Super Smash Bros. players are finally getting an organized world tour.
Smash World Tour 2020 promises more than 25 community events for both Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate, creating an actual tournament circuit for the NIntendo fighting game. It’s something that’s never been done before.
VGBootCamp and several other prominent event organizers have come together to create the tournament circuit, which is to be called the Smash World Tour Championships, boasting a $250,000 prize pool. This is almost unheard of in Smash, which often sees prize pools created only from registration fees. In fact, VG called it the “biggest prize pool in Smash history.”
First place finishers for Melee and Ultimate will both receive a staggering $40,000.
Unlike Overwatch and League of Legends, Smash sees no support from the game’s developer, Nintendo, who have prominently stated that they are not interested in esports when it comes to marketing their game.
The Smash World Tour announcement came with a video, which outlines just how important community is to competitive Smash.
“We’ve built this history together,” the video states after showing a compilation of clutch victories. “Now, it’s time for the next step.”
Tournaments will be held all around the world, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, UK, France, and Australia. Oftentimes, these regions don’t have a chance to pit their top talent against each other consistently, since prize pools at international tournaments barely cover flight costs. The promise of a substantial chunk of a large prize pool will finally have all the top players in Melee and Ultimate competing under one roof repeatedly.
The 25 events throughout 2020 are categorized as either Platinum, Gold, or Silver, each earning players a certain amount of points based on their placement. Many existing annual events, like Pound and CEO Dreamland, are counted as upcoming World Tour events.
Players can also earn points at their city’s locals. Finalists will compete in the Smash World Tour Championships in December. The location has yet to be revealed.
“The future of competitive Smash is here,” organizers stated.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
