Far from the mainland, in the frozen north, lies the Alaskan Smash Scene. Alaska, for its poor positioning on the national map, is actually much larger than it appears:

Aw yeah, look at that beautiful landmass (Sorry, Hawaii).

With only around 740,000 people residing in the state, the Smash Scene is rather small, though it has larger numbers on the Internet than the Washington scene. Drawing 30 tournament entries is considered to be a success, with major tourneys being difficult to organize due to the vast distance between population centers. Due to travel costs, Alaskan smashers are largely untested at a national level. However, there have been four areas of Alaska that have stood out in the scene. They are as follows:

Anchorage

As Alaska’s primary population center-hosting near half the population of the state with 300,950 residents as of 2013-it makes sense that the Anchorage scene would not only be the largest, but create an environment that encourages growth in highly competitive play. Strong local support for fighting games from groups like Alaska Gaming (AKG), as well as from local gaming stores such as Tier One Cards and Games, has given Anchorage a scene that is generally acknowledged as the best in the state.

Friendlies at Tier 1 Cards and Games 

With the competitive scene growing as early as 2005, the scene suffered what is known locally as “The Dark Ages” from 2008-2013 where Melee all but died, replaced by other fighting games, such as Brawl, Street Fighter, and Tekken. The notable names of these times, who took Melee and sheltered it, keeping it alive, were Caleb Dirks, Matt Sauvageau, and Derek Charles, who, coincidentally, were and continue to be the big names of the scene, state-wide. Charles also claims to have coined the term SHFFL, or Short Hop Fast Fall L-Cancel, which is a subject of mild debate across the US.

For a period, Project M was the primary game played in Anchorage, though since then, Melee has seen a resurgence in play.

Juneau

Though it is the state capital, Juneau only has a population 32,000; regardless, their scene is held as one of the most consistent, with the local university holding weekly Project M tourneys, as well as often holding friendlies, both of which are streamed at http://www.twitch.tv/juneausmashbros.

One of Juneau’s many tourneys 

In December 2014, the scene began when Keith Clancy of Kasilof, Alaska brought a PM setup to the University’s Gaming Club, sparking interest in Smash. Eventually, bi-weekly tournaments began, but since Juneau is not accessible via the road system, they are isolated from the rest of the smash community. As most smashers are in college or younger, it’s seemingly unlikely that we’ll see them at larger regional tourneys.

The Matanuska-Susitna Valley

In an area nestled snugly by mountains, reside several players that are eking out a name for themselves. The scene began through the Alaska Smash Group Facebook page, where all communication related to the Alaskan scene takes place.

With the Valley located approximately forty miles from Anchorage, commuting to the larger tourneys is much easier for the Valley crew than it is for most other communities. Hailing from both Palmer and Wasilla, towns with a combined population of around 14,000, these smashers have placed surprisingly well in Anchorage tourneys, with Orry Watts taking 3rd in Project M singles and 1st with his partner James Wilson in doubles.

Friendlies at Area 51 in Wasilla

While the focus in Anchorage may be more Project M oriented, The Mat-Su Valley seems to hold Melee up as the masterpiece of Smash, with friendlies occurring as often as they can (near everyday when scholastic and work requirements are nonexistent), focusing primarily on disrespectful and hype place; nothing gets Mat-Su Smashers going like a dirty combo or a taunt.

Fairbanks

The University of Alaska, Fairbanks 

The northernmost scene to be recognized is located in Fairbanks, centered around the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, boasting a population of around 32,000. Interestingly, the scene seems to have been held together by the sheer force of will of one person: Isaac Firesmith, TO and player. Organizing tournaments both on, and off campus, as well as recently attaining a capture card, has expanded the scene’s horizons massively, drawing seventeen entries at one tourney.

Friendlies in the Fairbanks Area

Playing weekly at either friendlies or at the local game club, the scene consists of around five or six truly dedicated smashers, with a moderate number of casual players showing interest. Sadly, there have been some losses in talent, with several players moving away, or losing interest. Thankfully, new blood is coming, and interest is rising, and the Fairbanks scene seems set to grow.

Notable Players

Matt “Dragonspook” Sauvageau | Anchorage, Alaska | Melee Main: Marth

Known for his advanced and patient play, Dragonspook is a cornerstone of the Alaskan Smash scene, having played competitively since 2006. Recently going to game five against Ice Climbers main dizzkidboogie, he has also taken games off Colbol, and come close to taking games off Hungrybox, having thrown his trademark hat on the latter after his set against PPMD at Evo 2014, sparking the iconic “AND HE’S A WIZARD” line from Toph. While at EVO 2014, Dragonspook also went toe to toe with SFAT in pools.

Dragonspook put up a valiant effort against one of California’s best. 

Dragonspook makes his appearance behind Hbox, and throws his hat onto him after his victory. 

Caleb “Che_Lab” Dirks | Anchorage, Alaska | Melee Main: Fox

Having “retired”, Che_Lab now spends more time organizing tournaments than playing in them. However, he can still show new blood what it means to play a high pressure spacie, with aggressive shield pressure and a thorough understanding of an opponent’s options allowing him to dominate friendlies, though people still hope for him to return to tourney play.

James “AlphaZine” Wilson | Anchorage, Alaska | Melee Main: Sheik

Not wanting his face in the article, AlphaZine embodies what it means to be a good Sheik player: Strong spacing, excellent knowledge of mindgames, and a high level of technical skill, so it felt rather fitting to have his character as his picture. While claiming to be retired, AlphaZine recently placed first at a Project M tourney, which may lead to other victories soon enough.

Isaac “Uzi” Firesmith | Fairbanks, Alaska | Melee Main: Falco

Located 300 miles away from Anchorage, Uzi has still managed to establish himself as “The Smash Guy” of Fairbanks; Whether organizing tournaments or winning them, he does so with great pleasure. While having played Brawl competitively for two years after its release (actually establishing a great deal of the Fox metagame, with a stickied post on Smashboards concerning the character), he truly excels in Melee, with a Falco that displays brutal shield pressure, fast technical reads, and solid technique.

Jonah “WavedashMaster” Jeffries | Wasilla/Fairbanks, Alaska| Melee Main: Marth

While primarily located in Fairbanks, WavedashMaster came as a surprise to both scenes, popping up rather suddenly, taking matches off local players. Playing largely with Uzi, Aellwine, Mobadis, Orsinite and the author, he has shown a great level of skill with Marth, known for his smooth wavedashes from ledge, excellent mixups, and for carrying spacies in his big arms across Battlefield.

Jordan “Aellwine” Campbell | Wasilla, Alaska | Melee Mains: Jigglypuff

Don’t let the hat, smile, or laugh fool you: Aellwine is a man with a mastery over his Puff, utilizing his strong spacing and understanding of the neutral game to play a Puff that is not only aggressive, but dangerous.  Known for his disrespectful playstyle, often taunting alongside his characters, Aellwine keeps things interesting, for certain. In his own words he “is considered a legendary being of alaska. His rests can be heard all around the frozen tundra. Every back air he throws out are done with such care and precision that they find their target with ease.”

Bryce “Mobadis” Burkhart | Palmer, Alaska | Melee Mains: Sheik, Peach

Hailing from Palmer, a town eight miles from Wasilla, Mobadis is one of the only Peach mains in Alaska. Though placing in the middle of most tournaments, Mobadis has been consistently growing, training with Aellwine and even Dragonspook on occasion, and his improvements have been apparent over the last year. Even with the recent birth of a child, his time and dedication for Smash have not lessened in the slightest.

Orry “Orsinite” Watts | Wasilla, Alaska | Melee Main: Falco

A staple of the local fighting games community, Orsinite is largely a PM player, with Lucario’s classic fighting game style being his forte; more often known for SSF4 and other games, Orsinite has proven to be a formidable opponent for even the best in Anchorage. Placing third in a recent PM tourney, and first in its doubles division, Orsinite seems to be able to contend with Anchorage. In Melee, he plays a rather old school Falco, relying on hard reads and laser approaches to control the field of battle.

Johnrey “Citricide” Lumba | Juneau, Alaska | Melee Mains: Peach, Falco, Samus

Untested out of Juneau, Citricide can often be found working with the University of Alaska, Southeast’s Gaming Club and 907 Gamers. Playing evenly with Mobadis over Netplay, it’s reckoned that Citricide would place around the middle of Anchorage’s power rankings.

Mark “Kouhai” Rosales | Juneau, Alaska | Melee Mains: Fox, Falco

While confined solely to the Juneau area, Kouhai has made a name for himself steadily, never placing below second in a single tourney. Recognized by local Smashers as the best in Juneau, it is wondered how Kouhai would fare against the other communities.

The Future

Still growing, the Alaska scene holds promise, with the largest intra-state tournament coming up in June of this year: The Battle at the Last Frontier.