Nintendo's New Policies Spark Huge Outrage Among Smash Bros. Fans

• Nintendo's controversial new Smash Bros. tournament guidelines.
• Restrictions include participant limits, prize caps, and no sponsorships.
• Competitive community's concerns and top-ranked players' frustrations.
• Defiance from players like Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma.
• Recent controversies involving Nintendo and its competitive community.

Nintendo's Controversial Stance on Smash Bros. Tournaments

Nintendo's rapport with the grassroots competitive scene surrounding its Super Smash Bros. games has always been a contentious issue. However, it seems that today, this relationship might have reached its nadir.

Fans of the company's widely loved fighting game franchise are in an uproar over a new set of tournament guidelines that some argue would effectively annihilate the existing Smash esports scene.

The New Guidelines

These new guidelines, posted on October 24 on Nintendo’s UK, Japan, and North America websites, place stringent restrictions on all “community” tournaments. They dictate that in addition to being nonprofit events, Smash tournaments can only have 200 participants, cannot offer prizes above $5,000, cannot have sponsors, and cannot use modified versions of Nintendo games.

These rules also forbid tournament organizers from selling food, beverages, or merchandise. While they don't completely prohibit commercial tournaments, they do require these events to obtain special licenses directly from Nintendo.

Impact on the Competitive Community

This move has sparked considerable concern among fans and players alike. Many speculate that this could lead to the imposition of these restrictions on larger esports events, or make organizing a Smash Bros. tournament too complicated to even attempt.

Top-ranked players have expressed their frustration publicly. Samuel “Dabuz” Buzby, one of the world's top-ranked players, and Adam “Armada” Lindgren, one of the “five gods” of Smash Bros. Melee, both voiced their discontent on social media platforms.

Defiance in the Face of Restrictions

Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma, another of the “five gods,” vowed to continue running his own tournaments until Nintendo’s lawyers contacted him personally. He made this bold statement during a recent livestream.

DeBiedma has previously criticized Nintendo for not supporting its competitive community like other game companies do, such as Capcom with Street Fighter. He referenced an instance in 2013 when Nintendo tried to ban the Melee finals from being broadcast at Evo before they eventually relented due to public backlash.

Recent Controversies

In recent years, Nintendo's neglect of its competitive community has allegedly turned hostile, with the company accused of shutting down various tournaments over their inclusion of third-party, fan-developed services and modifications to its games.

After Sony purchased Evo in 2022, the biggest fighting game tournament of the year, Nintendo withdrew Smash Bros. from the event entirely. The company was expected to have its own Smash Bros. league organized by Panda Global, but this plan fell through after a dramatic cancellation of Video Game Boot Camp’s Smash World Tour event in 2022.

Many have accused Nintendo and Panda Global of collusion in this matter, but the truth remains to be seen.

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