Some of you may be aware that major sports network ESPN has added eSports to its catalogue of broadcast types. In fact, it's created a site dedicated to the new initiative, accompanied by a Twitter account under the handle of @ESPN_Esports. Its "popular" games of coverage choice are League of Legends, Dota 2, and Hearthstone, which is the start of a tremendous step forward in exposing the competitive gaming scene and eSports on the whole - something that this writer is sure is appreciated by video game lovers around the world.
For Nintendo fanatics specifically, however, ESPN has also announced that the ever-popular Super Smash Bros. franchise will be joining its list of games in its coverage of events (although we're not certain which game(s) exactly, but Melee and Wii U are likely to be the leading candidates). It's unsurprising that if Nintendo games were to ever be considered for such a campaign, Smash would be the pick. It's a highly popular game in the competitive scene, most recently being competed in by hundreds of players from around the world in the third instalment of its own dedicated tournament, Genesis.
What do you make of ESPN including Smash in its library of eSports coverage, and would you like to see them undertake any other Nintendo games? Are you happy that video-games on the whole are increasing in exposure because of initiatives like these? As always, sound-off below.
[source twitter.com, via gamnesia.com]
Comments 36
Oh good Lord, YES, PLEASE!
Omega stages, Diddy Kong only, no items.
Yo Genesis 3 was sick last night. The most hype Melee I've seen in a while.
@DarthNocturnal Looks like it was unnecessary for you to brace yourself; it's already been 12 minutes.
ESPN has been bleeding money the last few years by overbidding for their football and NBA rights. I'm sure they are hoping to get e-sports under their wings before it gets expensive.... assuming it really takes off.
To all of you video game only people out there that don't typically watch ESPN, you are really going to "love" Jon Gruden describing all the competitors as, "he's a video game PLAYER!"
I think that Smash Bros is the best choice, even among other fighting games. Outside of Marvel(which often has too much going on the screen at times), Smash works perfectly as a spectator game. Its fast-paced, there is tons of movement around the stage, insane hype moments can happen with good gimps, KOs, or good reads.
Smash is just a perfect game for this kinda thing. I would say its even better then even Street Fighter in attracting a casual crowd that might be flipping channels.
The good news is that I no longer have to watch Twitch(which never works on my computer) or see the comments that are often pointless and stupid.
Oh nice! I don't care that much, but that's still quite neat and I'm sure the community will like to hear that.
My God the apacolyse has begun also Smash is now going to be an EA sport it's in the game now let's hope for Splatoon to be broadcast on ESPN😏
Inb4 ESPN eSports dedicated channel and extra 75$ season ticket get them.
Now I can watch college football and smash on the same channel.
I won't pay for ESPN, but more coverage for Smash is a good thing.
All they've said so far is that they are going to put Smash events on their website calendar and write a few articles. Nothing major to get excited for yet, if ever.
Finally some good programming for The Ocho!
@bluedogrulez Any Dodgeball reference brings a smile to my face. It's a bold move Cotton.
Wii U is better than Melee.
@XCWarrior I love Gruden. Chris Collinsworth on NBC is THE WORST though.
@Jimmy_G_Buckets Most of the former players that lasted more than a couple of years in the NFL are terrible. But what can you expect from guys who suffered 20+ concussions apiece, most undiagnosed and untreated before the last few years?
The other thing I look forward to is when ESPN starts over analyzing e-sports like they do football.
"Well IRox@Games told his mom to make him mushroom pizza rolls instead of his usual pre-grame pepporoni rolls. We'll examine how this could affect him in the critical moments of the match after this commercial break."
OR
"And NotMatrixNeo lands the final blow with .5 seconds to go. Oh wait, Team HardKnoxxx is throwing the red flag. This will be under review. Here's 5 minutes of commercials while we sort this one out!"
Good times await!
@XCWarrior LOL . It will be interesting for sure. Fingers crossed for Erin Andrews as a sideline reporter.
@Jimmy_G_Buckets I'd actually consider watching it if Erin Andrews was on screen most of the time.
Or if e-sports went totally went WWE style!
"His manager is distracting the moderator.... ( ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A ) KONAMI CODE! KONAMI CODE! How did that even work in Smash 4?! He's got infinite live and a Smash Attack ready. Boom KO! The moderator turns around. It's over! NOOOO!"
@Yorumi G4 unfortunately shut down like 2 years ago on a whimper.
I wonder if this is related to Activision Blizzard's recent acquisition of MLG and saying they want to turn it into the "ESPN of eSports".
Nice! Much better than a lot of the stuff they usually show!
@CharlieSmile *Sheik
I've been checking in on ESPN's eSports section lately. They ran a piece on the evolution of competitive Smash right before Genesis 3. It was surreal reading about Smash on ESPN, with the writer talking about Mew2King and Hungrybox the way they might about LeBron James and Peyton Manning.
@DarthNocturnal No need to worry. Cowherd is no longer with ESPN.
Sounds great, but itll only escalate the Melee-sm4sh tension particularly if smash 4 ever gets preferential coverage
It's awesome that smash is getting airtime! I'd like to see street fighter make the ESPN cut.
@Zombo Fair point.
Does this mean the Nintendo World Championships going to become the equivalent of the Super Bowl. All kidding aside, Nintendo definitely needs to bring back the NWC in 2016
Finally a game I'd enjoy watching on ESPN.
i hope they show pokken too for the second nintendo fighter that's unlike any other fighter out there. if nintendo can make splatoon more esports event friendly with the appropriate features, then that one too. as a bonus, give wii fit trainer a morning exercise show.
@XCWarrior
lol, yo Gruden Grinders!!
@Yorumi g4 shut down two years ago
I think this is great for gaming, and Nintendo especially to be included.
About dang time!
!!!!!!!!!
Pokémon VGC coverage pls
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