Major League Gaming

Major League Gaming
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2014 MLG Pro Circuit
Sport Electronic sports
Founded 2002
Owner(s) Sundance DiGiovanni
Mike Sepso
CEO John Nelson
Countries United States[1]
Canada[2]
Most recent champion(s) MLG Dallas 2012[3]
Halo 4:
4v4: Warriors
League of Legends:
5v5: Azubu Blaze
StarCraft II:
1v1: StarTale.Life
Mortal Kombat:
1v1: REO
Tekken:
1v1: ken11
MLG X Games 2014
Call of Duty: Ghosts:
4v4: OpTic Gaming
Most titles Team:
Final Boss: 4 (2004-05, 07, 10)[4]
Individual:
Tom Ryan: 35 (2005-12)[5]
Official website MLG Website

Major League Gaming (MLG), is a North American professional Electronic sports organization, headquartered in New York City, New York that was founded in 2002[6] by Sundance DiGiovanni[7] and Mike Sepso.[8][9] MLG has held official video game tournaments throughout the United States and Canada. Major League Gaming competitions have been broadcast on television,[9][10] ESPN.com,[11] and other broadband sites.[12] The company has also been involved in television production,[9] and game development.[13] MLG's aim is to elevate computer and console game tournaments to viable competitive and spectator events.[10] Major League Gaming acquired Agora Games on August 18, 2009.[13][14] On 18 November 2013, MLG announced that they would be launching their premium mlg.tv streaming service.[15]

Pro Circuit

The MLG Pro Circuit roster currently includes Starcraft II and League of Legends for the PC. Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur V, and King of Fighters XIII for the PlayStation 3, and Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Nintendo Gamecube are the only console games.[16] Starcraft II is currently commentated by DJ Wheat, Day 9, Rob Simpson, Tasteless, Artosis, JP, dApollo, and TotalBiscuit, with other personalities coming on time to time.[17] Fighting games are commentated by Juicebox Abel, Tom Brady, and Bibulus.[18] No League of Legends casters have been announced yet.

Major League Gaming also hosts a series of online qualifier ladders for the online-only pro circuit titles leading to the national championship. In the past, MLG hosted Super Smash Bros Melee tournaments during the 2006 MLG Circuit and other games such as Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Tekken 5, Gears of War, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, Shadowrun, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War 2.

Each team/player must purchase a team pass to compete. These passes normally go on sale several weeks in advance of the next Pro Circuit event. Passes are limited, so participants are encouraged to purchase a pass as soon as they go on sale.[19]

History

In 2006, MLG became the first televised console gaming league in the United States, with their Halo 2 Pro Series being broadcast by USA Network.[20]

In February 2009, it was announced that MLG got $10 Million in financing from Ritchie Capital Management.[21] On February 6, 2009, MLG Commissioner John Nelson addressed the MLG community about changing the format for the 2009 pro circuit. Semi-pro teams now have the opportunity to gain pro status. The rolling rank points system and the championship bracket were also modified.[22]

In March 2010, it was announced that fighting games would return to the pro circuit, with Tekken 6 exclusively on the PlayStation 3, and the return of the Smash competition with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These two games appeared in the season opener in Orlando, along with the league's flagship, Halo 3, which entered its third season with the league. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 made its debut on the Online Pro Circuit on MLG's GameBattles website for PlayStation 3. Originally, the game was on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Due to excessive hacking on the Xbox 360 console via JTAG hacks, it was stripped of its "Pro Circuit" branding. Prize payouts remain the same on both consoles. PlayStation 3 players are eligible to accumulate Pro Points. Those who have enough Pro Points at the end of the 3rd season of the Online Pro Circuit are eligible to compete live at the MLG Nationals held in Dallas. Those competing on the Xbox 360 do not earn pro points and will have championships held online.[23] On July 30, 2010, it was announced that StarCraft II was to be added to the Pro Circuit. It made its official debut at MLG Raleigh.[24]

The 2011 Circuit featured four titles: Halo: Reach, Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and the mid-season addition of League of Legends.[25] Also returning, something that the MLG Pro Circuit hasn't seen since the 2005, is Pool Play. The top 16 teams were seeded in 4 pools of 5 teams, where the 5th team would play an undefeated amateur team. The team with the best record throughout pool play advanced to the winner's bracket semi-finals, securing themselves a Top 6 finish.

The 2012 MLG competitions saw many title changes in the Pro Circuit. Starcraft II was brought on as the league's main title. Fighting games for the PS3 and League of Legends were announced as additional titles. Halo: Reach is no longer on the Pro Circuit, nor is Call of Duty: Black Ops. Call of Duty was dropped from the circuit due to the lack of funding MLG received from PlayStation to put the title on the circuit. The 2012 tournament format has also drastically changed, with the introduction of seasonal events. The new format features 4 quarterly seasons; within each season are 2 Arenas and a Championship. The Championship features all Pro Circuit titles, and has a free SD broadcast option. The Arenas are PPV events and for now only feature Starcraft II, and are broadcast in HD from MLG's Studio in New York. [26]

Also in 2012 came many new partnerships for MLG. So far, MLG has partnered with CBSi to increase its broadcast capabilities and to integrate with CBSi's website, GameSpot.com. This new partnership hopes to increase exposure of MLG to a larger more casual audience.[27]

During 2012, MLG has also partnered with KeSPA (Korean eSports Association) in a multi-year agreement. This agreement allows MLG exclusive access to KeSPA's Starcraft: Brood War players. The partnership will see KeSPA Brood War pros come to the US to compete in MLG events throughout the year. The participants will not be allowed to compete at any other foreign tournaments without MLG's approval. The deal took effect in June, when KeSPA Brood War pros participated in an exhibition event at MLG Anaheim.[28]

Beginning on November 2, 2012, with the commencement of the MLG Fall Championship in Dallas, Texas, Halo was reintroduced to the pro circuit. Halo 4, which was publicly released on November 6, was one of the five games scheduled for competitive play at MLG Dallas.[29]

In January 2013, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 was introduced into the pro circuit.[30]

On 14 August 2013, Call of Duty: Ghosts was announced to be MLG's featured First-person shooter game for the MLG Columbus and 2014 season events. Through 8–10 June 2014 MLG hosted a tournament at the X Games for Call of Duty: Ghosts with the eventual winners being OpTic Gaming including fan favorites Matt "Nadeshot" Haag and Seth "scrumpi" Abner.

In April 2014 MLG announced that it partnering with Lai Fung Holdings Limited (Lai Fung) and eSun Holdings Limited in building the MLG Arena on Hengqin Island in China, near Macau.[31] The arena, which is scheduled to be completed in 2017, is part of the "Creative Culture City" development planned on Hengqin.

In October 2014 MLG opened the 14,000 square feet (1,300 m2) MLG.tv Arena in Columbus, Ohio.[32] It is located near the Easton Town Center.[33] The first event held at the arena was the Season 3 Call of Duty playoffs.[32]

List of National Championships

This is a list of MLG national championships, including results from 2004 to the present.[34]

2004 - New York City

2004 4th
Halo: Combat Evolved 4v4 United States Team Domination United States Filthy Jackalopes United States Business Decision United States The Dream Team
Halo: Combat Evolved 2v2 United States Walshy/Ogre 1 United States Tupac/KillerN United States Tsquared/Eleven United States Saiyan/Ogre 2
Halo: Combat Evolved FFA United States Zyos United States OGRE 2 United States Walshy United States
Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 United States Ken United States Isai Japan Captain Jack
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 United States Ken/Isai United States Azen/Wes United States KishPrime/KishSquared United States Eddie/Manacloud

2005 - New York City

2005 4th
Halo 2 4v4 United States Team 3D United States Team Phreaks United States Str8 Rippin United States XiT Woundz
Halo 2 FFA United States Karma United States Strongside United States OGRE 1 United States Walshy
Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 United States Ken United States ChuDat United States PC Chris United States Isai
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 United States Ken/Isai United States Azen/Chillin United States ChuDat/Manacloud United States KishPrime/KishSquared

2006 - Las Vegas

2006 4th
Halo 2 4v4 United States Carbon United States Final Boss United States Str8 Rippin United States Legendz
Halo 2 FFA United States Karma United States StrongSide United States Legit United States OGRE 2
Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 United States PC Chris United States KoreanDJ United States Ken United States Mew2King
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 United States Ken/Isai United States Chudat/ManaCloud United States King/Mew2King United States Husband/Wife

2007 - Las Vegas

2007 4th
Halo 2 4v4 United States Final Boss United States Carbon United States Str8 Rippin United States FBI The Agency
Halo 2 FFA United States KGB Soviet United States Cloud United States Naded United States Legit
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 4v4 United States Rainbow Six Legends United States Harmony N Havoc United States Profe$$ional $kill$ United States Explicit
Gears of War 4v4 United States Infinity United States TH3 NSAN3Z United States Vision United States LGD Red
Shadowrun 4v4 United States Three Shot Killers United States Shoot to Kill United States Secret Weapon United States UprisinG

2008 $1000 Online Fragking Championships

2008 4th
Halo 3 4v4 United States Str8 Rippin United States Instinct United States Carbon United States Final Boss
Gears of War 4v4 United States TH3 NSAN3Z United States Infinity United States FRAG | High Caliber United States Dynasty ReTaLiaTioN
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 1v1 England MoB Cameo United States Iconz United States Instill Fear United States MoB LoSt CauSe
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4v4 United States xiNFecTioN United States EnVyUs United States Head Trauma United States CA FeaR
World of Warcraft 3v3 United States Fnatic.Orz United States Gravitas Gaming United States Pandemic United States Got Game West

2009 $1000 Online Fragking Championships

2009 4th
Halo 3 4v4 United States Believe the Hype United States Classic United States Carbon United States Instinct
Gears of War 2 4v4 United States THE NSAN3Z United States VisioN United States Get Bronco United States Infinity
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 1v1 England CaMeO MOB United States EFX Rewritten United States Vengeance United States Carnage and Chaos
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4v4 United States iCn Xtravagant United States BGR EnVyUs United States DpG FeaR United States MoB Genesis
World of Warcraft 3v3 United States coL.Black United States coL.Red South Korea Button Bashers United States SK.EG

2010 - Dallas

2010 4th
Halo 3 4v4 United States Final Boss United States Status Quo United States Instinct United States Triggers Down
Halo 3 Bic Flex 4 FFA United States lBulk United States Krunchy United States Amish Acorns United States Phenom
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 1v1 United States Gnes United States Tyrant United States ESAM Canada Ally
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2v2 CanadaUnited States Ally/Lee Martin United States Nick Riddle/Shaky United States DEHF/Gnes United States ESAM/MVD731
Tekken 6 1v1 United States ATL Anakin United States GMMA Kor United States NYC Fab South Korea ATL Knee
Tekken 6 3v3 United States Anakin/Bronson/Trungy South Korea Holeman/Knee/Nin United States Pokchop/ShinBlade/Lil Majin United States Crow/Kor/Mr Naps
Starcraft 2 1v1 Sweden Liquid`Jinro Canada FnaticMSi.TT1 United States PainUser United States Liquid`Tyler
Halo Reach 4v4 United States UoR SyA United States Hot Shots United States UoR Victorious Secret United States Darkest Hour
Halo Reach Pro FFA United States Hysteria United States iGotUrPistola United States Snip3down United States OGRE 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 4v4 (PS3) United States Influence United States VWS LeveraGe United States HSG Xtravagant United States OpTic Gaming
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 4v4 (360) United States EnVyUs United States OD Xtravagant United States iNF LeveraGe United States iNF Art of Xecution

2011 - Providence

2011 4th
Halo: Reach 4v4 United States eon Instinct United States Warriors United States TGN Believe The Hype United States FnaticMSi
Halo: Reach Stride Pro 2v2 United States Lunchbox/Roy United States Cloud/Clutch United States OGRE 2/iGotUrPistola United States
Halo: Reach Pro FFA United States StrongSide United States Heinz United States TiZoXiC United States Hysteria
Halo: Reach Bic Flex 4 FFA United States SuperStr8Sick United States Kampy United States Flamehead United States Titomatic
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4v4 United States Quantic Nex-TT-hreat United States eon EnVyUs United States eon OpTic Gaming United States SvG Collapse
Call of Duty: Black Ops Pro FFA Canada Smither4226 United States Sharp United States ASSASS1N United States Merk
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea FXO.Leenock Sweden coL.NaNiwa South Korea coL.MVP.DongRaeGu South Korea Q.IM.Mvp
League of Legends 5v5 CanadaUnited States Team SoloMid United States Epik Gamer United States Dignitas United States RFLX Gaming

2012 - Winter Championship - Columbus

2012 4th
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea MarineKingPrime South Korea MVP.DongRaeGu South Korea coL.Heart Canada EG.HuK
Halo: Reach 4v4 United States Status Quo United States eon Instinct United States Ambush United States Dynasty
Halo: Reach FFA United States Assault United States Reliable United States SN4K3B1T3 United States Enable
King of Fighters XIII 1v1 Mexico IGL_Bala United States elive_Mr. KoF Mexico vVv_Itz Romanc3 United States ArcadeShock|Reynald
Soul Calibur V 1v1 France Keev United States RTD_ATL United States Shin_RyuJin United States Something-Unique
Mortal Kombat 1v1 United States vVv_CDjr United States vVv_REO United States VSM_Maxter United States Curbolicous

2012 - Spring Championship - Anaheim

2012 4th
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea MVP.DongRaeGu South Korea SlayerS.Alicia South Korea MarineKingPrime Sweden Quantic.SaSe
King of Fighters XIII 1v1 Mexico IGL_Bala United States ArcadeShock|Reynald Mexico vVv_Romance Japan MCZ_Tokido
Soul Calibur V 1v1 France Keev France Kayane United States LostProvidence United States vVv_RTD ATL
Mortal Kombat 1v1 United States KN_DetroitBalln United States DJT 1993 United States EMP_Perfect Legend United States vVv_CDjr
League of Legends 5v5 CanadaUnited States Team SoloMid United States Counter Logic Gaming United States Dignitas United States Dynamic

2012 - Summer Championship - Raleigh

2012 4th
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea FXOLeenock South Korea LG-IM.First South Korea LiquidTaeJa South Korea Quantic.TheStC
Soul Calibur V 1v1 United States Xephukai United States RamonTSF Mexico FIT-lolomx France Keev_
Mortal Kombat 1v1 United States OBS_EMP_REO United States CDjr United States VSM_Maxter United States pig_of_the_hut
League of Legends 5v5 United States Curse* United States Dignitas* United States Dynamic United States Orbit Gaming

Note: Curse and Dignitas were both disqualified for involvement with a fixing scandal, which resulted in splitting the first and second place prize pools between third through sixth place.

2012 - Fall Championship - Dallas

2012 4th
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea StarTale_Life South Korea FXO.Leenock South Korea StarTale_Bomber South Korea KT.Flash
Halo 4 4v4 United States Warriors United States Ambush United States Status Quo United States Legendary
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 1v1 South Korea JDCR South Korea HelpMe United States Anakin South Korea Saint
Mortal Kombat 1v1 United States REO United States VSM_Maxter United States pig_of_the_hut United States GGA_Dizzy
League of Legends 5v5 South Korea Azubu Blaze South Korea NaJin Sword European Union CLG EU United States CLG NA

2013 - Winter Championship - Dallas

2013 4th
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 4v4 United States Fariko Impact United States UNiTE Gaming United States vVv Gaming United States compLexity
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea StarTale_Life South Korea KT.Flash South Korea STXSouL INnoVation South Korea SK.MC
League of Legends Summer Promotion Qualifiers 5v5 United States Cloud9 United States Velocity eSports
League of Legends International Exhibition 5v5 South Korea KT Rolster B European Union Gambit Gaming

2013 - Spring Championship - Anaheim

2013 4th
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 4v4 United States compLexity Gaming United States Icons Impact United States OpTic Gaming United States Curse Gaming
StarCraft 2 1v1 South Korea CMStorm Polt South Korea Quantic HyuN South Korea Liquid`HerO Sweden Alliance NaNiwa
League of Legends Promotion Finals 5v5 United States FXOpen eSports United States compLexity Gaming United States Curse Academy United States Aware Gaming

2013 - Fall Championship - Columbus

2013 4th
Call of Duty: Ghosts 4v4 United States CompLexity United States Team Kaliber United States JusTus United States UNiTE Gaming
Dota 2 5v5 United Nations Speed Gaming China DK Ukraine Na’Vi France Sigma

2014 - Anaheim

2014 4th
Call of Duty: Ghosts 4v4 United States Evil Geniuses United States OpTic Gaming United Kingdom TCM Gaming United States Curse Black
Call of Duty: Ghosts Season 3 Play In 4v4 United States OpTic Nation United States Rise Nation United States eLevate White United States JusTus
StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm 1v1 South Korea IM Trap South Korea CMStorm Polt South Korea viOLet Canada Acer Scarlett
Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 United States C9|MaNg0 Sweden P4K.EMP|Armada United States P4K.EMP|Mew2King United States EG|PPMD
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 United StatesSweden Mew2King/Armada United States Lucky/C9|MaNg0 United States Shroomed/S2JFALCON United States ChuDat/Chillindude
Injustice: Gods Among Us 1v1 United States FRQ.EMPR|Theo United States GGA|16Bit United States EMPR|WhiteBoi United States C88|WoundCowboy
Killer Instinct 1v1 United States EG|JWong United States C88|mygod United States RG|Rico Suave United States Hitbox|Tryant

References

  1. ↑ "Major League Gaming".
  2. ↑ "Major League Gaming Canada".
  3. ↑ "MLG Dallas 2012 Results". Mlgpro.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  4. ↑ "Pro Circuit Archive".
  5. ↑ "Tom Ryan 35 MLG wins".
  6. ↑ "Major League Gaming Company Profile".
  7. ↑ Mudhar, Raju (June 20, 2007). "Major League Gaming shoots into Canada". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  8. ↑ "Executive Team | Major League Gaming". Mlgpro.com. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Devin Leonard, Devin Leonard (August 21, 2008). "Calling master chief A News Corp.-backed professional video-game league is getting a run for its money from two former ad guys.". CNNMoney.com. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Terdiman, Daniel (April 17, 2006). "Major League Gaming goes big league". CNET.com. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  11. ↑ "ESPN:The Life:Video Games:MLG". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  12. ↑ "ESPN 360 acquired". ESPN. June 4, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Agora Games acquired". The Business Review (Albany). August 18, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  14. ↑ "Major League Gaming Acquires Agora Games | Major League Gaming". Mlgpro.com. 2009-08-18. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  15. ↑ "Major League Gaming launches mlg.tv | Major League Gaming". Mlgpro.com. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
  16. ↑ Spring Season Games
  17. ↑ Starcraft II MLG Casters
  18. ↑ MLG Fighting Casters
  19. ↑ MLG Competitor Passes
  20. ↑ "Major League Gaming -Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit". Usanetwork.com. 2009-08-10. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  21. ↑ Magee, Kyle (May 8, 2009). "MLG Secures $10 Million in Series A Financing from Ritchie Capital to Build World’s First Professional Video Game League". Major League Gaming. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  22. ↑ "MLG Commissioner John Nelson addresses community concerns" (Press release). Major League Gaming. 2009-02-06. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  23. ↑ "MLG 4v4 Details" (Press release). Major League Gaming. Retrieved 2010-08-15.
  24. ↑ "MLG Starcraft II Announced". Mlgpro.com. Retrieved 2010-08-14.
  25. ↑ Lish (August 12, 2011). "League of Legends Joins the MLG Pro Circuit". Major League Gaming. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  26. ↑ MLG Format Changes
  27. ↑ MLG CBSi Deal
  28. ↑ MLG KeSPA Deal
  29. ↑ Camber Weiss (October 31, 2012). "Guide to the MLG Fall Championship". press release. Major League Gaming. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "MLG Pick Up Black Ops 2 for Pro Circuit Winter Championship in Dallas". Multiplayer. Archived from the original on 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  31. ↑ Goldberg, Kyle (April 24, 2014). "Major League Gaming to Build First-Ever MLG Stadium in China". Major League Gaming. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/major-league-gaming-announces-mlg-tv-columbus-arena
  33. ↑ http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2014/09/23/video-game-arena-in-easton-area.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ↑ "Major League Gaming:Pro Circuit Archive". Major League Gaming. Retrieved 2010-01-28.

External links

Official website