Smash Bros. tournament goes on after fire marshals condemn hotel

Apex 2015, the three-day Super Smash Bros. fighting game tournament, is still taking place this weekend in New Jersey, but it lost a day and had to relocate because a fire marshal shut down the original location on Friday.

Kotaku reported yesterday on the tense situation facing the tournament. Someone pulled a fire alarm at the Empire Clarion Hotel in Seacaucus, N.J., just outside of New York City. When fire marshals arrived to investigate, they found the ballrooms — where the tournament would be played — failed safety code and ordered them evacuated and closed.

This report by an eSports reporter for Red Bull said the ballrooms had suffered structural damage in the preceding week. More significantly, Nintendo itself was sponsoring Apex 2015 for the first time, following the release of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS last fall. An outright cancellation would have threatened that relationship for sure.

Ultimately, Apex 2015 found a new home — the Garden State Convention Center some 40 miles down the road in Piscataway. An Apex organizer gave thanks to Twitch for making the connection.

We're moving to the Garden State Convention Center. This event is still happening. Big thanks @Twitch for this. Tell everyone you know!!!

— D1 @ #Apex2015 (@xD1x) January 30, 2015

Honestly blown away that I am a part of such a wonderful, strong, passionate community. The Smash Community is here. @xD1x @progducto

— Connor (@Con0rrrr) January 31, 2015

The tournament is currently underway, and it may be viewed here.

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