Welcome to our Project: M interview series. In the leadup to Blacklisted 3, we sat down with several members of the Smash community to discuss the past, present, and future of Smash’s most prominent spinoff. This time we’re talking with Panda Global’s ESAM. Since 2005 ESAM has been competing in Brawl, Smash 4, Melee, and Project: M, most notably with Pikachu and Samus. He’s currently ranked #27 on the Smash 4 PGR.When streamers like VG Boot Camp began cutting ties with Project: M, it felt like a death sentence to many in the community. It felt to some like their place in the Smash community was no longer relevant, like they’d been blacklisted. Smashers in Massachusetts put together the Blacklisted event to both celebrate their game, and remind the community what makes PM so uniquely special.Smashboards: When did you first get connected with Project: M?ESAM: I played around the 2.5 area when Ivysaur and Donkey Kong were kinda busted. I played a lot in the Charlotte/Atlanta scene (Went to college two hours from both) and then transitioned to 3.02 when it came out.SB: What made a Smash mod so appealing?ESAM: The best part about PM in my opinion was the fact that Brawl and Melee players could play on relatively even footing. There was no way that some of my Brawl friends could beat Hungrybox in Melee, but they were able to beat him in PM because of the melding of techniques.SB: With 64 on the rise and Smash 4 in full swing, what do you think about PMs place in the Smash community?ESAM: I honestly haven’t been paying enough attention to the scene to know if it’s growing or not. I’m glad the scene has been able to persist through its hardships and still show meta progression. I feel like PM won’t ever be back in the “community” as it once was since the vast majority of major TOs won’t give it attention. I’m glad that they are able to have their own majors that people will show up to (stuff like the PM Circuit, Bigger Balc, etc) and Smash n Splash supporting them is also awesome.SB: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the PM community?ESAM: My Samus is better than Pooch182’sThanks again to ESAM for his time. Be sure to check him out on Twitter, and sign up for Blacklisted 3 on Smash.gg!