Evo 2022’s Line-Up Will Not Include Super Smash Bros
Evo, the Sony-owned fighting games tournament, won’t host Nintendo’s biggest brawler for 2022. Twitter announced that Super Smash Bros. would not be returning to the Las Vegas convention in 2018. This decision was made by the esports organisation and attributed to Nintendo.
Evo organizers today confirmed that Super Smash Bros. will not be taking the stage at this year’s event. The statement stated that the Evo 2022 announcements show would be on Twitch on March 8th at 5 PM PST. However, it went on to outline expectations and add “Super Smash Bros. won’t be making a comeback.” Although the statement was brief, the organization did point out Mario at the end.
Evo spokesperson said that “Since 2007, there have been historic Super Smash Bros. moments at Evo events.” We are disappointed that Nintendo chose not to continue this legacy with us. We hope to celebrate the Super Smash Bros. community again in the future. “
It’s clearer now that we are where we are. Sony bought Evo in March 2021 with RTS, an esports consultancy agency. However, it stated that it would continue to welcome all platforms. Evo cancelled its 2020 in-person activities due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Although plans were made for an online tournament, Joey Cuellar (the organization’s founder) was accused of sexually harassing minors. Several fighting game companies pulled out. Evo cancelled 2020 and Cuellar was fired.
Evo hosted an online series of community events in June 2021. The event featured PlayStation front and centre. In November, Nintendo revealed that it was partnering up with Panda Global in order to host an official Super Smash Bros. Championship circuit in North America. That was our last major sign about the state of Smash, Evo, and Panda Global . We’re now here, and fans of Nintendo and Sony are busy blaming one another–due to brand loyalty and other things–and it seems like we’re in an old-fashioned race to the bottom.
It feels like there has been a steady decline. I didn’t have much faith that things would stay the same after Sony bought Evo. It was inevitable that Nintendo would split, which is a company well-known for its rational and logical approach to all things (and has always been completely normal about Smash events ), but it’s a disappointment for those community members who make that part of FGC special. Although Evo’s message is hopeful for the future, I can’t help feeling that this is a definitive wrap. Perhaps 2023 says something different.
