Nintendo is being heavily criticized for how it supports the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate champions. It does not give money, and only gives a command to the winner of the biggest tournament in Japan.
In just a few days EVO Japan, the biggest fighting game tournament event in Japan, takes place. Of course, there are professional players to prove that they are the best and earn money that comes from the pot of participants and the sponsoring companies. It is in this regard that Nintendo has shown little interest in promoting the competitive aspect of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
- New fighters, such as the Inkling from the Splatoon series, Ridley from the Metroid series, Simon Belmont from Castlevania and Canela from Animal Crossing, make their debut in Super Smash Bros. along with all the characters from previous installments.
- More agile combat, new items, new attacks, new defensive options, techniques and many other surprises will keep the battle heated whenever and wherever you want.
- In Normal Combat mode, you can choose the scenario and the rules to fight with up to 8 players. You can also create a team of 3 or 5 fighters and face your rival in successive one-on-one combats in Tropa Smash.
- Choose the theme you like best to play while fighting in one of the scenarios. There are more than 800 scenarios available
As a prize, a command for being the best in Japan
The sponsors are the companies that own the games that participate. It means that it is Bandai Namco who provides the cash for Soul Calibur VI and Tekken 7 if the tournament is held to encourage professional players, who promote the game. Nintendo has distanced itself a lot and as an example we take the list of official awards from EVO Japan.
- Blazblue Cross Tag Battle: 500 yen for first place, 000 yen for second place, 200 yen for third place, 000 yen for fourth place, 100 yen for fifth place and 000 for seventh place posts.
- Samurai Shodown: 500 yen for first place, 000 yen for second place, 200 yen for third place, 000 yen for fourth place, 100 yen for fifth place, and 000 for seventh place.
- Soul Calibur VI: 500 yen for first place, 000 yen for second place, 200 yen for third place, 000 yen for fourth place, 100 yen for fifth place, and 000 for seventh place .
- Street Fighter V Arcade Edition: 1 yen for first place, 000 yen for second place, 000 yen for third place, 400 yen for fourth place, 000 yen for fifth place, and 200 for seventh place.
- Super Smash Bros Ultimate: a pro controller for the Nintendo Switch with the Super Smash Bros. logo in gold.
- Tekken 7: 1 yen for first place, 000 yen for second place, 000 yen for third place, 400 yen for fourth place, 000 yen for fifth place, and 200 for seventh place.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the huge difference in quality between the awards. Nintendo only gives a single controller to the winner, which he will most likely not need. Meanwhile, SNK with a relatively less game with Samurai Shodown, offers almost 10 euros to the best players in its tournament.
With this award, Nintendo cannot encourage professional gamers to spend a lot of time on Super Smash Bros Ultimate. And it is compounded by the fact that it is the best-selling fighting game in history. This is why his passivity when promoting the game and eSports is criticized so much. If tournaments are made, it is by players who are dedicated fans and can live off sponsors and followers on streaming platforms, something very complicated in the competitive gaming scene.
Source: Evo Japan website
