Could Nintendo Smash Into The eSports Scene?

When you think of eSports, the first names that are likely to come to mind would be League of Legends, Starcraft, or Call of Duty. Nintendo is looking to change this, as they are starting to accept that one of their franchises isn’t just a party game, but is regarded as a highly competitive game in the eSports community. This is the Super Smash Bros. series.

So what changed?

The new idea of having the Super Smash Bros. series become a larger player in eSports is likely a result of the events that occurred during EVO in 2013. In short, Nintendo ordered EVO to take Super Smash Bros. Melee out of their broadcast lineup and  to take the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament out of their event all together. After a huge outcry from the fighting game community, Nintendo promptly changed their mind.

It was this outcry that woke up Nintendo

The next thing you would hear from Nintendo regarding Super Smash Bros. and eSports would be their backing of both EVO’s and Major League Gaming’s tournaments. This was quite the change from not wanting their game to be played and broadcasted to giving full support to tournament organizers.

But wait, there’s more!

Nintendo is now looking to take control of their game as an eSport and host their own tournament similar to what Riot Games does with League of Legends, and Blizzard with Starcraft 2. Nintendo announced on their YouTube that they will be hosting their first ever Smash Brothers Invitational Tournament in LA, during E3 at the Nokia Theater. This will not only showcase their upcoming entry into the Super Smash Bros. series, but also show their support in making their game the next big name in competitive gaming.

Will this be enough for Nintendo to become a big player in eSports? It’s too early to tell. Nintendo is going in the right direction though. We will have to wait until E3 to find out.