So earlier this week I was invited to cover the MLG (Major League Gaming) Pro Circuit Tournament in Anaheim this weekend. Where the Top Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Halo: Reach players will be competiting for $2 Million+ in Cash/Prizes.
Who am I to say no to some Starcraft action? lol We were only able to stop in for Day 2 of 3 for the competition, but we were able to see some really great matchups.
So those who are unfamiliar with MLG, it is one of the world's largest gaming tournaments that tours the US, this is their 3rd stop in a 6 city tour. And if you're a huge Starcraft 2 fan like myself, you'll know some of the best players in the world was present.. Huk, MMA, Choya, Boxer, the entire Liquid Team and the Slayer Team from Korea.. wow.
Here is a short video on what the Tournament is about, and the kick off to the weekend introducing all the events to look for this weekend.
So the layout of the event is pretty much gamer overload, the room is divided into 3 sections.. the far right of the hall is ALL Call of Duty Black Ops. The middle of the hall is ALL Starcraft 2 and to the left is Halo: Reach.
It was clear to say, the majority of the crowd was there to see Starcraft 2.
Just so you can see a scale of how huge this tournament was.. here is a short panoramic view of the entire hall from right to left (Call of Duty > Starcraft 2 > Halo:Reach) so at any given moment, there could be some huge roar of the crowd from any of the games.. usually from Starcraft LOL
This was one of the highlights from yesterday's Starcraft 2 Events.. Team Liquid Jinro vs Choya.. in the first game of their series what looks to be an in control Choyo (Protoss) gets pwned by a defensive nuke taking out ALL of his back line including his Clossi, in a stunning upset for game 1.. but lets after that game it was pretty much downhill for Jinro, Choya took control of the match and took down one of the crowd favorites.
(above) The Starcraft 2 Main stage each player is in their own booths, away from the crowd, and the commentary for the audience.. as well as distractions from the audience.
(below) This is the open bracket section, each game had their respective section for it, this is where players not playing on the Main Feature stage play and advance through the tournament. This is the Halo: Reach Open Bracket.
Starcraft 2 Open Brackets powered by Alienware.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Main Stage
Standing room only for the Starcraft 2 Main stage.
At the Playstation 3 booth they had Resistance 3 demos and 3D Mortal Kombat Demos with a Resistance 3 Playstation Move Demo as well..
For more coverage and for Day 3's LIVE STREAM go to www.majorleaguegaming.com and watch all the live action from all the games in real time! Coverage starts at 10am.
For more pictures from the event check out my gallery: MLG 2011 Anaheim Gallery
