Community is angry over Nintendo’s new tournament guidelines

Nintendo has recently announced a new set of rules for Super Smash tournaments, which led to massive community outcry.

After making the controversial decision to shut down Smash World Tour 2022, Nintendo is off to upset the Smash Bros. community again with strict rules for tournaments. Nintendo has published new guidelines for Smash Ultimate’s community tournaments, limiting the size of in-person events, setting a cap on entry fees, and banning sponsorship and merchandising. The new guidelines were initially released for Japan, but Nintendo made these rules standard across Europe and America soon after. This move has upset the Super Smash Bro. community as a whole, with many claiming the new rules as the death of the community events.

Nintendo’s new guidelines for Super Smash Bros.’s event

• There is a limit of 200 players for live tournaments and 300 for online tournaments. Even if larger tournaments are permitted per Nintendo’s regulations provided that players are divided into “blocks,” the daily cap of 200 contenders might negatively affect events across the nation.
• The highest prize pool that community events can provide has been capped at $5,000 USD for a single event and $10,000 USD for an entire year, as set by Nintendo.
• Sponsors and the selling of food, drinks, and merchandise have also been prohibited by the developer.
• Nintendo’s rules expressly prohibit using modified software in competitions, which has an immediate impact on community-made modifications like Project M and Project+.
• Nintendo forbids tournament organizers from using any other platform for events that have online components; instead, they must utilize Nintendo’s servers.

Nintendo posted new guidelines for JPN Smash tournaments tonight.

Highlights:
– Limits size of reg fees to 2000YEN ($13USD)
– Limits offline tournament size to 200 entrants or less
– Sponsor, monetization restrictions
– No cash prizes

ENG version: https://t.co/SnDUoXPpWE https://t.co/riNQOQwYar

— Gyromight #EighthPort (@SSBGyromight) October 24, 2023

Community reaction to the new guidelines

It’s unclear at this point if Nintendo will give any leeway in these choices or if these guidelines are now irrevocable. Many have noted how naive Nintendo’s new rule set is and how it would eventually deter organizers from running Nintendo tournaments. Players and organizers have taken to social media to express their disapproval of these restrictions. Many people are feeling frustrated and worried, and some have even said that the competitive scene might be “over”.

Seems like an approval is needed if you intend to go pass 200 entrance for tournaments in Japan…. here we go again.

Fuck Nintendo, they are like a 5 year old screaming for attention at all times when it comes to competitive Smash. https://t.co/FxqIfvDJzD

— Adam Lindgren (@ArmadaUGS) October 24, 2023

 

Popular personalities in the scene like Adam “Armada” Lindgren and Samuel “Dabuz” Buzby have not held back when criticizing Nintendo’s activities. The players attack the developers for introducing these rigid regulations, which they view as detrimental to the scene. Juan “Hungrybox” DeBiedma, a well-known figure who is regarded as one of the “five gods,” has also adopted a more assertive approach, pledging to carry on holding his tournaments until he receives a reaction from Nintendo’s legal team.

Header: Smash World Tour