Home Gaming Get ready for the eSports World Championships at BlizzCon 2016

Get ready for the eSports World Championships at BlizzCon 2016

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Each year fans of Blizzard eSports titles flock to BlizzCon to witness the culmination of all Blizzard Championship titles. Starcraft II, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm and World of Warcraft Arena will all feature at this year’s BlizzCon and it plans to be the biggest one yet. Last year Blizzard announced a new format which included a Championship series in all their titles with higher stakes and bigger prize pools. Pro gamers who have been participating in the succeeding tournaments will arrive at BlizzCon more than prepared to fight for the title, or defend it. It’s important to note where we are currently with the Championship series in each respective title, and this is all the info you need.

Starcraft II

As mentioned above, the stakes have been raised. The Global Starcraft II finals will include a $500,000 prize pool, one of the highest in Starcraft history. Last year Korean Protoss player Kim “sOs” Yoo Jin grabbed the title in a grueling 4-3 finish. The teams have been participating in the WCS Circuit which acts as a qualification process as the tournament makes it’s way around the world. Each split includes its own prize pool and earns the winners a spot at the World Championship at BlizzCon.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is bigger than ever. The latest expansion, Whispers of the Old Gods, brought about a new Standard format. Players have been competing in a tournament around the world which will eventually put forth Four players from Europe, America, China, and Asia-Pacific. The 16 players will compete for their share of $1 million.

Like other Blizzard titles, Hearthstone has been on a round the world trip with the Regional Winter Championships having just ended. There is still a number of tournaments which will take place prior to BlizzCon including the Spring and Summer Championships and the Last Call invitational.

Heroes of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm is one of the newer titles to come from Blizzard. The inaugural competition saw North American team Cloud9 take the first ever win. The HoTS Circuit has consisted of the Spring, Summer and Fall Championships, with the latter forming as part of the final Championship in taking place at BlizzCon. Since then Cloud9 have fallen from their top position, and many critics feel they will not be a contender for the upcoming title. The 12 team taking part will be competing for a $1 million prize pool, one of the biggest in the competition’s short history.

World of Warcraft Arena

No, WoW is not dead. In fact, BlizzCon may mark the initial stages for the release of Legion, the latest expansion for the World of Warcraft series. Legion places a heavy influence on PvP, introducing an almost complete makeover of the ranking process. Similarly to other Blizzard titles, WoW Arena players will pack their bags for the Road to BlizzCon, which will culminate in the World Championships at BlizzCon. Teams from Europe, Americas, China, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand will look to grab their share of $250,000. Last year saw an all-European final between SK Gaming and Skill Capped, with SK coming out on top.

BlizzCon is one of the most anticipated gaming events on the calendar, and it’s no doubt that this year will be bigger than ever in terms of Blizzard eSpots as prize pools are higher than ever. There’s no word yet on whether Blizzard will announce an Overwatch show match tournament as the game prepares itself for launch in June this year.

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Last Updated: April 7, 2016

2 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief in New York

    April 7, 2016 at 15:39

    What, no Overwatch?

    😛

    Reply

  2. HairyEwok

    April 7, 2016 at 15:56

    Actually went on Blizzard career page earlier to check something out. Saw they have a heap of job openings on the eSports side.

    Reply

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