The Riptide Super Smash Bros. Project + tournaments have been canceled, putting a serious damper on an upcoming gaming convention that is only two weeks away.
Riptide is a 3-day gaming tournament and convention held in Sandusky, Ohio. Aside from popular titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the tournament will also feature Super Smash Bros. Melee, Splatoon 2, and Rivals of Aether. Project+ was also going to be part of the lineup, but that's all changed as of today.
— Riptide (@RiptideSSB) August 27, 2021
Nintendo Hits Riptide Super Smash Bros. Project+ Tournaments with Cease & Desist
Tournaments for the other games still appear to be on, but the Riptide Super Smash Bros. Project + tournaments have been canceled. Here is the full statement Riptide put out in a tweet earlier today:
Riptide was contacted recently by a Nintendo of America, Inc. representative regarding our Project+ events. As a result of that conversation, there will be no Project+ tournaments or setups at Riptide.
We understand the impact of this news for the Project+ community. We will be contacting all attendees registered for Project+ events with further information and the updated refund request procedure shortly.
Nintendo is no stranger to taking legal action against companies, so this might not come as a surprise to some of you. If you're wondering why these tournaments were canceled, you're going to need to have an understanding of what Project+ actually is.
What is Super Smash Bros. Project+?
Project+ is a gameplay mod of Project M, a fan-made project that modifies the gameplay and rules of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In both cases, these mods seek to improve the gameplay of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and bring it closer to the gameplay in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
As one might expect, Nintendo doesn't look too kindly on unauthorized modifications of its games. That's probably why it sent a cease & desist notice to Riptide. This isn't the first time Nintendo has done this, either; late last year, it sent a C&D to The Big House tournament due to its use of a Super Smash Bros. Melee modification that allowed online play.
Going forward, it's unlikely that Riptide — or any other paid gaming convention — is likely to give the official nod to tournaments featuring Super Smash Bros. mods. Riptide says that it will be updating its refund request procedure shortly. You can learn more about the Riptide event on its official website.
What do you think about the Riptide Super Smash Bros. Project + tournaments being canceled due to a C&D from Nintendo? What's your favorite way to play Super Smash Bros.? Let us know in the comments below!
