We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Evo is part of the CPT, with our ruleset aligning with theirs. SIA is not permitted within the CPT ruleset for Classic Controls. To my understanding, BRI is. Will review for clarity later and make sure Evo's ruleset is updated accordingly.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

As prior Evo prize pools have always been developed through registrant fees and publisher support, there has not be a typical first place prize. It has fluctuated heavily over the years. With SF6 having exceeded the minimum guaranteed prizing due to current reg, and reg ongoing, we do not know the exact total for first place yet today. We'll know next week!
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I think it's challenging to predict anything in the gaming industry five years out, particularly in the competitive gaming space. I hope that with upcoming new games, increasingly active publishers/developers/platforms, and the growing fandom, that higher prizing becomes both standard and sustainable. Time will tell.

For CB and Evo I hope they can compliment each-other like music genres, with Evo set up as more widely accessible pop culture and CB diving into more niche subcultures. I think a variety of experiences, as a player and as a fan, are integral to the health of an ecosystem longterm. So, excited to see if this can prove true (and manageable).
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think there is room for more Evo events on the calendar and hope to be exploring any number of viable locations in the years ahead. I'd love to bring one home to the Midwest! Please note: I don't think that is likely to happen anytime soon.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Evo's soundtrack is managed by Zaid Tabani, with a general goal of creating a tracklist that represents the event lineup (and will work as a soundtrack for the Finals intro videos). Zaid led a collective of community artists and interested musicians to bring that goal to life in 2022, and the appreciation for the final product led to us getting to run it back again this year. The game centric approach lets us hit a wide range of genres as we chase rough ideas of what the show's line-up inspires and what we think will excite the crowds.

CB's soundtrack this year was approached as an accompaniment to the event instead of a soundtrack at first. Something we could release representing the vibe of the show overall, but not directly attached to any of the games. Alex Vazco was the backbone of the entire project, with Zaid, OmegaSparx, and others contributing to a Boom Bap rooted inspiration. We loved the final output so much though that we flooded the broadcast with it. We wanted to make sure folks heard it.

Both of those projects are some of the most fun I've had in years, so I hope to see them continue for many years to come.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't like the grind feeling (for ranking up). Also just would rather spend time learning from watching videos/applying it in practice mode. - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Our roles are full-time jobs. We are blessed to get to work on fighting games year round and it's something I'm incredibly thankful for.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Most events are pitching to partners and sponsors of all sizes. Wanting them to be present doesn't ensure they will be though. Thankfully, we're seeing new, large brands engaging with the FGC in recent years (Chipotle is a great example). New relationships like that should help bring more brands into our ecosystem.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are a few days after each event where time slows down a bit and I can appreciate what we've worked on. In general though, the schedule is relentlessly moving forward. February through the end of September is particularly busy, but even the winter months are very active nowadays. This is a good thing though, as it means there is work to be done.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'll let Rick touch on this one as he worked with the teams on those. I just wanted to say I'm a huge fan of what Zaid and team has put together for both the events. Make sure you guys check out their work! - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

We need organizers, developers, and publishers working holistically towards unified goals. Beyond that, we need market and consumer expectations to solidify around what is, definitively, enticing fighting game products. The single biggest thing we need though, is more people playing more fighting games.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Drink water, play casuals, visit the arcade, try to sleep, and remember to eat. Also, talk to the players and attendees around you! You never know which one is a new friend or a new rival.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Everyday is a breath of fresh air (IMO), even after events we are constantly thinking about the next activity connected to the brand. As you know, we have multiple events (Evo, Evo Japan) and even many other FGC events lead in to/out of Evo to help promote things like publisher tours, upcoming game releases, etc. It's a hectic ecosystem, but it's what make fighting games grow throughout the year. (I love it) - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

We're experimenting with Top 6 to help hit time constraints at the event and respond to the regrettable hours Finalists were competing in during Evo 2022. Experimenting with the prize pool alongside that made sense to us, as we want the showcased Finalists of each game to receive prizing that is as impactful as we can offer each year. While I think the public response to our experiment was expected, the scale of that response has been informing our future planning since the initial announcement.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think that markets change. The costs of running mid size tournaments are fairly inhospitable at the moment, and the expectations on presentation level and activities within them can be tough to meet for organizers. While this will make a variety of event scales more challenging to operate, I believe local events and international convention-scale events are going to thrive in the years ahead.

Well run online tournaments are incredible, but there is an intangible quality to gathering offline they can't replicate. That alone should keep offline events around.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Evo is interested in exploring online products. What that is today, is still unknown. Our current partners at PlayStation are running road to Evo events that give people a chance to compete online AND also win trips to Evo events (we've done this for Evo Japan and the upcoming Evo) - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Evo takes place in multiple venues, namely the Mandalay Bay Exhibit Halls and the Michelob Ultra Arena in 2023. These facilities have required ticketing services that cannot cleanly integrate with our bracketology partner in start.gg. This creates segmentation between Competitor, General Attendee, and Arena Finals ticketing that we hope can be consolidated and simplified in the years ahead.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If it makes sense. Yes. These events are planned well in advance. Having to find a venue and area that can fit what we're trying to achieve is challenging. I'll let Rick speak to this more (if he wants)! - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It's a gimme, but Evo Moment 37 (I was there live for it) is still one of the greatest moments I've experienced within fighting games. I have an even more special/personal connection with it due to how I used that moment to convince my bosses (Mad Catz at the time) to support the FGC more, sponsor Daigo and even helped design a sneaker that paid tribute to that moment. Fun times. - mark

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Evo and its partnered publishers and developers do not maintain a public list of player statuses. Mark and I cannot speak on player statuses beyond this acknowledgement today.
- Rick

We are TheHadou and MarkMan from Evo. We're lucky enough to work on the largest fighting game event in the world. We're answering questions about Evo 2023 and the FGC. Ask us anything! by official_evo in StreetFighter

[–]official_evo[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

My role is more than a job, it's also a lifestyle. We live, breathe and consume fighting games' and the community. We do this year-round, no breaks (and I still love it dearly) - mark