EVO, the premier fighting games tournament, returns for 2018 and has announced the eight games that will be part of the main event. This is one game less than last year, where one game gets to be picked by the community, which was given to Ultimate Marvel VS Capcom 3. Fitting, since it should be the last time we see the game on that stage as the community will move to its latest sequel, Marvel VS Capcom Infinite.
The eight games to be played at EVO 2018 are no-brainers, with six games returning from last year: Tekken 7, Street Fighter V, Injustice 2, Guilty Gear Xrd Rev2, Super Smash Bros. for WiiU and Super Smash Bros. Melee. BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle replaces BlazBlue Central Friction. The last spot goes to the hottest 3v3 fighting game right now: Dragon Ball FighterZ.
That means Marvel VS Capcom Infinite missed out on EVO. The series has been a staple at the tournament for years and to see its latest sequel missed out on the biggest stage for fighting games means either the community around the game is not strong enough or most of the players are now playing DBFZ.
Tekken 7, Street Fighter V, GG Xrd Rev2, Melee and DBFZ will be played on Sunday at the main arena. The games at the main arena has been broadcasted to American TVs via ESPN since 2016, though no confirmation if 2018 will be the same just yet.
EVO 2018 will be held at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, USA from August 3rd to 5th.