GTL: Will The New Super Smash Bros. on Switch Disrupt The Pro Scene?
By Twin Galaxies Editorial Staff ·
With the announcement of Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Switch, will the competitive scene be disrupted as Nintendo moves further into the esports scene?
On this episode of Game Talk Live, host Mandie Roman talks with panellists about the announcement of Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Switch and the impact it can have on the competitive Smash scene, as well as the benefits of Nintendo’s “Nindies” program. Joining her in the discussion is Pro Smash player Jason “Mew2King” Zimmerman, Leo Camacho, and Jessica Villarreal of Voyager VR.
Nintendo is making their first forays into the world of esports, though they have previously shunned any involvement in the industry. The panel discusses what this might mean for the current competitive arena.
Debate includes the reasons why Nintendo would have been hesitant to dive into the world of esports in the first place. With the stories and controversies esports can bring, is it fair for Nintendo to have concerns about their brand and image?
The discussion turns to the appeal of Super Smash Bros. and what Nintendo has done and can do to increase its reach. The panel also looks at the change in stance from Nintendo, comparing their previously held beliefs about competitions and streaming to the views they hold now. The discussion turns to the way in which the community has adopted Smash and making it a competitive game despite Nintendo’s intentions.
"Would we like it? Yes. Would Nintendo benefit? Yes. Do we need it or does Nintendo need it? No." - @MVG_Mew2King's thoughts on if the pro Smash scene needs Nintendo
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 26, 2018
Join the live conversation here: https://t.co/5NL86pKMXL
The panel then talks about the unique symbiosis that Nintendo has with its community. Does Nintendo need the competitive community, or does the community need Nintendo, and how might the merging of the two prove beneficial?
The topic turns to whether the panel believes the newest iteration of Super Smash Bros. can be considered a new game, or whether it will be a port of the previous title from the WiiU, before returning to the topic of Nintendo getting involved in the esports arena. The panel looks at the pros and cons of developing an esports scene, and how that would affect the current competitive Smash scene.
In #Steam there are too many things whereas #Nintendo showcases a game of the week - @LeoZombie on how the #Switch is a better environment for indie developers
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 26, 2018
Follow along with the conversation live here: https://t.co/5NL86pKMXL pic.twitter.com/BcFFMSMd9e
The topic then turns to Nintendo’s “Nindies” showcase, and the suitability of the Nintendo Switch for Indie titles. The panel talks about the potential advantages the Nintendo Switch can offer over the traditional mobile market, as well as how indie titles can make it to the Switch. The discussion turns to Nintendo’s unique criteria for allowing games on the Switch, and whether this is beneficial for Indie developers.
In #Steam there are too many things whereas #Nintendo showcases a game of the week - @LeoZombie on how the #Switch is a better environment for indie developers
— GameTalkLive (@GameTalkLive) March 26, 2018
Follow along with the conversation live here: https://t.co/5NL86pKMXL pic.twitter.com/BcFFMSMd9e
Finally, discussion turns to the potential limitations of the Nintendo Switch as a console, and how that can affect the development of games. The panel also looks at the likelihood of the Nintendo Switch competing with other Nintendo products in the handheld market, as well as what Nintendo can do to ensure the future success of the device.
Game Talk Live has wrapped up for today, but you can see the episode in its entirety in the video above. Be sure to check out the previous episode, where panellists discuss the online marketplace and streaming content, and how that is affecting brick and mortar stores.