Game Fu

By:   Carl Perfect Legend White
Imprint:   Perfect Legend
Dimensions:   Height: 229mm,  Width: 152mm,  Spine: 19mm
Weight:   472g
ISBN:   9781961392250
ISBN 10:   1961392259
Pages:   224
Publication Date:   23 September 2023
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

"Carl White, known in the gaming world as Perfect Legend, is a multi-time fighting game world champion hailing from Toledo, Ohio. He has been competing since 2005 and has traversed every echelon as a fighting game player. His gaming journey commenced at the tender age of 4, ignited by the release of Street Fighter 2 in 1992.Beginning his competitive odyssey like many others, Carl aimed to dominate among friends and family. However, it wasn't long before his talents led him to arcades, where he triumphed over grown opponents in games like Mortal Kombat 2, 3, 4, and Killer Instinct. These victories took place in restaurant bar arcades, often while others were on dates or hanging out with college companions. Guided by his father, who accompanied him to the arcade nearly every day, Carl honed his skills. His father encouraged him to concentrate and press the buttons with swiftness to secure victories against his peers. Once he claimed his spot at the machine, defeat was a rare occurrence. He recalls having to reserve his place in line with quarters only a few times. With just $5 at his disposal, he could play all night, gradually besting other players until he ended the night by outplaying the game's CPU.His adolescence mirrored the quintessential life of a 90s-2000s kid: daylight hours were spent outdoors, while nights were devoted to gaming. School didn't command his full attention, yet his intuition enabled him to advance through classes with ease. Although he had competent teachers, Carl frequently skipped classes, channeling more energy into gaming than his studies. He considered most homework excessive, opting to do the bare minimum and relying on his test-taking skills to excel. He found school to be primarily about memorization, a stark contrast to the psychological challenges offered by gaming. Competing with friends and immersing himself in various gaming communities, such as Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2 Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy, and Half-Life mod: Earth's Special Forces, consumed much of his time.A pivotal turning point arrived in 2004 with the release of Dead or Alive 2 Ultimate on Xbox. This marked Carl's reentry into the world of fighting games, catalyzing a more definitive path in his journey. The realm of online fighting games introduced him to the broader fighting game community, sparking his awareness of competitive players worldwide who traveled to prove their mettle. This revelation astonished him, as he had secretly yearned for such an environment to exist.Perusing gaming news website IGN, Carl stumbled upon a list of games, replete with highlights, accolades, and video trailers, showcasing top players from events like the Evolution Championship Series. As he delved deeper into the competitive scene, studying the histories of various games, he gradually transitioned to organizing online tournaments. Inspired by his parents, who were both community leaders in their respective fields, Carl embraced event hosting.In 2005, this newfound role led him to organize his first offline tournaments. Teaming up with Tim ""Thug Geek"" Fields, Carl co-hosted an event in a pool hall, attracting participants from across the Midwest. That same month, he embarked on a significant journey to Tournament in Texas 7 (TiT7), accompanied by his lifelong best friend and brother Earnie ""The Champ"" Bouyer. The duo endured a 24-hour bus ride to and from the event, where Carl secured second place in three tournaments. From there, his trajectory was set.Fast forward to 2023, and Carl White's legacy has unfolded over nearly two decades. He has competed at the pinnacle of fighting games, facing off against both the finest adversaries and the most illustrious champions in the discipline's history."