The Most Exciting PC Gaming Tournaments – Uncovering Global eSport Thrills.
The world of competitive gaming is continuing to grow at an incredible rate, with PC gaming at the centrepiece. Reports from eSport market analytics Newzoo indicate the industry is rapidly approaching $1 billion in revenue, and with rapid growth and ever increasing prize pools, people around the world are disconnecting from their consoles in favor of serious competitive PC gaming tournaments.
While console tournaments such as The Call of Duty World League and Fortnite World Cup offer some incredible prize pools, they pale in comparison to the global scale of all encompassing PC gaming tournaments. With the majority of major tournaments taking place around the world and broadcasting globally, PC gaming tournaments are more accessible than ever, providing an incredible bridge of entertainment between millions of passionate gamers.
What is PC gaming?
PC gaming has been around since the 1970s, and is the term used to describe the practice of using a computer for playing games. Unlike console gaming, PC gaming often requires higher processing power, greater graphic capabilities, and a more compact form factor. Initially seen as a complex niche market requiring specialized hardware and software, PC gaming has since evolved to become one of the most popular gaming categories in the world.
Advantages of PC
There are several advantages associated with PC gaming. accessibility and scalability, for example, are two factors which make PC gaming more enjoyable than console gaming for many players.
One of the main advantages of PC gaming is its scalability, making it easily adaptable to a variety of hardware configurations. The scalability of PC means that a user can tailor their gaming setup to their budget and preferences, making the experience more personal. Furthermore, the availability of a wide range of powerful gaming accessories, such as controllers and headsets, add to the advantages of PC gaming.
Another advantage of PC gaming is that players have access to a larger collection of games than console gamers. While a console may house a few hundred titles, a PC can be home to hundreds of compatible games and applications.
Best PC gaming tournaments
With the popularity of PC gaming on the rise, some of the biggest tournaments in the world are now of the PC gaming variety. With high prize pools and extensive global viewership, PC gaming tournaments are some of the most exciting gaming events in the world. Here’s a look at some of the biggest PC gaming tournaments you can find:
The ESL Pro League
Boasting a hefty prize pool of $2.2 million, the ESL Pro League is one of the most prestigious first-person shooters in the world. It is the longest running competitive eSports league in the world, having been around since its inaugural season was held in 2015. The tournament is a part of the Intel Grand Slam circuit and takes place twice a year in North America and Europe.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Major Championships
The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive major championships are the definitive tournaments for professional CS:GO players. The tournaments are run by Valve and ever since the first event was held in 2013, they have become the unofficial world championships for the game, boasting prize pools ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. The tournament is split into four stages—the Challengers Stage, Legends Stage, Champions Stage, and Finals.
League of Legends World Championships
The League of Legends World Championship is the definitive tournament for the popular MOBA. The tournament is the world’s largest eSports event and has been the focus of a great deal of investment from Riot Games, the title’s publisher. The tournament is held annually and consists of teams from all over the world. The most recent world championship in 2017 had a prize pool of $4.9 million.
Overwatch World Cup
One of the most exciting PC gaming tournaments is the Overwatch World Cup. The international event is hosted by Blizzard and sees teams from various countries battling it out in the eponymous game. The tournament has steadily increased in popularity ever since its inaugural year in 2016 and features a whopping prize pool of $3 million.
Dota 2 International
The International is the ultimate tournament in the world of Dota 2. It has the distinction of having the largest prize pool in the history of eSports. The International has seen its prize pool grow dramatically since it was first held in 2011 and the most recent tournament in 2019 boasted a prize pool of nearly $34 million.
ESL One
ESL One is the Professional eSports league’s tournament series for Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The tournaments are held in some of the most iconic venues across the world, such as the iconic Wembley Stadium in London in 2019. The most recent event in Cologne, Germany in 2019 featured a prize pool of $1 million.
Epic Games Unveils Fortnite World Cup
In 2018, Epic Games unveiled the inaugural Fortnite World Cup. The tournament smashed eSports records, becoming the first to host over 20 million players and awarding the biggest ever prize pool of $30 million. The tournament was split into multiple stages and featured a host of notable players such as runner up Turner “Tfue” Tenney and winner Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf.
Concluding thoughts
PC gaming tournaments offer an incredible level of entertainment and competition for both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. With larger prize pools, larger audience pools and more media outlets hosting dedicated tournaments, PC gaming tournaments are sure to become even more popular in the years to come. So if you’re looking for a way to get involved in competitive gaming, look no further than these incredible PC gaming events.
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