For a brief second at this yr’s Evo in Las Vegas, I used to be gifted the possibility to speak to one of many names that most likely outlined the early years of the FGC, created its most well-known second that also will get talked about at present, and is a participant that holds such a excessive calbire that it can’t be understated how a lot he has helped outline the legacy of not solely Evo, however combating video games, as an entire, on the previous couple of many years.
That participant is Daigo “The Beast” Umehara, the person who gifted us Evo Second 37, a legendary play that’s nonetheless meme’d and talked about at present, regardless of occurring over 20 years in the past in 2004. It’s gorgeous to assume {that a} participant who competed over 20 years in the past continues to be taking part in to today to attempt to be an Evo champion, however for Daigo, it’s laborious for him to see himself doing the rest.
After I requested Daigo what retains him coming again to play combating video games for over 20 years since that valuable second, he paused for a bit and appeared to assume deeply in regards to the reply.
“There are a number of issues, however the greatest one is that that is what I like to do,” Daigo instructed Destructoid. “Second is that it’s my job. These could seem to be conflicting motivations, however to me, they match collectively in a manner that isn’t contradictory. I suppose I’ve been in a position to make sense of it, or digest it. My greatest motivator is the will to at all times be doing my greatest within the current.”
Daigo went on to say that it was crucial factor for him, and whereas many gamers reward and keep in mind him for the feats he was in a position to carry out prior to now, he nonetheless desires to be appreciated as a participant now. Telling us, “If I’m not appreciated within the now, then the reward is meaningless to me. That’s why I need to maintain combating in opposition to the people who find themselves right here proper now. I need the individuals of the current to see me, and I need to be of worth within the current. You may say that’s my perpetual pursuit.”
Nevertheless, it’s laborious to flee his previous and the achievements he has reached, and Diago shared with us his previous self, highlighting what he was most happy with.
“It’s not a lot subsequent to any EVO achievement, however trying again, I feel there was worth in how absolutely I devoted physique and soul to combating video games in a time when video video games weren’t so revered in Japan,” Daigo stated. “If I hadn’t, I doubt I’d be receiving the type of remedy I get at present, and the longer term would’ve appeared completely different. Earlier than the scene obtained so large, in an age while you couldn’t anticipate to get something in return to your efforts, I actually put my coronary heart into it purely for the love of the sport. In a manner, I really feel like I pulled off one thing tough.”
There may be additionally a want for Daigo to nonetheless see himself taking part in over the following 20 years. He instructed us how he hoped to be nonetheless taking part in the video games he loves, and it was “a want I maintain strongly,” however did be aware that, generally, issues don’t go the best way you anticipate.
“I hope I’m nonetheless taking part in,” Daigo instructed us. “That’s a want I maintain strongly, but when it’s not meant to be…it’s laborious to say whether or not I’ll nonetheless be on this business or not. As I stated earlier than, it’s necessary to remain targeted on the now. If I’m not nonetheless taking part in, I don’t assume I’d be capable to stick it out mentally, as a result of I’d really feel like I used to be simply being credited for previous achievements and status.”
However even with out the prospect of him nonetheless being round, Daigo has excessive hopes for the FGC as an entire.
“It’s laborious to foretell the longer term, but it surely’s laborious to think about the combating recreation scene all of a sudden disappearing after getting this large. And whereas the pace and extent to which it grows could fluctuate, I feel the straightforward truth is that it’s solely going to maintain getting larger from right here.” Diago stated. “Assuming issues go usually, it’ll most likely find yourself like conventional sports activities, the place you’ve gotten non-player positions, like coaches and trainers. In actual fact, we could already be in that part.”
