What to Expect From Tokyo 2020 ​

The Future of Smash, and eSports as a Whole

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It Is Not Going To Be Easy ​

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The XXXI Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro came to a close last Sunday, and with it began the countdown to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. This year’s Olympics featured a somewhat unorthodox event: the Olympic eGames.This “side-event” was just a showcase event, featuringand. The eGames is aiming to become a full, all-around event with several other games at the next Olympic Games at Tokyo.This year’s eGames already had a huge impact on, and although this milestone may have been in the works before the eGames, the event certainly did reaffirm its impact. This milestone was the signing of Elliot “” Carroza-Oyarce.We still have four more years to speculate, but considering how the eGames have already affected us in the short-term, it is safe to say the Tokyo 2020 eGames will be one of the biggest events in gaming.Many major tournaments like EVO, CEO and Apex have already had an impact in the competitive Smash scene, but all these tournaments are efforts done by community members. The eGames organization is looking to bring eSports to an Olympic level.One of the first things to look forward to is an amazing increase in awareness of international players. Players from Europe, North and South America gathered this year at the showcase. Not many people had previously heard the names of top players from South America and the Caribbean, like Darien "" Jardine from Trinidad & Tobago or Paulo "" Janini Ferreira from Brazil.With this newfound awareness, there might be even more sponsorships. This year’s event was only a showcase, meaning that Tokyo 2020 might bring even more stars from all over the world. Sponsorships for many international players may come as an aftereffect of the eGames.Earlier this year, we saw the case of professionalplayer William “” Hjelte and his struggle to get an approved sports visa, which resulted in a full petition to the White House (which was ultimately fully signed, but not taken in consideration).With an event on the scale of the Olympic Games, this topic is brought to the forefront once again: can eAthletes have work visas?As a matter of fact, the eGames might help with this issue, as bringing players from all over the world may also bring customs troubles. A country like Japan may not have visa laws as strict as the US, but the effect of the event may bring awareness of the needs of Smashers and gamers in general.The future of eSports as a source of revenue, hence turning them into jobs, is still a mystery. Considering the fact that the US is one of the countries with the most eAthletes, and with an eTeam attending the eGames, US Customs may have to consider eSports as a valid reason for a P1 visa.Before taking everything for granted, we must recognize one thing: perks, acclaim, recognition, etc. are not gifts. Let’s think for a moment how Tokyo 2020 will help, and what is needed for it to come to fruition.The 2020 eGames are going to be at the heart of videogame culture and serve as a bridge between communities and videogame companies, including Nintendo and Sora Ltd, the creators of theseries. But how do we know Smash will even be at the eGames?First of all, it was in the showcase, alongside Smite. We shouldn’t worry much for; however, we should worry about other Smash games. “Will we see?” is likely the first question you may ask. One might think we would see Melee there; after all, it is highly acclaimed by Smash series fans and many eSports activists.What about other games?? Well, this is a deeper question. After all,is not an official game. We have seen how community tournaments like CEO have allied with Nintendo and, in turn, have “underground”events. Is this going to be the case? Too early to say. Whileandmay be staples in competitive Smash events,doesn’t have as much luck as the other two regarding recognition by Nintendo.So what do you think? Are you excited for the Tokyo 2020 eGames? What do you think we could expect from it? Let us know in the comments! Be sure to follow the eGames on Twitter @eGames_Official and to check their website here . #futureofesports