14 DAY TRIAL // Developer 343 Industries and publisher Microsoft have pledged to offer a wide range of experiences for Halo 5: Guardians during its first year on the market. Thus, the two companies are partnering with the ESL to introduce a new Pro League competition associated with the shooter, which will allow the best teams in the world to compete for solid rewards and bragging rights.
A new official post offers more details about the structure of the tournament, with the focus currently on North America and a promise to deliver more information about Europe as soon as possible.
Based on the 2016 Halo World Championship, Counter-Logic Gaming is already part of the Pro League, and another seven outfits will take part, selected based on their performance. 343 Industries adds, "To ensure that we deliver a quality experience for players and fans alike, we’ll be kicking off the HCS Pro League 2016 year with 8 North American teams and 6 European teams, and evaluate expanding league size moving forward."
Qualifying will start at the PAX East LAN Qualifier, with 4 invited teams and one place up for grabs, and then continue with the Invite Online Qualifier on April 30, Qualification LAN Tournament on May 8, Open Qualifiers between May 14 and 15, and the Last Chance Qualifier on May 21 and 22.
The summer season will offer plenty of drama
The involved companies are aiming to deliver two matches and broadcast days each week over the summer season, with both fans and teams able to prepare for their matches ahead of time and create unique strategies.
The summer 2016 Halo 5: Guardians Pro League will feature the top four teams of the original eight, and the fifth and sixth place will get a guaranteed place in the fall season of the competition.
The final two will have to compete with the top teams from the HCS Open Circuit to stay in the league, offering an incentive for new groups to prepare and try to force their way into this top event.
343 Industries and ESL are saying that they are still working on bracket formats, options for a pick and ban system, and they also plan to create an HCS Council that will deal with game types, formats, map choice and more.
Halo 5: Guardians will also get in-game eSports skins at some point in the future.
The development team will also continue to offer free DLC for the shooter, including the Warzone Firefight mode that will be introduced during the summer.