Look, I am going to be honest with you: I am not a pro gamer. My days of staying up until 4 AM to climb the ranks in a twitch shooter are mostly behind me. But I still love high-end hardware, and there is something undeniably satisfying about using a tool that is over-engineered for its purpose.

The Razer Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz is exactly that. Priced at $169.99, it sits in a competitive bracket (and not to be confused with the larger, but similar, Huntsman V3 Pro 8KHz reviewed last year). It is not cheap, but for the crowd it targets, it is actually quite reasonable. You can find it right now at Best Buy and Amazon, which makes the whole "I want it today" or "I might need to return it if my hands are too small" process incredibly simple.

This keyboard is positioned as a pure competitive tool. While the "regular" V3 Pro TKL has been a staple for a while, this 8KHz version is the new flagship for the speed demons. It feels like Razer took the feedback from the community, looked at the current esports landscape, and decided to turn every dial to eleven.

I've spent the last week with it, and while I technically don't need this keyboard (8kHz browser tab switching, anyone?), I'm going to keep using it, because it's pretty awesome.

What is 8KHz and Why Does It Matter for Gamers?

If you have been following the PC peripheral scene, you have likely heard the term 8KHz or HyperPolling tossed around like a buzzword. For those who do not live in the weeds of technical specs, here is the explainer: most gaming keyboards poll your PC at 1,000Hz, or once every millisecond. The Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz polls at, well, 8,000Hz. This means the keyboard communicates with your computer every 0.125ms.

Is that overkill? For writing an email, yes. For a high-stakes match in Valorant? It is a genuine advantage.

HyperPolling minimizes input delay and provides a level of synchronicity with on-screen action that 1,000Hz just cannot match. When you combine this with Razer’s 2nd-Gen Analog Optical Switches, which "achieve highly precise input detection by measuring light passing through the entire switch stem," you get a keyboard that reacts before you even realize you have finished the press.

Razer claims these switches offer "2.5x better top deadzone management" than the competition, which is just jargon for saying these keys are incredibly consistent.

Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger Explained

The real magic of the V3 TKL 8KHz lies in the software and logic built into those analog switches. Specifically, we need to talk about Snap Tap and Rapid Trigger.

Snap Tap is Razer’s implementation of SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) resolution, and was announced in 2024. In standard keyboards, if you hold "A" to move left and then press "D" to move right, you might just stop moving entirely. Snap Tap changes the game by prioritizing the latest input. If you are strafing and hit the opposite key, the keyboard instantly registers that new direction without you having to fully release the first key. It makes counter-strafing feel "crispy and responsive," as some pros have noted.

Then there is Rapid Trigger. Standard mechanical switches have a fixed reset point. You have to let the key go past a certain height before you can press it again. With Rapid Trigger, the key resets the instant it starts moving upward, even by as little as 0.1mm. This allows for rapid, repeated inputs that feel like you have been "supercharged." You can also use DKS (Dual-Step Actuation) to map two actions to a single keypress based on how deeply you push it. It is a level of customization that makes the older V2 models look like relics.

Building a Better Huntsman V3 TKL

One of my biggest gripes with previous Razer keyboards was the "pingy" sound or the rattle of the stabilizers. I am happy to report that the V3 TKL 8KHz feels like a significant step up in build quality. Razer has added thick foam dampening and individually lubricated the switches. The result is a much more "muted typing acoustic" that stays in your flow state. The bounce and build quality feel improved over the regular V3 Pro, and the aluminum top plate gives it a premium heft.

The keycaps are textured doubleshot PBT, meaning they are shine-resistant and the legends will not fade. I also love the new onboard configuration. You can actually adjust the actuation height or Rapid Trigger sensitivity directly on the keyboard using the LED array indicator. No more diving into Synapse every five minutes just to tweak a setting. It is a nice touch for those of us who hate having too much background software running.

Razer even includes a nifty guide that you can keep on your desk for easy reference (see above).

Navigating the Razer Huntsman Lineup

Razer now has seven different Huntsman keyboards, and it is getting a bit crowded. You have the V3 Pro (Full), the V3 Pro TKL, the V3 Pro Mini, and now this 8KHz TKL version, not to mention the older V2 models still floating around.

The V3 TKL 8KHz fits in as the specialized "pro" choice. Compared to the V2, you are getting the vastly superior 2nd-Gen Analog switches instead of the standard optical ones. Compared to the regular V3 Pro TKL, you are getting that 8KHz polling and the improved lubrication.

If you are looking for a map through this forest, choose the V3 TKL 8KHz if you want the absolute cutting edge of speed. Choose the Mini if you need desk space. Choose the Full if you actually use a numpad (though, why?).

Should You Buy the Huntsman V3 TKL 8KHz?

You should buy this if ...

✅ You're actually a "pro" or aspiring pro gamer

✅ You prefer TKL, don't need/want media keys or a numberpad

✅ FPS games are your jam

✅ You like what Razer is cookin'

You should not buy this if ...

❌ You're just a regular gamer

❌ You're not a gamer

❌ You have issues with Razer

So, who is this for? If you are a competitive gamer, the answer is a resounding yes. The combination of Snap Tap, 8KHz polling, and Rapid Trigger makes this one of the most advanced gaming tools on the market.

However, I have to make an exception for the productivity crowd. If you just want a great typing keyboard for office work and you game on the side, this might not be your first choice. The switches are linear and very sensitive. Even though the lubrication has improved the sound, it is still a bit loud for a quiet office environment (but not annoying loud, in my opinion, it's just ... you know, audible). Plus, do you really need 8KHz polling to write a spreadsheet? Probably not.

That said, I'm using this 90% for typing at work and absolutely love it, so take that as you will.

But if you want a keyboard that feels like it was built for the podium, this is it. It is a pure competitive tool that happens to be built like a tank.

Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.

One of the best-selling gaming mouse families in the world belongs to Razer with the esports-focused DeathAdders, which are also extremely popular among professional players.

The Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro that we reviewed has been a fan-favorite for nearly three years now, but it's time to pass the crown. The DeathAdder V4 Pro has arrived, and it's a genuinely insane mouse — even though it looks positively boring.

I've already been using the brand-new DeathAdder flagship for a week or two now, and my review is coming soon. I'll share my initial thoughts, but those of you who heard "new DeathAdder" and reached for their wallet can get the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro for $169.99 at Razer starting today.

What's actually different with the latest DeathAdder mouse?

Razer typically reserves new version numbers for substantial design updates, but the DeathAdder V4 Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor. Extremely subtle alterations and slightly more spaced-out side buttons aren't exactly exciting, but that's because all the good stuff is on the inside.

In fact, it's easier just to give you a list.

• Razer Focus Pro 45K Optical Sensor Gen-2 — First, the DeathAdder V4 Pro debuts the highest performance sensor Razer has ever made, supporting 45,000 dots-per-inch (up from 30,000), 900 inches-per-second (up from 750), 85 G max acceleration (up from 70 G), and single increment DPI adjustments.
• Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-4 — Razer's critically acclaimed optical mouse switches have been redesigned from the ground up for the first time since their inception, resulting in superior debounce delay, a longer 100-million clicks life cycle (up from 90 million), and a more responsive and tactile feel.
• Razer HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 — A third major debut for the DeathAdder V4 Pro, Razer has unveiled a next-generation upgrade for its HyperSpeed Wireless technology, which promises industry-leading latency, stability, and efficiency.
• Redesigned HyperPolling dongle — The new HyperSpeed Wireless is made possible by the redesigned HyperPolling dongle (included in the box), which features a new spherical shape that is significantly more stable and less prone to moving, and has built-in LED indicators that can be customized to give you at-a-glance information.
• Razer Optical Scroll Wheel — Razer also created its first optical scroll wheel for the DeathAdder V4 Pro, which offers higher precision and greater reliability, as well as lasting over three times as long as mechanical scroll wheels.
• Reduced weight and longer battery life — All of this, and the DeathAdder V4 Pro weighs less (56-57g versus 63-64g) and lasts a lot longer on a charge (up to 150 hours versus up to 90 hours).
• New Razer Synapse features — The DeathAdder V4 Pro boasts new software features, too, including Smart Polling Rate Switching, Dynamic Sensitivity, Mouse Rotation, Smart Tracking, Motion Sync, and more.

Yeah, there's a lot. But does it really make a difference?

How does it feel to use the new DeathAdder V4 Pro?

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is impressive enough on paper, but it's something else in the hand. It's just so unassuming at first glance, with its simple matte black, plastic design and smooth-touch finish.

Once you begin using it, though, the DeathAdder V4 Pro nails everything. The ergonomics, the tactility and responsiveness of every button, the frictionless gliding and effortlessly low weight, the pixel perfect precision and unmatched performance.

The DeathAdder V4 Pro feels like Razer's magnum opus, and I fully expect it to dominate esports circuits once professionals get their hands on it. I certainly don't possess the skills to make full use of this mouse's capabilities.

Even for a "casual" competitive gamer, though, the DeathAdder V4 Pro feels phenomenal to use. It has nearly ruined my beloved Razer Basilisk V3 Pro for me, even though I much prefer the design and ergonomics of that beefier peripheral (on that note, Razer, please give me the Basilisk V4 Pro with a lot of these upgrades).

An underrated upgrade is the new dongle. 8,000Hz polling out of the box makes the DeathAdder V4 Pro feel like a better value than the DeathAdder V3 Pro (which is only $10 less if you get the optional HyperPolling dongle), and the new dongle is way better.

It actually stays in place, the connectivity is better, and the LED indicators are actually useful. You can customize each light to provide different information, too, including battery level, connectivity strength, polling rate, and more. It's a big deal.

I'll need more time with the DeathAdder V4 Pro to see if my initial impressions hold over dozens of hours of usage, and whether Razer's claims of performance, battery life, and stability are 100% accurate, but I'm not worried. This mouse is almost guaranteed to be a slam dunk for players.

The Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is rolling out for $169.99 at Razer starting today.

What you need to know

• Riot Games has released VALORANT 9.01 across all platforms, including Windows PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
• There are plenty of bug fixes and optimizations included in this patch, including for the new Abyss map.
• Console players are also getting lots of attention, like recent Agent tweaks and some aim assist fixes.
• Finally, Riot has teased the upcoming RGX Bundle, a new premium weapon set featuring the Outlaw, Sherriff, and a new Karambit.

The VALORANT train never stops chugging along, and Riot Games has added more fuel to the engine. Patch update 9.01 is rolling out to players now, and while you shouldn't expect any new weapons, Agents, or maps in this minor release, there are still plenty of fixes, improvements, and changes. The update is releasing simultaneously across Windows PC and the new console version.

One notable new feature included in VALORANT 9.01 is the arrival of Pick 'Ems Beta, which will be a part of VALORANT Champions 2024. Specifically, it'll debut on July 26 alongside the impending Champions Seoul event. Pick 'Ems allows players to predict advancing teams during the Champions event, and can earn unique points for correctly guessing exact placements. When the Playoffs Stage arrives next patch, players can fill out full double elimination brackets for even more potential rewards.

Finally, VALORANT players can earn rewards just for playing, comparing themselves to the best esports players and creators. The highest performing players participating here can earn exclusive rewards. It's an interesting way to get more VALORANT players invested in the game's bustling esports community, and does technically avoid being "gambling" because you're betting for in-game points and rewards.

VALORANT Premier has fixed an issue preventing players in the IBIT zone from completing matches, and has rolled out some changes to grant additional points and ways to qualify for playoffs later on in the season. Of course, there are plenty of fixes beside the esports portion of VALORANT.

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New VALORANT fixes include removing a Neon exploit that allowed her to equip even faster than intended out of a slide, fixes for issues affecting certain settings not being properly applied in-game, and a ton of optimizations for the new Abyss map. Cypher's Spycam has had its spots cleaned up, Wingman is smarter at navigating Abyss to plant the Spike, player and ability collisions are less annoying, and more.

On console, players can now freely rebind Ability buttons, the recent Agent nerfs and buffs like Neon's slide re-equip speed being increased, Raze's Blast Pack horizontal force being decreased, and ISO's Double Tap duration being decreased are now applied to console, Lotus is returning to the map pool, and a multitude of issues affecting aim assist not being applied correctly with certainly abilities or being incorrectly applied with others have been fixed. Social features have also been improved, with superior visibility for party invites and party chat.

There are still some known issues, though, resulting in Surrender and Remake features being disabled. The Deathmatch game mode is also unavailable. Riot Games is still working on fixes for these features, so they'll be restored to console players soon.

Slightly separate from the VALORANT 9.01 patch update, Riot Games has also teased the next upcoming premium cosmetic bundle. The current weapons bundle in VALORANT is Evori Dreamwings, which has become extremely popular due to its unique animations and VFX. The next bundle is a little more modest, but still looks to be a great option for players. The new RGX Bundle includes an Outlaw, a Sheriff, and a brand-new Karambit, all decked out in dynamic RGB lighting that changes as you inspect, fire, reload, and more.

The VALORANT 9.01 patch update is now available, so you'll likely need to download the update before jumping into a new Ranked match. If you're curious about VALORANT on console, we have an in-depth VALORANT for Xbox FAQ that includes everything you need to know. I've been playing VALORANT on Xbox Series X, and I've been really impressed by how well this PC-centric competitive shooter has translated to the controller.

Summer Game Fest 2024 was always going to be more significant to me than any other Summer Game Fest; after all, I was actually there at YouTube theater watching the show in person. Overall, I was also pleasantly surprised by the quality of the event, with host Geoff Keighley clearly taking in (some) feedback from previous shows. However, one announcement completely caught me off guard, and ended up being the highlight of the entire event.

Valorant, one of the most popular competitive first-person shooter games on Windows PC, is actually coming to consoles later this year. It's a huge shift in strategy for Riot Games, and marks the console debut for the studio's core titles. If you had asked me before SGF 2024, I would've told you I didn't foresee Riot making the jump to consoles — and that Valorant was the last game I'd expect to see land on Xbox or PlayStation. I'm very happy to be proven wrong in this case, though, as Riot Games may have just made it possible for me to do 100% of my gaming on Xbox.

That's because Valorant isn't just coming to console... It's doing so in the best possible way.

• Catch up on Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Games Showcase with our live blog

A big surprise from one of the most popular PC shooters

Valorant is a free-to-play, fast-paced, precise, and extremely competitive 5v5 player-versus-player first-person shooter centered around a roster of diverse agents (each with their own abilities and skills). It's the exact kind of first-person shooter that seemingly only thrives with a mouse and keyboard, and attracts that same kind of players as similar titles like Counter-Strike 2. Valorant is also one of the largest esports attractions in the world, a space typically dominated by Windows PC.

Even when Riot Games teased that Valorant was about to come to new players in a new way before rolling the trailer at Summer Game Fest, I still couldn't let myself hope that I'd see it on consoles. Valorant would by necessity require a huge amount of work to play well with a controller in hand, and I never expected Riot Games to actually put in the effort. By the end of the trailer (which you can watch above), I knew Valorant was about to take over my free time in an all-new way.

Later this year, Valorant is coming to Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but it's not going to be the exact same game that it is on Windows PC. Riot Games has taken into consideration how console gaming differs from PC, and I'm incredibly excited to see for myself if the company was successful in translating Valorant's unique moment-to-moment gameplay to new platforms.

All the right changes for the console platforms

In order to bring one of my favorite online multiplayer games to my gaming platform of choice, Riot Games had to evaluate what needed to change and what needed to remain the same. How do you retain Valorant's iconic core competitive gameplay while also making the game feel good on a controller? The result of this evaluation means Valorant on Xbox and PlayStation won't be the same as it is on Windows PC, but from what I can see Riot is making all the right changes.

For one, Riot Games has poured resources into tweaking Valorant's gameplay, such as movement, shooting, and agent abilities, to work well with the fundamentally different way you move and aim with a controller. On top of that, Riot is introducing a new "Focus Mode" to imitate the precision of hip firing in Valorant without losing the ability to move quickly or spray. It'll function similarly to "aim down sights" in other console shooters, but interpreted through Valorant's gameplay.

As you can see above, players will have multiple controller layouts from which to choose, with each having benefits for different kinds of players. I'll have to see for myself how these control schemes feel before passing judgement, but I'm optimistic at first glance that Riot got this right. I'm further reassured by the fact that Riot Games will not be implementing cross-play between console and Windows PC players, keeping the different input types entirely separate and preserving the unique feel of the shooter on each platform.

There may be cross-play between Xbox and PlayStation (that hasn't been confirmed yet), but no matter what there will ultimately be two versions of Valorant — each with the same core gameplay, but tweaked in the appropriate ways to take advantage of the unique advantages and weaknesses of mouse and keyboard or controller inputs.

However, Valorant won't be entirely separate on console and PC; Riot Games is ensuring no existing Valorant player loses their progress, and that console Valorant players aren't treated like second-class citizens. For one, all your profile history, Battle Pass progression, cosmetics, and store purchases will sync in their entirety across console and PC using your Riot Games account. You won't lose anything for making the jump to Valorant on Xbox or PlayStation, and that's because the platforms will have full content parity.

Riot Games has already confirmed that Valorant on consoles will receive the exact same update treatment as Windows PC — every patch, content update, and new season will arrive on all platforms simultaneously, so that all players are playing the latest and best version of Valorant. On top of that, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will still benefit from the PC Game Pass Valorant perks, so you'll have all agents unlocked immediately and enjoy a 20% experience boost when progressing through the latest Battle Pass.

It's the perfect blend between console-specific changes and multiplatform synergy, and it gives me faith that Riot Games is committed to making Valorant on Xbox and PlayStation as awesome as possible.

Unexpectedly one of the most exciting announcements

• Check out our Valorant for Xbox hands-on preview

There were a lot of interesting announcements for me at Summer Game Fest 2024. Alan Wake 2 got a surprise DLC expansion that's releasing almost immediately, Blumhouse is surprising me with an assortment of incredibly enticing horror titles, Palworld is getting a major content update with new Pals, and Capcom's Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess finally got a release date. That's only scratching the surface, but none of those announcements caught my attention in the same way Valorant on consoles did.

It's not just about one of the only competitive multiplayer games I actually enjoy coming to Xbox. It's also about Riot Games taking the right approach, ensuring that console players are treated right and that Valorant is just as good on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 as it is on Windows PC. It's a refreshing change of pace in an industry where companies regularly take shortcuts or make terrible player-frustrating decisions in the name of corporate greed.

Valorant could actually end up being one of the best Xbox games you can play. I never thought I'd be able to say that, and it feels good. However, we can't be too certain yet; Valorant has yet to prove itself on Xbox and PlayStation. Fortunately, Valorant's first test run on consoles comes in the form of a closed beta that players can sign up for now on the Valorant website using your Riot Account. Like Valorant itself, the beta will be totally free to play, although entry isn't guaranteed.

The Valorant beta on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 kicks off on June 14, 2024, and I'll be first in line to test the game on console and see if Riot really did pull it off. I hope the studio succeeded, as Valorant is the last PC-only game I still regularly play. It'd be very nice to play it from the comfort of my couch.

What you need to know

• The Microsoft Excel World Championship took place in Las Vegas and was live streamed and televised.
• Andrew Ngai was able to pull a 3-peat and is on his way to becoming the Michael Jordan of Excel.
• For Andrew's accomplishment he was awarded 3000 USD and a championship belt.

The Microsoft Excel World Championship, presented by the Financial Modeling World Cup, has steadily made waves over the past few years. In 2023, it was big enough to be televised on ESPN's The Ocho. Andrew Ngai has taken the crown for the last three years, but next year could be your chance as another World Championship was announced for 2024 at the end of the competition. If you want to put your skills to the test, you can sign up for the 2024 world championship at the Financial Modeling World Cup's site.

You can watch the entire 2023 Microsoft Excel World Championship live stream on the Financial Modeling World Cup's YouTube channel.

How is Andrew Ngai so good at Excel?

Andrew Ngai explained that his day job is that of an actuary. If you have seen the 2004 movie Along Came Polly with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Anniston, you probably remember that Ben Stiller's job was determining risk for an insurance company. This is a reductive take on what an actuary does, but there is a lot more math involved than what is shown in the movie. 

Andrew also explained that he spends time practicing and preparing for the competition by reviewing previous cases he has worked on. It is a unique thing to know you are the best in the world at something and be able to prove it over 3 years of tournaments. 

As the world moves to be further integrated with technology and programming and technical acumen becomes more notable than physical ability, we will likely continue to see competitions similar to this one pop-up. In the cybersecurity world, there are already hacking competitions where players compete to capture the flag (a secret phrase) from inside a protected network. 

While we might not be as good as Andrew Ngai at Excel, there is value in learning to be proficient with Excel and the rest of Microsoft's suite. According to ZipRecruiter, most actuaries in the United States make between $116,500 and $137,000 annually.

What is the Microsoft Excel World Championship?

If you want to learn more about how the competition works, check out our Microsoft Excel as an esport? This is the Financial Modeling World Cup article for a deeper look, or watch this quick promotional trailer from the Financial Modeling World Cup YouTube channel.

The actual competition is done in a decent format and is entertaining enough to watch. Even if I can't personally understand the methods they are using in Excel, they make the competition digestible and easy to follow who is in the lead. 

What does the world's most skilled Excel user think about AI?

While speaking to ABC's NG Drive, Andrew Ngai was asked about his thoughts on AI. Andrew Ngai believes humans with skills in Excel are still safe from AI for now. As pointed out, Microsoft wants to blame users for AI copyright infringement articles. If an AI has no user-generated content to train itself on, it will never be able to learn or grow. 

As quoted in this article's headline, Andrew Ngai said, "If you use incorrect data to train an AI model, then the AI model will give you wrong results, but it will also pretend as if it's confident about those wrong results." This is a brutally honest take on the issue with AI models. They are wrong a lot but are so bullish in its erroneous responses that people might start believing the wrong answers. 

I agree with Andrew on this. The number of ChatGPT and AI-generated articles online is starting to cause a significant problem. I often look for a verifiable fact on Google or Bing, search for something, and see articles with conflicting information. This is likely due to authors or websites trusting ChatGPT and not fact-checking. 

A recent example of this was when Jim Ryan announced his retirement. The entire world tried to figure out how old he was. If you Google it, you will see results saying he is 63, 55, or 52, and even after a while searching for a correct answer. I then asked ChatGPT how old Jim Ryan is, and it quoted PushSquare.com, which has his age as 63, but Factsbio.com says he is 55. 

This is the issue with AI: if the knowledge put online by humans is wrong, the AI will be wrong as well, and as Andrew Ngai so accurately said, it will be confident in its error.

For daily research, this isn't a huge issue. Still, when it comes to balancing spreadsheets or creating formulas to manipulate data so a company can accurately evaluate and manage risk if the AI is wrong, it can be catastrophic to a company, its bottom line, and eventually, the employees still working there.

This is likely why Andrew Ngai was confident that AI is not ready to replace skilled humans who are experts in their respective areas of expertise.

I have some understanding of this as well, as Microsoft and several other prominent cybersecurity vendors and platforms are working to improve AI in the cybersecurity industry. In fact, Microsoft has announced significant changes coming to Security Copilot. However, I am not worried that AI will soon make my role as a cybersecurity incident responder obsolete. AI can be a helpful tool in speeding up analysis and response, but at least for now, there will need to be a human to look at the AI-generated results and have the expertise to know whether the results are accurate.

What do you think about Andrew Ngai being the 3-time Excel World Champion? How long do you think it will take for AI to advance enough to start replacing skilled professionals like Andrew Ngai? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• 343 Industries has revealed Halo Infinite's competitive settings.
• The settings include Battle Rifle starts, a disabled Motion Tracker, no grenade hitmarkers, and Slayer, CTF, Strongholds, and Oddball as available modes.
• The goal with these settings is to give players a viable and effective weapon on spawn while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork and communication.

Halo developer 343 Industries has revealed the Halo Infinite competitive settings in a new livestream and blog post. These settings will be used in the game's competitive Arena playlists, and they'll also be active during Halo Infinite esports competitions. The competitive settings include:

• Battle Rifle starts
• Motion Tracker disabled
• Grenade hitmarkers disabled
• Slayer, CTF, Strongholds, and Oddball modes

During the livestream, the developers explained that the goal with these settings was to make sure each player had a powerful utility weapon after spawning, while also ensuring that players wouldn't be able to identify where enemies were in a cheesy way with the Motion Tracker or grenade hitmarkers. Instead, players in competitive Halo Infinite need to use close communication to keep track of where the opposing team is.

In the blog post that accompanied the livestream, the developers noted that ultimately, the goal with Halo Infinite's competitive experience is to promote fair play, teamwork, and mastery through a combination of mechanical skill and good gamesense. 343 Industries has also designed the experience in a way that ensures sandbox items like power weapons and equipment pieces are powerful, but not too powerful; with smart playmaking, opponents can outplay the advantages these items provide and take control of them themselves. I highly recommend reading through the blog for several more in-depth developer insights about Halo Infinite's competitive experience.

Halo Infinite launches Dec. 8, 2021 on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and Windows PCs. The campaign will cost $60, but the multiplayer is free-to-play. Notably, Halo Infinite preorders are available now.

What you need to know

• The Microsoft Excel Twitter account has reminded everyone that financial modeling in Excel is an esport.
• Said esport's pros will "work their mad #Excel skills" on June 8.
• The event is being called "Financial Modeling World Cup - Multiplayer Battle."

Think you know esports? Well, think again. Throw Valorant, Overwatch, Rainbow Six Siege, and all the others in a dumpster because the true champion of multiplayer gaming is here, and it's none other than Microsoft's very own Excel program. On June 8, eight competitors will square off in the Financial Modeling World Cup - Multiplayer Battle, wherein "top financial modelers around the world work their mad #Excel skills," according to the official Microsoft Excel Twitter account.

Yes, it's true. Eight champions of financial modeling will assemble to show what they're made of on June 8 at 12 PM UTC. While you're investigating the site linked in the above tweet to suss out all the nitty-gritty details of the event, Microsoft would like to remind you that you can also grab merch from the same link. "Financial Modeling World Cup" hoodies, hats, and more can be yours. You can own a wearable piece of Excel history.

As can be evidenced from this Excel news, it's clear that Microsoft is putting its acquisition of Smash.gg to good use. Note that the Financial Modeling World Cup - Multiplayer Battle event will be streamed via YouTube, which is embedded into the aforementioned event page.

If all this Office talk has you itching to play some Excel, remember, you have time. The event is June 8, meaning you have all of tonight to hop into a few quick spreadsheet matches and rest up before the big day. Stock up on G Fuel, cue the motivational Imagine Dragons music, and prepare for the apex of esports action on June 8.

What you need to know

• Killer Instinct is Xbox's hero fighting game that released back in 2013 and received a few years of decent support afterward.
• The game also had a decent following with events and competitions, but fell out of favor back in 2016.
• The Killer Instinct World Cup has been announced for 2021, giving Killer Instinct fans several big reasons to return to the game.
• This is part of an ongoing effort from fans to bring back the Killer Instinct franchise on Xbox and PC.

Killer Instinct is a bit of a strange story for Microsoft and Xbox, as it's really the only true fighting game that Xbox can boast of building itself. Killer Instinct released back in 2013 for Xbox One and enjoyed several years of updates, continued support, and events until about 2016. Ever since then, the Xbox and Killer Instinct communities have been clamoring for a revival of the fighting franchise, the only hero fighting game Xbox can boast that can compete with established franchises like Mortal Kombat and Smash Bros. For 2021, Killer Instinct is getting a major World Cup that will last the entire year.

The Killer Instinct World Cup will several open events worldwide for all Killer Instinct players, including a larger Kombo Klash event that boasts a larger part. That's right, the Killer Instinct World Cup features cash prizes of $1,000 for all open events, with a $5,000 pot at the end of the year. This is part of an ongoing effort from Killer Instinct fans to bring back the franchise, with Killer Instinct returning to tournaments with Evo Online early last year, and #BringBackKI trending on Twitter in 2019.

Killer Instinct may not have received much support from Microsoft over the last few years, but it continues to be one of our top picks in the Best Fighting Games for Xbox One, and is now a part of Microsoft's fantastic Xbox Game Pass lineup. If you haven't given Killer Instinct a try yet, that's the best way to do it. Hopefully Killer Instinct finds a home in Microsoft's growing first-party game lineup, which is starting to go from strength to strength in recent months.

What you need to know

• 343 Industries and FACEIT have announced the Halo MCC Pro Series, which is a series of online tournaments for Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
• Both amateurs and pros alike can compete, and teams that place well can win prize money.
• Tournaments will happen every Saturday starting on May 23 and ending on July 18.

Halo developer 343 Industries has partnered with the esports organization FACEIT to launch the Halo MCC Pro Series, which is a series of online tournaments centered around Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC). Halo 2: Anniversary is the primary game that participants will be playing, but the other titles from the MCC will also be played as well. The tournaments will begin on May 23 and will be held every Saturday until July 18.

The format of the tournaments is designed to give both amateur and pro players a chance to win. The first tournament will be a 16-team open tournament that amateur teams can sign up for. The top eight teams from the open tournament will then meet the top eight pro teams from Halo's recent DreamHack Anaheim competitive event the following week to form a 16-team pro tournament. The top eight teams from this competition will automatically qualify for the next pro tournament, replacing the first eight teams from DreamHack. After the pro tournament has finished, the cycle will repeat. The tournaments use a single elimination design.

Both open and pro tournaments have prize money for high-ranking teams, although the pro tournaments pay much better than the open ones. Winning first place in an open tournament will score a team $250, while winning the gold in a pro one nets a team a full $2,000. For more information about prize money and registration for these tournaments, make sure to check out 343 Industries' full breakdown on Halo Waypoint.

What do you think of the Halo MCC Pro Series? Are you going to try to participate? Let me know. And if you haven't already, check out the full Master Chief Collection. All of the games in it are already out on Xbox One, while Halo: Reach and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary are out on PC. The PC version of the game still has a while to go before it's complete, but Halo 2: Anniversary is releasing on May 12 and the other games are coming after that. Buying the MCC now ensures you'll have access to the other games when they release.

What you need to know

• The 2020 NBA 2K League Draft goes down this Saturday, Feb. 22, in New York City.
• The Draft will fill out the six-person rosters for the NBA 2K League's 23 teams, including expansion teams Hornets Venom GT and the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai.
• More than half of the 2020 NBA 2K League players will come from the draft.

The first big step in the next NBA 2K League season is almost upon us. The 2020 NBA 2K League Draft is set for Saturday, Feb. 22 from Terminal 5 in New York City. A total of 229 players are eligible for 68 open spots on the six-person rosters of the 23 NBA 2K League teams for the 2020 season.

Wizards District Gaming holds the top pick, and will also select eighth and 15th in the second round (30th and 37th overall, respectively), and ninth in the third round (51st overall). The defending NBA 2K League champions, T-Wolves Gaming, will seek to fill their two vacancies with the 22nd and 68th overall selections, while expansion teams Hornets Venom GT and Gen.G Tigers will choose five players combined in the first round alone.

A little less than half of the league's players will join from the draft, as 70 players from 2019 rosters return to the fray this season. Eleven teams sent two players apiece to the draft pool via Pro-Am tournaments in their local markets. This season's draft pool includes three women and 24 international players from 10 different countries/regions — Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Full 2020 NBA 2K League Draft Order

First Round

1. Wizards District Gaming
2. Knicks Gaming
3. Kings Guard Gaming
4. Pacers Gaming
5. Gen.G Tigers
6. Hornets Venom GT
7. Lakers Gaming
8. Heat Check Gaming
9. NetsGC
10. Jazz Gaming
11. Raptors Uprising GC
12. Bucks Gaming
13. Heat Check Gaming
14. Pistons GT
15. Knicks Gaming
16. Hawks Talon GC
17. Kings Guard Gaming
18. Hornets Venom GT
19. Hornets Venom GT
20. Warriors Gaming Squad
21. Gen.G Tigers
22. T-Wolves Gaming

Second Round

1. Pacers Gaming
2. Lakers Gaming
3. Knicks Gaming
4. Kings Guard Gaming
5. Raptors Uprising GC
6. Hornets Venom GT
7. NetsGC
8. Wizards District Gaming
9. Jazz Gaming
10. Gen.G Tigers
11. Bucks Gaming
12. Gen.G Tigers
13. Magic Gaming
14. Knicks Gaming
15. Wizards District Gaming
16. Hawks Talon GC
17. Mavs Gaming
18. Blazer5 Gaming
19. Heat Check Gaming
20. Raptors Uprising GC

Third Round

1. Pistons GT
2. Lakers Gaming
3. Grizz Gaming
4. Hawks Talon GC
5. 76ers GC
6. Heat Check Gaming
7. Heat Check Gaming
8. NetsGC
9. Wizards District Gaming
10. Raptors Uprising GC
11. Bucks Gaming
12. Grizz Gaming

Fourth Round

1. Hornets Venom GT
2. Gen.G Tigers
3. Jazz Gaming
4. Bucks Gaming
5. Cavs Legion GC
6. Magic Gaming
7. Pacers Gaming
8. Hawks Talon GC
9. Mavs Gaming
10. Blazer5 Gaming
11. Warriors Gaming Squad
12. Celtics Crossover Gaming
13. 76ers GC
14. T-Wolves Gaming

The 2020 NBA 2K League Draft will tip off at 6:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 22, and can be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube.

What you need to know

• 343 Industries announced its partnership with Esports Engine for Halo Infinite esports.
• Esports Engine is an esports management organization that will help 343 Industries organize esports for Halo Infinite.
• The company is made up of veterans who have worked in esports for over 20 years.
• Halo Infinite is slated to release during Holiday 2020.

343 Industries announced in a blog post that it has partnered with Esports Engine, an esports management organization, to organize and design an esports program for Halo Infinite. Some of the specific ways that Esports Engine will be assisting 343 Industries include providing guidance, broadcast production, and logistical management, among other things.

Esports Engine is made up primarily of esports industry veterans that have been working for over 20 years in the scene, which should reassure folks who were concerned that Halo Infinite's esports infrastructure might end up being lackluster. The members of the Esports Engine team have participated in helping to produce esports events and programs for over 50 titles according to the organization's website.

Halo Infinite is slated to release during Holiday 2020. If you need to get your hands on some Halo right now, though, make sure to check out The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One and PC. 343 Industries is hard at work porting all the games in the Collection to PC; Halo: Reach is already available on the platform, while Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary recently began public testing.

What you need to know

• Esports team Cloud9 is now using Microsoft Azure to help analyze data and give them a strategic boost.
• Cloud9 is using Azure to study enemy movements, team compositions, and more.
• To mark the start of the partnership, Microsoft and the team have released two humorous videos.

Microsoft announced today that Cloud9, one of the biggest esports teams out there, is now using Azure to help its players strategize and prepare for their matches. As part of the announcement, Cloud9 and Microsoft also released two humorous videos talking about how Azure is helping them.

Cloud9 is using Azure to monitor and analyze everything from how patch changes impact the game, to enemy movements and team compositions.

"Aggregating various data sources using Microsoft Azure Cloud Services, Cloud9 is able to quickly identify trends that result from these patch changes—like champion selection, win rates, builds, and more," Microsoft says. "By funneling that data through a central repository, Cloud9 can tag and index games from each patch—ultimately creating a library of relevant videos that Cloud9's players and coaches can use to see how competitors with the highest win rate are playing and building their champion."

Cloud9 is also using Azure to compile information that can help them gain an edge in the drafting process. In checking character picks and bans, Cloud9 can gain some insights into what enemy teams are likely to draft, ultimately helping them strengthen their own drafts.

Cloud9's use of Azure is an interesting look at how the service can be tapped to do things outside of the business market. For more on the partnership, check out the videos Microsoft and Cloud9 have released.

Razer has announced the opening of a new store in Las Vegas. This is big news for esports and gaming as a whole since it'll be the largest Razer store worldwide and the second one the company has opened in the U.S. Not only will this provide a means for Razer to sell its gear to the masses in Las Vegas, the new store will offer a 2,400 square-foot gaming experience with different floors offering unique zones.

You'll be able to watch live esports tournaments, participate in LAN events, try out Razer's gaming hardware range, and even check out any budding streamer who chooses to record a session at the brick and mortar. This new Las Vegas Razer store will be located at The LINQ Promenade, 3545 S. Las Vegas Blvd. #L27, Nevada, 89109. Doors will open to the public on September 7 at 12 p.m. PDT. A 2,400-square-foot gaming hangout

The opening day will see a live DJ performance, competitions, and a showing from major teams and influencers including MissesMae, OpTic, DI3SEL, AvaGG, and Jericho. It's a big move for Razer, which has come a long way from starting off small within the PC accessories segment to now running a small chain of seemingly successful retail outlets.

To retire or not to retire?

Esports is structured much like traditional sports in terms of retirement for players. It's viewed that when you approach the magical age of 30 your reflexes and overall performance starts to take a hit — in fact, in more competitive and action-packed games this age of retirement is usually much lower. In Dota 2, as reported by Yahoo!, Michael "Ninjaboogie" Ross is still playing at 27 but is adamant to defy the age barrier and continue representing past 30.

Once players retire, they have the option to become an analyst, caster or even coach for the next generation within an organization. But not everyone wants to continue playing, especially when you take into account burnout, eye and wrist fatigue from practicing and performing on stage.

Still, the retirement age is increasing, as noted by Kurtis "Aui_2000" Ling, the former professional player turned coach of Newbee. "Five or 10 years ago you retired because you wanted to settle down and you couldn't support yourself in eSports. Now we've clearly reached the point where you can begin to do that (support yourself). Sports players can play into their 40s so I don't see why you can't in eSports."

Player trouble in Turkey

Former players of Beşiktaş football club's esports division allege the organization — mirroring the club itself — has been in financial difficulties for some time, which left some players without pay for months. Natalie "Stratospanda" Kristiansen used to be part of the organization's all-female League of Legends team but recently spoke out about how she and others found they weren't being paid regularly, if at all.

As covered by Dexerto, Beşiktaş Esports even failed to put through the first salary payment on time — players allegedly went up to five months without pay. Stratospanda even goes as far as to say the staff was also missing payments at points.

It gets worse, still. After Stratospanda left the organization in June, she published details about how the organization even instructed players not to go public about the salary issues, noting that if they do future payments may be held altogether. Former teammate Olimpia "Komedyja" Cichosz chimed in by adding false promises made by Beşiktaş surrounding facilities and opportunities.

Lastly, the Discord server used by players was allegedly shut down to prevent them from communicating with one another in the shared space, fearing other teams would discover the pay problem. The organization has problems not just with its esports division, but also with the main football club too owing around $465 million in 2018.

Ford launches new esports team

Fordzilla is the brand that will represent Ford in esports. The company will use the new organization to recruit top players in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, allowing top players from each national team to form a European squad. Games that will be covered will include titles similar to Fordzilla include Forza Motorsport 7 and recruitment kicked off at Gamescom.

Upcoming live events

• The International 2019 - August 20 - 25, watch on Twitch.
• Age of Empires II ECL - August 30 - September 1, watch on Twitch.

Whoops! It's not every day that a huge organization manages to get one of its own social profiles deleted so we all have to point and laugh. It must feel bad to be the soul who altered the birthday setting on the FNATIC account, which saw the platform's automated systems remove the account for misbelieving it to be owned by a minor.

What may have happened was altering the Twitter birthday to the organization's founding date, which then made Twitter believe the account was created by the owner back when they were a minor. This — of course — wasn't the case, but the system can't seemingly differentiate between individual and business accounts, which seems like an odd oversight.

Still, it's a bit of fun, and esports organizations (FNATIC included) all saw the humorous side.

Celtic FC knocked out of the CWL

One of the two most dominant football (that's soccer for you Americans) clubs in Scotland is further developing its esports presence. We've seen football clubs create specific divisions to manage teams like FC Schalke 04 and now Celtic FC is looking to get in on the action with an all-UK team for the CWL Championship.

The club's team representing Celtic at the CWL Championship performed admirably but was knocked out by RBL. You can expect to see many more traditional sports organizations transition to esports with new divisions to compete in titles like FIFA, Call of Duty, League of Legends, and more.

Not only is this good news for any gamer who happens to be a sports fan, but also sports fans who may now be exposed to the esports scene.

West Coast U.S. to finally host DreamHack

DreamHack plans to hold a gamin festival on the western coast of the U.S. for the first time. As reported by Esports Insider, the first event will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on February 21 - 23, 2020.

After celebrating 25 years in hosting events, DreamHack organizers are understandably excited to bring the experience to those who reside on the opposite side of the nation. You can expect to see bring your own computer/console areas for a huge LAN party, esports tournaments, as well as other events taking place across the three days.

Upcoming live events

• The International 2019 - August 20 - 25, watch on Twitch.
• Age of Empires II ECL - August 30 - September 1, watch on Twitch.

ESPN is a big name in the esports world, bridging the gap between old and new media (TV and online) by broadcasting esports events and covering the industry as a whole on its website. Unfortunately, for those expecting to see some intense action this weekend, the broadcaster announced its Apex Legends programming would be delayed "out of respect for all the victims and all those impacted by the recent shootings" in the U.S.

While some could put forward the notion that broadcasting a tournament that sees players compete against one another may not be tasteful viewing in light of recent events, one has to argue that video games simply aren't the cause of violence, which is why this move by ESPN has been met by criticism from the gaming community.

Interestingly, coverage can still be found elsewhere on the ESPN network. This affects TV alone. The majority of large esports tournaments are based around shooter games, be it Fortnite, Apex Legends, CS:GO, or even Call of Duty.

Kellogg's to sponsor amateur and semi-pro tournaments

The same Kellogg's that produces your favorite cereal is now an esports sponsor, teaming up with N3rd Street Gamers for an Overwatch Esports tournament. As reported by Yahoo!, the Cheez-It Grooves snacks will be advertised through the esports tournament.

The NSG network manages amateur and semi-professional events and this series, in particular, will sport a grand prize of $15,000. The partnership will also cover National Championship Series Academy Tier events in markets including Dallas, Kansas City, Nashville, Spokane, and Colorado Springs in the U.S. with the aim to bridge the chasm between amateur and pro circuits.

Upcoming live events

• The International 2019 - August 20 - 25, watch on Twitch.
• Age of Empires II ECL - August 30 - September 1, watch on Twitch.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

This week saw Razer anticipate its sponsored squads to win more titles at various esports events, notably British-born Benjamin 'Problem X' Simon. There's also a rather large FIFA tournament going on. It has been quite the weekend for live esports events.

British Razer combatant aiming for domination

2019 is going to be a potentially good year for Team Razer as the company announced a record number of esports players will represent at the finals of EVO 2019 and The Internations (TI9) Dota 2. With upwards of $30 million up for grabs across both tournaments, there's plenty at stake of Team Razer. Razer currently works with 18 of the top competing teams within the industry.

The spotlight is firmly fixed on British player Benjamin 'Problem X' Simon, who just so happens to be the current reigning champion in Street Fighter V after his stellar performance at EVO 2018. "I am extremely competitive, and I find it fun and thrilling to compete under high-pressure environments. Winning EVO a second time in a row would be amazing for me, as nobody has ever won the main EVO event for Street Fighter V twice in a row before."

Problem X has performed well enough over recent years to be in the position where quitting his day job in 2018 made financial sense, becoming primarily a professional gamer. He's walked away with titles from Sonic Boom, April Annihilation, and Reflect UK this year alone. Taking down opponents at this year's EVO will make 2019 the year for Problem X, as well as Razer.

It'll be interesting to see just how well Razer sponsored teams will continue to perform this year.

FIFA eWorld Cup comes to London town

The best FIFA players came together this weekend to compete in the eWorld Cup Final at London's O2 Arena. Not only is this a prestigious complex in the UK capital city, but there was also $250,000 up for grabs for one lucky winner — the total prize pool is $500,000. While this isn't as enticing as Fortnite's tournament this year, it's still a considerable amount of funds for the players.

As reported by Reuters, Mosaad Aldossary from Saudi Arabia will be looking to defend his title, but he will have to face off some stiff competition from the best FIFA players who would like nothing more than to replace him at the top and take home the prize money.

Upcoming live events

• EVO 2019 - August 2 - 4, watch on Twitch.
• FIFA eWorld Cup - August 2 - 4, watch on Twitch.
• The International 2019 - August 20 - 25, watch on Twitch.

Farming simulator fans who were unable to attend this year's FarmCon were able to enjoy a competitive final series played out between eight teams of three players. With a prize pool of around €12,000, it wasn't a huge event as we've grown accustomed to millions up for grabs, but it does show that even more niche-orientated titles like Farming Simulator cannot only attract a dedicated following, but also make some waves in the professional scene too.

The full final series at FarmCon19.

Trelleborg took away the victory, beating Landwirtschaft3.0 in the grand final. The squad, formed of Lukas Bauer, Felix Hasenberger, and Simon Hollweck, took maximum circuit points from FarmCon2019, putting Trelleborg in a strong position for future tournaments. Giants Software is taking esports seriously, as can be seen with the official Farming Simulator competitive website, which houses all the teams, tournaments, Farming Simulator League standings, and more.

Fortnite

Billed as the "greatest tournament of all time," the Fortnite World Cup was held this weekend. British Jaden "Wolfiez" Ashman and Dutch teammate Dave "Rojo" Jong came second overall in the duo series, taking home $2.25 million between them. Splitting their earnings down the middle, they earned a respectable $1 million. Not bad for the duo who managed to knock out some big names throughout the tournament.

First place was awarded to Norwegian Emil "Nyhrox" Bergquist Pedersen and Austrian David "Aqua" W, which secured the team $3 million. The solo games are being played out right now and you'll be able to tune in to see who will take home $3 million. Epic Games is going all out with professional Fortnite gaming and this year's world cup is but a taste of what I reckon the company has planned for the future.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

100 Thieves, the organization created by ex-Call of Duty professional player Matt "Nadeshot" Haag and now co-owned with big names including music artist Drake, managed to raise $35 million in Series B funding. The funding was lead by Artist Capital Management, and the funds will allow 100 Thieves to create a centralized HQ for all teams and staff to operate from. It's worth bearing in mind 100 Thieves is only three years old.

The organization has come a long way after starting with a single team in the popular MOBA League of Legends. Since that first season, the staff team has expanded into apparel creation and high-quality production, as well as purchasing new spots in different game leagues. This new 5,000 square-foot training facility and headquarters located in Los Angeles will enable all teams to come together to train under a single roof.

Not only does Nadeshot want this new facility to allow for fans to come and check out trophies and meet the players, but also foster future developments in new titles. It's about time the 100 Thieves found a place to truly call home.

Gear-ing up for the new Gears 5 Pro League

The Coalition Studios has announced what will be happening with the Gears esports scene. The developer has partnered up with PGL to create a new Pro League for the upcoming 2019 - 2020 season of Gears 5. The announcement came as the first Gears 5 tournament was held in Atlanta where eight top teams competed against one another in the ELEAGUE Gears Summer Series for a prize pool of $200,000.

Starting September 10 across Xbox One and Windows 10 (with Xbox Game Pass), players from all over the world will be able to sign up and compete in regional ladders for weekly cash prizes. Top players and teams from North America, Central America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South America, will also be rewarded with all expenses paid for trips to participate in major international events.

Organizers will provide amateur teams the ability to make it into the professional circuit via online qualification, while the worst performing Pro League teams from each division will have to fight it out for their placements.

Age of Empires to become an esports hit?

There's a game that's 20 years old and is slowly making quite the comeback. You've probably heard of Age of Empires II, the strategy sequel to Microsoft's excellent first release. But did you know it's still played by millions of people today, seeing it frequently listed within Steam's top 50 for concurrent players, and there are frequent tournaments held throughout the year, some even backed by Microsoft? Well, I didn't either.

Unofficial tournaments held by professional players and streamers that draw in thousands of viewers for the live matches. Microsoft even threw some money into the pot for the Escape Champions League in 2018 with a prize pool of $60,000. For a PC game that doesn't get a lot of attention, that's not bad going.

It's a slow and steady build-up, but even prominent esports games such as League of Legends have only really taken off in recent years. There's still time and potential for Microsoft's 20-year-old PC game. The development studio clearly understands the demand with the upcoming release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. This could be just what the scene needs to take things further with enhanced multiplayer support.

I'm not suggesting Age of Empires II will become a huge success in the esports world, but it would be incredible to see this vintage title draw in yet more viewers for live tournaments. Then there's — of course — Age of Empires IV on the way...

Upcoming live events

• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• League of Legends Teamfight Tactics — July 17 - 18, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

The Esports Awards is an annual event to honor teams, players, developers, coaches, and other professions within the industry. The Dallas Observer reports the ceremony will be held this year at the Esports Stadium Arlington on November 16. It's a win for Arlington, but a loss for London, which has been the home of The Esports Awards for the past three years.

It makes more sense on paper. However, since the majority of viewers and participants are located within the U.S., while the UK esports scene is still in its infancy. The esports stadium should be better equipped for such an event too, providing production crews access to already installed equipment, specialized for such events and live broadcasts. The Esports Stadium Arlington opened in 2018.

Lenovo continues to invest in Scottish esports

Lenovo, one of the world's largest PC manufacturers, has signed up to sponsor a Glasgow-based Esports Scotland for the second year running. According to the Daily Business, the company runs the Scottish Esports League, which saw more than 300 people and 100 teams compete against one another in 2018.

As part of the deal, Lenovo will provide Legion gaming rigs for competitors across Scotland, allowing them to participate in titles that include CS:GO, Rocket League, Super Smash Bro Ultimate, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. Prizes of £5,000 and up are up for grabs to whoever make sit to the grand final, which will be held at the SEC in Glasgow on July 20-21.

Upcoming live events

• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• League of Legends Teamfight Tactics — July 17 - 18, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

British esports veteran Michael 'ODEE' O'Dell is leaving the esports organization he founded after many years running the show. As covered by Esports News UK, ODEE founded Dignitas 16 years ago, back when esports industry was still in infancy. The organization was acquired, rebranded and merged since 2016 and now a new general manager will have to be appointed.

O'Dell also shared the news on social media, noting immediate availability and a drive to help build esports as he has done so for the past two decades.

We'll have to keep tabs on O'Dell's newly founded Model Esports holding company to see what's next on his esports journey.

Riot Games to host Teamfight Tactics tourney

Riot Games will be hosting a new League of Legends tournament for the Teamfight Tactics mode in conjunction with Twitch Rivals. As reported by The Esports Observer, the tournament will see 64 popular streamers take part with the chance of bagging a portion of the $125,000 prize pool. It's interesting to see Riot Games partner with Twitch for its esports division to host the tournament, which will take place between July 17 and 18. The full roster will be announced on July 8.

Teamfight Tactics is a new League of Legends game mode, attracting streamers and players from other tactics-based games like Hearthstone. It's an autobattler game mode, first showcased at E3 2019 and launched on the live server at the tail end of June. Teamfight Tactics is an 8-player free-for-all drafting tactics game in which the player recruits powerful champions, deploys them, and battles to become the last player standing.

Upcoming live events

• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• League of Legends Teamfight Tactics — July 17 - 18, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

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Ninja won't be participating in this year's Fortnite World Cup tournament after being knocked out of both solo and duo brackets. Richard "Ninja" Blevins announced on Twitter he will not be able to play but will be attending in some form. In the duo matches, Ninja was teamed up with Malachi "Reverse2k" Greine, and the pair managed to bag 64 points after a rocky start. Even after attempting to pull it around, they were still shy of what was required to qualify for the finals.

The Fortnite World Cup will take place on July 26 - 28 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, U.S. with a prize pool of $30 million.

Team Liquid partners up with Marvel

Team Liquid announced a new partnership with Marvel, which will see Disney's subsidiary enter the industry for the first time. This partnership will include Team Liquid players wearing Avengers-themed jerseys at "certain events." As reported by Forbes, these jerseys would include Captain America, Iron Man, Avengers Endgame, and a Team Liquid x Marvel logo shirt. The partnership launched during the EU vs. NA Rift Rivals League of Legends tournament.

Upcoming live events

• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

This week saw the departure of Blizzard's esports director Kim Phan, yet another high profile figure to leave the company in the space of a month.

Yet another Blizzard departure

Blizzard had to say farewell to Kim Phan, the company's global esports director, after she handed in her resignation which was effective June 14. As reported by The Esports Observer, Phan plans to pursue new endeavors within the industry, though it's unknown exactly what (or where) this would take the Blizzard veteran.

Interestingly, this departure is but less than a month than Overwatch League Commissioner Nate Nanzer left Blizzard to go work at Epic Games. After working at Blizzard for more than 13 years, Phan informed the community in a post published on TeamLiquid.net, "As I hang up my sword and shield, I look forward to a bright future and wish all my Blizzard friends and family the very best."

Recent reports point to low morale at Activision Blizzard, particularly around its esports division. We've covered the closing of Heroes of the Storm esports as well as other moves that signal the company looking to consolidate efforts.

Twitch buys Bebo

Since Amazon purchased Twitch, the streaming platform has grown considerably, but so too has the competition. Facebook and Discord are both looking to take a slice of the game streaming, and esports pie and Bebo was the latest toy these competing giants fought over. Twitch won in the end, purchasing the defunct social media platform-turned streaming software company for up to $25 million, according to TechCrunch.

Bebo has come a long way, starting off in 2005 as a social media network to take on MySpace and Facebook. AOL bought and sold the company, which resulted in the social platform shuttering and the company working to revitalize itself by producing video game streaming software. Now, Bebo handles gaming events and tournaments, and it looks like Twitch wants to add some social features to its platform, which can only be a good thing for the community.

We'll have to see how Twitch utilizes this purchase to enhance the viewing experience.

Upcoming live events

• MotoGP Esport Championship — starting June 19, watch on Twitch
• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

ESPN plans to expand its esports coverage with a new "EXP" series that will introduce competitive gaming to its line-up of broadcasted events. The network aims to include all levels of play, from collegiate to big-stage professionals and everything will be streamed live online with follow-up analysis shows aired on ESPN and other ABC channels.

As covered by Engadget, the first event lined up for ESPN will be a pro-amateur Apex Legends tournament during the week of ESPYs awards on July 11. A subsequent invitational Apex tournament will be held at the X Games Minneapolis between August 1 - 4. Gamers who wish to have a go at the ESPYs event will need to make a donation through eBay between June 13 - 22.

New MotoGP season brings some changes

The third MotoGP Esport Championship is about to go underway and numerous changes will be applied. Competing across multiple platforms using MotoGP 19, participants will be competing against one another for a chance to win a BMW M135i xDrive and Yamaha YZF-R3. The championship commences with six challenges, putting through the top 72 players.

After progressing into a Pro Draft, just 12 will be selected to advance to the Global Series where each player will represent a MotoGP team. As reported by Esports Insider, the inaugural online challenges will kick off on June 19 and run through August 1. The grand final will take place alongside MotoGP's final event at the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana.

After entering into a multi-year partnership with Lenovo in 2018, the manufacturer is providing computers, monitors and other peripherals and equipment for the MotoGP tournament.

Farming Simulator esports DLC sows competitive seeds

One could say Farming Simulator is taking a humorous approach to esports, because it's ... well, a farming simulation, but the developer is serious about dipping its toes into the competitive scene. A recently released DLC for Farming Simulator 2019 allows gamers to compete against one another in a new FSL mode. Two teams of three can pick and ban tractors, before heading out into the fields to harvest crops and utilize dirty tactics to impede the progress of the opposite side.

Strategies will include dedicating one team member to barrage enemy tractors, overload and jam their conveyor system, and even perform a "tractor rush", which sounds like a Farming Simulator meme using AOE2. This is all in preparation for the first Farming Simulator League tournament at FarmCon 19 in July.

Upcoming live events

• MotoGP Esport Championship — starting June 19, watch on Twitch
• ESPN Apex Legends — starting July 11, watch on Twitch.
• Farming Simulator League — July 27 - 28, watch on Twitch.

It's all in the numbers, and the figures continue to look good for the esports industry, year-on-year.

A complex new campus

There's a point where you make it big enough in esports to warrant a fancy new campus, and that's what Complexity Gaming has unveiled in partnership with Dallas Cowboys. The GameStop Performance Center — seating 11,000 — will play host to Complexity, and the teams will even be able to eat the same food as the Cowboys.

This move, as reported by Dot Esports, is part of Complexity Gaming's plan to make professional gamers become recognized the same as traditional athletes. This new center will house various facilities for visitors to engage with, including a LAN area with PCs and other devices ready for gaming. It's a serious amount of funds being invested in the facilities backing Complexity teams.

Up, up, and up!

Esports viewership figures continue to rise as The Esports Observer highlighted some interesting numbers this week. The "top four" esports games, including League of Legends, CS:GO, DOTA2, and more recently Fortnite continue to rake in the big bucks, increasing production value, prize pools, and tournament scope.

According to published figures, it's not just the big four games that are experiencing an increase in viewership. In fact, Call of Duty, FIFA, and World of Warcraft are seeing a surge in popularity. Notably, some titles such as Apex Legends have missed the boat with EA and Respawn being held accountable for the lack of esports additional support.

Looking at how the top games are progressing through 2019, compared to old data collected by The Esports Observer, it looks promising for all parties involved. The current outlook on esports growth shouldn't be taken for granted, however, as Kotaku's Cecilia D'Anastasio pointed out in a recent editorial on some of the shady parts of the industry.

This piece looks at some of the bubbles people within the scene fear will eventually bust. Revenues still lag far behind the overall cost of running the scene, be it for organizers with events or owners and their teams. It's difficult to make it big in esports and remain there while not continuing to require more investment.

There's plenty of money pouring into esports, but one has to wonder if the outgoings of teams and costs of running the show for organizers are ever going to be recouporated from sources that can be considered revenue streams. IT's clear all parties involved are attempting to branch out and bring in new sponsorship opportunities, shared revenue plans with leagues and other means, but there's still some way to go.

The British show the world how a proper esports tournament is hoisted with an amazing, lively crowd and a production team who are able to bounce between gameplay and camera action to get the most out of the in-house experience.

There's a riot ... at Riot Games

More than 150 employees at video game developer and publisher Riot Games walked out of offices to band together and protest against sexism and forced arbitration, following Riot Games attempting to block multiple gender discrimination lawsuits. The aim of the walkout is to force Riot Games to retract the "motion for forced arbitration in active suits."

It's both positive to see employees standing up against such practices, but also saddening that such walkouts are required for companies to operate in an acceptable manner with the workforce in mind.

Upcoming Chipotle PUBG tournament

American restaurant chain Chipotle isn't new to esports, but the company's upcoming PUBG challenger series is just around the corner, kicking things off on May 31. It's an interesting circuit for gamers since everyone who enters is technically a winner — free burrito cards are available for all participants.

The winning team will be rewarded with a VIP experience at DreamHack and free Chipotle for a whole year. The company teamed up with organizer DreamHack to host the PUBG tournament and with more mainstream brands looking to get involved with esports, we'll likely see more of this in the coming years.

Nothing beats a British crowd

London saw the only Call of Duty World League (CWL) even of the season outside of the U.S. being held in the city last weekend and a crowd from all parts of the country and beyond took full advantage. Loud chanting, cheers, and typical British humor were all on show. 100 Thieves took home the first title to be held in London.

While no UK team won the tournament on home soil, it's great to see such energy in the crowd. The organizers and casters interacted with attendees perfectly to facilitate such clips. If you've never been to a UK esports even before, you'll definitely want to book some tickets to experience this magic first-hand.

Upcoming live events

• League of Legends MSI Invitational - May 10, watch on Twitch.
• PUBG Chipotle Challenger Series - May 31 and June 2, watch on Twitch.

Denmark isn't messing about when it comes to esports as government officials sign plans for a new strategy to improve grassroots development and opportunities for esports across the nation. Similarly to what other countries are attempting to do, Esports Insider reports Denmark aims to integrate the industry with sports more broadly.

Not only are officials looking to improve the rate of development from the ground up, but put forward plans for healthier working environments for players and organizations. The Ministry of Culture will host an esports panel on how to push forward with these goals in mind, considering the following:

• The building of a sustainable, top-to-bottom structure for Danish esports.
• The strengthening of national talent development.
• Establishing a common vision for esport integrity, such as tackling toxicity, cheating, and skin gambling.
• The development of communities and associations and how they can impact the lives of players.
• How to attract more women into esports.
• How to create good commercial development opportunities for growth, entrepreneurship, and employment for esports in Denmark.
• Other focus areas (revision of laws, rules, etc.) that can support the development of esports.

It's always good to see more countries eye the potential of esports and work to improve grassroots development.

CODL the OWL

Activision Blizzard has penciled in five new franchises for a city-based Call of Duty esports league (CODL?). Similarly to how its Overwatch League (OWL) operates, Atlanta, Dallas, NewYork, Paris, and Toronto will host franchise organizations to compete in the new professional league. As covered by TechCruch, each of the aforementioned cities will partner with OWL teams to take advantage of the existing framework.

Announced teams include Atlanta Esports Ventures, Envy Gaming from Dallas, Sterling VC in New York, c0ntact Gaming representing Paris, and finally OverActive Media in Toronto. With the success of OWL, Blizzard Activision is looking to work on replicating that with Call of Duty, which will be a tough pill to swallow with the shuttering of the Heroes of the Storm esports scene.

Upcoming events

• League of Legends MSI Invitational - May 10, watch on Twitch.

Esports organization Gen. G has raised $46 million in funding with big name Will Smith part of the group of investors. This move comes as China looks to capitalize on esports growth in the region and new tournaments fill up the esports calendar for 2019. The new funding will help increase brand awareness and prepare teams for future tournaments.

It also helps to have such a star as Will Smith investing their cash into your organization. The industry as a whole is expected to pull in more than $1 billion in revenue.

Say hello to the European Esports Federation

National esports organizations from 12 countries within Europe gathered in Berlin to discuss plans to launch a new European Esports Federation, which would be positioned as such that it would be able to oversee the industry in participating countries. As reported by Esports Insider, attendees compiled The Berlin Declaration, outlining what the group aims to achieve.

Countries who sent representatives to the event to found the new European Esports Federation included the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Turkey, Russia, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belgium. With so much money expected to be generated from esports in the coming years, it makes sense to start forming such federations.

Let's FACEIT, PUBG was great in London

This weekend saw the FACEIT Global Summit competitive finals for PUBG held in London. Attendees who watched the games at the ExCeL Arena in London were rewarded with the opportunity to win big using their FACEIT accounts as an added bonus. The event was but phase one of PUBG's esports calendar for 2019, inviting 24 teams from around the world to participate on the big stage.

We'll have additional coverage from the show at the ExCeL Arena in London so stay tuned.

Upcoming live events

• Hearthstone Grandmasters — Season one starts May 17, watch on Twitch.

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China Central Television reports that the local esports market is set to reach ¥21.1 billion RMB (around $3 billion), according to Esports Insider. This is set to be almost triple that of what the industry was valued at for 2018.

According to the report, there are more than 50,000 jobs within the local industry in China, which is also set to bloat to 25,000 by 2020. The number of leagues, ways to watch and enjoy the games, as well as live events, will all increase to accommodate growth. The Chinese government, too, is working to let everyone know about esports.

Rocket League shop for players

Psyonix, the developer of the popular game Rocket League, is launching a new esports shop and plans to split some of the money generated with teams and participating professional players. The new shop will be opened as part of a pilot program, starting April 16. This storefront will offer new in-game cosmetics, as well as banners to allow players to brand the colors of their favorite teams.

As reported by Variety, the new esports store will house six items and be refreshed regularly with specific timers attached to each listing. New esports tokens will need to be purchased to spend in the store, which will be available as part of the following bundles:

• 100 Tokens for $0.99.
• 600 Tokens for $4.99.
• 1200 Tokens for $9.99.
• 2500 Tokens for $19.99.

Items purchased through the store will not be up for trading. Teams and players part of the North American and European RLCS League Play will be eligible for the new program.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.
• Hearthstone Grandmasters — Season one starts May 17, watch on Twitch.

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SK Telecom is planning to run a team for a game that's but a few months old. Apex Legends has been out barely long enough for it to set a record by pulling in $92 million through in-game microtransactions alone and now SK Telecom has announced plans to put together a squad with Comcast Spectacor called T1 Esports.

Apex Legends has proven to be a big hit, fusing together multiple games, including Fortnite and PUBG. T1 won't only focus on Apex Legends, however as the highly successful SKT T1 League of Legends team will be brought under the same umbrella, rebranding to simply T1 with Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok as the face of the organization.

The squad for Apex Legends has already been announced, comprising of Michael "Sonii" Sherman, Brendan "BcJ" Jensen, Kurtis "Kurt" Gallo, and Haydin "ZerG" Gordon.

FNATIC hits back hard on the rift

If you haven't yet watched the League of Legends series between Vitality and FNATIC, you totally should. Don't read this section if you plan on watching the broadcast as I'll spoil pretty much everything. Not only has FNATIC turned around its rather hectic LEC season, but the squad also showcased why it's still one of the best European teams.

Vitality isn't a bad team either, but how FNATIC played made it seem so with such a clean 3-0 series. Nemesis still has much to prove, according to some critics, and he showed up on the day to score a pentakill with Kayle. He had a fantastic series, but it was Broxah who was awarded MVP and it was thoroughly deserved with his sneaky Karthus assassin and all-out bruise inflicting Rek'Sai.

It's going to be interesting to see how the LEC games play out this coming weekend, but FNATIC is looking as though the team has finally fused together, found its stride and is ready to take it to Worlds once again. Also, as a side note; Riot Games' production team is killing it with the LEC broadcasts. The refreshed, modern-looking graphics and fantastic production value is a wonderful addition to each match.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.
• Hearthstone Grandmasters — Season one starts May 17, watch on Twitch.

The new three-tiered Heartstone Masters program is well underway with ongoing qualifiers for the Masters Tour Las Vegas this June, but today organizers revealed the Hearthstone Grandmasters, billed as the pinnacle of Hearthstone esports. Everything is set to kick off on May 17, inviting 16 players each from Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to compete.

Players from each region will be split into two divisions to battle it out for points and placements. Only the very best from the scene will be invited to join the Hearthstone Grandmasters. This season is going to be big, setting the top three players from each division against one another for the prize pool of $500,000 in the Global Finals at the end of the year.

You'll be able to catch all the action from the regular Masters program, as well as the Grandmasters on Twitch.

New Philadelphia esports arena

Comcast Spectator and investor The Cordish Companies are looking to build the largest esports complex in the West, as reported by Variety. The new $50 million esports arena is set to be constructed this summer near the existing Sports Complex in Philadelphia.

According to the report, the Fusion Arena will house 3,500 seats, sport 60,000 square feet of space in total, and be designed with gaming hardware in mind. I mean, just look at it. There's bound to be some form of RGB lighting on the outside too. Team offices, broadcast studio and a training facility will also be on-site.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.
• Hearthstone Grandmasters — Season one starts May 17, watch on Twitch.

Just when you thought esports hasn't had enough exposure, The Simpsons decides to include the industry at the forefront of a recent episode.

Bart Simpson has really done it all, but he's never followed South Park and took gaming seriously ... that is until now. The Simpsons saw Homer's son become entwined with an esports team playing Conflict of Enemies, a nod to League of Legends. Bart eventually travels to Seoul to compete in a world championship, as covered by CNBC.

This episode is important as esports has yet to be featured in an episode until now and co-executive producer Rob LaZebnik said this episode, in particular, represents the shift within the esports scene, which catapulted it into a multi-million dollar industry with millions of viewers worldwide.

Riot Games was even consulted for the episode, which should benefit the industry as those not familiar with esports would see what it's about in a familiar setting.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.

Heroes of the Storm (HotS) isn't quite down and out just yet, with Blizzard looking to work in the title for an upcoming ESPN Collegiate Esports Championship event. All while its overlords at Activision are eyeing up the potential of Call of Duty in a similar format to the Overwatch League.

College Heroes of the Storm are respawning

ESPN announced a partnership with Tespa to host the ESPN Collegiate Esports Championship, which will be held between May 10 to May 12 in Houston, Texas. What makes this announcement particularly exciting for Heroes of the Storm fans is the inclusion of Blizzard's MOBA at the George R. Brown Convention Center event.

Alongside HotS are Overwatch, Hearthstone, StarCraft II, and Street Fighter V. It's not currently known whether more titles will be announced at a later date. Interestingly, Tespa was acquired by Blizzard in 2014, which makes the inclusion of HotS that much more intriguing given the recent ax to its esport program.

As reported by Hotspawn, HotS remains fairly popular, especially with college students. While it could be viewed as a send-off of sorts for the MOBA, there could at the very least be a minute hope of some form of revival, though it'll never bring back the game to the big esports stage.

Next level Activision esports

Activision Blizzard is taking esports to the next level by making the Overwatch League (OWL) even bigger, bringing on brands like Coca-Cola and selling out big crowds. The Washington Post covered news that OWL would switch to a city-based, home and away tournament model. This would see the esports scene follow traditional sports closely.

Not only that, but the companies are actively eyeing up a similar format for Call of Duty, which would potentially be more popular than the current OWL. As reported by Motley Fool, this setup would include teams representing cities.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.

Riot Games owner Tencent is wanting to further grow its esports reach in China by teaming up with local governments to foster more low-level tournaments. Konami is building its own esports arena, and PUBG launches the 2019 PEL.

China to subsidize local esport tournaments

China-based Tencent — the owner of Riot Games and League of Legends — will be investing more to host esport tournaments locally in the region. Local governments are also said to be onboard to subsidize events to boost economic growth and get people more involved, according to Blooloop.

Tencent not only views esport tournaments as great means of generating additional revenue, but also as an opportunity to increase the longevity of published games, such as the MOBA hit League of Legends.

Konami's downtown esports center

Konami is constructing a new building in Tokyo, the capital of Japan to bolster its esports efforts. As reported by Gamesindustry.biz, the new center will be situated in the downtown district of Ginza. This new building will be 12 stories high with a single underground floor.

Upon completion, the new center will reportedly house an esports arena, shop for merchandise and hardware, as well as esport classes to help grow intrigue in the industry and scout new talent. It's set for completion to coincide with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Dropping in shortly

PUBG Corp. announced this week the start of the PUBG Europe League (PEL), covering professional teams in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The new league will commence on March 21, allowing 16 teams to compete against one another over three phases. Teams in these regions will qualify through pro-level competitions to enter the first phase at the FACEIT Global Summit in London.

This first phase, which will take place between April 16 - 21 with a prize pool of $400,000. Once the three phases have been completed, the top performing teams will be invited to the Global Championship where a $2 million prize is up for grabs.

See the participating teams below:

Europe East

• CrowCrowd
• Jokers
• M19
• Natus Vincere (Na'Vi)
• Red Diamonds

Europe West

• Ence
• FaZe Clan
• G2
• Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP)
• Pittsburgh Knights
• RYE Gaming
• Team Liquid
• Team SoloMid (TSM)
• Team Vitality
• Winstrike

Middle-east & Africa

• Digital Athletics

The PEL will allow teams from the regions an opportunity to sit at the table in the Global PUBG Championship, comprised of the U.S., Korea, China, Japan, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.

Upcoming live events

• PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch

It has been a fairly quiet week in the world of esports, aside from Nike joining Riot Games in China, high school teams in the U.S. being offered some considerable prizes, and AOC arranging some cool tournaments while promoting the company's latest display tech at IEM.

Riot Games puts on some Nike trainers for China

Nike will be the official apparel and footwear partner for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in China, according to a report by Reuters. The company will be working with Riot Games through 2022, providing new clothes and footwear to teams and allowing players to participate in physical training programs.

Riot Games is growing its base of big brands considerably for its esports platform. Not only are traditional game-focused companies being invited for partnerships, but also new brands from further afield. Kia Motors joined the new League of Legends European Championship (LEC) and now Nike is onboard in China.

Interestingly, this deal with Nike also includes physical training for esports players, utilizing plans specifically designed for gaming athletes. Promoting a healthy lifestyle outside of the game is an excellent message to drum home to the wider community and I, for one, am glad more is being done here.

Major MSI giveaway for high school esports

The High School Esports League (HSEL) announced $174,000 in MSI hardware will be up for grabs during the organization's Spring Majors. Variety notes this as the largest prize pool in high school esports history. The Spring Majors will run for eight weeks between Mar 18 and May 26.

Players part of the top eight teams will each receive an MSI Interceptor DS300 mouse, GK-701 keyboard, and Siberian headset. The winning clubs for each title below will score an MSI provided esports arena for their represented school, which includes 12 gaming PCs.

• League of Legends
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Overwatch
• Hearthstone
• Rocket League
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege
• Super Smash Bros. 4
• Fortnite
• Dragon Ball FighterZ
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

AOC takes its new gaming displays to IEM

AOC plans to showcase the company's AGON AG273QCG gaming display at IEM Katowice from March 1. The company will host activities to show off the display with a refresh rate of 240 Hz, but the AGON AG251FZ and G2590PX Signature Edition will also be present. The latter of which will be used for the CS:GO-Major tournament.

G2 Esports continues to be a force to be reckoned with and the organization will be participating at IEM Katowice with AOC in tow. The organization raised a further $17.3 million in a Series A funding round on Tuesday, bringing its total outside backing to $24.6 million

Should you be attending the event, be sure to check out the AOC booth for the following tournaments:

Friday:

• 12:00 – 14:00: Fortnite challenge
• 15:00 – 17:00: CS:GO tournament
• 17:00 – 18:00: Cosplayers on stage
• 18:00 – 20:00: CS:GO deathmatch

Saturday:

• 12:00 – 13:00: R6S showmatch
• 13:00 – 15:00: CS:GO tournament
• 14:00 – 15:00: Arquel meet and greet
• 15:00 – 17:00: Quake tournament
• 17:00 – 18:00: Cosplayers on stage
• 18:00 – 20:00: Fortnite challenge

Sunday:

• 12:00 – 14:00: StarCraft 2 tournament
• 15:00 – 17:00: CS:GO tournament
• 17:00 – 18:00: Cosplayers on stage
• 18:00 – 20:00: Fortnite challenge

Upcoming live events

• FACEIT PUBG Global Summit - April 19 - 21, watch on Twitch.

Hearthstone esports will live to see another year (or few) with Blizzard announcing the new Master Tours program. Epic Games is not going to sit around and let Fortnite do all the leg work to develop an engaging esports scene. The company has put aside a massive amount of money for tournaments throughout 2019. More women are turning into live broadcasts, but it still isn't the push many would like to see to better balance out the genders.

Here's this week in esports.

Hearthstone esports is safe ... for now

Blizzard introduced a new esports system for Hearthstone, which will help put those at ease who thought the company would outright kill Heartstone esports. The aim of this new program is to make Hearthstone esports " more sustainable, entertaining, and accessible." In other words, very little is to be spent on running Hearthstone esports, while attempting to make as much from it as possible. Good ol' Activision.

Hearthstone Masters Tour (as it's called) will feature a $250,000 prize pool, allowing pretty much everyone to compete for a shot at the top. There are various ways to earn a place in the Masters Tour, including winning an online Masters qualifier, being placed in the top four of a ranked ladder qualifier, securing an invitation through tournaments, finishing well in a previous Masters Tour event, and finishing the Year of the Raven with at least 120 Hearthstone competitive points.

There's even the opportunity to become a Hearthstone Grandmaster, which requires you to finish in top spots at numerous Masters Tours. The new Hearthstone Masters Tour will kick off in Las Vegas, U.S. on June 14. After that Blizzard will take the tour to Asia and Europe. More destinations are planned for 2020.

Fortnite paying out to professional gamers

Epic Games confirmed details of the upcoming Fortnite World Cup, more specifically the $100 million prize pool for 2019. You read that correctly (and no, it's not a typo) ... $100 million prize pool. The game is that successful, Epic Games clearly has available funds to make quite the esports platform this year.

Top 100 players and 50 duo squads will be invited from across the globe to participate in the World Cup Finals in New York City on July 26. This event alone will sport a $30 million prize pool. Each player will be guaranteed to walk away with at least $50,000 with the champion taking a full $3 million.

$1 million weekly cash tournaments will continue through the end of 2019. More details on all events and tournaments for Fortnite this year will be released at later dates so stay tuned if you're interested and wish to showcase your skill to win some money. This news would tie into last week's prediction of esports bringing in more than $1 billion in revenue for 2019.

G2 continues to dominate the siege

European organization G2 Esports continues to be on a winning streak in Rainbow Six Siege, as reported by ESPN. The squad, made up of Fabian, Goga, jNSzki, Kantoraketti, Pengu, Shad0Udas, and Sua have been on form.

Taking down Team Empire from Russia in the finals, G2 Esports managed to score its second world tournament win. G2 Esports was awarded $800,000 out of the $2,000,000 total prize pool. Looking quite frankly unbeatable, it'll be interesting to see how the players take on opponents later in the year in the Pro League.

Women are watching more esports ... sorta

Interpret research firm based in Europe released some new data, showing more women engaged in esports than ever before. "More women need to be in esports" has been the line used by a select few, without looking at the data of how women enjoy esports and gaming as a whole. While more women are clearly watching esports, data suggests it's mainly due to the increase in mobile gaming.

Looking at the data provided, only 35 percent of those who enjoy games on console or PC — considered an esport — are female. 30 percent of women watch esports, while just 20 percent who follow esport leagues are women. Casual gaming (mostly on a smartphone) remains to be dominated by women, coming in at a whopping 66 percent. If they're not watching, you can't force them to.

It's good to get more people to enjoy watching and competing in esports, regardless of gender. The major issue we have with getting more women on the esports stage is making it into the necessary leagues to be picked up by scouts and organizations, and playing the right games. With so many women playing more casual titles like smartphone games, esports will need to adapt to cater to this audience if they truly wish to see more of a gender balance both on and off the stage.

Upcoming live events

• FACEIT PUBG Global Summit - April 19 - 21, watch on Twitch.

This week saw some NSFW material be broadcast mid-stream during a tournament broadcast as part of Dead or Alive 6 marketing, FACEIT announce plans for a PUBG esports spectacle in London, and Newzoo release a report predicting the industry to pull in $1 billion in revenue.

Let's FACEIT, PUBG esports was always coming to London

FACEIT announced plans to team up with PUBG Corp to see the first global event hosted in London this Spring. In 2018, FACEIT was incorporated into PUBG to allow for competitive ranked play between players and now the partnership has moved to esports and the big stage.

The event is planned to be held at the ExCeL in London, seeing 24 teams from North America, Europe, Korea, China, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Oceania compete against one another. This news follows the 25 percent revenue share set up by PUBG Corp covering in-game items.

Tickets are already on sale, should you fancy attending.

Esports revenue to hit $1 billion this year

According to a recent report published by market research firm Newzoo, total revenue brought in by esports is expected to hit $1 billion for 2019. Figures provided by Newzoo show the industry potentially scoring a year-on-year growth of 27 percent. It's estimated around 82 percent of the total market will come from big brand investments and sponsorships.

The report also points to China becoming number two in terms of revenue, overtaking Europe to be behind North America. Viewer figures are also expected to rise up to a predicted 453.8 million. The industry continues to grow at a stable rate, attracting more brands such as Kia Motors to get involved and spend some capital.

NSFW

Evo decided to shut down its Japanese stream during an esports tournament due to inappropriate material being broadcast. What makes this even more intriguing is how the issues were actually part of Dead or Alive 6 marketing, as reported by Dexerto.

Things turned south when presenters paused a video showing gameplay to make it look as though two in-game characters were engaged in a sexual act, followed by two models revealing more of their cleavage on stream. Whoops.

Upcoming live events

• World of Warcraft Arena Spring Cup #4 - February 22 - 24, watch on Twitch.
• FACEIT PUBG Global Summit - April 19 - 21, watch on Twitch.

The esports calendar for the year is packed full of tournaments, but that won't stop students and amateur organizers from holding their own competitions. Students at Yale University in Connecticut did just that with aid from Riot Games.

Self-hosted LoL tournament championship

Students at the Yale University competed in the 2019 Winter Open League of Legends tournament this week, which saw 40 gaming rigs set up for competitive play. As reported by Yale Daily News, the event was hosted by the Yale Esports Club, which formed last year.

Not only did the students include others from within the university grounds, but they also invited students from other universities and beyond and even registered the tournament through Riot Games. The MOBA developer provided a prize pool.

Training alongside traditional athletes

Esports has evolved and how professional gamers both training and compete has also improved over the years. Quartz followed team compLexity to see how the squads train alongside NFL veterans.

Two compLexity teams are now based out of Frisco Dallas, sharing the campus with Frisco Dallas players. The video covers physical and mental training, enhanced team building and more with the aim to pick up more trophies from events and tournaments.

Upcoming live events

• World of Warcraft Arena Spring Cup - February 8 - 10, watch on Twitch.

The League of Legends Championship kicked off this week, and already Riot Games had yet another major sponsor announce a new partnership for esports events. Secretlab joins other parties including MasterCard and Alienware. All this and more, in this week's esports roundup.

Milwaukee university varsity esports team

Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., announced plans to launch a varsity esports team in fall 2019. As reported by SI, this esports team will function much like other sports covered by the university. Tryouts will be held, a coach appointed to manage the squad, and practice sessions will be carried out on campus.

The university has supported esports with a club team and now the institute plans to use this new varsity team to represent Milwaukee at esports events. Donors and partners are expected to work with Marquette to create an area for the team to practice together, which would include PCs, as well as broadcast and productions equipment.

Fancy chairs for League of Legends esports

Secretlab announced a new multi-year partnership with Riot Games, the developer behind League of Legends. The company will see its catalog become the choice of gaming seats for professionals playing the game on stage during three annual events, including Mid-Season Invitational, All-Star, and Worlds.

The LCS will be the first in the series of events for Secretlab, returning for its seventh year. Secretlab joins Alienware and MasterCard in supporting Riot Games and the official League of Legends esports scene.

We're big fans of Secretlab chairs and they should provide ample cushion for professional gamers who have to endure stressful sessions in front of millions of viewers.

This week was busy in the farming world of esports with a new title creating a professional league. PUBG Corp. also decided to start sharing out some chicken dinners with participating teams in competitions too.

Farming Simulator gets its own esports league

Farming Simulator is going big by joining the esports scene. The simulation game has been used in tournaments before, but now it's going to have its very own professional esports league, as reported by PC Gamer. The developer is launching the league with a prize pool of €250,000.

The move will also see some changes be applied to Farming Simulator 19. According to the official announcement, bale stacking will be replaced by a more competitive 3 vs 3 mode, tasking teams to challenge one other to determine who is best on the field.

Will the esports audience welcome farming into the fold, allowing this league to grow? Will we finally witness some sick "no scope corn shots"? Only time will tell.

PUBG sharing some of the chicken dinners

PUBG Corp. announced the developer will introduce a profit-sharing program for North American (NPL) and European (PEL) teams with branded store items. This additional revenue is believed to be ideally suited for covering the cost of housing and travel. This will be implemented when phase two of the competitive season kicks off in April, as reported by Fox Sports Asia.

25 percent of the earnings will be passed to teams, allowing the developer to bolster the amount of money available to participants. Good news for organization management teams.

Upcoming live events

• World of Warcraft Arena World Championship Cup - Starts on February 7, watch on Twitch.

KFC shared plans for its upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 battle royale tournament that will see the restaurant chain offer cash prizes and free chicken dinners for the winner.

Last man standing in the KFC queue

The tournament KFC is set to host will feature a prize pool of £50,000 (around $60,000). Not only that, but the winner of the said event will win a KFC black card, which will unlock free access to daily chicken meals at no additional cost.

The chain will team up with 16 content creators, as reported by the Esports Observer. Regardless, it's good to see more brands get involved in the UK esports scene.

World of Warcraft funding esports with in-game store items

2018 wasn't a good year for Blizzard Activision and this current year hasn't kicked off to the best of starts either. News just surfaced Blizzard plans to roll out in-game World of Warcraft store items that will help fund eSports prize pools.

I'm not a fan of this kind of funding, nor are many players who have already voiced concerns and displeasure, especially when Battle for Azeroth hasn't delivered and the player base continues to cry out for additional content, fixes and rebalances.

But hey, at least you'll be able to buy some toys from the store, right?

UK government backs esports

Weavr, a consortium of esports organizations and partners including ESL UK and York University, managed to pull off a victory with the UK government to secure £4 million for esports innovation. This partnership and a cash injection from the state is reportedly going to create 45 tech-focused jobs.

The funding is part of the UK's Industry Strategy Challenge Fund, which allows for research and development into future immersive experiences. The money will go towards additional live experiences for viewers to further immerse themselves into game broadcasts and ESL is set to showcase some of this at future events.

Upcoming events

• Dota 2 Chongqing Major - January 19th - 27th, watch on Twitch.

Kia has entered the ring, Blizzard continues to act weird in front of esports fans, and a male Overwatch player decided it would be a good idea to impersonate a female and join a professional team. All this and more happened this week in the world of esports.

Blizzard pondering about Hearthstone esports

It hasn't been long since Blizzard ultimately killed the Heroes of the Storm esports competitive scene, but already the company has sent out surveys to Hearthstone players asking a bunch of questions. As reported by PCGamesN, Blizzard asked players "how important are Blizzard sponsored Hearthstone tournaments to you?" and "if there were no Blizzard sponsored Hearthstone tournaments, how likely are you to play Hearthstone in the next 30 days?"

Sure, this may be nothing, but one cannot ignore how Blizzard has handled HotS, and one can only question whether this survey is but a nail in the coffin for Hearthstone esports too. It's no secret that Activision isn't happy with how Blizzard is performing and shuttering the competitive side of some of its games could be a sure way to cut costs, especially given the returns aren't quite matching Overwatch or competitive games. But this is all speculation, and as far as we know, Blizzard is still committed to the Hearthstone competitive scene.

Would you be sad to see Hearthstone esports go?

Kia sponsors League of Legends European Championship

Just when you thought this week wasn't too good for esports, Kia lept onto the bandwagon by entering into a partnership with Riot Games. The new League of Legends European Championship (LEC) needed a sponsor and Kia was more than happy to tap into the market.

Riot Games has been pushing esports further with the high production value of Worlds 2018 and now scoring a high brand sponsorship deal for the main European championship shows how big companies are taking note of esports growth as the potential for marketing. And Kia seems to be a perfect fit so far with the initial video.

Also, QuickShot looks dappa with blonde hair. Tencent (owner of Riot Games) also created a new company with its subsidiary in China to better handle tournament hosting and competitive play in the region.

Humans are toxic when competitive

I've lost count how many times I've been told politely to grab a spade and dig my own grave in a League of Legends ranked match — and LoL isn't the only toxic community. Competitive gaming is toxic, but so is everything else that involves beating down opponents and getting to where you want. High pay job openings, traditional sports, and now video games to name but a few.

The sheer volume of toxicity shared among gamers is staggering, and it can paint a misleading picture when stories are written about women being held back in gaming. Sure, women have it hard because of "trash communities," but so do their male counterparts.

Women in esports have once again become the topic of the day with the recent Overwatch scandal with "Ellie," a signed female esports player who was, in reality, a male player called "Punisher" who wanted to carry out a social experiment. This kind of thing doesn't help, nor does the constant bashing of the gaming community for women not being on-stage.

Just look at what happened with Team Siren in the video above. If a female pro player is good enough for the stage, an organization would do itself an injustice not to sign her onto the roster. Same with male players. They don't (and shouldn't) care about gender. It's all about talent.

I want to see women in esports competing on stage, but I also want them to get there because they're good enough. Again, same with male players.

Upcoming live events

• Dota 2 Chongqing Major - January 19th - 27th, watch on Twitch.

Gfinity chief executive Garry Cook is correct to point out in a recent interview that the UK is effectively positioned as a testing ground of sorts of a new FIFA esports football league.

The Premier League and EA Sports have teamed up in the UK to launch the new ePremier League tournament. All 20 Premier League clubs will be represented in the tournament, giving players of FIFA the opportunity to wear the kits of their favorite clubs on the big stage.

Anyone could enter and the top 16 players per club on each platform battle it out at venues selected by their chosen Premier League club. Platform winners from each Club Playoff represent their club in the ePremier League Final for the chance to be crowned ePremier League Champion.

As the UK has an incredibly popular football scene, it's a great testing grounds for such a tournament to take place. Garry Cook said in an interview with Sky, "we are in the middle of a digital mega-trend. In the UK we love football and this market is culturally built for a successful run in football gaming."

Fortnite and unpredictable esports

Epic Games isn't off to the best of starts with Fornite. Don't get me wrong, the game is incredibly successful, raking in billions for the developer, but I'm talking esports. Numerous professional players and streamers have voiced concerns over the company's focus (or lack thereof). "Drop the bass with the newest item available in Battle Royale, the Boom Box! Crank the volume and toss it at enemy structures to tear down their defenses," says Epic Games.

https://twitter.com/WhosDixon/status/1079372908617584640

One has to wonder if Epic Games truly sees Fortnite as a competitor platform. The game is essentially a money printing title, and the company is raking in enough from casual players. It could also be the case Epic Games is testing the waters to see what could work within a more competitive scene. But there are certainly better ways to go about it.

As the esports scene begins to wind down for Christmas and the welcoming of 2019, some tragic news came out this week surrounding Heroes of the Storm. Not all is lost for fans of professional gaming since Intel and ESL announced a $100 million extension to the esports partnership.

Esports of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm has had a rough ride. The game, which was once regarded as a fresh take on the MOBA genre has been allowed to slowly leak players to other games. To make matters worse, Activision Blizzard is not actively supporting the game, aside from regular patches (bug fixes, rebalancing, and new heroes) and the cancellation of the esports scene is but another nail in the coffin.

As reported by Engadget, the Blizzard MOBA received its last major update in 2017 with the release of 2.0. This release contained numerous improvements, but it's not something Blizzard has taken forward to the same degree as Overwatch.

Blizzard did note the company plans to continue supporting HotS, but if it doesn't believe there's enough demand for esports, I doubt it has serious plans for the game as a whole. We — of course — wish all players the best in finding a new path.

Intel Extreme

ESL and Intel announced the investment of more than $100 million in esports to extend the existing partnership into 2021. The extra funding will enable growth in new regions, further driving support for supported games in numerous markets through live events.

As one of the oldest esports partnerships, it's clear to see why the extension was announced — the partnership brings in serious numbers and revenue. Just as one game seemingly has its esports foundations bulldozed, Intel and ESL move forward in planning for the years to come.

Upcoming live events

• Fortnite DreamHack Sevilla 2018 - December 14 - 16, watch on Twitch.

Cloud9 was rewarded this week with two awards at the Video Game Awards 2018, Wizards of the Coast announced a new esports tournament program for Magic, and the four largest esports events this year garnered 190.1 million viewing hours. Viewership overall is on the rise, but not all events are sharing an equal slice of the pie.

According to Newzoo, the four-largest Western esports events generated 190.1 million hours of live viewership on both Twitch and YouTube Gaming. While that's an impressive number and up around seven percent on 2017, not all events are growing on paper, including League of Legends Worlds, which saw its numbers fall from 86 million in 2017 to just 81 million hours in 2018.

It's not all bad news for League of Legends as the Worlds event this year was structured differently — the quarter-finals taking part on just two days, not four — and actual figures were up per-viewer.

Magic esports

Wizards of the Coast announced a new esports tournament for Magic, working off the already popular Magic: The Gathering scene. The new scene would bring together paper Magic gameplay and the digital card collectible game. What's more is Wizards plans to host a $1 million tournament, the first in a new series of Mythic Championships.

Blizzard's Hearthstone has felt a little lonely in the card collectible esports scene, being the only major player, but now Wizards has an answer with a huge following. As reported by Venture Beat, the Magic Pro League will host 32 top-ranked players from the game with contracts worth $75,000 each.

Weekly matches will take place, and competitors will utilize the new Direct Challenge feature in Arena, broadcasted on Twitch. Premier events will take place with larger prize pools and big audiences, the first being the $1 million invitational at PAX East in Boston on March 28.

Cloud9 crowned at VGA 2018

Cloud9 is one of the most renown names in the esports scene, and the organization was rewarded with a few awards at the Video Game Awards 2018. Not only did Cloud9 receive best esports team for the League of Legends roster, but also the best esports moment for CS:GO. Both squads had stellar seasons this year with the LoL team reaching the semi-finals at Worlds 2018.

Upcoming events

• Capcom Cup 2018 - December 14 - 16, watch on Twitch.

Razer is working its way into the esports industry by becoming the official medal partner for the upcoming Southeast Asia Games 2019 tournament, which will see professional gamers take part alongside athletes.

Razer sponsors esports at SEA

The Southeast Asian Games 2019 has signed a new esports partner, Razer. Co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan has been pushing esports as a recognized medal event at the upcoming SEA Games 2019 and scoring a deal to become the official esports partner showcases just how much support is being thrown behind the scene.

As the official esports partner, Razer will facilitate discussions between various game publishers and organizers for games to be featured at the tournament. The finalized line-up of games will be announced in the coming months, though we imagine the top performing esport titles will be added.

Check out Razer's website for further details.

Upcoming live events

• Rocket League ELEAGUE Cup - November 30 - December 2, watch on Twitch.

Riot Games announced the rebranding of the EU LCS and FIFA announced a further three teams added to the mix for the 2019 eMLS season.

Riot Games rebrands the European LCS

The esports side of League of Legends continues to make grounds and surprise viewers with skyrocketing quality in production with each passing year, and as we prepare for the 2019 season, Riot Games announced the rebranding of the League of Legends Championship Series (EU LCS). It'll now be called the League of Legends European Championship (LEC).

The LEC will kickstart on January 18 with a total of 10 organizations:

• Fnatic
• FC Schalke 04
• G2 Esports
• Misfits Gaming
• Vitality
• Splyce
• exceL Esports
• Rogue
• SK Gaming
• Origen

Even though the official name has been altered, it'll still be a fierce rivalry between North America (NA) and Europe (EU).

More teams join the eMLS

FIFA's esport league in North America, Major League Soccer, is laying down foundations ahead of expansion. The league has scored a deal with EA Sports to move into the 2019 season with three new teams: Atlanta United, D.C. United, and FC Cincinnati. All three teams will compete in the eMLS cup and League Series events, as reported by Engadget.

As well as the familiar eMLS cup, the new League Series will be hosted by the LA Galaxy in January and FC Dallas in February. All players from the 22 eMLS teams will participate with a chance to win at both events. It's an important part of the scene as the League Series will also determine seeding for the 2019 eMLS Cup.

Upcoming live events

• Supernova CS:GO - November 29 - December 2, watch on Twitch.
• DreamHack Windows 2018 - November 30 - December 1, watch on Twitch.

There are times when you come across someone doing deeds for someone else, but this week saw a leading Injustice 2 esports player do something truly special. On-the-other-hand, Toronto-based esports team for Overwatch pulls out due to branding issues, and we wrap up the Rocket League Championship with Cloud9 taking the trophy home.

Good guy SonicFox

Dominique "SonicFox" McLean won the largest Injustice 2 tournament this year, but even though the headline is of the incredibly talented player taking the title once again, it was his donation of $10,000 of the $100,000 earnings from the prize pool to his opponent, Curtis "Rewind" McCall.

As reported by Kotaku, during the post-finale interview, McLean decided to bring up McCall's father, who was diagnosed with stage three cancer. To offer some form of support, McLean said he would donate $10,000 of his winnings to McCall's family, stating he doesn't participate solely for the money.

Now that is true sportsmanship.

Toronto Esports pulls out of Overwatch

Toronto Esports announced the organization will be pulling out of Overwatch after Blizzard informed the company it would have to re-brand to continue competing. The reason behind the request is down to Toronto Defiant having exclusive rights to the Toronto name within Blizzard Overwatch leagues and tournaments.

In the announcement, Toronto Esports stated "good riddance" on leaving the Overwatch League, which was met with some degree of criticism.

It may have been a better route for the organization to rebrand in an attempt to maintain a position and not lose its identity, all whilst protesting against Blizzard's decision. Would be interesting if the Premier League did the same to Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs, both based in Manchester, UK.

Cloud9 takes home RLCS trophy

This year has had some of the best Rocket League gameplay we've seen so far and thousands of viewers tuned into the Rocket League Championship final between Cloud9 and Dignitas. Mariano "SquishyMuffinz" Arruda, Jesus "Gimmick" Parra, and Kyle "Torment" Storer scored countless stunners and performed some insane mid-air acrobatics as they took down Dignitas.

Incredible performance on both fronts. Cloud9 took home $200,000 in prize money.

Upcoming live events

• World of Warcraft Arena World Championship Finals - October 29, watch on Twitch.

UEFA announced a new esports Champions League for players to compete against one another to represent their favorite clubs at a final in Madrid; Harrisburg University launched a new esports training facility for its teams and students; and more happened this week in esports.

UEFA eChampions League

The new esports ePremiere League for professional football clubs in the UK will be kicking off next year, but the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has teamed up with FIFA to also give players the opportunity to represent their own clubs. The new tournament will see a final held in Madrid on May 31 next year, a day ahead of the Champions League final.

According to a BBC report, online knockout tournaments will take place in March with a total of 64 players progressing to a qualifying event held live in April. Eight players who play through the live qualifiers will represent their clubs at the final in Madrid. The total prize pool available is $280,000 and it's open to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners.

Peek inside an esports training facility

Harrisburg University in Pennsylvania, U.S., unveiled a new training facility dedicated to esports development. PennLive journeyed on campus to take a look at the new facility. The university already has three esports teams, which will share the newly developed space with students.

The facility houses 30 HP Omen PCs, 17 monitors, gaming chairs, high-speed internet, as well as space for coaches and squads to discuss tactics. It's yet another sign of universities around the world taking esports seriously, offering ways for students to look at career paths within the scene, be it on stage, in front of the camera or behind the scenes.

In other news, New England College in Henniker, U.S. is considering the creation of an esports team.

Upcoming live events

• League of Legends Scouting Grounds - November 14 - 16, watch live on Twitch.

PUBG is gearing up for the Europe League LAN qualifiers, British parliament is considering the potential of esports, and the League of Legends Worlds 2018 final happened. Here's all you need to know from this week in esports.

China is #1

Chinese Invictus Gaming beat down Europe's Fnatic in the League of Legends Worlds 2018 final. It was a best of five, which resulted in a 3-0 victory for the Eastern squad. While many have moaned about the performance of Fnatic in the final, it must be said that the West did well this year to knock out Korea and make it to the grand final.

What makes this win for IG even more surreal is the team is actually the second seed from the China LPL. Royal Never Give Up was the first seed, but lost out to G2 Esports. Many viewers wanted to see a close five games, but in reality, the Chinese players stomped their European counterparts in each of the three matches.

There's always next year.

PUBG Europe League LAN-qualifier teams announced

The Kiev Cybersport Arena will host 17 winners of the open qualifiers, as well as 15 invited organizations in a tournament for 10 spots at the PUBG Europe League and 6 positions at the Contenders League. These games will be held between December 10 and 16.

Here's the full list of teams that will be participating:

• Alliance.
• Avangar.
• Besiktas.
• G2 Esports.
• Galatasaray.
• M19.
• Method.
• MOONWOLF.
• o1ne.
• Oyun Hizmetleri eSports Club.
• Penta Sports.
• Quantum Bellator Fire.
• Team Reciprocity.
• Team SoloMid.
• TORNADO ENERGY BATTLE.

Registrations are open should you wish to get involved in the open qualifiers.

Esports heads to the British Parliament

UK games industry trade body Ukie held the very first esports parliamentary event on October 29. In partnership with Intel, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Video Games discussed the potential of esports in the UK. Riot Games — developer of League of Legends — has previously held events in the country and Mo Fadl from the company joined the discussions.

The event housed various professionals, including Michael O'Dell from Team Dignitas, professional gamers, business owners and industry executives. The goal was to allow MPs to better understand the scale of esports, as well as offer the opportunity to network with personnel involved in the scene.

How this will affect esports in the UK is unknown at this point, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a push from within government and in the public domain, especially with Brexit just around the corner.

Upcoming live events

• Red Bull London Sphere Free For All - November 07, find out more info.

There's no shortage of funds in esports and yet organizations and group owners are finding new ways to draw not only interest but further capital. Artist Drake and NBA professional Michael Jordan are the latest celebrities to invest in esports. League of Legends 2018 is also well underway with the quarterfinals proving to be action-packed.

Europe pushes NA out of Worlds 2018

G2 went into the semifinal playoff against Invictus Gaming as the underdogs and the comfortable 3 - 0 victory for the Chinese squad only cemented that fact. While G2 attempted to switch things up and make plays happen, the European second seed just couldn't break through the IG onslaught.

While one European team was booted out in the semifinals, another succeeded. FNATIC had Cloud9 to contend with, the last remaining hope for North America, but even the veterans in the C9 squad couldn't hold back FNATIC with a decisive 3 - 0 victory.

FNATIC take on Invictus Gaming on November 3.

NBA athlete Michael Jordan invests in Team Liquid

Michael Jordan has made the switch from being an NBA athlete to an investor in esports, pouring in money to Team Liquid group owner aXiomatic. Jordan was joined by Declaration Capital to raise funds, allowing the group to further bolster its support in the esports industry.

The industry is set to continue expanding, drawing in more traditional sports faces as franchises are valued way above the original cost, like in League of Legends.

Caught in the act

What's worse than cheating in a video game? Cheating on stage in a $100,000 prize tournament, which results in getting your team both banned and dissolved in the aftermath. That's exactly what occurred during eXTREAMESLAND Zowie Asia CS:GO 2018 where Nikhil "forsaken" Kumawat of OpTic India was caught using a hack by administrators.

Organizers supplied the recorded clip on social media, showing the admin checking the player's PC and even attempting to restrain him. It's amazing how a sole individual can ruin the potential of an entire squad. Talking to AFK Gaming, Kumawat stated he wishes he could go back to the first day he played CS:GO and uninstall the game.

Drake becomes part of 100 Thieves

Initially founded by former Call of Duty professional gamer Matthew "Nadeshot" Haag, 100 Thieves managed to attract Drake and Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun as investors. The pair will join the company on its board and act as advisors for expanding the apparel line and forming a larger content team.

According to the Forbes report, 100 Thieves raised more than $25 million. 100 Thieves is in a strong position, largely due to Haag's vision for the company from creation, focusing on content and merchandise and a strong relationship with fans.

Upcoming live events

• League of Legends Worlds Grand Final - November 3, watch on Twitch.