Summary

The competitive Smash Bros. scene faces challenges in 2023 due to strained relations with Nintendo and a lack of financial support, leading to a shift towards content creation as a more viable path for players.

Abstract

The competitive Super Smash Bros. community is at a crossroads, with the game's publisher, Nintendo, having a contentious relationship that has led to the shutdown of major tournaments. This has resulted in a lack of financial backing, making it less lucrative compared to other esports titles. The once-thriving scene, which had aspirations of professionalization and large-scale tournaments, now sees players and organizations like Panda Global withdrawing from major event hosting. The future of competitive Smash is uncertain, with many top players either persisting out of dedication or transitioning to content creation for more sustainable income. Despite the decline in competitive play, there remains a passionate community that continues to support the game for the love of the sport.

Opinions

The author believes that the relationship between Nintendo and the Smash community is strained and has negatively impacted the growth of the competitive scene.
There is a sentiment that without publisher support, as seen with Capcom's backing of Street Fighter, the Smash community struggles to fund tournaments and support professional players.
The article suggests that the dream of making a living off competitive Smash is increasingly unrealistic, with other esports offering more substantial winnings.
The author expresses that for many, Smash is more than a game; it's a form of mental competition and art, which is why some players continue to participate despite the lack of financial incentives.
The piece conveys a sense of disappointment and lost potential, imagining a world where Smash could have been a top esport with Nintendo's full support.
It is implied that the future of Smash as a competitive esport is in jeopardy, but content creation is emerging as a viable alternative for players to remain involved in the gaming community.
The author encourages readers to continue supporting Smash, suggesting that passion for the game can sustain the community through uncertain times.

Esports: What Happens to the Competitive Smash Bros. Scene in 2023 and Onward?

In 2017, Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch, their latest gaming console. One of the key scenes near the end of the trailer showed a colorful arena with people playing Splatoon 2 on a grand stage. With a crowded arena cheering on the players, this leaned toward the notion that Nintendo was going to host major esports events akin to the international fighting game tournament, EVO.

Unfortunately, the Smash community has a turbulent history with the game’s publisher, Nintendo, over licensing issues. In 2021, Nintendo shut down The Big House tournament for using a modded version of Super Smash Bros. Melee.

But more pressing was last year’s fiasco involving Panda Global and VGBoot Camp’s Smash World Tour. Long story short, the relationship between Nintendo and the Smash community remains strained. Moreover, even major organizations like Panda Global will not be hosting any major events moving forward.

What This Means for the Players

I cannot understate the impact it has on the player. For many of us, competitive Smash started as a grassroots hobby that grew into a worldwide tournament scene. However, without the support from the publisher — as you see with Capcom Pro Tour with Street Fighter — funding came solely from the tournament organizers (TOs) and players’ pockets.

Years ago, we imagined a Smash scene where we would make a living off of the game we loved most. If we went to enough tournaments and practiced hard enough, we could live off of being good in Smash. The winnings would support our lifestyles to be professional players. Just like Daigo in Street Fighter and Justin Wong in Marvel vs. Capcom, Smash would have stories of success visiting many dedicated players.

Flash forward to 2013, and Smash remains unlucrative. You’ll earn more winnings from traditional fighting games. Platform fighters like Multiversus and Brawlhalla gain more winnings. Major esports like Overwatch and Fortnite offer millions in comparison to the paltry sum that Smash Ultimate and Melee players win in the Top 8 events at majors.

Hell. You’ll win more from playing Pokemon at this point.

Why This Hurts

Many of us dreamed of being that next top player. Kids grew up watching ZeRo, Nairo, and Ally dominate tournaments during the days of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Smash 4. Other players saw them as rivals and wanted to beat them to make a name for themselves. We had a dream of becoming esports legends.

For us, Smash is our hobby. It’s like a mental art form. Maybe even mental martial art of sorts. It’s a competition of our minds and strategies going against other people. In fighting games, that’s completely normal. Yet in Smash, it seems to be a dwindling art form.

I always struggled to find what I wanted to do in life. Seeing competitive Smash play on the grand stage and knowing I could be even better than it awoke something in me. It work a fiery passion and motivated me to train and eventually travel across the U.S. to participate in tournaments.

Imagine a World Where Smash Tops Esports

In an ideal world, we would have gotten full backing from Nintendo. We would be preparing for a tournament with a $100K pot bonus on the line paid out to the Top 32. States and regions would host their own tournaments with thousands of dollars on the line. Smash would rival the likes of League of Legends and Overwatch in terms of participation and payouts and we would be thriving off of it.

That’s not the reality we live in. We live in one where many players have long since moved on. Not from lack of success competitively. Some of them are former high-level players who know that the sacrifice needed to become great at the game they love just isn’t worth the meager payouts awarded for their efforts.

The Future of Smash

Right now, Smash’s future looks bleak. All but a number of top-level and dedicated players will continue putting in the effort. At this point — or rather, as it’s always been — Smash is a labor of love. Not everyone plays for money and some of us just love it for the enjoyment of the eSport.

As an esports career choice, however, it’s about as dead in the water as it gets. No more building up in hopes that Nintendo will notice us and fund an overarching scene that pays its players and puts them in the limelight.

Content Creation: The Future of Competitive Smash

More and more Smash players take up content creation as they realize it pays better than competitive tournament play. Casual players who don’t enter tournaments will make money from donations and subscriptions. Top players and coaches do not even have to leave their homes just to showcase their skills to viewers. While competitive Smash might be on the decline, content creators have another avenue to show their skills.

You might want to be a competitive Smash all-star. But if you want to succeed, you might just need a different vehicle to channel that energy in. Whether that means playing a different fighting game or becoming a content creator, the future holds uncertainty for many players. Until we know for sure where Smash is going, all you can do is support what you love and see where it takes you.

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