Author Topic: Panda Global and Nintendo of America Announce Official Super Smash Bros. Circuit for 2022  (Read 2123 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Grimace the Minace

  • Matt Zawodniak
  • Score: 7
    • View Profile

A surreal announcement years in the making.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/58975/panda-global-and-nintendo-of-america-announce-official-super-smash-bros-circuit-for-2022

eSports Company Panda Global announced today that they're teaming up with Nintendo for a Super Smash Bros. tournament circuit in 2022.

The circuit bills itself as the first circuit to be officially licensed by Nintendo in North America. Though few details were given, Panda Global founder Alan Bunney said on Twitter that he hopes this circuit will be "the first brick of the foundation that becomes the future." The event will have guaranteed cash prizes and includes both Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Nintendo's relationship with the competitive Super Smash Bros. community has largely been hands-off over the years, with their involvement being limited to sponsoring community-run tournaments. Last year, Nintendo made the controversial decision to send cease & desist orders to tournaments using the Melee mod Project Slippi, leading to Smash players starting a "#FreeMelee" Twitter hashtag campaign. Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma, one of the top professional Smash Bros. players, described Panda Global's announcement as "the first time in years" that Nintendo has supported the competitive Melee community.