It’s already quite the feat for any video game to get its own feature length documentary, let alone a 9-part series that boasts millions of views on YouTube, yet such is the case forSuper Smash Bros. Melee. Now, 7 years afterthe success ofThe Smash Brothersmade sure thatMeleenever went away, East Point Pictures is giving Smashers another feature length doc right when they need it the most.
WhileSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatecurrently holds the honor of being the best selling fighting game of all time, it’s the 19-year-oldMeleethat’s largely responsible for giving birth to the game’s competitive scene. That wouldn’t be the case if it were up to Nintendo though, who not only refuses to support both game’s competitive players, but instead doesits best to preventMeleefrom staying relevantwith every legal resource it has.
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However, theSmashcommunity is not known for being easy to knock down, thus yesterday East Point Pictures and documentary producer SAMOX decided to drop a fully charged smash attack on Nintendo’s attempts at killing their beloved game with the reveal trailer for the long-awaitedMetagame. The new documentary seems to pick up right whereThe Smash Brothersleft off, following the stories ofMelee’smost dominant players, known collectively as “The Five Gods” and the new challengers that arose since 2013 to threaten their mastery over the game.
Like its predecessor,Metagameis a fully grassroots project that has spent years in the making, with the producers constantly sharing updates with theSmashcommunity via Twitter and Twitch, since its first teaser was revealed four years ago. The wait is now over, asSmashfans will get to enjoy this new 8-part series when it streams on Twitch on December 11, 12 and 13, with each day having its own schedule.
The timing forMetagamecould not be more perfect, given Nintendo’s most recent attack on theSmashcommunity aims to block the usage of Slippi, afan-made softwaremeant to enable online matchmaking forMeleewith rollback netcode, which revived the game’s scene this summer. Ironically, Project Slippi enables players to enjoy a smooth online playing experience on 2001’sSmash Melee; somethingNintendo themselves have failed to offerfor the currentSmash Ultimatein 2020, by instead relying on a delay-based netcode variant that is almost unanimously loathed byUltimate’scompetitive and casual players.
AsSmashfans surely know, this is not Nintendo’s first legal encounter withMelee, back in 2013 the company tried to block the game from being streamed at the EVO tournament, until they ultimately backed down due to community backlash. This time around the community is fighting back Nintendo’s legal action with the #FreeMelee campaign, tough only time will tell if it all ends up favoringMeleeplayers again.
Metagamewill stream on Twitch on December 11, 12 and 13.
