A brief dive into the history of the Fighting Game Community (FGC) and EVO 2022 which took place last weekend (Aug.7, 2022). Learn more about this Esport and the world’s largest double-elimination tournament.
Put your Quarter up
The Fighting Game Community, better known as the FGC, is a tight-knit video game community with arguably the longest history in the industry. The birth of local video game arcades in the 1970s caused the youth of the time to flock together. High scores were challenged, lap times beaten, and pride won or lost, one quarter at a time.
In those times this meant games such as Space Invaders, Night Driver, and Pong. Fighting games then were few and far between due to the limitations of technology and the inability for one on one matches. In the mid 80’s Karate Champ was released, and people’s love for fighting games began. A best-to-three match format, intuitive controls, and ability to defeat the person standing next to you gave way to an international sensation. Karate champ went on to become the highest-grossing arcade game of 1985 in the US.
Only two years later, the first Street Fighter was released. A new way of play was presented to players across the world. A six-button layout allowed for special moves, done by a series of joystick motions and specific button inputs. Players took control of the Japanese martial artist Ryu to defeat various NPCs. The real attraction however was for a second player to take control of Ryu’s rival, American fighter Ken Masters, for one on one duels.
Competitors everywhere began lining up at arcade cabinets, putting their weekly allowance on the line hoping to make a name for themselves in their local community and establish dominance.
More importantly, a new system mechanic was discovered. A technical oversight by Capcom allowed players to chain moves together after a successful hit. The combo was born.
This gave players a way to express playstyles in a method never thought possible before.
Since the internet was in its infancy and traveling for competitions was not yet a thing, players only knew of techniques and active competitors from their local arcades. Fast forward to the present day and type in “combo video” on YouTube – thousands of clips pop up showcasing fighting games’ biggest feature.
Worldwide Competition and Development
In 1998 the FGC witnessed its first major international match. The Street Fighter Alpha 3 World championship saw America’s Alex “Mr. Street Fighter” Valle face off against Japan’s Daigo “The Beast” Umehara. This sparked immense growth of the FGC as players vied to spread their name as well as their style of play.
Take a look around today and you’ll be hard pressed to not see the influence the FGC has had on video game history and culture. From the notorious “Evo Moment 37″ to sayings and emoticons such as “Jebaited ” or “PogChamp ”.
Due to the individualistic nature of fighting games and their popularity at the time, much of FGC culture has been derived from professional wrestling. Long-standing rivalries were born, grudge matches were held, and competitors were labeled heroes or heels based on personality/trash talk. This, as well as the community’s inclusivity, is what helps give the FGC its unique flavor among the Esports of today.
So What is EVO?
It all began in 1996 with a tournament called Battle by the Bay, or “B3”. B3 was a Street Fighter tournament that took place in Sunnyvale, California. In its inaugural year, only 40 players competed. As time went on the tournament grew in size and included a larger roster of games. An increasing number of players began traveling from overseas to test their mettle.
In 2002 the tournament was renamed “Evolution Championship Series” or EVO for short. Two years later EVO saw almost 700 entrants. This is also when the aforementioned EVO moment #37 between America’s Justin “JWonggg” Wong and “The Beast” occurred.
EVO is now known as the world’s largest fighting game tournament, with each game’s victor being crowned the globe’s greatest player for that year. Starting in 2017, EVO has been held at the Mandalay Bay Resort, a world-famous casino and vacation destination in Las Vegas, NV.
Unfortunately, Life Gets in the Way
EVO 2020 and 2021 were held as online tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conditions were suboptimal for competitors due to the inconsistency online provides in games where every frame matters. During this time EVO was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment and talent agency Endeavor. The implications of this are huge as prize pools will continue to increase as will tournament structure and organization.
EVO 2022 took place this past weekend.
And wow did the Fighting Game Community show up. This year’s EVO saw roughly 8,000 entrants from 63 different countries over the 9 games offered. Keep in mind that players are able to enter multiple games provided their schedules do not overlap.
This is also more than likely multiple games’ last appearance at EVO, with multiple companies already having plans or teasing their next title.
While winning EVO is already a great honor and cements a player’s name in fighting game history – becoming the last EVO champion for any given game is a title few have the privilege of receiving. The sheer size and open tournament format provide a certain level of unpredictability that other large tournaments simply do not offer.
This year, Koreas’ Bae “Knee” Jae-min reclaimed his throne as Tekken world champ. Knee is one of those legendary fighting game players expected to make EVO’s top 8, much like The Beast for Street Fighter. Meanwhile, younger players such as America’s Derek “iDom” Ruffin, who took 2nd for Street Fighter 5, shocked everyone with his INSANE run through the losers bracket.
Another impressive display of skill that come out of nowhere was by fellow American “Umisho” who took first in Guilty Gear Strive over “Leffen“. It’s worth noting that Guilty Gear had the most entrants standing at an incredible 2161 players. This reiterates the fact that everything and anything can happen, with upsets happening left and right while history is made.
Will you join the FGC and make a name for yourself?
