New Pro League is an Unprecedented Advancement in eSports, Featuring the
World?s Top League of Legends Players, Salaried Pro Teams, and 100% Free, HD
Broadcasts
Los Angeles, CA - Aug. 6, 2012 - Riot Games, the company behind the
most-played PC game in the world, League of Legends, today shared its vision for
the future of eSports. Beginning in early 2013, the best players on the planet
will compete in the League of Legends Championship Series ? a new professional
gaming league with teams from North America, Europe and Asia, multiple regular
season matches each week, and HD streaming broadcasts available globally for
free.
"Talking to players around the world, they repeatedly asked if we could kick
League of Legends eSports into higher gear," said Brandon Beck, co-founder and
CEO of Riot Games. "The new League of Legends Championship Series is our answer.
Millions of fans tune in every time we support a major League of Legends
tournament, so we're broadening that support in an unprecedented way."
League of Legends Championship Series key facts:
- Global Operations: The top eight teams from both North America and
Europe, plus top teams from Asia, will compete for regional and global
dominance.
- Millions of Dollars on the Line: Salaries, prize pools and other
compensation for Championship Series teams will ensure League of Legends is
a sustainable career choice for professional players.
- Regular Season and Playoffs: eSports fans will get to see teams battling
in the traditional format of organized sports ? a regular season with
several matches per week, culminating in regional playoffs and a World
Championship, which will crown the world?s best League of Legends team.
- Free, HD broadcast events: League of Legends fans will watch
Championship Series matches live online with HD broadcast streaming that is
always 100% free.
The upcoming Season Two North American and European Regional competitions
have momentous consequences for next season?s Championship Series: the top three
teams from each region will pre-qualify for the league. The Regionals are:
While the Championship Series will represent the absolute highest level of
competitive play in League of Legends Season 3, the competition will also be
fierce in the Challenger Circuit, which consists of events hosted by Intel
Extreme Masters, Major League Gaming, and the IGN Pro League. "IEM, MLG and IPL
are invaluable partners, and we?ll continue to work closely with each of them in
Season 3 as they foster the next generation of League of Legends competitors,"
said Dustin Beck, vice president of eSports at Riot Games.
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena where teams of players
compete for dominance, selecting from a growing cast of more than 100 uniquely
powerful champions.
About Riot Games
Riot Games was established in 2006 by entrepreneurial gamers who believe that
player-focused game development can result in great games. In 2009, Riot
released its debut title League of Legends to critical and player acclaim. Over
11 million play every month. Players form the foundation of our community and
it?s for them that we continue to evolve and improve the League of Legends
experience. |
