The official EVO site has updated with fresh juice about this year’s World Finals. Highlights include: 

–World’s largest Super Street Fighter IV competition

–Competitors from over 20 countries (and counting)

–Special appearance by Super Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono

–An all-star contingent of top international players, including Japanese superstars Tokido and 2009 world champion Daigo Umehara

–More special surprises to come!

In addition to Super SFIV, there will be competitions on Tatsunoko Vs Capcom, SF HD Remix, and Marvel Vs Capcom 2, plus a special women’s invitational.  The madness is free to watch in person, and free to stream online if you can’t make it to Vegas.  If you want to compete, you can register here . 

“Once a year, for over a decade, the greatest fighting gamers have come together from around the world. On July 9th, they will assemble again at Caesar’s Palace Resort and Casino for EVO 2010. … The passion, dedication, and amazing skills of the world’s greatest fighting gamers have created a competitive legacy like nothing else in gaming, so come to Vegas and be a part of the magic, the action, and the history.” 

I’m getting chills! Definitely going to be a hype tournament season, full of surprises, and the most awesome field of international competitors I’ve ever seen.  Europe has never looked stronger, there’s surprise contingents from China and the Middle East, and of course Japan and the US remain locked in their brutal struggle.  Will the console-first release of SSFIV swing the balance of power away from Japan?  We’ll know soon, and in the meantime, my hype level is over 9 thoousaaaaaaaaaaaand . 

Although this will be the biggest event in the world, there’s a LOT of hot Capcom fighting action this summer, so if you can’t find a tournament near you, you aren’t looking !