EVO, the biggest fighting game tournament, will hold its first European event in Nice, France in 2025.
Patrick Beja opens the episode by announcing he's moving from Finland to Paris, which will cause some scheduling disruptions over the summer. He thanks guest host J.K. for covering the previous episode and acknowledges the show's producers and Patreon supporters. The first major news segment focuses on EVO 2024 results and the announcement that EVO 2025 will be held in Nice, France—marking the tournament's first European edition. The hosts discuss EVO's history as a community-driven, multi-game fighting tournament owned by Sony, its prestige in the esports world, and memorable moments like Punk's emotional Street Fighter 6 victory. They also cover EVO game announcements, including Terry Bogard and Mai Shiranui coming to Street Fighter 6 and Heihachi Mishima returning to Tekken 8. The conversation shifts to the International Olympic Committee's partnership with Saudi Arabia to host esports Olympics starting in 2025, analyzing it as both a legitimization of esports and an example of Saudi soft power. Next, they examine a new Nintendo Switch charger accessory and speculate whether it hints at Joy-Con compatibility issues with the rumored Switch 2. The hosts then critique a Star Wars Outlaws gameplay video that shows a concerning graphical downgrade compared to earlier trailers. In the 'games we've played' segment, Kassim discusses Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, its graphical updates, and his participation in a Japan Expo roundtable with director Naoki Yoshida. Patrick shares his experiences with multiple service games including Overwatch 2, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, Helldivers 2, Diablo 4, Street Fighter 6, and World of Warcraft. He also reviews smaller titles like Lost and Found Co., A Building Full of Cats, and Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess. Patrick concludes by praising Minecraft Dungeons as a surprise hit for playing with his young children, highlighting its accessible Diablo-like gameplay.
