[Update] – Nintendo Everything is reporting that Nintendo will now ALLOW for Super Smash Bros. Melee to be live-streamed for the EVO fighting game tournament.
[Original Story]
Nintendo of America has brought down the ban hammer on their Gamecube million-seller, Super Smash Bros. Melee, being able to be streamed live at this weekend’s EVO fighting game tournament. Organizers for the event confirmed this report to Shoryuken.net earlier today.
In a statement to Shoryuken, EVO co-founder Tom “inkblot” Cannon said the following: “Regrettably, we’ve just been informed by Nintendo of America Inc. that we do not have permission to broadcast Super Smash Bros. Melee for Evo 2013.”
The sudden removal has caused organizers at EVO to change their previously-announced programming schedule. Instead of Melee, Cannon confirmed that Persona 4 Arena and King of Fighters 13 will be used as replacements. What’s puzzling to some is that Melee was the focal point of a fan-funded donation service. The service allowed fans to donate whatever amount of cash they could with proceeds going to breast cancer research. The fans ended up raising almost $100,000 in donations. With the amount of donations received, Melee was then added to the tournament’s lineup of games.
The EVO fighting game tournament is scheduled to feature eight titles in addition Melee. These titles include Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Super Street Fighter 4 Arcade Edition Ver. 2012, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter X Tekken 2013 Edition, The King of Fighters 13 and Persona 4 Arena.
What’s your take on NoA saying no to Smash Bros. being live-streamed at the EVO tournament? Is this getting out of hand, especially with the company’s recent take on Let’s Plays? Discuss in the comments below.