Street Fighter 6 Director Surprised by Capcom's Paid Tournament Stream Decision

Capcom's Paid Tournament Streams Spark Controversy and Surprise

Capcom recently announced that the online finals for the Capcom Cup 12 and SFL World Championship, both scheduled for March 2026, would be available exclusively through a paid online stream. This decision quickly drew significant backlash from the global fighting game community, who criticized it as unfair and a barrier to accessibility.

The publisher set prices at 4,000 Japanese Yen (approximately $27 USD) for a single tournament, or 6,000 JPY (around $40 USD) for access to both events. Fans were swift to voice their disapproval across social media platforms, arguing that the primary goal of events like the Capcom Cup and Pro Tour should be to promote the game and expand its community, not to monetize viewership of its most anticipated finales.

Adding to the controversy, Takayuki Nakayama, the director of Street Fighter 6, revealed his astonishment at the announcement. He stated that he and producer Shuhei Matsumoto only learned about the paid streams at Tokyo Game Show, where the news was first shared. Nakayama publicly expressed his and Matsumoto's shock, explaining that the development department and the esports division operate with fundamentally different goals and objectives. This disconnect, he indicated, led to the decision being made without consultation or prior knowledge of the game's core development team.

"It may sound strange, but it's true. Revenue targets and assigned tasks differ fundamentally by department. Even the development team was surprised by this announcement (At least Matsumoto and I were shocked at the venue)," Nakayama shared on social media, acknowledging the internal surprise at the company's direction.

Community feedback further highlighted concerns about limiting access for a global audience, especially after the recent widespread excitement generated by a young Chilean player's success in the competitive scene. While some commentators noted that paid broadcasts might be more common or accepted in Japan, many feared that such a move in Western markets could backfire significantly, potentially damaging Capcom's brand reputation and community goodwill.

In response to the growing unrest, Nakayama assured fans that the situation is currently being discussed internally within Capcom, and offered apologies for the concern and confusion caused by the announcement. The ongoing dialogue within the company suggests that fan feedback is being taken seriously, and further updates may follow regarding this contentious decision.