Four Years After Microsoft Acquisition, Esports Site Start.gg Goes Independent With Some Changes

Approximately four years ago, Microsoft obtained control of the esports tournament organizing platform formerly known as Smash.gg (now Start.gg). Recently, Start.gg declared that they are no longer under Microsoft’s ownership and will be returning to their original status as an independent business, focusing on fostering both grassroots and professional esports communities.

Chris Ogle, a co-founder of Smash.gg, announced the news on Medium and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft and Xbox for their assistance. He also emphasized that the team behind the site will consist of members from the original Smash.gg team as well as dedicated grassroots tournament organizers and engineers who are committed to enhancing the platform for the communities we cater to.

Moving ahead, as of Valentine’s Day, February 14, Start.gg will introduce a registration fee aimed at covering operational costs. This shift is not only essential for the longevity of the business, but it also paves the way for improvements. Specifically, Start.gg plans to enhance its user interface and boost its tournament support system.

From its start in 2015, this platform’s mission has consistently been to cultivate passionate communities centered on the video games that people enjoy playing. This core objective continues to drive us forward, and we eagerly anticipate sharing this exciting path with you.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel invigorated by the resilience of esports in an industry experiencing some ups and downs. The 2024 Evo tournament, remarkably, set a new record as the largest esports event ever held. Next year, with Evo 2025 returning to Las Vegas from August 1-3, I’m eagerly anticipating its continued success in maintaining that extraordinary momentum.

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2025-01-31 22:39