Unsponsored Fighter Claims Victory and Million-Dollar Prize at Capcom Cup
Witness the rise of Uma, an unsponsored underdog who conquered Street Fighter 6's championship, securing a historic prize that marks a new milestone in the world of fighting games.
After an exciting nine-day event at the Avalon in Hollywood, Capcom Cup X recently came to a close. The tournament featured competitive events, last-chance qualifiers, team tournaments, and more. The Taiwanese player Uma327 emerged as the brand-new champion, impressing viewers with their skills.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Capcom Cup X was the prize for finishing in 1st place. Uma327 walked away with a staggering $1,000,000. Players from around the world participated in the event, leading to unexpected outcomes such as the defeat of fan-favorite players like Tokido and Punk. The tournament was filled with shocking moments and upsets, making it a thrilling experience for all.
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The Capcom Cup for Street Fighter 6 marks a significant milestone, not only for the game but for the entire fighting game community. The first-place prize money has never been this substantial before, with a total prize pool exceeding $2,000,000. Following the tournament, Capcom President & COO Haruhiro Tsujimoto revealed plans to continue creating "fighting game millionaires," with next year's Capcom Cup XI set to award $1,000,000. If you dream of winning big, now is the time to start honing your skills.
Uma expressed his gratitude after winning, giving thanks to the entire Taiwan fighting game community, as well as his family and friends for their support. He credited them for giving him the opportunity to succeed. When asked by host RobTV when he realized he could win the tournament, Uma revealed that it was when Capcom announced the prize money of $1,000,000.
Moments after his historic victory, I had the chance to sit down with Uma backstage for a chat. He sat comfortably with the large frosted glass trophy on his lap, calmly answering my questions as the cheers from the Avalon crowd could still be heard outside. Despite his calm demeanor and ability to handle pressure, which is a trait shared by seasoned fighting game players with years of experience, Uma actually started playing fighting games in Season 1 of Street Fighter V.
Uma, like all the other top 16 players, put in long hours of training, sometimes playing for around 12 hours a day. He honed his skills by battling Japanese players online, gaining valuable experience against strong opponents and top-tier characters. However, there were certain players, like DCQ, that he was hesitant to face during the tournament.
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Uma, unlike DCQ, was one of the few unsponsored players who paid for his own trip from Taiwan to California. When I inquired about his plans for the prize money, Uma mentioned that he intends to make it last a lifetime.
Additionally, Uma expressed his opinions on the balance of Street Fighter 6 and his aspirations for its future. When questioned about the characters he would like to see included, he mentioned "Ibuki and Makoto."
The latest update for SF6 following the Capcom Cup includes the addition of a new character, Ed. Along with this, adjustments have been made to improve the performance of some well-known characters. Additionally, Capcom has announced that a comprehensive balance patch will be released soon, affecting all characters. Uma, a player at Capcom Cup X, expressed that Blanka was strong but not widely used in competitive play. Despite this, Uma believed the balance during the event was decent, only requiring minor adjustments for JP and Luke, which have been addressed in the recent patch.
What’s next for Uma? Simply put, "I'm just going to continue to play."
Before the tournament, I had a chat with Takayuki Nakayama, the director of SF6, and Shuhei Matsumoto, its producer. They shared their thoughts on the significance of Capcom Cup X and the prize at stake. They expressed their happiness about the current state of Street Fighter, particularly the diverse participation of players from various countries and the emergence of new talent.
Nakayama and Matsumoto mentioned their joy in seeing their product showcased in a prestigious tournament with a substantial prize pool. They expressed hope that this event would inspire more tournaments of varying sizes and formats, catering to different levels of players and viewers. They emphasized the importance of supporting Street Fighter 6 to ensure the continuation of such opportunities in the future.
At the event, the Street Fighter League (SFL) came to an end. The 'Bandits' team, made up of Caba, Chris T, Xiaohai, and EVO champion MenaRD, emerged victorious. The SFL had a prize pool of $150,000, with Bandits taking home a check for $80,000.
Editor's P/S:
The Capcom Cup X tournament was an electrifying event that showcased the incredible skill and dedication of the fighting game community. The record-breaking prize pool of $1,000,000 for first place is a testament to the growing popularity and recognition of the genre. The victory of Uma327, an unsponsored player from Taiwan, is a testament to the accessibility and global reach of esports. His achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring gamers everywhere.
The Capcom Cup X tournament was not only a celebration of fighting games but also a platform for the developers to gather feedback and announce future plans. The upcoming balance patch and the inclusion of new characters demonstrate Capcom's commitment to supporting and evolving Street Fighter 6. The tournament has set the stage for an exciting future for the fighting game community, with the promise of more tournaments, larger prize pools, and the emergence of new stars.
