The Story of APEX 2015: A Splendid Tragedy

[@tiaraguy7705]

"I was trending above the super bowl for a little bit" Think about that sentence for a second

[@keithbordeau4874]

@Shawn Kreuzer and Walt had the audacity to say apex was the last tourney pp will ever win... WRONG.

[@acat3772]

@@keithbordeau4874 Which major

[@keithbordeau4874]

@@acat3772 I was saying that as in he's (hopefully) coming back in the not too distant future. He's been practicing a lot and seems in a much better place mentally. He keeps saying he's getting close.

[@nathanlevesque7812]

@@keithbordeau4874 Yes

[@lukerose4166]

@Adam Thompson Last time I saw his stream he was losing to a random peach I had never heard of.

[@Metroyeti17]

My favorite moment from this doc (and from Apex 2015) is the fact that Armada was drinking straight from a gallon carton of orange juice through top 8

[@turndownforwalt]

I think it’s pretty good

[@Metroyeti17]

@@turndownforwalt Android is my brother

[@davidolinger3948]

I laughed so hard when Walt was hyping up how good Armada was playing just to see him reach down for water and come up with a full gallon of orange juice lol

[@hugonamenlos7218]

That would give me so insanely bad heartburn. Armadas just built different...

[@sunte91]

@@turndownforwalt 😂 totally didn’t read this in Adams in my head 😇 also super impressive documentary, 10/10 👏🏻

[@HoneyMike]

God really tried to save Chillin from getting 5-0'd

[@isambo400]

His B

[@Bones0]

I had one of the very first pools on the first day of Apex before the venue collapsed. I remember it like yesterday. Even before changing venues, the tournament was being run very poorly. I got barely any sleep because my round was scheduled so early, but then they didn't actually start for nearly an hour after the posted time because they waited for other people who didn't show up. Sure enough, I got cheesed by a few floaties and got eliminated way earlier than I was projected to. And that's why I pulled the fire alarm.

[@pedlar6839]

Let’s go bones

[@ThisIsWEB]

🤫

[@turndownforwalt]

Thank you for your contribution to Melee history Bones

[@SweetBean92]

wait what

[@danb1809]

You dropped this king 👑

[@amsaredyoshi]

I got deep feelings after watching this video. Thanks alot

[@turndownforwalt]

I’m happy to hear that aMSa!

[@Skapes11238]

We miss you and that red yoshi😢

[@rektyrektingson4668]

AMSAAA

[@mandalorianhunter1]

Miss you aMSa

[@HARDSTUCK7]

america loves u aMSa!

[@GimR]

Thank you for having me! Great doc as always!

[@turndownforwalt]

Thank you for lending your voice to this project GimR! I’m really glad to have had you involved!

[@PeriGreen776]

Go back to the lab

[@exeterd9]

Hey gimr thank YOU for what youve done for the community

[@Dominatrixlover]

Something about hearing PPMD scream “I did it!” At the end made me damn near cry, such a great competitor and an icon to our community

[@davidolinger3948]

I get chills every time i see that clip, its my fav celebration clip of all time

[@ShivaOO7]

A true inspiration. PPMD Taught me that no matter how much of a low-T crybaby you are, retarded people will still respect you for having a one week career as a good player of interactive media.

[@hueycotton]

When Chillin said he was born and raised a rapper I lost it lol

[@Bludgeoned2DEATH2]

From the streets of Virginia 😤😤

[@alexmay7250]

damn the apex photographer captured some bangers

[@cameronschiralli3569]

"I had no idea there was actually money on the line" Default fox is a pretty hefty gamble, tbf

[@FrekyD]

The most insane event I've ever been to. The worst part is the old hotel did almost everything in their power to screw people. In my example they originally refused our request to get our room refunded even when our event got totally cancelled. It was insane. I believe the hotel manager was arrested for fraud/negligence/something after all of this went down but don't quote me on that. I was one of the people that helped put CRTs onto trucks to get them out of there, it was a group effort but even helping in such a small way was a great boost to my connection with the scene and the people in it. It was a team effort to get this thing running, shout out to all the TOs, both originally on staff and not, who put incredible amount of preparation into working and saving this event. I strongly believe Melee wouldn't exist in the way it does today without Apex 2015. Much love

[@FrekyD]

Also to make it even more crazy: I remember for a brief moment there were talks of plans in place, not sure if they were ever officially discussed, but they were planning to maybe host a 1000+ person event FROM PLAYERS HOTEL ROOMS. That's how dedicated the scene was to making this happen. Events like this inspire me to keep doing what i'm doing, to this day.

[@cfalcon8342]

@@FrekyD same

[@StopItRuss]

i can’t believe this is free content. amazing

[@EugeneJOooOo]

Not necessarily. The patreon is there for a reason lol

[@jeremyystevenn]

@@EugeneJOooOo Did you pay to watch this video?

[@DesTr069]

Ok, haven’t watched it yet (obviously, since it just got uploaded lol) but that opening disclaimer is probably the best way to approach the events that have transpired in the community. We can’t pretend they didn’t happen, nor should we try to hide them. We have to accept that they happened, and move on from there. Anyway, just wanted to show some appreciation for that. Let’s get watching!

[@ivanp8723]

Agreed a 100%, people that don't know the history are doomed to repeat it. Plus many new members of this community will know that we CONDEMN that type of behavior no matter how big you are in the community.

[@JB-ns6ek]

also good that he had the sense to warn people in case of triggers, good stuff.

[@jakehoneywill9264]

I agree, calls to remove people completely ignore the reality of what happened, and also make for pretty incohesive viewing! nice one for keeping them in, walt.

[@monchete9934]

@@ivanp8723 Unfortunately, outsiders confuse condemning with condoning and will respond to taking action against it as if it was further proof that every Smash player is a pedo. My country's community just recently gave the boot to a groomer in the best way possible (innocent until proven guilty was applied, giving the judgement only with conclusive evidence, protecting the victims' identity and so on) and the QRTs were full of the same tiring "joke" of all Smash players being pedos from people that never went to a local. I dunno how but they made it shameful to out a groomer but hey Twitter loves being on the latter's side.

[@Neogears1312]

Ignoring this stuff gives it power to the people who did those things. It’s only by making them known while making them so insignificant no one cares to notice them do they stop holding power over the community. Refusing to talk about them immortalizes what they did.

[@gooby8329]

At 25:52 DK is Monke on the character selection screen.

[@saya-up5ig]

Monke

[@NTSTS0]

you have an eye for detail

[@vsauce4678]

What a catch

[@aidanakbar1789]

Walt, you yourself are becoming a part of melee history

[@mrpinguimninja]

Jesus Christ, the chillin story never ceases to be funny. Toph's stream about it made me almost asphyxiate laughing

[@redridingcape]

It's honestly so much better that he got 5-0'd it's so hilarious. I don't even like Leffen much but I just love how that played out xD

[@PewPewUSmash]

Walt regrettably I only just got to watching this today. This was so fucking amazing man, thanks for sharing the story of this god forsaken tournament in all of its weirdness. Really happy with how you told every story.

[@emmbeesea]

aMSa made history here. I'll never forget seeing aMSa's Apex 2015 and KoC4 clips in GRSmash videos that shook my view of Melee forever. Before that, it was just a party game that had some pretty cool 1P modes. Competitive Melee quickly became my favourite eSport to watch in late 2016. Long live this wonderful game.

[@kardar233]

And years later, aMSa makes history one more time!

[@FatalityFalcon]

Apex 2015 was the first time I'd ever left my own region for a tournament, and while I didn't place as highly as I hoped (17th or 25th in Smash 4 iirc), it was an incredibly memorable experience. This video is a masterpiece, thanks for making this!

[@squidney8303]

Did you enter for the melee tourny or play at all before this?

[@NintendudeSSB]

Grateful to have been given the chance to help tell the story. Wonderful doc - thank you for making this and preserving Smash history!

[@turndownforwalt]

Thank you for helping to save this amazing event!

[@OhAijiOhSni]

Sup dood!

[@Zonda1996]

Whoever pulled that fire alarm had to be a time traveller

[@FirePuff12]

WALT MOVIES? APEX 2015?? ITS THE SMASH RENAISSANCE!!!

[@SSB_Seal]

Apex 2015 was the first tournament I watched live after starting out in late 2014, and man was it an amazing spectator experience. Definitely one of the biggest factors that got me so invested in the Melee community. Can't wait to relive those highs watching an hour-long Walt documentary!

[@SSB_Seal]

Just finished. Like always, you make me feel so proud to be a part of the scene. Thanks for making such amazing content and representing us well!

[@deep_cuts2019]

I got into competitive melee around the same time and I swear I’ve seen you commenting on like 95% of all melee videos I’ve watched. I started to recognize your profile picture, then your name. Lol

[@SSB_Seal]

@@deep_cuts2019 Lmao, yeah I just have a habit of commenting on stuff when I watch it, and an even bigger habit of watching every Melee video I come across. I like to share my thoughts/tell creators when I like their work, since it feels like it's often taken for granted. I'm pretty sure I have seen you around in the comments as well!

[@koth_harvest_final]

nice to see you here seal :)

[@SSB_Seal]

@@koth_harvest_final Hi, likewise!

[@nicholasfemenella5441]

Walt, I appreciate your work so much man. These documentaries top most of the big budget documentaries I've seen this year and here I am watching it on KZbin for free! Your talent is unparalleled.

[@turndownforwalt]

I really appreciate that a lot, thank you so much!

[@soulofthemedley]

There are only three words that can describe PPMD’s win at APEX 2015. Stack It Up.

[@aubreystewart3772]

Melee has as many stories of triumph, victory, failure, redemption, rivalry, and love as literal human history, and TurnDownForWalt is a canon historian on par with Herodotus lol

[@vsauce4678]

Competition breeds the best stories. I had never touched or even really known Smash Bros premise when I randomly got recommended a video about the game and the rest is history. You gains. Favorite game and find a whole world of stories and history to learn and enjoy.

[@sirchameleon7501]

I can't watch right now, but algorithm, please pick this up in the mean time

[@monstrosity6738]

Watch Later exists you know?

[@awareclueless]

Never stop making documentaries please! The production value is just too good, and we need people to appreciate every single bit of the journey this game and its community went. Thanks walt!

[@DoomJoy666]

I always felt so bad that mango lost 1000 dollars because he was uptilited

[@tsrenis]

@FlashFire1999 Yeah but that set could've been finished off with something like a smash attack or literally anything else

[@OtterSC2]

An absolute masterpiece, you've done justice to one of the most goated events in Melee history that catalysed countless people's interest in melee, myself included. Bravo.

[@meep6508]

said it better than i ever could

[@crooker23]

that crowd cheering aMSa is one of the most insane things I've ever seen, pro-wrestling would kill for melee crowds

[@jeeves-2]

Apex 2015 was the first smash tournament I ever watched, and it's what got me into the scene. Really excited to see this, and learn more of the context

[@keithbordeau4874]

Yup. Me too. And then pp was gone... icryeverytime.

[@turndownforwalt]

*READ FOR IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!* I’m very excited to launch turndownforwalt.com/ -- a brand new merch store! Check it out and pick up some sweet LIMITED TIME threads from The APEX 2015 or My B Collections in celebration of this documentary. Speaking of merch, I’ve hidden 5 DISCOUNT CODES in this video, and they’re not easy to find! Comment if you find them (after you use them, of course). In addition, there are two hidden tdfw logos -- the first person to find both and comment will get a free item from the store! Lastly, I’d like to give a big thank you to Dr. Z, GimR, Juggleguy, MattDotZeb, Nintendude, and The Crimson Blur for interviewing. If you’re interested in seeing the full interviews with any of these folks, they’re all available on www.patreon.com/turndownforwalt This documentary was a long time in the works, so I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did making it!

[@IHateBased]

Hhhhhhhh

[@Pinko-Diamond]

U hit the algorithm for sure! This shit auto plays after every Zain video 🤑

[@bfors8498]

I will never get sick of the apex 2015 salty suite

[@mrm64]

PPMD yelling "I did it!" will make me tear up. Man I wish I went to a tournament during that era but I'm glad the tournaments are here on KZbin, along side great docs like this. When we're out of this pandemic, I'll be sure to see you all at a Smash Tournament!

[@caseyhein698]

Would you consider making a video about fly amanita? I feel like he is kind of the forgotten ICs main compared to Chu and Wobbles. Esp in an age where wobbling is banned his story would be even more relevant

[@sandybebeop]

this would be fire

[@turndownforwalt]

I can certainly look into it!

[@pridefulhippo1562]

This is my favourite tournament of all time. My friend couldn't watch because his dad dragged him to watch the SuperBowl so I live texted him the whole thing. Great vid walt

[@Hexic101]

Fucking masterpiece dude. The whole hour+ Give a year or so and this will have the recognition it deserves, thanks a lot for documenting it. Probably the first and only video I'll share with a friend from anyone ever!

[@stapler_matt820]

Kinda disappointed tbh. I was expecting at least 50% of this doc to be focused on the Bruce Lee book

[@FtotheP]

The sarcasm is strong with this one

[@al3ph35]

I found you

[@stapler_matt820]

@@al3ph35 LMAO

[@gtyb9283]

ROFL

[@TheGavinLaver]

They completely removed leffens theme music too. I thought chillen vs leffen was sad.

[@chanegun]

I love how you used the april fools parody interview with Chillin like it's real lmao

[@turndownforwalt]

What do you mean it’s very real and serious

[@Pslamist]

Babe wake up! New turndownforwalt video!

[@AKA-Latromi]

This was a fantastic watch. I didn't attend Apex 2015 but I knew several people who did. I recall a lot of people being very miffed that Nintendo did nothing while Twitch (and I thought Redbull also helped by paying for a few trucks?) saved the day. Nintendo just sorta showed up with their Splatoon demos and that was it. Then they eventually moved venues with the rest of the tournament. So many people flew in and taxied/ubered to the first venue so they didn't have *cars*. The number of times people with vehicles willing to lend a hand drove back and forth to move all the equipment, luggage, and people was truly insane. Thank you so much for this top tier quality content!

[@turndownforwalt]

That’s correct, Red Bull also played a role in providing moving trucks!

[@BaylenRailey]

Its a good day when theres a Walt or Asumsaus upload :)

[@monsterdude9000]

This is my first ever smash tournament to watch, man I was hooked after this

[@dahuterschuter]

I remember watching this all live way back when. The Salty Suite was nutty, but I was up until like 3AM watching PP take grand finals then getting up for uni classes at 6AM again.

[@itsScoots]

Damn dude, it's content like this that makes me emotional. It's stories like these that show there is more to melee, smash, competitive games in general than you know and you executed it so perfectly.

[@bec8690]

came from lud's stream and enjoyed this a lot! i knew nothing about smash beforehand but still was super engaged :)

[@icarlygod]

This made me realize that after watching this super sick game for 6 years (pretty much right after apex actually), I still didn't know nothing about anything that went down at this tournament (aside from the one thing *everyone* knows) until I watched this. I am now sad realizing what I missed out on but that's only because this documentary was entertaining and Apex 2015 is one of melee's legendary tales.

[@okboss2213]

Well. You certainly delivered on “long”

[@jaysean9589]

So did your daddy

[@captain_cannoli5566]

My boi walt always does 😏

[@blueregiment]

I'll take "Things I'll never hear said to me" for $100, Alex.

[@acat3772]

It’s how long your dad takes to pick up a milk carton

[@chrispo7610]

That's what she said

[@booyahgenius]

Dude, this made me cry. I was around for Melee following one of my friend’s stories of his admittedly underwhelming run at Apex 2015. I never truly got to experience this beautiful part of Melee’s history, but this video made it seem like I was there the whole time.

[@louisnajdek5897]

How did you possibly manage to find freshness in one of Melee's most told stories? I am so impressed, felt captivated the entire time.

[@piercedanae919]

APEX2015 was the first time I found out about competitive fighting games as a whole. The highlight being my two friends at the time knowing everything and seething at the leffen match against chillin while I had no clue what they were talking about.

[@kriosuranous3440]

I feel like Apex 2015 is the exact moment that Melee realized it was too great to still be grassroots.

[@plumebrisee6206]

2008

[@lf3boss]

I can never sing the praises of Walt enough. Absolutely next level content. I couldn’t look away, so so so well done. Fuck man I'd consider this the highest quality smash-doc I've seen in a looong time, and I've seen a lot of smash documentaries lol

[@Materialist39]

Yo I listened through an hour of this so far and it’s such a goddamn good overview of the event, you’re a treasure to this community.

[@GHoover]

THIS IS THE REASON IM GETTING INTO MELEE THANK YOU FOR THIS!

[@MarthMain]

Good luck bud. This game is hard. Hope to see you at a tourney one day.

[@writinggoose6059]

Toph recounting Leffen vs Chillin gave me the biggest belly laugh of the day

[@koth_harvest_final]

40:19 lmao i knew that clip looked familiar i'm in chat

[@ThisIsWEB]

same chat PogChamp

[@thesupremegamer]

0_o

[@koth_harvest_final]

@@thesupremegamer make a ginger red zone :)))))

[@soulofthemedley]

OH SHOT ITS ABOUT APEX2015 IM SO READY

[@Base_Bass_Forte]

The event that introduced me to competetive Melee. And competetive Ganondorf and it's pro players Bizzarro Flame and Eikelman. My favorite event.

[@alexmeyers8771]

This was my favorite tourney of all time. It had everything. Great storylines, legendary salty suite, PPMD victory, the list goes on. Awesome vid Walt!

[@namechild]

Not sure why youtube decided to stop sending me smash content, but I'm glad I checked. Great video as always.

[@kodra1510]

I can confidently say this was worth staying up until 3:20 am and sleeping four hours for school the next day. What an amazing video man. This event was legendary.

[@1trueNRG]

The first smash tournament I ever watched live. I only caught the salty suite and some of top 64, but I was hooked ever since. Watched VODs during class all the next day in school. Doing work in one window with melee in another. Got super involved after that, going to Nebulous, getting PM, finding a CRT in my school and playing melee every day, watching the documentary, getting netplay, meeting great people left and right. Shoutouts to Apex 2015.

[@iridium_nl]

Walt, I gotta say, the structure of this video is actually superb. I don't know how to describe it in a concise manner, but good lord what a fantastic documentary!

[@Mrgboy21]

The production quality is amazing, the way you interweave storylines and segue onto the next player is phenomenal. just wow

[@turndownforwalt]

Thank you!

[@tristanclow5832]

This is so unbelievably hype to watch even though I knew the outcome

[@Michael_Dominic]

Apex 2015 was the last tournament I entered. After the venue change I stayed in the original hotel and played yugioh online (Banisher of the Radiance + Vanity's emptiness.dek) instead of taking the shuttle to the new venue. Best decision I ever made.

[@McWickyyyy]

This event has always been one of the most memorable for me. I only watched it live from my college apartment at the time but I just remember this was when I first got into melee and I just learned how to L cancel etc lmao. So hyped watching PPMD come back and win, the chillen vs leffen set, bizzaro vs eikleman....just so many iconic moments and pics that came from this event...and it was all at the time when melee was most hype for me. Didn’t realize how much of a disaster this tournament was logistically lol

[@Hyperion856]

This is the tournament that got me into Melee. I stayed up so late because I was so invested. Incredible really.

[@johnnyhxt]

The plan wasn't so simple.

[@TiredLoon]

Clicked this thinking it was about Apex Legends but was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a smash documentary, great work!

[@GardenNomme]

Damn walt. This was fucking incredible, I'm impressed this on another level

[@greenjesus]

came here from Luds stream, left a like and subscribed

[@Mistrudels]

PPMD is such a good human.

[@lucasromay1213]

You have just as much love for the history of this game as the comunity has for the game as a whole and the fact that you can comunicate that to people like me, who wasn't there and who even lives in the other side of the world it's just amazing

[@c0ldramen12]

55:08 is Armada drinking Orange Juice out of the bottle?

[@colinmurphy2214]

Helps maintain blood sugar

[@cfalcon8342]

The disclaimer is totally understandable. The best stories are told without censorship, keeping true to what really happened.

[@pwilll]

Watched on Ludwig's channel, this was great! Apex 2015 was the first tournament I watched live and what an incredible experience as a new player. I think this video will do a lot to get new players interested in the game! Thank you so much for contributing your time, money and effort into growing the scene for my favorite game! Absolutely amazing!

[@meosk]

aMSa is definitely one of my favorite players. Watching him play and seeing his attitude for the game is really heartwarming :)

[@bananapoohwkuk]

Every video is so impossibly polished

[@animellowssbm]

I have now watched this twice start to finish. The video came on again randomly after something else. Before I knew it I was watching the end of the video for the second time. Great content my dude you did a great job!

[@SpiceOrangeContent]

This was the first tournament I ever watched. Super nostalgic to see stuff about it and man this tourney means something to me. Amazing video, as always

[@DreamManmns]

Honestly this is incredible. This was the first major even that I ever viewed live and is part of the reason that I even got into the game. The friends I met, the experiences I've had wouldn't have happened if not for this event being as incredible as it was. Seeing it summed up in this many and the sheer unlikeliness of it even happening puts a lot of things into perspective. Thank you for this it means a lot

[@EEvisu]

legendary tournament

[@turndownforwalt]

I actually had a clip of you talking about the event that I meant to include, but had to cut it in the final to fit some other things in. Thanks for watching EE!

[@EEvisu]

@@turndownforwalt im glad u cut it lmaoo, great job

[@drgzy3839]

PPMD vs Leffen on FD was a game I will remember for the rest of my life, it is the single game out of countless tournaments ive seen that inspired me to play marth and still inspires me to this day to stick with him. Thinking back I never thought I could play like that but 6 years later my dash dance game is sick af and ive hit that uthrow dair twice now.

[@ismelljello]

1:04:10 Anyone else notice PP speaking with a lot more swagger than usual? Winning will do that to you.

[@othingarfireblood6260]

Apex 2015 is what got me into melee, I watched it on youtube shortly after the fact and it changed my life forever

[@affandi99]

41:28 Qing Empire OST from Kaiserreich, ah I see you're a man of culture as well This video is a full package of human emotion and chillin' story from every perspective, keep up the good work !

[@queequeg00]

I drove 12 hours solo from OH to NJ for this. It is still the only smash tourney I have ever been to. Thanks for the memories.

[@MATTierial]

APEX 2015 is the only Top 8 that I've watched all the way through many, many times. The storylines are just palpable! Thank you for giving me a video that I can point people to when I tell them how fantastic this tournament was!

[@RedPandaSmash]

I remember when this tournament was happening. It was crazy just to follow the series of events. I may not have gone, but watching things unfold, and hearing from the couple of people in my local scene that went, this is the one event in melee's history I wish I could have attended the most.

[@jjrambles683]

I'm just gonna say it, this doc puts Metagame to shame. This is how you tell the stories, the history, and the hype of Apex.

[@srslyimnotaspy101]

Juggleguy said this the best. When leffen beat mew2king he didn't "become a god" because the 5 gods wasn't much of a title for melee's top players as it was the name of the era. "...so now it's the top 6."

[@passionfruit_fan]

my MAN with the RU Hungry fat sandwich callout, they just hit different

[@thaddeuswhelan8186]

Another amazing job, dude. Apex 2015, in many ways, was the turning point for smash from underground fun to true mainstream. Thank you for your care and devotion to the community.

[@heyisak5601]

ive been trying to assemble the words to convey my feelings towards this video for a few minutes now, so ill just leave this here. this is my favorite video on youtube.... and thats puttting it lightly

[@TheDudeSmashTrash]

I had friends at apex 2015, they all talked about how it was such a shitshow but also so glorious that they didn't even care

[@heyzeuscreestow9394]

Leffen became the true god slayer after slaying the melee god known as chillindude829

[@JusticeForPottsvilleMaroons]

I always felt that Apex 2015 was the height of Smash as a whole, not just Melee. So many legendary moments...