Smash Together, an innovative yet unofficial dating app designed for Super Smash Bros. enthusiasts to connect and form relationships, encountered a significant setback just before its scheduled open beta launch on May 15. The app, which had been in development for several months, announced on May 13 via a poignant Yoshi meme on their official Twitter account that they had received a cease-and-desist letter. The post simply stated, "We got cease and desisted," leaving the community in suspense and disappointment.
While the developers did not explicitly mention who issued the cease-and-desist, speculation points toward Nintendo, the copyright holder of the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Given that Smash Together positioned itself as the "premium dating site for Super Smash Bros. enjoyers of all kinds," the connection to Nintendo's IP seems undeniable. The app promised to help users find their "dream Doubles partner (in and out of Smash)" through a specialized matchmaking algorithm designed to "connect you with your ideal Smash Partner."
The app's interface included unique features tailored to the Smash Bros. community, such as sections for users to list their preferred character, or "main," and highlight their notable achievements in the game. Prompts within the app were reminiscent of those found on mainstream dating platforms but with a distinctive Smash Bros. flair. For instance, one prompt read, "I'm looking for... Someone who can make it out of pools at a major."
The issuance of the cease-and-desist likely stems not only from potential IP and copyright infringement but also from the unconventional nature of a dating app centered around a video game. As of now, there has been no further communication from the SmashTogether team regarding potential next steps or an alternative approach that might sidestep the use of Smash Bros. as its core theme.
In this challenging situation, the SmashTogether developers have shown remarkable restraint and professionalism, refraining from making light of the situation with any "smashing" puns or humor, despite the temptation to do so.
