Daigo at Evo 2024: “I want to share the excitement, the fervor, the energy we experienced back then with a generation that didn’t get to live it.”

At Evo Las Vegas 2024, I was part of the crowd where gaming legends came together. We rejoiced in reunions, prepared for fierce battles, and pondered over what mark we’d leave on the Fighting Game Community (FGC). Among these iconic figures was Daigo Umehara, who graciously agreed to an interview with esports.gg. He discussed his experiences at Evo, reflections on the FGC past and present, and his future aspirations! Many thanks to Shino Sakurai and Greg Moore for their translation expertise.

Daigo wins Evo Impact Award alongside Justin Wong

At Evo Las Vegas in 2024, Daigo was awarded the Evo Impact Award alongside Justin Wong. This marked a significant milestone for their long-standing rivalry and friendship, reminiscent of the legendary Evo Moment 37 event. In an interview with esports.gg, Daigo expressed his deep appreciation for winning this prestigious award at the premier global fighting game tournament. He acknowledged that Evo Moment 37 served as the motivating factor that launched him into a professional gaming career.

Daigo expressed his gratitude for being recognized with such a prestigious award at the largest esports tournament globally. The victory in Evo Moment 37 significantly influenced his decision to become a professional gamer, serving as the pivotal moment that ignited his passion for this career path.

As Daigo sat in the holding room, preparing to receive the Evo Impact Award, one of the Top 6 Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike players shared with him that he had begun playing the game after being inspired by the famous Evo Moment 37 video. “It really made an impact on me,” Daigo remarked.

For him, every match passes quickly, and each tournament is just a short-lived experience. As a seasoned competitor, he usually doesn’t ponder his past, but when fans from various generations acknowledge him, he becomes aware of how deeply rooted he is in the Fighting Game Community (FGC).

He remarked that each game ends quickly, and every tournament is but a brief chapter in the tapestry of time. Yet, having been a dedicated competitor for so many years with unwavering determination to progress, he seldom pondered on it. However, when fans from various eras approach him to greet, he is struck by the realization: “Wow, I’ve had a significant presence in this community for quite some time.”

Daigo looked back on his whole Evo Las Vegas 2024 journey, mentioning that besides competing, he engaged in meet-and-greets and sparred against Street Fighter 6 enthusiasts. Although he was eliminated from the competition, he derived pleasure and fulfillment from each match.

Daigo on staying sharp as a Street Fighter 6 player

At the interview, Daigo expressed that keeping sharp for him involves leveraging his extensive background and adopting a continuous learning attitude. He emphasized that possessing greater experience does not automatically equate to being a superior player.

In his analysis of Street Fighter 6 competitors, Daigo noted that younger players exhibit faster reflexes than their older counterparts. He acknowledged this difference and understood that it puts him at a disadvantage. To compensate, he focuses on utilizing his extensive experience during training.

I strongly believe that while life experience is valuable, it should not be the sole determinant of one’s abilities or perspective. I have come to learn this lesson through my own journey. Although I may have more years under my belt than some, I understand that experience alone does not guarantee excellence or rightness. In fact, clinging too tightly to past experiences can hinder growth and progress. It is essential to remain open-minded and continue seeking out new perspectives, even if they challenge our current beliefs or understanding. After all, life is a continuous learning process, and every experience, no matter how old or recent, has something valuable to teach us.

I’ve found myself in a new phase of my gaming journey, and it feels like starting from scratch once again. While I can leverage my past experiences and knowledge, I refuse to rely solely on them. For instance, mastering a technique may not come as easily to me as it does for younger players. However, I’ve discovered shortcuts to practice efficiently and precisely, which the newer generation just has to learn through sheer perseverance due to their lack of experience. My life experiences have taught me that adaptability is key in any new challenge, and I’m excited to apply this mindset to my new game.

Daigo on the past and present of the FGC

Daigo shared his thoughts on the evolution of Fighting Game Community (FGC). He mentioned that due to the availability of replays and online matches, players’ skills have significantly improved globally. However, he fondly remembers the distinct social experiences and enjoyment derived from arcades. Despite this, he acknowledges the benefits of current conveniences.

“With the shift towards online gaming as the norm, it’s now simpler than ever to access replays and discover opponents. The level of skill required has significantly risen, making competition fierce no matter where you are. However, I lament the loss of the arcade scene, which provided a distinct and enjoyable experience through its unique interactions. Personally, I was captivated by this aspect of arcades. Unfortunately, it seems almost impossible to merge today’s convenience with that special environment for interaction that arcades once offered.”

How Daigo got started in Street Fighter

As a gamer, I can relate to Daigo’s story of discovery. It all began for me at my local video rental shop too. “I remember walking into the store and spotting an old Street Fighter 2 cabinet in the corner,” I recall. “The moment I dropped my first quarter in and heard that iconic sound, I was hooked.” The graphics, the animation, everything about it left me speechless. “From then on, I would save up every penny to go to the arcade and hone my skills.”

Daigo shared that his team has been organizing a large-scale tournament involving 10,000 people. To build anticipation within the community during the pandemic, they conducted several Beast Cup tournaments. The most recent one in late June featured a 3-on-3 format and drew over 3,400 participants. Their first offline Beast Cup in late March was met with immense community backing and a great feeling of achievement.

In the past, there was a large Street Fighter 2 tournament at Kokugikan, an arena primarily known for sumo wrestling in Japan. This event attracted almost 10,000 people specifically for Street Fighter 2, not including other titles. Daigo expresses his desire to pass on the enthusiasm, intensity, and excitement we felt during that time to a new generation who missed out on the experience. By doing so, he aims to demonstrate the pleasure and joy of gaming.