EVO 2015

[BumblebeeCody*]

With a game like Smash though, people are going to buy the newest version regardless.

The thing about fighting games though is that the latest game out doesn't necessarily mean it's better. In fact, a fighting game can be that mechanically bad it can die within the first month(See Street Fighter x Tekken). In the case of Smash 5...not many people are warming up to it. Melee is just the pinnacle of the series. In the same way you'll still find Street Fighter 2 Turbo being played 25 years on. People will buy the latest version yes, myself included. But that's because it's something to go back. Not because it's a game worth taking seriously(at least to me). Not to mention, those who play competitively are the more valuable audience that companies like Nintendo, Capcom, Namco, Tecmo Koei, Iron Galaxy, SNK etc have. These are the people who are still going to be playing your game in 5,10,12 25 years time.
Let's be honest, other than what Project M is, does anyone really care about Brawl?

In a nutshell, Nintendo can't sponsor a fan made project that was created by exploiting vulnerabilities within the Wii/Wii U hardware and software.

I'm pretty sure it's actually the legal gray area Project M exists under. They are redistributing character files, textures, art assets, and music that is Nintendo's, without their permission. The addition of Roy and Mewtwo just make it even worse for them. Also, there is the fact that Nintendo doesn't even own everything in Brawl (Sonic, Snake, Ness, the Pokemon, and any stages and music from said properties). So not only would Nintendo have to okay the use of all their characters, but they would have to re-gain the rights to all of the stuff in Brawl they don't own to be used in Project M. On top of that, if they chose to just let it exist, this poses another problem. If someone else wanted to freely had out any of Nintendo files, and use them in any derivative work, they could, and say that by Nintendo not doing anything to the PMDT, Nintendo has now set a legal precedent that it is okay. On top of that, one of the trademark laws states that failure to police a trademark can result in loss of the trademark. So if they don't do anything, they run the risk of losing the trademarks to the characters and other things featured in Brawl.

Yeah I think that does add it. But I don't necessarily think that it's the main point. I guarantee Nintendo know very well about Project M. But like I said, Project M is based on modifying the Wii hardware and software to do things it wasn't supposed to. The get Project M running on a Wii/Wii U, you have to slightly modify the operating system, install the homebrew channel(unsigned code to an unapproved channel), then run the game via a disc with cheats or as a backup on a USB stick. 
Nintendo would look like fools for sponsoring an event that had a game based on Nintendo not being able to secure their own console. 


I think Nintendo are just turning a blind eye to the whole Project M thing. The PMDT are on a very fine line(I think). Nintendo will easily shut fan mods down and with how big Project M is(being at EVO), I'm surprised they're still going. Combined with your points on using characters like Roy and Mewtwo as well as copyright, it's a very very tight line. 

Not only that...but I vastly, prefer Project M over Smash 4. Project M has Turbo:


Once you go black...