- Schools to compete for eSports scholarship funds
- College eSports becoming the development leagues for pro eSports
- UMG to stream Overwatch competition on Twitch
MIAMI – Torque eSports Corp.’s eSports tournament and broadcast operations group, UMG Media Ltd. has signed an official contract with Activision Blizzard to host an eight-week Overwatch Collegiate Series.
The series will be titled the UMG Overwatch Collegiate Clash with a planned start for late March 2020.
The schools taking part in the series will compete for $40,000 in total prize money – all to be given as scholarships to further eSports at each of the winning schools.
Hundreds of colleges around the nation now field a competitive Overwatch team. Each week, UMG will bring in eight of those teams to compete. The eight-week series will culminate with a final winner’s round.
This is the next step in Torque and UMG’s mission to support and grow the eSports space and help create a clear path to professional competition for these players currently on collegiate teams.
“eSports observers have highlighted colleges in the USA as a big opportunity for publishers and brands alike and Torque will use this huge opportunity with Overwatch to prove the value to all parties,” Torque eSports President and CEO, Darren Cox said.
“Like stick and ball sports, college competition is becoming the development league where young eSports stars of the future are honing their skills and preparing to become professional gamers. It is a clear step to the “big leagues.”
“The UMG acquisition was an important step in Torques’ growth strategy. Already we are seeing this being rewarded with deals like this, and the previously announced Microsoft Gears of War tournament.
“Within the group we will be able to measure the success through our in-house data group at Stream Hatchet – once again showing our ability to deliver a full service to our partners.”
Launched in May, 2016, Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer combat game available on the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, PC and the Nintendo Switch portable platform.
UMG is the leading platform for online tournament play and eSports entertainment events. The platform has generated more than 20 million views and has paid out more than US$3 million in prize money.
The Overwatch Collegiate Series will be streamed at Twitch.tv/UMGGaming.
Related: A New Era Dawns for Blizzard Entertainment’s Team-Based Shooter with OVERWATCH 2
I have always enjoyed playing video games and am a programming team lead for a video game company. I co-founded Gaming Cypher because I enjoy the gaming community and would like to provide the best news service around. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will make sure to get back to you quickly.
More Stories
18 Teams Ready for Battle this Week at Esports World Cup: Free Fire
PUBG MOBILE eSports Announces PUBG MOBILE World Cup in Saudi Arabia
UMA Wins Capcom Cup X and Takes Home $1 Million Grand Prize