change is the new Drive System system replacing the classic EX meter. Others include real-time commentary, a potential adventure mode, and more.
Light Wins MomoCon, but Among Us Cosplayer Steals Show
Is the era of Light… Among Us?!? Paris “Light” Ramirez took first place at MomoCon 2022 this weekend. Held in Atlanta, the annual geek culture convention is also home to a major Super Smash Bros. tournament. This year’s edition is also a Gold Tier event in the Smash World Tour 2022. With SWT points on the line as well as a slice of the $15k prize pool, many of North America’s best players came to compete.
CLG Signs Cuddle_Core and Brian_F as first FGC players
CLG joins the fight, adding a pair of fighting game veterans to its FGC roster North American esports organization Counter Logic Gaming (CLG) have officially entered the FGC. Yesterday they announced the signing of Jeannail “Cuddle_Core” Carter to their roster. Today CLG revealed that Brian “Brian_F” Foster will join her as the first players in their fighting game division. Both players were formerly sponsored by EQNX Gaming, which unfortunately paused operations last April.
These are Tea's best Pac-Man sets of all time (so far)
This week marks the 42nd birthday of NAMCO’s beloved Pac-Man. Everyone’s favorite yellow sphere is one of gaming’s first superstars. Not only that, but he continues to withstand the test of time. You can still find a classic Pac-Man machine in almost any arcade and new installments in the franchise are released each year. Pac-Man’s stardom reached new heights when he was introduced to Smash on the Wii U. Since then, he has become synonymous with one exceptional player – Takuma “Tea” Hirooka.
iBDW wins Smash Summit 13 for second straight Summit title
iBDW puts on a show at Smash Summit 13! Cody “iBDW” Schwab took place at Smash Summit 13 this past weekend. The invitational tournament was the latest in Beyond the Summit’s prestigious series of Super Smash Bros. Melee competitions. 16 of the best players in the world gathered in Los Angeles for three days of intense Smash action. Legendary names like Mango, Hungrybox, and Leffen highlighted the lineup.
HyperX Team Liquid partnership; welcomes Hungrybox as Global ambassador
Hungrybox joins some elite company! Leading gaming peripherals brand HyperX announced today they have renewed their partnership with premier esports organization Team Liquid. HyperX will continue being the Official Peripherals Partner of Team Liquid and assist with many of their endeavors. To highlight their commitment to esports, top Super Smash Bros. Melee player Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma has also been named an official HyperX Hero and global ambassador for the brand.
KoDoRiN on LAN vs. online Melee: "I’m glad that tournaments finally 'matter' again, but I wish the negative view of online could change"
John "KoDoRiN" Ko is one of Melee's brightest up-and-coming stars. The 22-year-old Marth main consistently ranks as the best player in Southern California with top 12 finishes at Genesis 8 (9th) and Pound 2022 (5th). After being voted in through crowdfunding, KoDoRiN made his third consecutive Smash Summit appearance this past weekend. He made Top 8 in a stacked bracket where he eliminated Joseph "Mango" Marquez in an impressive upset.
For the love of the game: Japan vs NA Super Smash Bros. Ultimate playstyle
It’s no secret that Super Smash Bros. is one of most popular video game series on the planet. Millions of copies have sold worldwide, creating player communities in hundreds of nations. The 2021 Smash World Tour truly showcased the global reach of competitive Smash for the first time. Many of the most successful and popular Smashes come from North America, particularly the United States and Mexico. Names like Mang0, Hungrybox, MkLeo, Tweek, and Sparg0 are known in every Smash household.
The 5 hypest Ultimate sets from Japan and what it means for the community
Smash officially looks to be back in full force in North America. With tournaments going on every week and the Smash World Tour being entirely offline, everything is starting to return back to normal. Even better, recent events suggest that Ultimate is entering its most exciting year yet. The Japanese community has also been incredibly busy in 2022 — something that NA players may not be as aware of.
Should Doubles be taken more seriously in the Super Smash Bros. scene?
Though the 2v2 format is an iconic part of the Super Smash Bros. games, it is generally viewed as an afterthought in competitive settings. Most tournaments in North America hold Doubles brackets as a side event. They are typically played on “Day 0” of a tournament weekend when everyone first arrives. Doubles brackets rarely feature prize pools and act more like a warm-up for players and give viewers extra Smash for their troubles.
Genesis 8 shows Hungrybox and Mango's continued rivalry is what Smash needs
The new era of Melee is officially upon us. With Zain Malik winning his second consecutive Genesis title this past weekend, he makes a strong case for the consensus number one player in the world. Top 8 was filled with other hungry competitors coming for the throne, including IBDW, n0ne, and Jmook. While these players are certainly not newcomers, they look poised to take that next step and reach the mountain top of Melee.
MkLeo and Zain victorious at Genesis 8 Smash Bros. tournaments
MkLeo and Zain victorious at Genesis 8 Smash Bros. tournaments Published: Apr 18, 2022 6:05 pm Updated: Apr 18, 2022 6:11 pm The kings show why they reign supreme at Genesis 8. The best in the world aren’t going anywhere. The entire Smash community were reminded who the top dogs are for both games. Ultimate GOAT Leonardo Lopez “MkLeo” Perez and Melee‘s new god Zain “Zain” Naghmi emerged victorious at Genesis 8.
FaZe Clan introduce Sparg0 as first Super Smash Bros. player
FaZe Clan introduce Sparg0 as first Super Smash Bros. player Published: Apr 18, 2022 6:09 pm Updated: Apr 18, 2022 6:09 pm FaZe Clan sign the next Smash Bros. superstar 16-year old Smash Bros. phenom Edgar “Sparg0” Valdez revealed that he has joined FaZe Clan as their first fighting game player. The surprise announcement was made on Sunday during Top 8 at Genesis 8 in a new introduction trailer.
These are the EU players coming for Glutonny's crown
Throughout Smash history, Europe has been seen as an inferior region to North America and Japan. Despite a large and thriving community, few European players have been able to handle international competition. Today, many see France’s Glutonny as the only one who can win a Major. The world’s best Wario has won countless European tournaments and finished 3rd at EVO 2019 behind MkLeo and Tweek.
How to finally destroy Steve in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Steve is all the rage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate nowadays. And by that we mean he’s the source of frustration for countless players. Along with his costume swaps — Alex, Zombie, and Enderman — Steve plays Smash unlike any other fighter. With a moveset inspired by Minecraft, it sometimes seems like he is playing another game entirely. Neutral B is the leading cause of outrage. While grounded, Steve will mine for materials he can use to craft weapons and other tools that aid in combat.
Guide: How to counter and beat Steve in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Steve is all the rage in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate nowadays. And by that we mean he’s the source of frustration for countless players. Along with his costume swaps — Alex, Zombie, and Enderman — Steve plays Smash unlike any other fighter. With a moveset inspired by Minecraft, it sometimes seems like he is playing another game entirely. Neutral B is the leading cause of outrage. While grounded, Steve will mine for materials he can use to craft weapons and other tools that aid in combat.
AyoRichie wins Red Bull Golden Letters thanks to historic upsets
AyoRichie wins Red Bull Golden Letters thanks to historic upsets Published: Mar 28, 2022 9:33 pm Updated: Mar 28, 2022 9:33 pm AyoRichie caps off incredible underdog story to clinch the Red Bull Golden Letters title. Unsung underdog Richie “AyoRichie” Olusanya took home first place at Red Bull Golden Letters over the weekend. The evolutionary tournament was the first Red Bull event exclusive to Tekken 7. Many of Europe’s best players travelled to London to compete in Saturday’s Qualifier.
The biggest upsets at Collision ft. Goblin, Toast, Cosmos, and Stocktaker69
Collision 2022 saw Sparg0 win his third tournament in exactly seven days. While this spectacular feat stole headlines, the story for most of the event was the number of stunning upsets that occurred. With competitors traveling to New Jersey from all across North America, no top player was safe. Everyone brought their A-game — and underestimating your opponent often ended with an early exit. Here are the top upsets from the event.
16-year old Sparg0 takes 1st at Collision, his third tournament win in 7 days
16-year old Sparg0 takes 1st at Collision, his third tournament win in 7 days ')"> Published: Mar 14, 2022 11:24 pm Updated: Mar 14, 2022 11:24 pm The legend of SparG0AT continues to grow. Following wins at Smash Ultimate Summit 4 and the G4 Smash Ultimate Invitational, Sparg0 wins yet another tournament. The legend of Edgar “Sparg0” Valdez continues to grow. The 16-year old Super Smash Bros. prodigy from Mexico won Collision yesterday, defeating Tweek in the Grand Final.
Smash World Tour Announced for 2022 with offline events across the world
Smash World Tour Announced for 2022 with offline events across the world Published: Mar 10, 2022 3:14 pm Updated: Mar 10, 2022 3:15 pm Back to LAN we go! After a successful inaugural year in 2021, the Smash World Tour is officially coming back. Organizer Video Game Boot Camp (VGBC) announced that the highly anticipated competitive circuit will return for a second year. It will include both Ultimate and Melee with a total prize pool of $250,000, the largest in Smash history.
The high IQ plays at Smash Ultimate Summit 4 that prove pros are on another level
Smash Ultimate Summit 4 featured 16 of the world’s best competing across three days of intense action. When you get that many top players under one roof, you’re sure to see a ton of god-like plays. In case you missed it, we’ve made a list of the 10 best individual highlights from the tournament. Dabuz calls out BassMage’s Rest Clip: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx0FWpL6oM3xAELWerlMmjSoIDfleGMUln Jigglypuff’s Rest is the definition of high risk, high reward.
Arslan Ash and Anakin headline the Red Bull Golden Letters Tekken 7 LAN tournament
Arslan Ash and Anakin headline the Red Bull Golden Letters Tekken 7 LAN tournament ')"> Published: Mar 9, 2022 1:15 pm Updated: Mar 9, 2022 1:17 pm Is Europe the best in the world? A 5v5 exhibition match later in the tournament will see players giving their best for glory. Red Bull has announced Red Bull Golden Letters, a two-day Tekken 7 LAN tournament. The one-of-a-kind LAN event, featuring some of the best players in the game, will take place at the company’s Red Bull Gaming Sphere in London.
The best sets and moments from Smash Ultimate Summit 4
Smash Ultimate Summit 4 has officially ended. Sixteen of the world’s best Smash players came together for the prestigious event hosted by Beyond the Summit. More than 50 matches were played and every single one of them was streamed. After all the dust is settled, we’ve made a list of the absolute best sets from Smash Summit that any true fan of the game must see.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list - but it's by Mardi Gras floats
Tuesday was Mardi Gras, which more importantly means there was a parade. Mardi Gras parades are known for many things, most of which are shameful and inappropriate. However, the floats are one part of the festivities that everyone can enjoy. Always in for a wild time, the Smash universe is joining in on the fun. Several fighters have put their differences aside to come together and see who can create the most magnificent floats.
Super Smash Bros. won’t return to EVO Game lineup in 2022
Super Smash Bros. won’t return to EVO Game lineup in 2022 Published: Feb 26, 2022 5:04 pm Updated: Feb 26, 2022 5:16 pm Nintendo has chosen not to continue with Super Smash Bros. at Evo this year says the announcement. Evolution Championship Series, better known as EVO, presented big news for this year’s event in a Tweet sent on Saturday. First off, there will be announcement show March 8 on Twitch detailing more about this year’s tournament.
These are the five best zoners in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Fighting face-to-face in Smash isn’t for everyone. Some would rather stay far away and launch lazers, fruit, and ballistic missiles at their foes. This tactic is called “zoning.” Many consider it a nuisance, but we all have to learn to deal with this strategy at some point. Others embrace zoner life and cater their character choices to the playstyle. For those wanting to adopt their far out ways, here are the five best zoners in Ultimate.
Cosmos Wins Glitch Infinite Smash Tournament
Cosmos Wins Glitch Infinite Smash Tournament Published: Feb 21, 2022 5:39 pm Updated: Feb 21, 2022 5:41 pm Glitch Infinite saw several tournament favorites drop out early with Cosmos winning after a Grand Finals match against Zomba. Fresh off his second-place finish at Smash World Tour 2021, Cosmos won Glitch Infinite this past weekend. Glitch is an annual Smash event put together by grassroots organization VGBootCamp.
Capcom Pro Tour 2021 Season Final Results
Capcom Pro Tour 2021 Season Final Results ')"> Published: Feb 21, 2022 3:40 pm Updated: Feb 21, 2022 3:40 pm The exhibition match event featured the top players from across the world. The Capcom Pro Tour 2021 Season has now concluded. Following a year of online qualifiers, players from all over the world fought valiantly to earn a spot at Capcom Cup. Unfortunately, the offline championship event was canceled for the second straight year due to COVID-19.
MultiVersus Play Test On the Way; How to Register
MultiVersus Play Test On the Way; How to Register ')"> Published: Feb 18, 2022 9:50 pm Updated: Feb 18, 2022 9:51 pm Multiversus will have its first play test starting February 25th! Sign up now for a chance to play the game ahead of its release. MultiVersus announced that a play test is coming at the end of February. A lot of buzz has surrounded Warner Bros.’ upcoming platform fighter since it was first revealed last November.
Smash Ultimate Summit 4 voting complete, All Players finalized
Smash Ultimate Summit 4 voting complete, All Players finalized Published: Feb 18, 2022 5:52 pm Updated: Feb 18, 2022 5:52 pm 16 teams will compete in Los Angeles for a slice of the $150,000 prize pool. The full list of competitors for Smash Ultimate Summit 4 is now official. The latest edition of Beyond the Summit’s (BTS) illustrious tournament series grants entry to 16 players through various means. This includes qualification, invitation, and crowdfunding through purchasable votes.
Combo Breaker 2022 details revealed, registration now open for May offline event in Illinois
Combo Breaker 2022 details revealed, registration now open for May offline event in Illinois Published: Feb 15, 2022 5:13 pm Updated: Feb 15, 2022 5:13 pm Combo Breaker officially returns in 2022! Organizers revealed the date, location, and game line-up for this year’s FGC major. [Image: Combo Breaker] Combo Breaker announced the date, location, and more information on this year’s event.
Amazing Tekken 7 Mods you need to see to believe
Amazing Tekken 7 Mods you need to see to believe Esports.gg has rounded up the most incredible and creative Tekken 7 mods to customize the game in fun new ways. You’ll be surprised how good some of them are! When Tekken 7 released on PC, it didn’t take long to find impressive mods being made for the game. Over the years modders have gone to extreme lengths to create some of the most imaginative and visually stunning mods for any fighting game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list: All Fire Emblem characters ranked
Some say there are too many Fire Emblem characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With Marth having nearly three echoes, it’s fair to make that case. Yet in spite of all the hatred towards them, everybody has thought of picking up at least one of the oversaturated sword fighters. To make that decision easier, we’ve ranked the best Fire Emblem characters based on four criteria: tier list placement, competitive results, overall popularity, and — most importantly — their swords. 1.
Capcom Pro Tour reveals Capcom Cup VIII replacement: Regional online exhibitions
Capcom Pro Tour reveals Capcom Cup VIII replacement: Regional online exhibitions ')"> Published: Feb 3, 2022 2:11 am Updated: Feb 3, 2022 2:11 am The Capcom Pro Tour will conclude with exhibition matches, rather than the Capcom Cup as is tradition. Thanks COVID. Due to rising COVID-19 numbers, Capcom Cup 2021 was canceled in early January. The offline final for the 2021 Capcom Pro Tour was originally scheduled for February 2022 in the United States.
A Guide to Online Ranks in Tekken 7: Points and Tiers explained
Ranking up can be a challenge in Tekken 7, but we’ve broken down everything you need to know for reaching Tekken God status. Fighting games are known for their robust rank systems, and Tekken 7 is no exception. The game’s 37 ranks split into 10 tiers make reaching the pinnacle a grueling grind. While rank is never a true determiner for a player’s skill, it is a way for them to challenge their limits and show off the results from their hard work.
Baiken gameplay and release date revealed for Guilty Gear Strive. The Samurai slasher returns
Baiken gameplay and release date revealed for Guilty Gear Strive. The Samurai slasher returns Published: Jan 25, 2022 8:24 pm Updated: Jan 25, 2022 8:25 pm Ahead of Baiken’s return to Guilty Gear this Friday, ArcSystem Works offers a first look at the newest DLC character’s move set. ArcSystem Works (ArcSys) provided a first look at Guilty Gear Strive’s next DLC character, Baiken. The fan-favorite samurai was announced last December but this is the first time we get to see her in action.
The ultimate Tekken 7 Tier List for 2022
The ultimate Tekken 7 Tier List for 2022 ')"> Published: Jan 23, 2022 1:31 pm Updated: Jan 23, 2022 3:23 pm Esports.gg brings you the only Tekken 7 character tier list you need. Tekken 7 is entering its fifth year on consoles. The critically acclaimed fighting game has seen several shakeups in its meta during its lengthy lifespan. Fourteen DLC characters were added across four seasons and now the roster features over 50 fighters. This has had a profound effect on Tekken 7’s tier list over time.
GENESIS 8 Smash Event postponed due to COVID-19, organiser “incurring costs into the six figure range”
GENESIS 8 Smash Event postponed due to COVID-19, organiser “incurring costs into the six figure range” Published: Jan 15, 2022 8:21 pm Updated: Jan 15, 2022 8:21 pm The return of the prestigious GENESIS Super Smash Bros. tournament series will now happen in April. On January 14, organizers made the difficult decision to postpone the GENESIS 8 Smash tournament series due to COVID-19 concerns.
Cuddle Core on Women in the FGC: “When You Sign Up for a Tournament, You Change History”
Jeannail “Cuddle Core” Carter is a two-time Tekken 7 ICFC North America champion, a consistent top 8 finisher, and one of the most recognizable women in the FGC. When Cuddle isn’t overcoming some of the world’s best players, she actively streams on Twitch or coaches Tekken for XO Academy. We caught up with the EQNX pro as part of our Women of the FGC series. Let’s explore her motivation, favorite advice, and what it means to play as a woman. How were you introduced to fighting games?
Spooky on How to Run FGC Locals: "The Most Basic Advice Really Matters"
Locals are where fighting game friendships and rivalries are forged for years to come. This comradery helps the community thrive well after developers stop supporting their titles. Whether you stick around for the highlights, strive for improvement, or just want to grow the community, you might be less familiar with the people on the other side of those events. Victor “Sp00ky” Fontanez has been the driving force behind New York City’s local scene for over a decade.
Valorant Viper Buff Added in Patch 2.07
Zach Snoddy 1 hr ago Valorant Agent Viper received a buff added in Patch 2.07 that was released on Monday. The buff comes in the form of a bug fix that was limiting the effects of her poison. Viper has spent most of her time as an Agent in Valorant at the bottom of tier lists, so she has been the subject of a lot of buffs in recent updates. Astra and Raze head to the balance factory, and an odd but important Viper bug gets fixed. All this and more in Patch Notes 2.07.
Valorant win64 Shipping Exe Error: How to Fix
Zach Snoddy 52 mins ago Bothered by the Valorant win64 Shipping Exe Error and wondering how to fix it? The Valorant win64 Shipping error is a common issue that afflicts Valorant players on PC. The cause of the error is unknown but players tend to receive a message informing them to reboot their system to start the game. The message keeps the player's Valorant client from launching, keeping them from playing the game. The error first began to appear after the Patch 2.05 update.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Zach
Contact Zach, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack