EVO Japan 2025: Hardware Issues Disrupt Grand Finals

The recent EVO Japan 2025 saw a prestigious moment turn frustrating when the Guilty Gear Strive Grand Finals had to be momentarily halted due to hardware issues. This annual fighting game event, held over three days, took place from May 9 to May 11 and featured finales for various competitive titles, including Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

A Grand Final Interrupted

The climactic Strive match featured players Daru_I-NO and RedDitto, who were streaming their epic showdown live on Twitch. Just as the stakes peaked in the final round, unexpected technical difficulties occurred. As both players’ characters, I-No and Ramlethal Valentine respectively, started walking backwards and pausing mid-play, the match had to cut away to the commentary box.

“Oh no, it feels like yet another issue has happened,” remarked one commentator, voicing the shared apprehension among viewers. Another echoed their sentiments, lamenting, “This is a heartbreaking way for these Grand Finals to play out.” Fortunately, the pause was brief, and the match resumed shortly after, with Daru ultimately securing the victory.

Console Concerns: The PS5 Dilemma

Adding to the drama, the event was plagued by multiple reports of malfunctioning PlayStation 5 consoles throughout the weekend. Many professionals, including well-known player Punk, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustrations. Punk suggested that technical problems with the PS5 played a significant role in his loss during a Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves match. He shared, “I really just lost in COTW because of a PS5 malfunction where it will make your pad walk backwards and nothing else works. Same thing happened last year during EVO Japan in SF6 also.”

The prevailing theory points to the PS5s overheating in poorly-ventilated conditions, a factor that has yet to be officially confirmed by event organizers or Sony, who co-owns EVO. Whatever the cause, the technical issues prompted disappointment among many fighting game enthusiasts. One commenter encapsulated the sentiment perfectly: “Embarrassing ending to EVO Japan.”

As discussions ensued, some fans proposed a change in platform for big tournaments, advocating for the transition from PS5 consoles to PCs. “It’s way past time to change the PS5 for PCs in big tournaments at least. EVO Japan not using PCs is so bad,” remarked one frustrated viewer.

Looking Ahead to EVO USA

Despite the setbacks at EVO Japan, the global community is eagerly anticipating more upcoming events, including EVO USA, scheduled for August 1, 2025, in Las Vegas. It remains to be seen whether the issues faced in Japan will encourage shifts in how these tournaments operate.

In conclusion, while the hardware failures at EVO Japan 2025 may have cast a shadow over this year’s competition, they also opened the floor for discussions about technology’s role in competitive gaming. As the community reflects on these issues, one thing is certain: players and fans alike demand enhancements that ensure a smoother gaming experience in future events.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the need for reliable hardware is paramount, ensuring that deserving competitors can showcase their skills without unnecessary interruptions. Only time will tell how organizers respond to these challenges as we gear up for the major tournaments ahead.