Indy to Host Video Game Tournament
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore than 60 teams of competitive video gamers will take part in a major tournament this summer in Indianapolis. Organizers of the Pro Gaming League's Halo Championship Series estimate the event will have an economic impact of nearly $1 million.
April 1, 2015
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Pro Gaming League (PGL) has announced that Indianapolis, IN won the bid to serve as a host site for Season 2 of the Halo Championship Series (HCS), a professional video gaming tournament centered around the Xbox hit franchise video game, Halo. Indianapolis is recognized widely as an attractive sports event city that has hosted a Super Bowl, the Final Four and the Indianapolis 500. The tournament will take place June 26 – June 28, 2015 in the Indiana Convention Center in conjunction with Indy PopCon pop culture and gaming convention, and is expected to have an initial economic impact of nearly $1 million dollars.
The tournament will feature 64 teams of competitive video gamers from around the country vying their share of a $50,000, while the action is broadcast live via Twitch.tv/Halo. Millions of fans have tuned in to watch Halo on Twitch since the HCS began with the launch of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and 343 Industries is excited to have Indianapolis play host to their premier tournament. “Some of Halo's best players and biggest fans are in the Midwest, and we're excited to be able to bring them a competition and community event they can call their own.” said Che Chou, Franchise Media Director at 343 Industries. “We invite all FPS fans to come play, spectate and support esports and the Halo Championship Series.”
HCS Season 1 champions Evil Geniuses took home over $50,000 in prize money after emerging victorious in the Finals earlier this month in Boston, MA. The captain of Evil Geniuses and professional gaming icon, Eric “Snipedown” Wrona is an Indianapolis native and is looking forward to competing on his home turf. “I am beyond excited to hear that the Halo Championship Series is coming to my hometown in Indianapolis, and I wouldn't be satisfied letting any other team take the win. I know my friends and family will all be there to show their amazing support for our team, and I'll be doing whatever I can to defend my hometown,” said Wrona.
Pop Con LLC, an Indianapolis-based company that launched the inaugural Indy PopCon convention in 2014, submitted and secured the bid from PGL to host one of two major LAN events for the HCS in Season 2. PopCon 2015 aims to foster pop culture innovation and highlight new cultural trends, so an esports event was a natural fit for the show. “Esports isn't just a fad, it's an emerging culture,” said Shawn Smith, Communications Director of Indy PopCon, “The HCS tells an incredible story of triumph and underdogs, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have PGL and 343 Industries as a highlight for our show,” he said.
About Indy PopCon
Indy PopCon is a pop culture and comic convention coming to the Indiana Convention Center from June 26 – 28, 2015. The convention celebrated the spirit of the independent artist and creator and looks to serve the Midwest as a pop culture incubator, inviting hundreds of artists to collaborate, network and promote their craft to fans. Celebrity guests, renowned comic artists, and media personality from around the world will be coming to Indianapolis to sign autographs, interact with fans, and take in the city.
Source: Indy PopCon