The director of Street Fighter 6, Takayuki Nakayama, expressed his surprise regarding Capcom’s decision to implement a pay-per-view system for the upcoming esports tournament finals. He issued an apology for any unease this decision may have caused.

During the recent Tokyo Game Show, Capcom announced that the finals for the Capcom Cup and the Street Fighter League 2025 World Championship, both set in Tokyo, would only be accessible online through a paid model. This is a notable shift from the usual free streaming options available on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

Participants will need to pay ¥4,000 (approximately £20) for access to each of the finals, with a package deal for both events available for ¥6,000 (around £30). However, earlier qualifying rounds will still be free to watch.

While the ticket prices for the online finals are similar to attending the event in person, real-life attendance varies from ¥2,000 (£10) to ¥20,000 (£100) for premium seating. The announcement has sparked significant criticism, leading Nakayama to address concerns directly on social media.

In response to a fan’s comment about the apparent disconnect between Capcom’s esports division and the Street Fighter 6 development team, Nakayama confirmed the sentiment. He remarked that different departments have distinct revenue goals and responsibilities. He noted that even the development team was caught off guard by the announcement, admitting he and his colleague were surprised at the venue. They are currently in discussions to address the issue and apologized for the confusion it has caused.

Later, Nakayama humorously mentioned that he might remove his previous comments if he faces any backlash at work, showing a light-hearted approach to the situation, much to the fans’ appreciation.

One user pointed out that the essence of events like the Capcom Cup and the prize pool is to serve as marketing tools for the game, questioning why the finals would only be available through a pay-per-view model. Another fan highlighted that the previous year’s Street Fighter League Japanese Finals also utilized a pay-per-view format but lamented that this approach may not resonate well with a global audience, cautioning that it could lead to public relations challenges for the brand.

The events are scheduled to take place from March 11th to 15th next year.