Tom & Tony Cannon: The Birth of the FGC, Founding EVO, Riot Games, and 2XKO...

In this episode, Tom and Tony Cannon, the visionary brothers behind EVO, share their incredible journey from the fading days of arcades to creating the largest fighting game tournament in the world. Learn how these pioneers brought communities together, introduced innovative technologies like rollback netcode, and transitioned the fighting game scene to the global esports stage.

Discover behind-the-scenes stories of iconic moments like "Moment 37," their passion for preserving arcade culture, and how their experiences shaped the modern fighting game landscape. Whether you're a gamer, developer, or esports fan, this conversation is packed with inspiring insights and untold stories about perseverance, innovation, and the power of community.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The evolution of arcade culture into esports.
• Building EVO: The challenges and triumphs.
• The invention of rollback netcode and its impact on online gaming.
• Behind "Moment 37": Capturing a historic event.
• Transitioning to console tournaments and the creation of new opportunities.
• Launching indie projects like Rising Thunder and their integration into Riot Games.
• The future of fighting games and the role of community-driven innovation.
• How Riot Games is shaping their current project, ‪2XKO‬ to revolutionize the genre

🎮 Connect with Us:

• Follow Tom and Tony Cannon on Twitter: @TomCannonFG | @TonyCannonFG
• Learn more about EVO: evo.gg
• Join the conversation: #EVO #FightingGames #Esports

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:59 - Early Life: Games & Programming

5:20 - Arcade Culture, Forums, and Rivalries

9:55 - The Birth of Local Tournaments

14:50 - The Business of EVO

17:31 - The Genius Marketing of 'Moment 37'

20:01 - The Power of Community

22:44 - "The CRT TV Heist"

29:06 - GGPO and Online Play

34:52 - Founding a Game Studio (Radiant)

38:37 - Game Recognize Game: Riot Acquisition

44:03 - Riot's Influence on 2XKO

50:45 - Conclusion