Go1’s Emotional Win and The First Two Days Of EVO

(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

The Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas is currently playing host to EVO this weekend. The largest gathering of Fighting Game pros in the world may save its biggest games for Sunday, but that doesn't mean the first two days haven't provided tons of excitement.

The rivalry between Japanese phenom Go1 and American FGC darling, SonicFox is PEAK EVO. The two of them dominated Dragonball Fighterz scene (along with Kazunoko) since the game's release in early 2018. At EVO 2018, SonicFox took the DBZ title. So it was only right in the eyes of God and Anime that the two should meet again in Grand Finals. Go1 swept through the competition, and his clinching moment will be an image that the FGC will remember forever.

This was Samurai Shodown's debut tournament and it needed to provide some big moments to rise above the fold. Boy, did it do that in spades. The match between ZJZ and Infiltration, in particular, came to a climactic end.
In SamSho there's a mechanic called "Rage Explosion" which stops the clock. Infiltration did this on :00 only for ZJZ to do the same. Making a game that should have been over, according to the clock, extend for an additional 25 seconds. Insanity. Infiltration would go on to win the EVO SamSho Title.

The studio which brings you, arguably, the biggest game in the world, League of Legends is making a fighting game. In an interview with FGC casters Tasty Steve and Sajam, EVO Founder (and Riot employee), Tom Cannon confirmed development of the game. This is massive. Not only is it bringing a major esports infrastructure into the fold, it also is a big legitimizing sticker on the FGC as a whole. Its also coming with come clout as FGC veteran, Seth Killian, is also linked to the Riot game. While we don't know if it will use the League of Legends IP, it seems foolish not to try and leverage a brand that has such worldwide appeal.

Soul Calibur VI was the first Grand Final of EVO and the only one to wrap-up on day 1. Japan's Yuttoto looked solid all tournament and came against France's Skyll in Winner's Finals. After being hit by Skyll's super move, Yuttoto was on the ropes. But with no health in the final round of the last match, he threw caution to the wind and sealed his place in the Grand Finals. Yuttoto would eventually win the tournament over American Bluegod.

Under Night In-Birth EXE:Late[st] might be the most absurd name in the FGC but its earned its right as a premier game. Its been the definition of grassroots, in the most grassroots corner of all esports. Its made its way to the big stage of EVO and its community couldn't be happier. One of its favorite sons, Clearlamp won Grand Finals and its clear that everyone was excited for not just him but for UNIST as a whole.

Related Posts:
5 Things to Check Out At EVO 2019
Interview with Justin Wong, Pro FGC Veteran Player
Top 5 Things To Watch For At EVO 2019

Follow Checkpoint XP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

Checkpoint Daily is Monday through Friday, starting at 4:00 p.m. ET, at Twitch.tv/CheckpointXP. Be sure to follow, turn on those notifications, and subscribe!