The Super Smash Bros. community is a lot different than it was just a week ago, and now includes one of the largest esports organizations connected to the scene.
Continue Panda Global’s first statement made in relation to the controversy over Smash World Tour canceled Behind-the-scenes operations, more than 80% of Panda’s players and commentators for Smash and the broader fighting game community appear to have resigned from the team so far.
At the time of reporting, the top close competitors are Cody “iBDW” Schwab and Justin “Plup” McGrath, Chris “WaDi” Boston, Ryan “Saint Cola” Collins, Zak “Coney” Zeeks, Terrence “TKbreezy” Kershaw, Marine, Victoria “VikkiKitty” Perez have all publicly announced their resignations or their intentions to do so.
“I’m quitting Panda,” Prapp wrote on Twitter. “I really enjoyed my time there and they treated me well. I know you had in mind.I don’t think I can support them anymore.I have to sleep now.1000 years to prepare for the next tournament.”
It’s been about four months and I’m happy with the work done in that time and the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn more from. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I will always find a way.
— TKbreezy 🎙 (@TKbreezy) December 3, 2022
With this exit from the company, Panda’s roster of on-screen talent has already been dropped, with Justin Wong, Victor “Punk” Woodley, Keenan “Kizzy Kay” Kizzie, Eduardo “Hook Gang God” Deno, Little Others, such as Z, have removed mentions of Panda from their Twitter page — but have yet to make an official announcement.
The monumental reaction came in the aftermath of Smash World Tour, which announced the 2022 championship, and had to cancel the entire 2023 season after Nintendo rejected the licensing deal.
SWT organizers have accused Panda and its CEO, Alan Bunny, of misbehavior when they tried to recruit their own Panda Cup major tournament, officially licensed by Nintendo. did.
Panda’s response to the allegations came three days later, but did little to quell the backlash from the Smash community and beyond.
I will not participate in the Panda Cup.
too little and too late. https://t.co/902CEl9VQe
— Hunger Box 🏆🏆🏆 (@LiquidHbox) December 2, 2022
Liquid|Hungrybox, CLG|SFAT, Tempo|Axe, LG|Maister, Liquid|Dabuz, BC|Magi, Furia| and many other top non-Panda sponsored players have announced their intention not to participate in the Panda Cup Finale Did. Fatality, GG|Zain, VGBC|aMSa, C9|Mang0, Fiction, GG|n0ne, Wizzrobe, T1|MkLeo, CG|Medz, Pipsqueak, FLY|KoDoRiN, LUM|Ginger, CG|Eddy Mexico.
The Panda Cup Finale has not been canceled and is still scheduled to take place December 16-18, but players are usually required to participate in the tournament.
Likewise, this poses a serious risk to the future of the Panda eSports organization. Given that the non-FGC talent roster currently has only one chess player.
To make up for the cancellation of the Smash World Tour 2022 Championship, popular streamer Ludwig announced his intention to host a “Scuffed World Tour” on December 18th. We are raising funds to support VGBC and our players.
These are the 8 I invite from each game. If someone can’t attend, invite the next highest point earner.
We are also happy to give away $50,000 in event prizes
Hopefully well worth the player’s time! pic.twitter.com/NF4psOMlMD
— Ludwig (@LudwigAhgren) December 2, 2022
Since its founding in 2015, Panda has rapidly grown to become one of the largest and most successful eSports organizations, with a growing roster of players, commentators, content creators, streamers, stat trackers and influencers led by Smash and FGC. increase.
However, as things stand now, staff will resign en masse and it will probably be difficult to recover from the damage/broken trust in community relations.
