Draft:Smash Summit

Smash Summit is a prestigious series of invitational esports tournaments for the competitive platform fighting games, primarily Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Organized by Beyond the Summit (BTS), these events bring together top players from around the world to compete in high-stakes matches while fostering a community-centric atmosphere. The Smash Summit tournaments have become a cornerstone of the competitive Smash scene, known for their unique format, high production values, and community engagement.

History The inaugural Smash Summit took place in November 2015, focusing on Super Smash Bros. Melee. Beyond the Summit, a company previously known for its work in Dota 2 esports, expanded into the Smash community by creating an event that combined top-tier competition with the relaxed and personable environment of a house gathering. This format was well-received, leading to subsequent iterations of the event.

Expansion and Growth Following the success of the first event, Smash Summit expanded to include multiple editions each year, continuing to attract the best Melee players globally. In 2019, BTS introduced the first Smash Ultimate Summit, catering to the growing competitive scene for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Each Summit event typically features a mix of invited players and those who qualify through community votes and performance in other tournaments.

Format Invitations and Voting Smash Summit events are unique in their selection process. A portion of the participating players are directly invited based on their rankings and achievements. The remaining slots are filled through a community voting process, where fans can vote for their favorite players to attend. This engagement strategy has helped foster a strong connection between the players and the community.

Event Structure The event usually spans four days and includes various activities such as:

Singles Tournament: The main event where players compete in one-on-one matches. Doubles Tournament: Teams of two compete in tandem matches. Crew Battles: Teams of players representing different regions or groups face off in elimination-style matches. Side Events: Fun and unconventional events such as low-tier tournaments, exhibition matches, and more. The relaxed setting of the Summit, often held in a large house, allows for unique content like player interviews, casual interactions, and behind-the-scenes footage, which are streamed to a global audience.

Notable Editions Smash Summit 5 (2017) One of the most memorable editions, Smash Summit 5, held in November 2017, saw intense competition and featured legendary players such as Armada, Mango, and Hungrybox. The tournament concluded with Armada claiming the title in a thrilling grand final.

Smash Ultimate Summit 2 (2019) Held in October 2019, the second Ultimate Summit was notable for its high level of competition and production quality. MKLeo, widely regarded as one of the best Ultimate players, won the tournament, further cementing his legacy in the game.

Impact and Legacy Smash Summit has significantly impacted the competitive Smash community by providing a platform that combines high-level competition with community-driven engagement. The events have set a standard for production quality and player experience in the esports world. Moreover, the Summit series has helped elevate the profiles of many players and contributed to the growth and popularity of competitive Super Smash Bros. on a global scale.

References "The Success of Smash Summit: A Retrospective," Esports Observer, December 2017. "Smash Summit 5 Results," Liquipedia, accessed June 2024. "Smash Ultimate Summit 2 Highlights," Beyond the Summit, October 2019.