Pro Gamer Can't Use His Hands, Will Destroy You in Street Fighter - News

by VGChartz Staff , posted on 22 April 2011 / 6,568 Views

Mike Begum is a professional gamer that counts Street Fighter 4 and Super Smash Bros. Brawl as part of his domain. Attending what he calls "countless" tournaments since 2006, Begum can put the hurt on a gamer, and he'll do it without using his hands.

Begum has arthrogryposis, a rare muscular condition that has rendered his hands mostly useless. That doesn't stop him from playing a mean Chun-Li though.

After being the subject of an incredible interview from Cross Counter TV, Begum did an "Ask Me Anything" post on reddit, where he garnered almost 1,000 comments at time of writing. His story is an inspirational one for disabled gamers across the world, and a cautionary tale for all gamers in general. If you're at a tournament and you see someone, expect a challenge from them despite how they may appear to you - and don't get mad when you're the one hogging the loser's bracket.

I recently had the interview to interview Begum, who goes by the nickname "Broly," who as you all know, has a power level that is maximum. The full interview is below, and be sure to check out his interview with Cross Counter TV as well, it is amazing watching Begum take it to a Rufus player. As always, answers are left completely unedited save for spelling and style.

Begum is currently trying to raise money so that he can attend the EVO 2011 fighting game tournament in Las Vegas and compete on stage. You can check out his Facebook page detailing the donation drive here.

gamrFeed - Let’s start with the basics. How old are you, where are you from, where do you currently live?

Mike Begum - I am 22 years old from Tampa, Florida. I moved to Brownsville, Texas at the age of two.

gamrFeed - Can you tell us a little bit about your disability? What is it, how does it develop, in what sort of ways does it affect your mobility?

Mike Begum - My condition is called arthrogryposis. It is a muscular deficiency that limited my muscle growth. It has caused me to have limited motion in my limbs. It wasn't hereditary or side effect from my parents actions, but a rare disease.

gamrFeed -What are some of the first games you remember playing? What was it that first drew you to gaming over other potential hobbies?

Mike Begum - My first game was Super Mario Brothers 3. I really felt comfortable at doing something I could actually do. Instead of getting bikes or toys, my parents felt video games was going to be something I would really hold on to.

gamrFeed -What was the first controller you used? How did it differ from using current controllers?

Mike Begum - My first controller was the NES controller. I used my pinky on my left hand to control the Directional pad, while I used my face to press buttons. The concept can still apply today, but I know use my cheek for the Control stick and my mouth or tongue inside my mouth for the buttons. It became necessary to reach the shoulder buttons L and R, so I had to use my left hand as a platform for my Controller.

gamrFeed -How long did it take you to realize you were at a higher skill level than other people despite your disability? How did that make you feel?

Mike Begum - After beating most friends in casual games, I realized that I was really good. I was pretty happy because I wanted something that I could brag about to those who were more able than I.

gamrFeed - What was the first fighting game you played?

Mike Begum - To be honest, I played Mortal Kombat when it first came out, but I really had no competitive spirit with it. It was just for fun. However, I had a hard time because of the motions needed to perform certain actions that my hand could not do. After that, I really never played fighting games until Super Smash Bros. came out.

gamrFeed -Do you have any other favorite genres or franchises you like to play?

Mike Begum - Sonic. He was my favorite as a kid, and still is to this day. Sonic Adventure 2 Battle has got to be my all-time favorite. I also enjoy Halo, sports games, and the Fable series.

gamrFeed - What’s your favorite all-time game? Favorite system?

Mike Begum - Well I got the video game down, but I will have to say the GameCube was my favorite. Had so many great games, and the controller was very accessible to me.

gamrFeed - You were a big hit on reddit with the AMA you just did. What kinds of things were you asked? Anything unexpected? What did you gain out of the experience?

Mike Begum - Yeah it was alot of fun. Most people asked how do I type, What great achievements have I done, what else can I do. Unexpectedly, I read alot about gamers who had disabilities too. I was glad to know I wasn't alone, and hope they can see that it is possible.

gamrFeed - How many tournaments have you been to? What’s your usual placement?

Mike Begum - Countless really. I've been going to tournaments since 2006. My usual placement is most likely top five. I must say I hardly win the tournaments, but I do put up a fight.

Mike Begum

gamrFeed - What was your biggest event? How did you do?

Mike Begum - My biggest event was a Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament in San Antonio. There was about 98 entrants, and I got 4th.

gamrFeed - Ever have a moment where a player was being really disrespectful because of your disability only to trounce him in a match?

Mike Begum - Mostly with people that I know, but there was one time where this guy dogged me for six months on a game I hardly play. I saw him in a local tournament and I bet him 10 bucks in a best of five series. I was down 0-2, and I made a great comeback, and won 3-2.

gamrFeed - Was there ever a time where you felt like giving up on being a pro gamer? If so, what helped pull you through it?

Mike Begum - Alot of times. I hated getting he same result after putting in tons of practice. I seriously felt like I reached my limit. Yet, I loved competing, and I always willed myself to coming back on the scene.

gamrFeed - On that note, do you find the sportsmanship of players to be generally positive, negative, or neutral?

Mike Begum - Mostly positive. Gamers here like to poke fun, but are really the best people I meet.

gamrFeed - You have a fundraiser set up for an upcoming gaming tournament. Tell me a little bit about what you’re trying to accomplish.

Mike Begum - Well, I am trying to get from Brownsville to Las Vegas for a World Tournament called EVO. However, since I can't go on plane, I must ride by bus, or by renting a van with a lift. It will take some money to go, but I hope I can make it there and compete on a national stage.

gamrFeed - You mentioned you’re unable to play games like Marvel vs. Capcom 3, but what are some others? What are some ways developers could improve accessibility to titles you’re unable to play?

Mike Begum - Well, actually I am starting to adapt to Marvel vs. Capcom 3, so I can play it, but its predecessor was really hard, mainly because of the system's remote the game came of. I actually liked the new Fightpad for MVC3 that was created. I just feel like the control stick could be better.

gamrFeed - What game are you looking forward to releasing the most currently?

Mike Begum - As of now, I really want to try Street Fighter vs. Tekken. It looks really fun.

gamrFeed - What advice can you give to other gamers facing adversity through a disability?

Mike Begum - Don't ever give in to your own doubts. It may be painful to know what you can't do, but you have to explore the possibilities. Everyone has the ability to do the things they enjoy, it is just believing you can that is the hard part.

gamrFeed - Anything else you’d like to add about gaming or anything else in general?

Mike Begum - Gaming has shed light to a life that could have been a dark place in me. I'll always cherish the memories of opening my birthday gift and seeing the NES system for the first time. I hope I can show people with or without disabilities the light in their lives, and how they can embrace it.