Skip to main content

"If you're going to expect to be involved in the culture, you need to become part of the culture" Evo general manager speaks on growing Saudi presence in the FGC

Following a record breaking Evo 2024, we speak to general manager Rick Thiher on Saudi investment, sportswashing, and cultural clashes between the country and the FGC.

Custom header image with evo 2024 and esports world cup press images spliced together
Image credit: Evo / Esports World Cup

It's been a great year for fighting game events. Not only did Evo 2024 — the biggest fighting game tournament in the world — wrap up after breaking records, but we've seen growth across the genre, and across the globe. It feels like more attention than ever is on a historically niche style of game, as well as the culture of high level play surrounding it.

However, while much of this growth and success has been reaped and sown by grassroots tournaments and community initiatives, a constant presence year-round has been the Esports World Cup. This event — entirely funded by the Saudi Arabian government — is seemingly throwing heaps of cash at any competitive gaming scene with a pulse. This includes Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6, the tournaments for which have drawn in many of the world's best players thanks to prize pools exceeding many other established events.

This initiative has been identified as sportswashing by many critics and concerned groups, the practice of using sports (and yes, esports) to better a countries reputation. This is not the first time Saudi Arabia — a country with a poor human rights record and reprehensible treatment towards LGBTQIA+ groups — has invested in such a venture. It has previously gone on big spending sprees across F1, football, golf, and even wrestling.

The fighting game community has, over years of open tournaments across the world, tried its best to be welcoming to people of all backgrounds. It's a cultural cornerstone, one that stems from arcade culture where anyone could walk up and throw in a quarter. It's also a message I believe to be true. Having travelled to my fair share of fighting game events big and small, you can see proof of this inclusive culture in the sheer diversity across the ethnicity, sexuality, and gender of attendees from the Tekken tournament at your local bar, to a packed-out convention centre.

But there's a clash here, seemingly where the community and its culture are rubbing up against the business side of running big events. It goes beyond players taking a plane trip to Saudi Arabia. Across big tournaments this year including Evo Japan, CEO, and more Esports World Cup advertisements were ever-present. And Sony — one of the co-owners of Evo — are a strategic partner of the Esports World Cup. Is it any wonder that the Esports World Cup and Qiddiya — a Saudi Arabian city aiming to be a major tech and entertainment hub in the region — had a major presence at Evo this year?

With Evo announcing the Evo International events in Nice, France and Singapore the path to an increased number of official Evo events across the globe has been secured. Yet, the leap to an Evo event in Qiddiya didn't happen, at least not yet. So, what's the deal here? To find out, I sat down and talked to Rick "The Hadou" Thiher, general manager of Evo. In our conversation I asked him about Evo potentially showing up in Saudi Arabia, his concerns around sportswashing, and culture clashes between the Saudi government and the wider FGC.

(Want to read more about Evo's push across the globe? You can read our other interview with Rick Thiher here on the event's world warrior ambitions).

VG247: Given the current ecosystem around competitive gaming, not just fighting games, Saudi Arabia is currently spending a lot of money and a lot of time getting involved in different video game events. This is true for fighting game events too! Were there discussions about Evo playing a bigger part in Saudi Arabia?

Thiher: So, with us committing to doing global events, we are respectfully taking conversations with potential partners worldwide. We need to thoughtfully explore all the opportunities to achieve that goal. But our focus since this announcement has been on the locations we've announced. There are no plans to expand the roadmap beyond this today. I don't know if we have the bandwidth or the team scale to do so. So this is what we're working on, and we'd like to focus on this show to start.

VG247: This year at Evo one of the major sponsors / partners was Qiddiya Esports, and there were Esports World Cup advertisements across several games at the show. How big a part do you foresee this Saudi Government esports initiative playing a part in Evo's future?

Thiher: I think Evo is open to partnerships that are additive to the event experience. Qiddiya and the other partners made the scale of the events in Tokyo and Las Vegas possible. Qiddiya specifically unlocked fan-centric experiences like meet-and-greets, exhibitions, and watch parties at the legends lounge. With that level of fan engagement being what they've stated they want to level up, and the level of engagement at those booths at both shows this year, I'd anticipate that's how we'll see them continue to invest in the community. When we talk about the future, Evo's focus continues to be on producing valuable experiences for the FGC. As our brand is supposed to be creating and sustaining fighting game fandoms. So, it's always my earnest hope that any emerging presence in the FGC is inspired to be here and take part in that, and engage in those opportunities. So far that's how Qiddiya was present for us at Evo this year, and again how I anticipate, they could be in the future.

VG247: It's quite a controversial point, the intentions of the Saudi Arabian government in esports right now. Among many, it's accepted that this is part of a sportswashing initiative like we've seen with golf, F1, football, even wrestling! Do you have any concerns about that, about the wider FGC being a part of that? I know that in your previous work at Combo breaker you've by all accounts created a safe space for LGBTQIA+ groups that are currently expressing concerns about this matter.

Thiher: I think there has to be a hope that when great investments are made, that they're being made with an understanding and appreciation of the history, community, and culture of what is being invested into. The FGC is bigger than any brand, event, or individual in it, but we've been gathered together by the simple truth that the spirit of competitive fighting games is that anyone can show up and compete, and Evo has been proudly showcasing the diversity of that truth for decades. I believe in that simple truth. So, I look at this as something where I take that hope, and take that belief, that fighting games have proven through that truth to be a path for a disparate world to find connection and understanding, and approach it from that perspective.

Umisho vs TempestNYC at Combo Breaker 2024
LGBT players compete at the highest level in this genre, across multiple games. | Image credit: Team Spooky / Combo Breaker

VG247: So your hope is through involvement that cultural differences between the Western FGC for example and Saudi Arabia will take a back seat behind the FGC's own culture and priorities?

Thiher: I think if you're going to expect to be involved in the culture, you need to become part of the culture. I think the potential for that kind of change is rooted in being present in the culture, it's in the relationships that become the inspiration and backbone for it. That needs to be why anyone is here.

VG247: Do you have any thoughts on the impact that has already happened? We're seeing pro players, big name players such as SonicFox who won the Mortal Kombat championship at Evo, speak to press and say they've never felt more humiliated because they're still a free agent in large part due to their sexuality. In this ecosystem they feel like they can't take these career opportunities, because of the presence of the esports world cup. So sure at Evo everyone might be welcome - but it seems like this growing presence may be strong-arming an opposing perspective.

Thiher: I think any time you're exploring a global capacity, you're in an environment where things don't always align immediately, or don't always align on the onset. So again, when we talk about my belief that complex change is rooted in presence, I'm seeing more conversation right now that I've ever seen at any point in my entire life. People are engaging in those conversations, not just in the big social environment, but actually one-on-one. You wind up with those one-on-one conversations leading to, again what I hope to be, relationships that get us to a point where everyone is able to engage in the way that I believe fighting games are supposed to be engaged with. As a person working in this space, this needs to be something that I believe is the long term outcome of the culture, because I want to be at a point where anywhere in the world everyone is excited to play fighting games, can relate to each other through playing fighting games, and shares that same belief in a simple truth that I hold.

VG247: One final question on this topic - you've mentioned that the size and scale of Evo this year as well as Evo Japan wouldn't be possible without partners including Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia. The country is spending big as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. This financial expansion into other markets - esports is a part of that! But that money has limits, and if their goal is to expand into profitable ventures, support of events like Evo might last for five years, or one year, who knows! Would you consider them a stable partner in the same vein as you would Chipotle or one of the bigger corporate partners we've seen in recent years?

Thiher: I think at the moment the FGC has been blessed to see several stable partners and community invested partners over the years like Sony, Red Bull, and most recently Chipotle. This is still a new partnership, but all signs today show that Qiddiya wants to engage our community in the same way. They were present in Tokyo, and they were present in Las Vegas, so I anticipate we can continue to engage the shows that way.

"

Thiher's hopes are almost certainly shared among many who find themselves caught in an awkward position, stuck between years of established culture and business. For now at least, there's enough separation for FGC community members to remain true their values, and there are people willing to stay true to them. The end goal of Saudi government investment is clear, at least to me. If Chipotle is selling burritos, and Vitrix is selling arcade sticks, Qiddiya esports and the Esports World Cup is trying to sell the country to people. They want people to travel there for their esports events.

And while it may be easy to speak to the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation at Evo, to stay true to values in the heart of America, it's doubtlessly a lot harder to do the same within Saudi Arabian borders. Whether that a bridge that should be crossed then, or if a stand should be made right now, is in the hands of fighting game players.

"

Read this next

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top