Arc System Works has joined JeSU, following in the footsteps of Capcom and SNK.

The Japanese eSports Union, better known by its acronym JeSU, is an organization that seeks to avoid Japan’s strict gambling laws by providing professional gamers with licenses that allow for greater tournament payouts. While Capcom notably joined the movement for Street Fighter V in February of 2018, other developers like SNK and Koei Tecmo are also part of the initiative. However, a new member has just joined their ranks: Arc System Works.

Known primarily for their development of the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue franchises, ArcSys’s movement marks yet another step into the esports licensing fray for fighting game companies. ArcSys broke the news in a tweet, where they expressed a desire to add to the growth of the competitive gaming scene.

As of 09.13.2018, Arc System Works Co., Ltd. has officially joined the Japan esports Union (JeSU). We hope to be able to contribute to the growth of the eSports community through our games.https://t.co/tn8cOUOTNt — アークシステムワークス公式ツイッター (@ARCSY_Event) September 13, 2018

Three other companies likewise joined the Union as “regular members.” Multinational conglomerate Tencent, known for PUBG Mobile and League of Legends, was one of them, alongside hardware company I · O · Data Equipment and Lawson Entertainment.

While Guilty Gear or BlazBlue have yet to be officially added to the Union’s roster of titles, they will likely fall alongside JeSU’s current collection of Tekken 7, Street Fighter V, Rainbow Six: Siege, and Call of Duty: WWII, among others. Bandai Namco already has two fighting games with official, competitive circuits, as well: Dragon Ball FighterZ and the upcoming SoulCalibur VI could likewise mark possible additions.

While JeSU helps players win larger cash prizes than Japan’s gambling laws allow (¥100,000 — $895, to be exact), much controversy has surrounded this movement, as JeSU’s requirements for professional gamers raise the question of what separates a professional from a casual competitor. A since-deleted statement made by the Union revealed that pro players should have a, “self-awareness of being a professional, demonstrate sportsmanship when playing, be dedicated to outstanding results in JeSU-officially recognized titles, and contribute to the development of domestic esports.”

However, many tournaments are now awarding licenses to winning players, and those seeking a them can apply for one through JeSU’s website. That’s no guarantee that acquiring one will be easy — but fighting game fans can expect further developments from Japan’s competitive Guilty Gear through Arcsys’s new relationship with JeSU.

Source: Arc System Works (Twitter)

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