Editing Nintendo Community Tournament Guidelines

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The grassroots nature of the scene has led to skepticism about Nintendo's potential involvement with it. This relationship grew confrontational when Nintendo issued a shutdown of {{Trn|EVO 2013}}'s ''Melee'' tournament livestream, which was itself a compromise made with EVO's organizers when Nintendo attempted to cancel the tournament entirely. Other incidents include the numerous legal issues that led to the shutdown of ''[[Project M]]'' in 2015, cease and desist notifications that resulted in the [[cancellation of The Big House Online]] in 2020, and their direct involvement in the [[cancellation of Smash World Tour 2022]]. In November 2020, an anonymous "informed ''Smash'' insider" published a [https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1srfu4r Twitlonger] explaining Nintendo's history of inhibiting the ''Smash'' community, further galvanizing those that did not desire Nintendo's involvement.
The grassroots nature of the scene has led to skepticism about Nintendo's potential involvement with it. This relationship grew confrontational when Nintendo issued a shutdown of {{Trn|EVO 2013}}'s ''Melee'' tournament livestream, which was itself a compromise made with EVO's organizers when Nintendo attempted to cancel the tournament entirely. Other incidents include the numerous legal issues that led to the shutdown of ''[[Project M]]'' in 2015, cease and desist notifications that resulted in the [[cancellation of The Big House Online]] in 2020, and their direct involvement in the [[cancellation of Smash World Tour 2022]]. In November 2020, an anonymous "informed ''Smash'' insider" published a [https://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1srfu4r Twitlonger] explaining Nintendo's history of inhibiting the ''Smash'' community, further galvanizing those that did not desire Nintendo's involvement.


Despite these issues, some welcomed Nintendo's involvement due to the belief that the community cannot regulate themselves without direct oversight. The decentralized nature of administration has allowed bad actors into the scene undetected, which has led to behavior and actions like substance abuse,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Smashbro_Z/status/1062501637724418048|title=Z on X|date=November 14, 2018|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626185648/https://twitter.com/Smashbro_Z/status/1062501637724418048|archivedate=June 26, 2021}}</ref> and murder investigations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-player-banned-from-tournaments-for-allegedly-murdering-his-mother-1861165/|title=Smash Bros player banned from tournaments after being arrested over mother’s murder|date=July 1, 2022|publisher=Dexerto|author=Dylan Horetski}}</ref> as well as a wave of [[sexual misconduct allegations]] during 2020, and the aforementioned attempts and regulatory bodies have never worked out. Furthermore, some in the community felt that Nintendo's involvement would become an inevitability if the tournament scene continued to grow bigger, as companies for other competitive video games have published guidelines for their tournament scenes since 2019 in response to their significant growth,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.capcomprotour.com/community-license/|title=Capcom Pro Tour Community Licence Guidelines|publisher=Capcom}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/compete/fgs-21/community-tournament-guidelines|title=FIFA 2021 Tournament Guidelines|publisher=Electronic Arts}}</ref> especially with Nintendo releasing the competitively oriented {{Uv|Splatoon}} games.
Despite these issues, some welcomed Nintendo's involvement due to the belief that the community cannot regulate themselves without direct oversight. The decentralized nature of administration has allowed to bad actors into the scene undetected, which has led to behavior and actions like substance abuse<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Smashbro_Z/status/1062501637724418048|title=Z on X|date=November 14, 2018|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626185648/https://twitter.com/Smashbro_Z/status/1062501637724418048|archivedate=June 26, 2021}}</ref>, and murder investigations<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-player-banned-from-tournaments-for-allegedly-murdering-his-mother-1861165/|title=Smash Bros player banned from tournaments after being arrested over mother’s murder|date=July 1, 2022|publisher=Dexerto|author=Dylan Horetski}}</ref>, as well as a wave of [[sexual misconduct allegations]] during 2020, and the aforementioned attempts and regulatory bodies have never worked out. Furthermore, some in the community felt that Nintendo's involvement would become an inevitability if the tournament scene continued to grow bigger, as companies for other competitive video games have published guidelines for their tournament scenes since 2019 in response to their significant growth,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.capcomprotour.com/community-license/|title=Capcom Pro Tour Community Licence Guidelines|publisher=Capcom}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/compete/fgs-21/community-tournament-guidelines|title=FIFA 2021 Tournament Guidelines|publisher=Electronic Arts}}</ref> especially with Nintendo releasing the competitively oriented {{Uv|Splatoon}} games.


All of these incidents have resulted in Nintendo's potential involvement with competitive ''Smash'' becoming a divisive issue in the community. While many believe direct involvement would help in making tournaments sustainable and is to some extent required to avoid being associated with controversy and bad actors, especially when players have proven unable to self-regulate, others believe it will only create more problems than it would solve, and prefer the decentralized scene that the lack of Nintendo support has facilitated.
All of these incidents have resulted in Nintendo's potential involvement with competitive ''Smash'' becoming a divisive issue in the community. While many believe direct involvement would help in making tournaments sustainable and is to some extent required to avoid being associated with controversy and bad actors, especially when players have proven unable to self-regulate, others believe it will only create more problems than it would solve, and prefer the decentralized scene that the lack of Nintendo support has facilitated.
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===License application form===
===License application form===
An update on the guideline was released soon after its appliance, showing a form for hosting tournaments meant for corporate entities or individuals hosting tournaments that exceed 200 in-person entrants or 300 online entrants. All tournaments announced after October 23, 2023 (North America)/October 24, 2023 (Europe) that meet the aforementioned requirements must apply for a license.
An update on the guideline was released soon after its appliance, showing a form for hosting tournaments meant for corporate entities or individuals hosting tournaments that exceed 200 in-person entrants or 300 online entrants. All tournaments announced after October 23, 2023 and meet the aforementioned requirements must apply for a license.
The available games to receive a tournament license for include the following:
The available games to receive a tournament license for include the following:
*''{{iw|armsinstitute|ARMS}}''
*''{{iw|armsinstitute|ARMS}}''
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An "Other" category is selectable for any Nintendo-owned game not previously listed. A notice explains that Nintendo is not at liberty to issue licenses to any {{uv|Pokémon}}-related content, and instructs anyone wanting such a license to contact {{iw|bulbapedia|The Pokémon Company}} instead.
An "Other" category is selectable for any Nintendo-owned game not previously listed. A notice explains that Nintendo is not at liberty to issue licenses to any {{uv|Pokémon}}-related content, and instructs anyone wanting such a license to contact {{iw|bulbapedia|The Pokémon Company}} instead.


Other specifications include the purpose of the tournament, such as who is hosting and if it is for-profit or not, as well as whether the tournament is online or in-person. The individual filling out the application must also provide information about the tournament, its format, official rules, if commercial vendors are being hosted, and if the event will be livestreamed, as well as the information of the tournament organizer or equivalent party. The organizer can also specifically apply for exceptions to any of the regulations previously mentioned. The organizer must agree to all terms and conditions for applying. Filing an application does not guarantee that a license will be received, as that is up to the sole discretion of Nintendo.
Other specifications include the purpose of the tournament, such as who is hosting and if it is for-profit or not, as well as if the tournament is online or in-person. The individual filling out the application must also provide information about the tournament, its format, official rules, if commercial vendors are being hosted, and if the event will be livestreamed, as well as the information of the tournament organizer or equivalent party. The organizer can also specifically apply for exceptions to any of the regulations previously mentioned. The organizer must agree to all terms and conditions for applying. Filing an application does not guarantee a license will be received, as that is up to the sole discretion of Nintendo.


==Reactions==
==Reactions==
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==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Shortly after the announcement, organizers behind {{Trn|GENESIS X}} and {{Trn|Battle of BC 6}} announced they would continue as scheduled,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/genesis_smash/status/1716875076262592532|title=GENESIS on X|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025192123/https://twitter.com/genesis_smash/status/1716875076262592532|archivedate=October 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/battleofbc/status/1717662395512873367|title=Battle of BC 6's announcement|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104190211/https://twitter.com/battleofbc/status/1717662395512873367|archivedate=November 4, 2023}}</ref> while organizers behind the {{Trn|Umebura|series}} and {{Trn|Sumabato|series}} series announced that they had secured licenses for their events, with Sumabato head {{Sm|Nojinko}} notably announcing that he had secured licenses for the next ten Sumabato events within a day of the guidelines releasing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/UMBRHP/status/1717778634327699961|title=Umebura announces their license|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027084046/https://twitter.com/UMBRHP/status/1717778634327699961|archivedate=October 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nojinko_ike/status/1717198138266763528|title=Nojinko's announcement|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028010713/https://twitter.com/nojinko_ike/status/1717198138266763528|archivedate=October 28, 2023}}</ref> In addition, the release of the licensing form accompanying the guidelines assuaged fears from the ''Melee'' community that Nintendo was disallowing them from playing the game. Despite neither version of ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' being eligible for a license per the guidelines, there has been little to no response from the community in regards to it, continuing the post-''Ultimate'' disinterest in the game from players and spectators alike.  
Shortly after the announcement, organizers behind {{Sm|GENESIS X}} and {{Sm|Battle of BC 6}} announced they would continue as scheduled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/genesis_smash/status/1716875076262592532|title=GENESIS on X|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025192123/https://twitter.com/genesis_smash/status/1716875076262592532|archivedate=October 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/battleofbc/status/1717662395512873367|title=Battle of BC 6's announcement|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104190211/https://twitter.com/battleofbc/status/1717662395512873367|archivedate=November 4, 2023}}</ref> In additional, organizers behind the {{Trn|Umebura|series}} and {{Trn|Sumabato|series}} series announced that they had secured licenses for their events, with Sumabato head {{Sm|Nojinko}} notably announcing that he had secured licenses for the next ten Sumabato events within a day of the guidelines releasing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/UMBRHP/status/1717778634327699961|title=Umebura announces their license|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027084046/https://twitter.com/UMBRHP/status/1717778634327699961|archivedate=October 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nojinko_ike/status/1717198138266763528|title=Nojinko's announcement|publisher=Twitter|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028010713/https://twitter.com/nojinko_ike/status/1717198138266763528|archivedate=October 28, 2023}}</ref> These announcements led many to have cautious optimism towards the new guidelines.


With competitive play being largely unchanged since the guideline's release, fear and uncertainty on them have since dissipated. However, a few events were nonetheless affected. Most notably, due to the rule on using modified copies of Nintendo games, ''Melee''{{'}}s online competitive play, which used the modded client [[Project Slippi]], was effectively shut down, with {{Sm|Hungrybox}} discontinuing {{Trn|The Coinbox}} series for ''Melee''. In addition, a few tournaments, including {{Trn|NRW Cup - Rise of Germany}}, had to unban {{SSBU|Steve}} due to the license.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/NRWCup/status/1766500372099580174|title=NRW Cup unbans Steve due to Nintendo license}}</ref>
The release of the licensing form accompanying the guidelines assuaged fears from the ''Melee'' community that Nintendo was disallowing them from playing the game. Despite neither version of ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' being eligible for a license per the guidelines, there has been little to no response from the community in regards to it, continuing the post-''Ultimate'' disinterest in the game from players and spectators alike.


Currently, it is unknown if these guidelines will be applied to Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China or other Asian countries outside of Japan. It is also unknown whether these guidelines apply to countries in the Americas other than the United States, Canada and Mexico, to African countries besides South Africa, or to countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Currently, it is unknown if these guidelines will be applied to Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, mainland China or other Asian countries outside of Japan. It is also unknown whether these guidelines apply to countries in the Americas other than the United States, Canada and Mexico, to African countries besides South Africa, or to countries in the Middle East and North Africa region.
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/tournament_guideline/index.html ゲーム大会における 任天堂の著作物の利用に関するガイドライン] - Nintendo Co., Ltd. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231025052902/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/tournament_guideline/index.html Archive])
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/tournament_guideline/index.html ゲーム大会における 任天堂の著作物の利用に関するガイドライン] - Nintendo Co., Ltd. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231025052902/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/tournament_guideline/index.html Archive])
**[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/tournament_guideline/application/index.html 法人・団体によるゲーム大会への個別許諾申請] - Nintendo Co., Ltd.
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Legal-information/Community-Tournament-Guidelines-2467744.html Community Tournament Guidelines (UK English)] - Nintendo of Europe GmbH ([https://archive.ph/MHlMU Archive])
*[https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Legal-information/Community-Tournament-Guidelines-2467744.html Community Tournament Guidelines (UK English)] - Nintendo of Europe AG ([https://archive.ph/MHlMU Archive])
**[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Legal-information/Licensed-Tournament-Application-2480361.html Licensed Tournament Application (UK English)] - Nintendo of Europe GmbH
**[https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Legal-information/Licensed-Tournament-Application-2480361.html Licensed Tournament Application (UK English)] - Nintendo of Europe AG
*[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines Nintendo Support: Community Tournament Guidelines] - Nintendo of America, Inc. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231025052550/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines Archive])  
*[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines Nintendo Support: Community Tournament Guidelines] - Nintendo of America, Inc. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231025052550/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines Archive])  
**[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63653/~/licensed-tournament-guidelines-and-tournament-license-terms-%26-conditions Nintendo Support: LICENSED TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES AND TOURNAMENT LICENSE TERMS & CONDITIONS] - Nintendo of America, Inc.  
**[https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63653/~/licensed-tournament-guidelines-and-tournament-license-terms-%26-conditions Nintendo Support: LICENSED TOURNAMENT GUIDELINES AND TOURNAMENT LICENSE TERMS & CONDITIONS] - Nintendo of America, Inc.  
**[https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4338162fe6fb4004b8a4135deadb5981 Tournament application form (United States & Canada (excluding Quebec))] - Nintendo of America, Inc.
**[https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4338162fe6fb4004b8a4135deadb5981 Tournament application form (United States & Canada (excluding Quebec))]
*[https://www.nintendo.com/au/legal/community-tournament-guidelines Community Tournament Guidelines] - Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231030221018/https://www.nintendo.com.au/legal/community-tournament-guidelines Archive])
*[https://www.nintendo.com.au/legal/community-tournament-guidelines Community Tournament Guidelines] - Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20231030221018/https://www.nintendo.com.au/legal/community-tournament-guidelines Archive])
**[https://www.nintendo.com/au/legal/licenced-tournament-application Licensed Tournament Application] Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd.


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