EVO staff: We didn't do anything to alter the Smash stream situation, had to be bad PR that changed Nintendo's minds
Posted by Jon 'Catalyst' Grey • July 10, 2013 at 6:38 p.m. PDT • Comments: 63
During today's Live on 3, Joey "Mr. Wizard" Cuellar, one of the guys behind EVO, was on hand to discuss the upcoming event.
He talked about the situation that went down with Nintendo and how their legal department stated that they couldn't stream Super Smash Bros. Melee, and how things turned around.
Cuellar stated that he initially talked to a few people inside of Nintendo's camp and they didn't see a problem at first, but he didn't get in touch with their legal department, as you don't always want to go that route, cause they can shut things down early.
As the event was nearing, he received an email from Nintendo's legal department, letting him know that they not only wanted to shut down the stream — but the Smash tournament as well.
After some discussion with EVO staff, they got Nintendo to agree to just shut down the streaming part of the event, and they decided not to press any further and comply with their legal department completely. Shortly after that, an announcement was made about them being unable to stream Super Smash Bros. Melee this year.
The story went viral quickly, with a number of sites and Twitter feeds talking about what went down, and generating a considerable amount of bad press for Nintendo. In short order, Nintendo ended up calling Tom Cannon, another EVO staff member, later on and informed them that they had reversed their decision.
Cuellar noted that EVO staff did nothing on their end to try and change things, and he felt it had to be the bad PR (public relations) they were getting that caused Nintendo to change their minds.
He felt that through this process, Nintendo was just trying to protect their IP (Intellectual Property).
This isn't the first time something like this has happened with Nintendo, as back in 2010, MLG was unable to attain streaming rights for their Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament.
Cuellar did note that he was grateful to Nintendo for letting them stream and host the Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament.
