Fighting Game Community Reacts Strongly to Qiddiya’s Acquisition of Evo Operator RTS

Image Credit: EVO

Fighting game fans are reacting strongly after news broke that Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious megacity project, has officially acquired RTS, the talent management company that also owns the Evolution Championship Series (Evo).

The announcement came through a LinkedIn post by Qiddiya’s Chief Strategy Officer, Muhannad Aldawood, who confirmed the deal on Thursday afternoon. He described the acquisition as a “strategic step” that would strengthen Qiddiya’s esports business and “fuel the continued growth of Evolution Championship Series (EVO), the world’s largest fighting game event since 1996.”

While Qiddiya positioned the purchase as an investment in the fighting game community, the response from players and fans was far less enthusiastic. According to widespread reactions across X, many in the fighting game community (FGC) expressed disappointment and concern. A large portion of the criticism focused on Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the fear that grassroots events could lose significance in favor of big-money backing.

Professional Street Fighter 6 player Christopher “ChrisCCH” Hancock, who previously declined participation in the Saudi-backed Esports World Cup, called the news “unfortunate” and voiced concerns for LGBTQ+ members of the community. He added that he worries about funding disappearing “as soon as the funders get bored,” leaving the competitive scene in an uncertain position.

Well-known commentator Sajam echoed a similar sentiment, explaining that the deal made him think about “ways to create cool stuff for the rest of our community” as official FGC spaces feel like they are “shrinking all the time.”

Multi-time Evo champion SonicFox, known for their outspoken advocacy, responded with determination. They vowed to remain visible, saying they will be “Gayer and Louder than ever” while waving their Trans Rights flag at Evo, encouraging allies to do the same.

Former Tekken pro Stephen “Speedkicks” Stafford shared his distaste for “government funded festivities,” pledging to put his focus on community-run tournaments instead.

Amid the backlash, Evo general manager Rick Thiher issued a statement stressing that "Inclusivity, community, and connectivity" remain core values of the tournament. He emphasized that Evo’s future would continue to respect those principles, though he did not directly address the controversy around Qiddiya’s ownership.

For now, the long-term impact of this acquisition on Evo and the broader FGC remains unclear. While social media is buzzing with frustration and calls for alternatives, it remains to be seen whether players will shift their support away from Evo or ultimately continue showing up for the event despite the change in ownership.