Embattled Panda CEO Alan Bunney Faults Nintendo for 'Super Smash Bros.' Cancellations Visionaries: Gaming, Media and the Internet Explained

In November, the community-organized 'Super Smash Bros.' esports circuit Smash World Tour canceled its finale event just two weeks before its kickoff date, citing legal concerns stemming from conversations with the game's publisher Nintendo. But the organizers behind the event also made another accusation: the CEO of their biggest competitor, Panda's Alan Bunney, had threatened 'Melee' and 'Ultimate' grassroots organizers on behalf of Nintendo, who his organization partnered with in 2022. In an intense set of events, Bunney resigned in fear in December and issued a statement scolding the Smash World Tour organizers and tournament broadcaster Beyond the Summit. Now, he joins Jacob for his first-ever interview in the wake of the scandal.
"The shadow of Nintendo behind us made [our competitors feel threatened.] You have to keep in mind I was working towards phasing myself out. The only thing connecting any distrust people had was me."
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