Evo is officially completely acquired by RTS, which is just one of the many companies owned by the Saudis trying to wash their global image. The acquisition comes with some news of Evo expanding even more along with introducing a new multi game event and a pledge towards "supporting locals". They don't say how they'd support the locals, just general blanket statements. When I see a FGC related thing say "support the locals", it seems like a cover for whatever bullshit they plan to do. I also view the new multi game event as just another way to shill whatever game or project they're backing that year like 2xko.

Out of those three, the major one is expansion. Evo is coming to 5 more countries. On the surface it seems like that'd be a good thing. A lot of the scenes over in those countries are neglected by the global community so a major event taking place there could solve that issue along with leading new people into the community.

I think of it as a monkey paw. Yeah, the listed things above are good, but there's a bigger problem that this exemplifies. The Saudis are attempting to monopolize and use the FGC for their own interest, without taking ours into account. They don't care about the well being of the FGC in the long run, only care about how much money it can make them and how it can fix their public image.

It'll also most likely ice out other major events in your region. Why would pros and commentators travel to your super cool and amazing regional tournament when they know Evo is in a month or two in your country. An event where they can maximize the money they can make plus possibly be able to get sponsored and go for free, or a smaller regional event without the Evo branding, money, or attention.

This will stagnate the growth of the community more than it will help grow in the long term. It stamps out events run by people who actually care for the FGC. The people celebrating it are completely short sighted and retarded. This isn't going to destroy or end the community, it only will if people decide to support it and nothing else. But it still will affect the scene since the people that own Evo are attempting to make sure that their tournament is the only one.

I wonder how long it'll take for the Saudis to leave the FGC high and dry after they get what they want out of it. I hope there's something left to salvage if it gets to that point.