By Sagar V. Mankar 
Street Fighter 6 has secured two major victories at the JAPAN eSPORTS AWARDS 2024. The latest installment in the series, Street Fighter 6, earned the coveted Esports Game of the Year award, while the Street Fighter League took home the Esports Competition of the Year honor at the ceremony held on January 15 in Yokohama.
Street Fighter 6
Released in June 2023, Street Fighter 6 has been a remarkable success for its developer and publisher, Capcom. The game has sold over 4.1 million copies globally across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Capcom aims for the title to surpass the lifetime sales of its predecessor, Street Fighter 5, with a goal of selling over 10 million units. To put this achievement into perspective, the 1993 classic Street Fighter 2 Turbo sold 4.1 million copies, while Street Fighter 5 and the original Street Fighter 2 reached 7.6 million and 6.3 million units, respectively.
The critical reception for Street Fighter 6 has been overwhelmingly positive. IGN praised it as a “spectacularly feature-rich fighting game,” giving it a score of 9/10. GamesRadar+ described it as “arguably the best overall fighting game package ever made,” and Metacritic awarded the game an impressive Metascore of 92, signifying universal acclaim.
Regular updates, including new characters like A.K.I. and Akuma in Season 1 and Terry and Mai from Fatal Fury in Season 2, have kept the game fresh and engaging. Upcoming additions, such as Elena in winter 2025, along with exciting collaborations, have further broadened its appeal.
Street Fighter League
The Street Fighter League, Japan’s leading 4-on-4 team-based competition, also played a pivotal role in the game’s success. The league was recognized for its exceptional tournament organization and high-quality broadcasts that captivated audiences throughout the season.
The excitement continues with the upcoming Street Fighter League: World Championship 2024, scheduled for March 9, 2025, at Tokyo’s iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena. This event will bring together champion teams from Japan, the United States, and Europe, marking the first Street Fighter competition at this historic venue in nearly 30 years. It will also coincide with Capcom Cup 11, the grand finale of the Capcom Pro Tour 2024.
In a statement, Capcom emphasized that these awards are not just a triumph for the franchise but for the entire fighting game community. The company remains committed to advancing the industry and delivering exciting competitive experiences worldwide.
Source: Business Wire