Nintendo is now a sponsor of Evolution 2014 — one of the biggest fighting-game events — after years of ignoring it

Later this week, some of the top fighting-game pros gather in Las Vegas for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world — and the event now has an unexpected sponsor.

Nintendo is one of 20 companies providing financial support for the Evolution 2014 fighting-game tournament, which begins Friday. Many in that community are expressing shock that Nintendo is sponsoring the event because it attempted to block Evo from using its classic GameCube release Super Smash Bros. Melee in the 2013 tournament. By sponsoring the tourney this year, Nintendo is continuing a turnaround that has seen the company embracing these dedicated gamers. This is likely part of the publisher’s plans to generate excitement for its upcoming Super Smash Bros. games for the 3DS and Wii U, which both launch later this year.