Capcom Issues New Controller Rules for Pro Tour 2023

The 2023 Capcom Pro Tour is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, but it will be one with kind of different-looking matches thanks to a recent rule change. Capcom has clarified some rules ahead of the season starting. Specifically, they’ve weighed into what’s always a controversial topic in fighting games, controllers. Capcom has issued new CPT Controller rules which are going to have a big impact on quite a few of the best players.

The New CPT Controller Rules

The new CPT controller rules don’t outlaw any one controller type specifically. However, they will no longer allow leveless controllers or boxes that allow two inputs to be pressed at once with one picked. If a controller has up and down pressed, their new rules would need up to be preferred here. It will only apply to Street Fighter 6, not other Capcom games. This is a big change for hit box players though.

Source: @CapcomFighters

The new CPT controller rules might mean players have to switch things up. We’ve still got a little while until the Street Fighter 6 release date to see what affected players do.

What Does it Change?

The new CPT controller rules are a bit technical if you’re not too invested in the minutia of controllers, but it is a major change. This is specifically going to hit leveless controllers like hit boxes. While hit boxes are controversial, they’ve come to dominate a lot of the top fighting games.

At last year’s EVO, almost the entire Capcom Top 8 was using hit boxes rather than more standard gamepads. It has reached the point where they have a big impact on the game and those who don’t use them have expressed frustration. This new rule change will force a change in controllers, most hit boxes aren’t going to be legal anymore.

Players might not have to switch controllers though. Hit Box manufacturers have suggested they can roll out a firmware update to make things comply in time for the start of the CPT. With such a huge prize pool on offer this time, it’s going to be a steeper competition than ever. It makes sense that Capcom is looking to re-evaluate some of its rules in light of this. We’ll have to see if hit box players deal with the ban, or if we’re facing a shift in powers for competitive Street Fighter.