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The Competitive Smash Bros Scene is in Financial Crisis

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eSports are a great medium to talk about in recent days. We have seen a lot of unforgettable moments from the players and competitors. From hype upsets to the closest matches we have ever seen. However, it seems like one scene in particular is suffering and that is no less than the Super Smash Bros. scene. Which according to a report by Glixel is currently in a financial crisis.

The first thing that should be mentioned is that people will think this is false. The “Evidence” says that Super Smash Bros. in general has a lot of support from the fans. Coupled with this would be the fact that this is a eSport that has presence in big-end tournaments like EVO. However, not everything is at it seems, and this isn’t a presence problem, it’s a behind the scenes problem.

Wynton “Prog” Smith, a retired competitor and commentator talked about the main issue of the scene. “The scene doesn’t really invest in itself anymore, and the most difficult thing is that since we don’t have that kind of first-party support from Nintendo, we have to make do on our own.”

The major problem with the Smash Bros. scene is that it still doesn’t have official support. Yes, Nintendo acknowledges that the scene exists, but they don’t actually help Tournament Organizers. They mostly remain hands-off for tournaments unlike many companies like Blizzard who offer League contracts to high-end players.

The second issue comes down to talking about where the funds the scene gets go. The majority of the funds go into Pot bonuses which are added by a sponsor on top of the already established pot pool.

“Pot bonuses have become common across the community,” says Champ Tangwongkitsiri, the organizer of Red Bull’s Gods and Gatekeeper’s Tournament. “Potential sponsors look at previous events, and they always see that big amount next to the company name, and they end up wanting the same thing.”

This is done in order to attract big names to the scene such as Mango, Hungrybox and M2K. Because it offers a higher viewership and attendance to venue and streams. So, what’s the problem? “Event expenses are so high that most tournaments can only break even,” says Luis Suarez, the director of Panda Global’s statistic team. “If they offer a pot bonus to attract top players, they are sacrificing everything else.”

That “Everything else” means things such as extra console setups, pay for the staff and streamers, money for better production as well as many other event related expenses that end up pushing organizers into the red numbers. The sacrifice isn’t even worth it because it’s only done to keep the community pleased.

The only thing that could fix the issue would be official support from Nintendo. A complete re-restructure of the distribution of Pot Bonuses would also come a long way. Not to mention, make the community grow and become more accessible to players that aren’t on the top. However, could it be too late to fix this struggle?

I always wanted to be a journalist who listens. The Voice of the Unspoken and someone heavily involved in the gaming community. From playing as a leader of a competitive multi-branch team to organizing tournaments for the competitive scene to being involved in a lot of gaming communities. I want to keep moving forward as a journalist.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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