The Evolution Championship Series (EVO) is arguably the biggest esports event forStreet Fighter 5,Tekken 7, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.The event is regarded with respect across the flighting game community, and some great moments have been captured at EVO tournaments. Heated rivalries, clutch saves, underdog wins, and more can be expected every year. Many fans are especially excited about EVO 2022 because it will be the first in-person tournament in two years, yetSuper Smash Bros.has been removed from the EVO lineup, and it’s no surprise why.
Despite its prestige and passionate community, there’s been a great deal of negative press surrounding EVO over the past couple of years - particularly within the competitiveSuper Smash Bros.scene. Moreover, Nintendo has always been possessive of its intellectual properties, going as far asshutting down Nintendo-inspired fan projects. As Nintendo struggles to maintain control of its games' reputations, the future of organized competitions that hostSuper Smash Bros.is uncertain.
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Sony’s Acquisition of EVO
Nintendo’s withdrawal ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatefrom the event happened approximately a year afterSony bought EVO in March 2021, leading to skepticism from fans about the inclusion of non-PlayStation titles at the tournament. Sony’s PR team assured audiences the event would continue to include the games it always had. Sony’s wording in the announcement regardingSuper Smash Bros.‘absence from EVO 2022 also makes it seem like Nintendo is responsible for this decision. Nintendo made a statement wishing Sony luck with the acquisition after it happened, but stating plainly thatSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatewould receive its own tournament hosted by the developer. It seems as though Sony’s association with EVO was discouraging for Nintendo.
Misconduct Allegations in the EVO and Super Smash Bros. Communities
Another argument for Nintendo pullingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatefrom EVO is the event’s negative publicity regarding sexual assault allegations. The first of these controversies came to light in July 2020 when EVO’s then-CEOJoey Cuellar was accused of predatory behaviortoward underage boys in the mid-to-late 1990s. EVO consequently removed him as CEO. These incidents make no direct mention ofSuper Smash Bros., but Nintendo probably wants to avoid any association with the organizers of EVO, even if Cuellar has been removed from the event.
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In the weeks following Cuellar’s removal, allegations of sexual assault directed at competitiveSuper Smash Bros.players also began to surface. A broad range of predatory behavior was spoken of by various individuals, from emotional exploitation to patterned grooming and explicit abuse. Since the players accused of sexual assault had built their entire online platforms and followings aroundSuper Smash Bros., it makes sense thatNintendowould want to reclaim the community in some capacity to create a safer environment for minors.
While it’s disappointing to seeSuper Smash Bros.absent in one of the biggest competitive game circuits, fans will most likely be able to seeSmashplayers battle in its own tournament. Nintendo will likely continue to do whatever it takes to keep its name unsullied and its brands as clean as possible. If that means creating an environment that’s more welcoming, less discriminatory, and overall safer for fans, positive feedback from the community should follow. In addition to this, it may very well be that Nintendo is taking steps to move away fromSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatenow that its content updates have been completed.Director Masahiro Sakuraihas said he’ll be stepping away from the series, so the future ofSuper Smash Bros.at competitive tournaments is something to watch.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis available now, exclusively on Nintendo Switch.
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