How Evo 2024 unites the FGC: “Evo is the Super Bowl of fighting game tournaments.”

At Evo Las Vegas 2024, legendary fighters went head-to-head for precious metals and esteemed recognition. The spectacle was amplified by enthusiastic Mortal Kombat 1 supporters rooting for their idols, artistic talents showcasing their wares in the alley, and emerging stars testing their skills on upcoming games such as Street Fighter 6 and TEKKEN 8. As esports.gg roamed through the venue, we engaged with members of the fighting game community (FGC) to gain deeper insights into what Evo signifies for them.

Mortal Kombat 1 fans travel to Evo for in-person experience

During the final matches of Dominique “SonicFox” McLean leading up to his first-place win, esports.gg came across spectators Jacob “Skinny” Hennessy and Michael “BraveTheShave” Pritchard. Skinny expressed his excitement every time SonicFox reached the grand finals, while BraveTheShave was elated to see Mileena and Baraka being utilized by competitors.

Two individuals from Oregon traveled to Las Vegas for Evo 2024, finding the journey brief and the cost worthwhile to join the Fighting Game Community face-to-face. BraveTheShave shared with esports.gg how the pandemic adversely affected the fighting game community in their hometown.

During the lockdowns, many of our events took place at colleges and universities. However, with the restrictions in place, we were unable to secure a venue to host larger gatherings. Instead, most activities in the Pacific Northwest have shifted to Discord and other virtual platforms. Finding in-person events can be quite challenging for residents in this region.

Skinny concurred, commenting that Oregon lacks a Mortal Kombat community. “To be honest, there’s barely any Mortal Kombat scene in Oregon at all,” he remarked. “As a result, I mostly engage in online battles, frequently participating in Coliseum tournaments.”

Mortal Kombat 1 fans compare Evo to the Super Bowl

As a gamer, I can honestly say that Evo 2024 has been my favorite gaming event yet. The community here is amazingly welcoming and considerate, even the so-called “toxic” moments are just part of the fun and excitement. Going head to head with other players, discovering new games, and relishing in the arcade experience have made this a truly exceptional event for me.

I’ve been following Evo for a while now, and let me tell you, this tournament is the ultimate showdown for fighting game enthusiasts. Each time I attend or watch from home, the energy and excitement are palpable. It truly feels like the Super Bowl of fighting game tournaments.

Street Fighter 6 player attends first-ever Evo

At the same venue, there was Ricky “Tilian” Sizemore, who came exclusively to play Street Fighter 6 at Evo 2024. This dedicated player from the University of Florida even requested time off work to make his first-ever appearance at this prestigious event. For him, participating wasn’t just an enjoyable pastime, but also a means for personal growth.

As a Florida local who’s attended CEO 10, TNS 9, and several other local events, I was excited for my first Evo experience. However, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer scale of this event. Although I’ve been to some big gatherings before, Evo takes it to another level. The size of the venue is truly awe-inspiring, and I haven’t even entered the arena yet! I can only imagine what it will be like once I step inside. It’s an exhilarating feeling that leaves me both excited and slightly overwhelmed.

Evo 2024 showcases TEKKEN 8, artists of the FGC and beyond

At TEKKEN 8’s bustling scene, fans were thronged around, craning their necks to get a better view of their beloved players. Among them was Jalon “J1NZO” Ortiz, radiating enthusiasm as he marveled at the community coming together over a common passion. His training regimen for Evo 2024 Las Vegas had only begun two weeks prior, taking a brief hiatus to explore other games. Despite an irregular schedule, he diligently prepared himself for the competition.

J1NZO also depicted the Southern California setting with great detail, mentioning that it was top-notch and boasting talented individuals like Averiery RiB, Speedkicks, and Dr.theJAKEMAN, M.D. in its ranks.

He expressed his enjoyment of Evo as a whole, adding, “The classic arcade game section is a blast from the past. The artist alley is another highlight, where artists showcase their work, not just focused on Fighting Game Community, but also anime art. It’s wonderful to witness everyone coming together for our shared passion.”