Nintendo’s Impact on Competitive Smash Bros. Scene Raises Concerns
Nintendo’s involvement in the competitive Super Smash Bros. scene has always been distant and sometimes detrimental. The recent update to Nintendo’s Community Tournament Guidelines, along with leaked information about the now-defunct Panda Cup, has left players uncertain about the future of the competitive scene.
New Guidelines Cause Uproar in the Smash Community
On October 24, Nintendo released an update to its Community Tournament Guidelines, which will take effect on November 15. These new guidelines impose restrictions on tournaments without an official Nintendo license, including limitations on monetization, player participation, and prizing. This announcement immediately sparked outrage among the Smash and Nintendo communities, particularly among local and regional event organizers who fear the impact on their events.
Leaked Information Sheds Light on Panda Cup
An anonymous Twitter account claiming to be a tournament organizer shared a pitch deck from the now-canceled Panda Cup 2023. This leaked information provides insights into the event’s production tools, planned dates, sponsorship details, and Nintendo licensing limitations. Former Panda employees have confirmed the accuracy of this leaked information.
Panda Cup Offered Two Packages for Event Organizers
The leaked pitch deck reveals that Panda Cup offered event organizers two packages: one where organizers retained control over certain aspects of their events and another where Panda had exclusive broadcast rights, branding the event as “Nintendo Friendly.” The Partnership Package, which included a confidential five-figure payment, was only available to events that opted for exclusive broadcast rights.
Nintendo’s Guidelines Were Always Expected
According to the anonymous account, the new Nintendo tournament guidelines were likely always going to be implemented, but recent events may have accelerated their release. The account suggests that Super Smash Con, a major tournament held in 2023, may have played a role by ignoring a cease and desist from Nintendo. However, concrete confirmation of a cease and desist being issued to Super Smash Con organizers is still uncertain.
Mixed Reactions from the Community
The community’s response to the new guidelines and leaked information is divided. Some view it as another instance of Nintendo interfering in the competitive scene, potentially harming it. Others are taking a more patient approach, waiting for more information to be released in mid-November before making a judgment. Some community members believe that the guidelines primarily target individual or not-for-profit events without a license and that established tournaments or commercial events will remain largely unaffected.
Positive Experiences with Nintendo
Several tournament organizers have spoken positively about their experiences working with Nintendo for events like Frostbite. They believe that the new guidelines are meant to protect against potential bad actors and that the majority of event organizers within the community will not be significantly impacted.
Analyzing the Guidelines
Various individuals, including those with a legal background, are analyzing the wording of the guidelines to understand their implications fully. Initial thoughts suggest that established tournaments or commercial events will not see significant changes, while individual or not-for-profit events without a license may face more restrictions. Further analysis and breakdowns of the guidelines are expected to be released in the future.
In conclusion, Nintendo’s new tournament guidelines have sparked controversy within the Smash community. While some fear the negative impact on smaller events, others remain hopeful that the guidelines are meant to protect the community. The full extent of these changes will become clearer once more information is released in mid-November.
Source: DOTESPORTS
