Gears 5 becomes an eSport: two million dollars for the first season

Gears-5 developer The Coalition will join forces with PGL to host a series of tournaments for the new blockbuster. The shooter, which celebrated its worldwide release on September 10th, is expected to distribute a prize pool of more than $2 million to participants for the 2019/20 season.

In total, there will be three major Open Tournaments in the first Gears 5 season. Two of the venues are already known. From 6th to December 8th 2019, the San Diego Open will make a start. Afterwards, the next event will take place in Mexico City in March of next year. The venue of the third tournament in May is not yet known.

The season is expected to culminate with a World Cup in July 2020. The best teams from the five regions will qualify to make up the lion’s share of the prize pool. In addition to North, Central and South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific will also be listed as individual regions.

Anyone can qualify

As the term “Open Tournament” implies, anyone can participate in the tournaments. The best teams from each region will be invited to the majors – travel expenses included. In North America, Europe and Central America a Pro League is planned.

In addition to the Pro League prize money, participants will automatically be invited to the majors. The first professional teams have already been formed. Among other things, the former Pro-Roster of OpTic Gaming of NRG Esports was taken under contract.

There will also be additional incentives for amateurs to play the game competitively. In addition to the chance to qualify for the Pro League, there will also be weekly online tournaments with smaller prize money.

Gears 5 as eSport

The latest offshoot of the Gears-of-Wars franchise is played competitively in Escalation Mode. Two teams with five players each fight for three control points. The teams receive one point per second for each control point. If they reach one 250 points, they win the game. If a team holds all three points at the same time, it wins the game directly.

Also, there is only a limited number of respawns per round that players must skillfully use. Further tactical depth is added to the game by the spell and upgrading of weapons.

The game series is considered the founder of the competitive cover shooter. This is why Gears 5 plays very differently in eSports than other shooter genres such as Counter-Strike or Overwatch. Tactical advance, the regeneration of life energy and a broad arsenal of weapons are trademarks of the Gears series.