Sony and RTS, a new venture in Endeavor’s electronic sports business, acquired the prestigious Evo fighting game tournament through “a joint venture electronic sports partnership”. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed “due to contractual commitments”.
“Fighting games have been a vital part of the PlayStation and our community legacy since the beginning, and we are excited to partner with Evo over the years,” said Steven Roberts, vice president of global competitive games at Sony Interactive Entertainment, in a press release. “This joint acquisition with RTS marks a new chapter in collaboration with Evo co-founders Tom and Tony Cannon and their passionate community of fighting game fans.”
Tom and Tony Cannon too shared a message to the Evo community about the acquisition. “The new partnership is committed to bringing incredible tournaments and competitive gaming experiences back to you this year and beyond” they said.
The organizations also announced that Evo will be back this year as Evo Online, a virtual fighting game competition that will take place from 6 to 8 August and from 13 to 15 August. Players can compete in tournaments for Guilty Gear Strive, Mortal Kombat 11: Ultimate, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and Tekken 7.
“Our collective team is focused on a mission: to preserve Evo’s authenticity for the fighting game community and find creative ways, together with our fans, to make the tournament grow and make its events and broadcasts more fun, engaging and accessible than than ever, ”Sony said on his blog. “Basically, Evo will continue to be what it has always been: an open format competition that gives fighting game fans from different countries the chance to connect, test their skills and make new friends.” The Cannons will remain “intimately involved in an advisory role,” according to Sony.
Last year, Evo was scheduled to take place online in the summer because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but was canceled after co-founder and president Joey Cuellar was accused of sexual misconduct.
“We want to reaffirm that harassment or abuse of any kind has no place on Evo or any of our future events, and we are taking every precaution to ensure that members of our community are always treated with the respect, dignity and decency that you they deserve it, ”said the Cannons in their statement.
Evo will be operated by the new joint venture between Sony and RTS, Endeavor’s new joint venture. (Endeavor offers talent representation, event management services and other services for sports, entertainment and other industries.)
“Evo is a unique and iconic community unlike any other in the fighting game space, and we are proud to partner with the SIE team and the legends that are Tom and Tony – as well as Mark Julio as Head of Business Development – for help Evo grow, ”said Stuart Saw, RTS CEO, in a statement.