Daigo Umehara Weighs In on Capcom Cup Pay-Per-View Controversy

One of the most respected figures in the global fighting game community, Daigo Umehara, has finally shared his thoughts on the Capcom Cup pay-per-view controversy.

About a week ago, Capcom announced that Capcom Cup 12 and the Street Fighter League World Championship will adopt a pay-per-view (PPV) model for their final stages. This decision has been met with widespread pushback from players and fans alike, with many arguing that the pricing is too high and the communication surrounding the change was poorly handled. A common criticism is that Capcom Cup thrives on the global support of the fighting game community, a structure the company doesn’t pay to maintain, making monetizing the finals in this way feel unfair to many.

Given Daigo’s status as a legendary player and his reputation for speaking candidly on issues that others in Japan might avoid, the community has been eagerly awaiting his perspective. Japanese players often remain silent on controversial topics due to the strict guidelines of the domestic esports scene and their organizational affiliations. Daigo, however, has consistently used his platform to speak openly, which makes his opinion particularly valuable.

On a recent stream, Daigo addressed Capcom’s new PPV model, offering a perspective that many didn’t expect. His main issue wasn’t with the monetization itself, but rather with the quality of the product being offered. In his view, the content Capcom currently provides simply isn’t worth the price being asked.

Daigo criticized the lack of engaging storytelling around Capcom Pro Tour and Capcom Cup events, arguing that Capcom hasn’t done enough to make fans emotionally invested in the competition. He suggested that building narratives around players, such as showing their backgrounds, struggles, and personalities, would go a long way in getting audiences to care more deeply. He also proposed giving top players more spotlight and preferential treatment, as this would help build dedicated fanbases that are willing to pay to follow their favorite competitors.

Interestingly, Daigo believes that having a dominant player, like MenaRD winning several events consecutively, could actually benefit Capcom Cup’s brand. The inevitability of such a player winning would, in his view, draw in viewers who want to see their favorites challenge the “final boss.”

He also highlighted how the unpredictable nature of Street Fighter 6’s competitive landscape makes it difficult to build marketable narratives. While unpredictability is exciting for neutral viewers, hardcore fans often want to see their favorite players consistently succeed. For example, a player like Punk could win Evo one week and fail to make Top 24 in the next event. Daigo argued that this inconsistency makes it harder to create a compelling product for broadcast, and that until Capcom improves the spectacle, people won’t be willing to pay the current PPV prices.

Daigo’s arguments are well-structured, though it’s worth noting that his perspective comes from within Japan. As such, he may not fully grasp the pricing challenges faced by players and fans in other regions, particularly in areas with lower income levels.

With no official follow-up from Capcom so far, the community is left wondering if the company will adjust its approach. If it doesn’t, there are growing concerns about how this PPV model could affect Capcom Cup’s global popularity when the tournament takes place next year.