Evo 2023: how (and what) to look at

Evo 2023 — the world’s premier combating sport event — kicks off right this moment at 1PM ET and lasts till Sunday night time. This 12 months is shaping as much as be the event’s greatest 12 months ever, with a number of video games, together with Avenue Fighter 6, breaking their all-time data for variety of contributors. Whether or not you’re watching from residence or dwell in Las Vegas, right here’s when, the place, and, most significantly, what to look at at Evo 2023.

As in earlier years, Evo’s tournaments are cut up between a number of levels and Twitch / YouTube channels. Usually, a sport’s first, second, and third rounds are broadcast from smaller levels, whereas a sport’s finals happen on the principle stage and broadcast from the principle Evo Twitch and YouTube channels. You’ll be able to see the total schedule right here.

This 12 months’s featured video games embrace Mortal Kombat 11 Final, Melty Blood: Kind Lumina, The King of Fighters XV, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Tekken 7, Final Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Responsible Gear Attempt, and naturally, the debut of Avenue Fighter 6.

Beginning on Friday at 1PM ET, you may watch spherical considered one of any of the principle eight video games, however I’ll be watching the principle stage for a particular business showcase occasion that places the Evo highlight on up-and-coming indie fighters. I’m particularly jazzed to see 5 Pressure Fighters, a sport I fell in love with earlier this 12 months at GDC, will likely be one of many featured video games.

I’m additionally wanting ahead to seeing the Final Marvel vs. Capcom 3 event. Marvel vs. Capcom is a legendary combating sport sequence chargeable for a few of the hypest moments (and memes) in combating sport historical past. Nevertheless, 2017 was the final 12 months a Marvel vs. Capcom sport was featured at Evo, marking the tip of a 15-year-long run. Marvel vs. Capcom’s long-awaited return to the Evo stage comes courtesy of Evo’s first-ever throwback event, meant to focus on older however nonetheless beloved video games within the combating sport neighborhood.

I can solely think about, given the standard of UMVC3 commentary and the pent-up power from the sport’s lengthy absence, that UMVC3 goes to make for an unbelievable viewing expertise.

I really like watching combating video games. They’re straightforward sufficient to observe, and the sheer love the neighborhood has for these video games bleeds by the display screen instantly into your chest. When the group yells, you’ll yell. When the commentators yell, you’ll in all probability be half-dead of a hype-induced stroke. Evo is a few of the greatest aggressive gaming you may watch, so ensure you catch it this weekend.