Washington Post reports on Nintendo's somewhat odd relationship with esports, and quotes Masuhiro Sakurai, franchise director, who had some seemingly odd things to say about what is perhaps considered the best and most competitive edition of the game, Gamecube's Super Smash Bros. Melee:
"I think a lot of Melee players love Melee. But at the same time, I think a lot of players, on the other hand, gave up on Melee because it's too technical, because they can't keep up with it," Sakurai told Washington Post at E3. "And I know there were players who got tendinitis from playing, and messing with the controller so much . . . that really is hard on the player. And I feel like a game should really focus on what the target audience is."
Furthermore, Sakurai seems to feel the focus on the hardcore audience goes against what Nintendo's general direction is:
"The philosophy behind them doesn't go in line with Nintendo's philosophy in that some of these players are playing for the prize money," Sakurai told Washington Post. "It comes to a point where they're playing the game for the money, and I feel that kind of direction doesn't coincide with Nintendo's view of what games should be."
Of course, Nintendo's official line is that they hope the new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will become popular on the competitive scene.
Thanks, Nintendo Everything.