Aren’t you tired of seeing tournament prize pools reach new heights? Esports' promise of unlimited money is truly unique, and anyone with a competitive streak desires to witness esports prize pools grow indefinitely.
However, the reality is quite different. While Esports prize pools continue to expand, investments and sponsorships are becoming scarce, especially within the competitive fighting game community. This should raise concerns for the FGC if it wants to thrive. Fighting Games, being at the forefront of the arcade scene, have always been a central part of Esports. Yet, despite being pioneers in head-to-head tournaments, the FGC struggles to evolve and adapt like other games. It begs the question: why aren't esports tournaments more immersive?
Fighting Games and Online Play
Fighting games stand in stark contrast to MOBAs and multiplayer shooters, which excel in online play. Fighter netcode is notoriously poor, making offline play the preferred choice for many players. Consequently, the lack of a solid online gaming experience has diminished the relevance of online tournament prizes. Most players already view online play as inferior and merely a supplement to in-person competition. In contrast, games like Dota 2, League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege award substantial amounts of Pro Tour points for online play, ensuring even those unable to attend offline events still have a shot at qualification.
The scarcity of online tournaments and their limited point allocation make it extremely challenging for players to qualify for major events. Fighting game enthusiasts often bear the cost of their travel and entry fees, a burdensome expense, especially for those without sponsors.
The Rising Costs and Investor Reluctance
In recent years, travel and accommodation expenses have skyrocketed, pricing out aspiring competitors. Instead of a few regional tournaments with reasonable entry and accommodation costs, players must now traverse the globe extensively. Esports organizations are also growing more hesitant to invest further, fearing the FGC may lose its grassroots origins.
When esports sponsorships and investments are unreliable, and major events require global travel, the FGC faces significant obstacles in growing. Fortunately, the recent reports on the Capcom Cup and the upcoming Tekken World Tour Finals suggest that players finally have a voice, capturing the attention of teams and tournament organizers.
The Street Fighter 5 Capcom Cup shocked the fighting game community with its prize pool initially reported to be less than $500,000 (subsequently revealed to be higher but not transparently communicated). Equally stunning, the Tekken World Tour 2022 Finals featured significantly smaller prize pools compared to other esports titles despite their lower overall prize money. For context, the Fortnite World Cup boasts a total prize pool of $15 million, and the Halo World Cup 2023 offers $10 million.
Capcom's announcement of a $2 million prize pool for this year's Pro Tour is a game-changer for the fighting game community. It demonstrates confidence in the competitive scene. Just as Riot Games upended the MOBA world by unveiling the League of Legends World Tour with a $4 million prize pool in 2011, Capcom has now set a new standard for fighting game esports. While it is too soon to gauge whether this precedent will continue, it signals that the competitive fighting game community deserves recognition and may finally receive the support it deserves.
Another highly anticipated fighting game release is on the horizon - Project L, developed by Riot Games. It is expected to generate significant investment, making 2023 an exciting year for the FGC. If you share my enthusiasm and are willing to endure another brawl - pun intended - please share this article with your friends. Together, we can showcase why fighting games are the future of esports and why the FGC holds a special place in our hearts.
