Sony Buys EVO for Some Reason

In a move I don’t think anyone was expecting, Sony has decided to buy EVO, the biggest and most famous fighting game tournament in the world.

From a press release posted on the Sony Interactive Entertainmente blog:
 

“Today, we’re thrilled to announce the next chapter in the story of PlayStation and Evo, the world’s largest and longest-running fighting game tournament. Sony Interactive Entertainment has teamed up with RTS to acquire Evo through a joint venture partnership. With expertise spanning esports event management, brand and developer consulting and gaming talent management, RTS is a new venture led by CEO Stuart Saw and backed by investors including global entertainment, sports and content company Endeavor.

Evo co-founders Tom and Tony Cannon will remain closely involved in an advisory role to ensure Evo continues to service the fighting game community and support its vibrant growth.

This partnership marks a new collaboration, bringing together the resources and expertise that will allow us to elevate the global reach, scale and fan engagement surrounding this iconic gaming tournament.”

This is cool, but one thing we don’t really know is “why”. EVO was never a huge money making venture, even with the amount of prestige that accompanied it every year, and moreover, it’s always been something of a… problematic event. Not only because there’s inevitably drama every year regarding Smash (which Nintendo refuses to support but Sony won’t be canceling), but also because the fighting game community is toxic. Like, ridiculously toxic. To the point where EVO has to constantly urge its players to stop being sexist, awful monsters. With all these factors combined, I’d assume Sony would find EVO more trouble than it’s worth.

But apparently, Sony knows something I don’t, or at least, has faith that the tournament could grow beyond its current limits. I guess we’ll see how they do as its new stewards during EVO 2021, which of course will be all online this year too.