[MLG] Format Changes at the Summer Championship - Page 17

MLG Returns to Raleigh, with money

After two successful years, it seems Major League Gaming is ready to become a fall fixture in Raleigh. Starting Friday, Aug. 24 and running throughout the weekend, MLG will be back for round three in Raleigh.

Another year means another chance for the event to impress and entertain fans of e-sports, while also showing the city the growing legitimacy of the professional video game circuit.

In the pursuit of this goal, MLG has taken steps to provide new content and incentives for fans from all around the state to come out. In particular, MLG has made the round held in Raleigh one of its most important competitions of the year.
“It’s a big deal for us to come back to Raleigh,” Katie Goldberg, the vice president of communications for MLG, said. “There are only four championships this year, and we chose to have the summer season end in Raleigh.”

One of the most important factors in that decision was the heavy local traffic that the Raleigh events have seen in the past. While MLG events frequently pull in visitors from out-of-state, the number of nearby universities and the strength of the local video game industry have helped increase local awareness of the event.

The out-of-state business, meanwhile, is a boon to the city, which is why Raleigh has continued to work with MLG to provide hotel and restaurant connections for visitors.

“The current estimate is that there will be a $2 million direct impact to the Raleigh economy just based on the event and various sales,” Goldberg said.

To achieve that estimate, MLG is providing new events and features to fill the weekend for fans and bring back those who have visited MLG Raleigh in the past.

Those who attend this year will be able to view the action on four different stages, up from last year’s three. One stage will be dedicated to fighting games like Mortal Kombat and SoulCalibur V. Another will feature the popular battle arena game League of Legends, which has grown in popularity since its debut as an official game last year.

StarCraft II, in keeping with its status as one of the world’s most well-known competitive video games, rounds out the competition lineup. Two stages will be dedicated to the game, with competitors on the main stage once again playing in soundproof booths. League of Legends players will also be playing in the booths, allowing for maximum concentration.
Beyond the competitive games, the convention floor will remain a place for attendees to soak in a bit of news about the future of gaming, as well as more than a few items of sponsored swag.

“There will be tons of both events and sponsors around the center,” Goldberg said. “The PlayStation booth will be offering demos of upcoming games for attendees to try. There will also be new products from MLG to try out and buy, including game controllers and equipment.”

For those who may be unable to attend the event, MLG continues to provide full streaming of major matches on its website. The enormous undertaking requires a team constantly working throughout the weekend, but the streaming service has bolstered the popularity of Major League Gaming by allowing fans to stay up on how their favorite teams are doing.

MLG remains an event very much for the hardcore gamer, but the spirit and grandeur of the event will be familiar to anyone who’s been to a major sports game. Though it’s far from a mainstream event, MLG Raleigh is quickly becoming an important event for the city, which has continued to welcome the competition back each year.
With plans to make 2012 the biggest year yet for MLG, the hope is to draw in and entertain everyone from the seasoned fan to the curious newcomer this weekend.