According to prominent Tekken professional Arslan Ash, Evo has grown larger but less prestigious as a consequence. Arslan Ash said that Evo was a unique and legendary event attracting competitors from all over the world. However, with the addition of several Evo events—with a fourth being added next year—he thinks they are losing their charm.
He said that he misses the days when there was just a single Evo event every year that crowned a single champion and that the community remembers most of these defining moments.
Evo’s Influence on the Fighting Game Community
Evo, an event that people have traditionally associated with fighting games, has given a game like Tekken a chance to appear on the global esports stage. Arslan Ash, who won Evo Tekken five times in Las Vegas and Japan, shows how emotional and important these tournaments are. The original Las Vegas event was once thought to be the best annual gathering for fighters from around the world.
Nonetheless, the Evo scene is changing, with a new location in France and Singapore. Some folks are pleased with the greater exposure, but they share Arslan Ash’s worry. A supporter mentioned that Evo Japan was important for Arslan Ash, but too many events lessen the importance for real professionals. One other community member pointed out how quantity sometimes outweigh quality, pointing out that the Las Vegas show should be higher, just like the VALORANT Champions show is distinct from the Masters.
The Current Scene and Future of Evo
Members of the fighting game community are looking forward to Evo. With big titles like Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Marvel vs. Capcom 3 appearing, the scene is not in bad shape even if the numbers are down. This could be due to the higher costs of entering and sharing an Evo with multiple events. Nonetheless, the lineup of licensed professionals promises to deliver a series of exciting and fierce competitions.
The discussion with the fans and Arslan Ash’s reflections show how much the Evo tournament has evolved and how it is affecting the FGC.