Plus, come watch the finals with Destructoid this Sunday in San Francisco!
Evo 2013 has recently been in the news after Nintendo banned the world’s biggest fighting game tournament from streaming Super Smash Bros. Melee after fans raised almost $100,000 for breast cancer research to get the game included. Even more surprising was how quickly Nintendo reversed this decision and allowed its game to be streamed, after some strong fan outrage.
It could be that Nintendo didn’t want itself embroiled in bad press. It’s also possible that Nintendo quickly realized just how big Evo has become in recent years and how such exposure acts as free marketing for the upcoming Smash Bros Wii U and 3DS games. Last year’s Las Vegas tournament beat out the previous years’ attendance numbers. Evo 2013 boasts a record-breaking 3,538 competitors in 6,097 tournament entries and the most spectator passes the tournament has ever sold, according to GameSpot.
The tournament will also be broadcasted simultaneously in Japan (with commentary), courtesy of Mad Catz and video sharing site Nico Nico Douga, Joystiq reports. I wonder if that had anything to do with Nintendo reversing their decision?
Most importantly, you can watch the Evo 2013 championships with Destructoid this Sunday if you live in the Bay Area (or feel like commuting into San Francisco for the day). We’re teaming with Mission bar Dear Mom to host an Evo live steam. If you’re free, drop by for good food, good drinks, and some fighting games.
EVO 2013 to draw record number of attendees [GameSpot]EVO 2013 to be simulcast in Japanese [Joystiq]