Extra Fresh League

February 18, 12:56 PMDenver Video Game ExaminerKeenan Fries

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What better what to celebrate the very long awaited release of Street Fighter IV this week than holding a fighting tournament? That's just what the guys of the EFL (Extra Fresh League) are doing on the 28th of February.

Fancy yourself good at Street Fighter IV, Street Fighter 2 HD Remix, Soul Calibur 4, Guilty Gear AC, Super Smash Bros Brawl, or Tatsunoko vs Capcom? Then get yourself over to the Extra Fresh League and sign up for the upcoming tournament in Denver. Tournament play begins at 1PM, but show up early and get some practice in before the show really starts.

Feel like you need some extra practice on a warm body before the big event? Then go check out your local GameStop on the 21st for some pre-tournament, tournament action. There are some excellent prizes being offered for hitting the qualifiers, and it will be, without a doubt, a great chance to show off your moves before coming to rumble with the big boys in the EFL.

Also, on the 20th the GameCrazy in Arvada is holding a tournament for a chance at winning $500 in store credit, or one of the two MadCatz Arcade FightSticks used for the tournament. There is no sign-up fee and no player caps; the action all starts at 7PM, but try to be a bit early.

 UPDATE: Concerning the GameCrazy tournament. It will be played on the Xbox 360, they will provide MadCatz Arcade FightSticks (most likely Standard Edition) and you will NOT be allowed to use your own controller. First prize is a $500 gift certificate to GameCrazy, second prize is one of the controllers used in the tournament ($99 value), one person will be drawn at random to receive the second controller. Unlocked characters will NOT be allowed.

I had the great fortune to have a quick chat with Michael Utt, aka Halfro, a co-founder of the EFL and one of the co-hosts to the upcoming Hyper Fighting Edition tournament on the 28th of February.

 So, let's start with the basics. Tell me a bit more about yourself.

I am 22 years of age with about 10 years of competitive gaming under my belt. I mainly play 2D fighting games. I have a wife and daughter as well.

What do you do with the EFL?

What I do in the EFL is a mixed bag. I am a hype man, a director, a participant, a courier and one of the co-founders.

What is the EFL all about?

Our league started about two years ago. A few of my fellow players and I decided that we wanted to run specialized tournaments with a focus on fighting games. Since we have started, the EFL has changed a little—lost and gained members,–but

the goal is still the same: run the "purist" fighting game tournament and put Colorado "on the map" in competitive gaming. We hope we can expand on our scene and show that you don't have to be from any coast to be a good player.

Currently the best players in the nation are from California, Texas and New York.

 How many tournaments has the EFL run over the years?

In the last 2 years, I would say that the EFL has run about 8 or so events. We try to space them out so that people don't get burned out on tournaments (which can be pretty easy).

Are you into any other gaming for leisure?

I play action games a lot, as you could imagine, God of War, Devil May Cry, Metal Gear Solid, anything with zombies.

I would like to give a great big thank you to Halfro and all the great guys with the Extra Fresh League. We all hope to see you there on the 28th!

Are you in the Denver area and want to get the word out on something that you're doing in the gaming scene? Feel free to email me at keenanf@gmail.com, I'll be happy to chat with you and help spread the word.