Fighting game players and enthusiasts from around Australia are gearing up for the first major event in the country's ever-growing tournament calendar: the 10th annual OzHadou Nationals--otherwise known as OHNX website--taking place this weekend in Sydney.

　　This year, OHNX will attract both amateur and professional players from interstate and overseas, battling it out for the title of national champion in each tournament game. The 2012 game lineup includes Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Soul Calibur 5, and King of Fighters XIII.

　　Players participating in the tournament will also have the chance to earn points to qualify in the world's biggest fighting game tournament: the Evolution Championship Series world finals, held in Las Vegas in July 2012.

　　GameSpot AU spoke to OHNX co-organiser Daniel Chlebowczyk about what gamers can look forward to at the OzHadou Nationals this year.

　　GameSpot AU: Hey Dan, can you tell us a bit about what OHNX means to Australia's fighting game community, and why it's such a big deal?

　　Daniel Chlebowczyk: It's one of a few major events in the fighting game community, and it's the first one of the year. It attracts people from all over the country, and we're really happy to have a few intentionally renowned players coming to OHNX. There's also the addition of Evolution (EVO) points this year, which means that just by winning a match, players will be able to qualify for the EVO championships in Las Vegas, which is particularly exciting.

　　On a local scale, the Sydney-Melbourne rivalry provides much of the excitement, and we've got a few dedicated matchups that concentrate just on that. All in all, it's a chance for fighting game players to show they're the best and get some bragging rights under their belt.

　　GS AU: How many people do you expect to show up?

　　DC: We're looking at just over 200 entrants, plus spectators.

　　Roster limiting DRM makes Ryu mad. Also, evil.

　　GS AU: Can you give us an idea of some of the more exciting grudge matches to look out for?

　　DC: We can't officially prove this, but players do like to lay down money on the exhibition matches. These are specially tailored matches made up of players who want to challenge each other and are usually well known and have a lot of prestige and also a lot of people cheering them on!

　　I know for sure our NSW versus Victoria exhibition match will be a spectacular affair, and I think a lot of people are looking forward to the match between ToXY [currently the Melbourne champion in Marvel vs. Capcom 3] vs. KG. [currently the Canberra and Perth champion in Marvel vs. Capcom 3].

　　Basically, the exhibition matches are all about putting players to the task--if somebody talks big, we see if they can back it up.

　　GS AU: What can people expect to win?

　　DC: OHNX is sponsored by Namco Bandai, THQ, and Madman Entertainment. Namco and THQ will be providing fighting game prize packs, and Madman will be providing their own prizes including anime, cult, and Asian cinema DVDs and Blu-ray releases.

　　GS AU: What are you most looking forward to this weekend at OHNX?

　　DC: I think one of the craziest matches will be Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, because there's a lot riding on it and anything can happen. Of course, there's also the big daddy of the scene, Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. That's going to be a great tournament because the game has had the longest history and the biggest player base.

　　OHNX is taking place this weekend, Feb 17-19 at The Red Room, Level 1, 99 York Street, Sydney. The casual play night is taking place tonight, followed by the tournament all weekend, and the finals on Sunday.

　　For more information, including match schedules, visit the OHNX website.