VGBootCamp has announced the 2020 Smash World Tour, which features over $250,000 in prizes. This international tournament circuit boasts the largest prize pool in the history of competitive Super Smash Bros.
This circuit consists of three types of events: Platinum, Gold, and Silver. Platinum and Gold tournaments are major events that will take place in select countries around the world. Such events are already confirmed for the United States, France, Japan, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. Additionally, any local tournament with over 32 entrants can apply to achieve the lesser Silver status.
Players earn points by placing well at Smash World Tour events. Platinum tournaments offer more points than Gold, and Gold more points than Silver. Notably, players can only earn points at a limited number of events. A player’s standing is determined by their top three Platinum and Gold performances, plus their top six Silver performances. As a result, the circuit encourages players to attend big and small tournaments alike without requiring them to attend everything.
At the end of the year, the 31 highest-ranking players for both Melee and Ultimate will attend the circuit championship. In addition, one other player will earn a spot in the finals via a last chance qualifier.
The Smash World Tour Championships will last from Dec. 17 – 20. Its starting prize pool of $250,000 has the potential to grow throughout the year once the circuit shop opens. All circuit finalists will place in the money, and this money will be split evenly between Melee and Ultimate.
More about the 2020 Smash World Tour
The Smash World Tour includes 25 major events, 19 of which VGBootCamp has already announced. Of the six unannounced tournaments, three of them will take place in Japan. Some major tournaments are notably absent from the list, such as EVO, Shine, and The Big House. The circuit’s website notes that a handful of tournaments declined Gold or Platinum status.
In contrast, the Smash World Tour is reviving a couple of tournament series from the past. Double Down is the spiritual successor to Royal Flush, which took place in May 2017. In addition, Apex 2020 will be the first edition of the Apex tournament series since 2016.
Recently, members of the Smash community have criticized Nintendo for its failure to support the competitive Super Smash Bros. scene. As it stands, Nintendo plays no role in the newly-announced Smash circuit. However, the circuit organizers hope to offer a “unified way” for Nintendo to show support for Smash as an esport.
The 2020 Smash World Tour will officially kick off with CEO Dreamland on Mar. 13. Stay tuned to Daily Esports for updates about Smash‘s newest competitive circuit.
