French Seniors Land Combos in Street Fighter 6 for Shot at Evo France Glory

The rhythmic clatter of arcade sticks mixes with laughter at Domitys senior residences across France, where octogenarians are mastering Hadoukens and perfecting combos. In an unprecedented intergenerational gaming initiative, European senior living leader Domitys has launched a nationwide Street Fighter 6 tournament pairing residents aged 60+ with younger players (18-30) for a chance to compete at Evo France 2025 this October.

How Can Intergenerational Gaming Combat Social Isolation?

This innovative Domitys Cup directly addresses senior loneliness through shared digital experiences. Teams of one senior and one younger player will battle through regional qualifiers throughout September 2025, culminating in a national final at the Evolution Championship Series (Evo) France event on October 10th. Winners receive fully-funded trips to the prestigious fighting game championship.

Professional French player Kayane, renowned for her Soulcalibur expertise, has developed simplified tutorials to help seniors grasp the game. Her involvement underscores the tournament’s legitimacy, with finals broadcast on her channels. Social media footage shows silver-haired competitors intently practicing combos alongside teen partners, with Domitys tweeting: “No more joking around in Montpellier. Seniors are motivated and starting to string together combos!” (Domitys, August 2025).

Breaking Stereotypes with Controller in Hand

The tournament’s structure promotes meaningful connection:

• Single-elimination regional brackets (best-of-three matches)
• National finals at Evo France (best-of-five format)
• Open registration for youth paired with Domitys residents OR family teams
• Cognitive benefits validated by gerontology studies

Research consistently shows gaming’s neurological advantages for seniors. A 2023 University of Montreal study published in Games for Health Journal found that regular video gameplay improved memory, focus, and processing speed in adults over 65. The Domitys initiative expands these benefits through mentorship, as noted by Kayane: “I see they’re training hard! Super excited to see their efforts pay off” (Twitter, August 2025).

This French endeavor follows Japan’s viral 2025 Tekken 8 “Senior Tournament” where 67-year-old Yoshie claimed victory using Panda. Both events signal a global shift toward inclusive esports, challenging ageist assumptions about gaming. As retirement communities worldwide note rising digital literacy among new residents, initiatives like the Domitys Cup offer blueprints for combatting isolation through play.

The Domitys Cup proves passion has no age limit. By pairing Street Fighter 6’s competitive thrill with intergenerational bonding, this pioneering tournament reshapes perceptions of senior engagement while offering a direct path to esports’ grandest stage. Follow the journey to Evo France through Kayane’s official channels and witness gaming history unfolding.

Must Know

Q: How can seniors participate in the Domitys Cup?
A: Domitys residents automatically qualify. External seniors (60+) can register with a younger partner (18-30) via Domitys’ website. Family-grandparent teams are encouraged.

Q: What makes Street Fighter 6 suitable for seniors?
A: Its Modern Control scheme simplifies complex inputs. Kayane’s tailored tutorials lower learning curves while maintaining strategic depth suitable for varied skill levels.

Q: Are there scientific benefits to seniors gaming?
A: Yes. Peer-reviewed studies, including 2023 research from Université de Montréal, demonstrate improved cognitive function, hand-eye coordination, and social well-being among older gamers.

Q: When/where is the Domitys Cup finals?
A: The championship bracket occurs October 10, 2025, at Evo France. Regional qualifiers run throughout September at four Domitys French residences.

Q: How does this combat elderly isolation?
A: Shared goals and regular practice sessions build meaningful cross-generational relationships, reducing loneliness through cooperative achievement and community events.

Q: Has this been done before?
A: Japan hosted senior-exclusive Tekken 8 tournaments in 2025, but Domitys Cup is Europe’s first intergenerational esports initiative partnering seniors directly with youth.