Fighting game community reacts negatively to the acquisition of RTS, the owner of Evo, by Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya project, raising concerns over community values and human rights issues, with some fans considering alternative events like CEO.
Qiddiya, a Saudi Arabian mega-city project backed by the Public Investment Fund, has acquired full ownership of RTS, the organizer of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), aiming to strengthen its position in the esports industry and support EVO's growth. The financial details were not disclosed, and the move follows Qiddiya's previous investment and partnership with EVO, amidst ongoing discussions about the implications of Saudi-backed investments in entertainment.
Sony announced the official PS5 and PC fighting stick called FlexStrike Wireless Fight Stick, set to launch in 2026, featuring wireless connectivity via PlayStation Link, customizable controls, and compatibility with PS5 controllers, with a focus on fighting game tournaments like EVO and collaboration with Marvel Tokon.
Invincible Vs, a 3v3 tag fighting game based on the Invincible comic and animated series, revealed its sixth character, Battle Beast, with a new gameplay trailer ahead of a public demo at Evo in August. The game, developed by Quarter Up, shows promise with its talent and IP, and fans will get a chance to try it out in Vegas next month.
Riot Games' upcoming fighting game set in the world of League of Legends, previously known as Project L, has been officially named 2XKO. It is a 2v2 tag-fighter and part of Riot's expansion into different gaming genres. The game's executive producer announced a growing team, a working roadmap, and a 2025 launch window for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 2XKO will be showcased at various events for feedback, with playtesting opportunities available for fans leading up to its release.
The Evolution Championship fighting series has revealed its game lineup for the 2024 schedule, featuring new titles like Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising and UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes, alongside returning favorites such as Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. The event will take place from July 19th to 21st, 2024 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with tickets already available for purchase.
PS5 systems at the Evo fighting games tournament in Las Vegas reportedly experienced melting USB ports, potentially due to extended gameplay sessions and the heat exhaust from the back of the console. Some competitors using unlicensed converters for their old PS4 fight sticks on the PS5 may have contributed to the issue. Sony and Evo have not yet commented on the matter. To avoid potential damage, users are advised to use the front USB-A or USB-C ports, allow the console to cool before plugging in the rear USB-A port, and refrain from using unlicensed converters until further information is provided.
Competitors at the Evo fighting game championships have claimed that heavy use of PS5 consoles caused the USB ports to come apart, with a piece of blue plastic getting stuck in the controllers' USB connectors. While there is no evidence of melting, multiple players have reported this issue, raising concerns for event organizers. Players are requesting solutions for future tournaments, including the use of USB hubs or switching to Xbox or PC as the main format.
Xiaohai, a finalist at Evo 2023 for The King of Fighters 15, has been using a Qanba box from his sponsor to cover up his arcade stick and prevent opponents from reading his inputs. This strategy, commonly used to gain an advantage, has been effective for Xiaohai, who is also competing in the Street Fighter 6 bracket and has yet to lose a set.
Capcom confirms that Rashid will be eligible for the Street Fighter 6 tournament at EVO 2023, despite concerns about his potential to be overpowered. The announcement was accompanied by special messages from Rashid's English voice actor, Ian Sinclair. The Street Fighter community is cautiously optimistic about Rashid's inclusion, given his dominance in previous tournaments. EVO registration is still open until July 9.
Street Fighter 6 has broken the all-time EVO record for most registered competitors in a single game, with over 5,065 players already signed up and still two weeks to go until the event. The previous record was set in 2016 with Street Fighter 5. While there will likely still be some dropouts, Street Fighter 6 is checking more initial boxes than its predecessor did, and the hype for the game is strong. EVO 2023 will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from August 4-6.