{"id":168956,"date":"2025-09-29T21:15:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T21:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/168956\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T21:15:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T21:15:08","slug":"fans-left-speechless-as-capcom-locks-street-fighter-6-finals-behind-paywall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/168956\/","title":{"rendered":"Fans Left Speechless as Capcom Locks Street Fighter 6 Finals Behind Paywall"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Street<\/a><\/p>\n

Every now and then, a big publisher will make a seemingly inexplicable decision that leaves onlookers in a state of disbelief \u2014 and this latest move from Capcom is right up there amongst the most baffling.<\/p>\n

So, every year, Capcom hosts the Capcom Cup for the current iteration of Street Fighter<\/a>. It takes the world’s best players from the surrounding Capcom Pro Tour and places them into a tournament bracket. The winner usually walks away with a substantial cash prize.<\/p>\n

Up until now, all of these Capcom Cup finals have been free to watch, streamed live on sites like YouTube and Twitch. Indeed, esports events in general are paid for by sponsorships and advertising deals, with the resulting shows being littered with ads in between matches, and constant product placements.<\/p>\n

However, the upcoming Capcom Cup 12, which takes place in March next year, will be a pay-per-view event. In other words, you’ll need to buy a ‘ticket’ to watch the finals live.<\/p>\n

Virtual ticket prices go as high as 6,000 yen (roughly $40 \/ \u00a330) for the full package.<\/p>\n

The countdown begins. Tickets for #CAPCOMCUP12<\/a> drop soon on Oct. 10!<\/p>\n

Starting this season, CAPCOM CUP 12 Finals (Mar.14) and SFL: World Championship (Mar. 15) will stream live via Pay-per-view. Free replays will drop Mar. 21 (CC12) & Mar. 22 (SFL:WC). *Pay-per-view tickets will\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/CrPI1EzXSq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Capcom Fighters (@CapcomFighters) September 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Needless to say, Street Fighter fans are bemused. The overriding sentiment is that locking a fighting game event behind a paywall is incredibly shortsighted.<\/p>\n

Although the reach of major events \u2014 like Evo, for example \u2014 has expanded over the years, many would argue that fighting games are still far too niche to demand a pay-per-view model.<\/p>\n

So we’re left wondering: why would Capcom risk damaging its reputation over something like this? Well, it’s hard to escape the fact that Street Fighter 6 is massive in Japan.<\/p>\n

The game’s seriously struck a chord over there, and it’s entirely possible that Capcom’s simply set on monetising such a surge in popularity \u2014 global consequences be damned.<\/p>\n

Numerous big names from the fighting game community, including both professional players and commentators, have spoken out against Capcom’s supposed madness.<\/p>\n

It’s hard to justify a PPV experience for people in general, but particularly because in many places in the world the price will be a tough ask to spend. <\/p>\n

This also kills all costreams I would guess? https:\/\/t.co\/i1a2N0lDmX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sajam (@Sajam) September 28, 2025<\/a>
\nI don\u2019t know why they\u2019re not doing this anymore <\/p>\n

I used to buy the CPT costume pack every year, everyone wins and everyone is happy https:\/\/t.co\/Z9TCSbsvqJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adel (@Bigbird_fgc) September 28, 2025<\/a>
\nI was certain the entire reason for pumping all this money into Capcom Cup was to appeal to the casual audience and sell more copies of the game. They’re doing the opposite by gating new people from watching with a paywall, not to mention pissing off long-time fans. Greed kills. https:\/\/t.co\/RKxXBXGpDj<\/a>\u2014 Super_Yan \u279c RISC (probably) (@Super__Yan) September 28, 2025<\/a>
\nI have watched every Capcom Cup ever from beginning to end since it started back in 2013. I’m definitely not about to pay to watch the finals. Especially with how the game is right now. This is easily one of the worst decisions I have ever seen Capcom make https:\/\/t.co\/wDcm0c8Whp<\/a>\u2014 Chakotay (@ElChakotay) September 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you make of this? Has Capcom lost the plot, or is this kind of move towards pay-per-view inevitable for esports? Drop your combo in the comments section below.<\/p>\n