When it comes to competitive console gaming, there are few games that stand out in the bigger picture of eSports. The current leader in console eSports is Call of Duty, as it retains the lead in both spectatorship and participation. Today we will be taking a look at how Microsoft is taking full advantage of the growth of console eSports in an attempt to grow their market share of the console war.
Xbox as default for MLG events
In a recent announcement by MLG, they have stated, "that all online 2K and 5K Call of Duty: Ghosts Tournaments, run by MLG or UMG, will be moving to Xbox One as the default console." The 2K and 5K tournaments form the base for players to earn pro-points via MLG. Pro-points are the only way for players to earn ranking via MLG, in the attempt to reach a pro status.
This announcement by MLG marks itself as a hugely significant move for console eSports, as this short term deal will set the president for future growth. This is due to the fact that a big chunk of the competitive console community will now be required to invest in a Xbox One to participate in console gaming's most successful eSport. This makes the move of PlayStation 4 or any other competitor console to infiltrate the eSport community very difficulty, due to the fact that that a large part of the market will already own the Xbox One and will be rather reluctant to change once they have a device that performs, fundamentally, the same function.
As the Xbox One becomes the default console for competitive Call of Duty: Ghosts in America and Europe via MLG, so the ripple effect sets it as the standard for the rest of the world. This is due to the internationally incorporated events, such as the Call of Duty: Championship that is held annually. This events require players from around the world to participate on one console to qualify for the finals. This means that the ruling by MLG, to host events exclusive to Xbox One, has a wide standing effect on a market that is much bigger than some might assume.
Xbox One's future of competitive console gaming
The Xbox One is setting itself as the current and future standard for console competitive gaming. This is thanks to it having the most popular eSports title under its influence, and the fact that future exclusive titles that are set to keep competitive gaming growing on the Xbox One. One title that is expected to reignite the competitive console community is Halo 5: Guardians.
Halo has been known as the title that started it all, when it comes to competitive console gaming on a major scale . As a competitive title, the Halo series has died down as a whole and been replaced by its first person shooter (fps) cousin Call of Duty. Halo 5, however, is expected to reignite the competitive flame as it becomes the first first fps to be made exclusively for Xbox One. Halo 5 will have 60 fps and dedicated servers that allow for the smoothest multiplayer experience to date.
Closing Thoughts
Xbox One have managed to hook themselves a big part of the competitive console community with their partnership with MLG and Call of Duty. If there is to be a solid future and growth in competitive console gaming, it will most likely be along side Microsoft and the Xbox One. With that being said there are still many improvements to be made and hopefully they are made as competitive console gaming keeps growing.
http://www.mweb.co.za/games/ViewNewsArticle/tabid/2549/Article/14205/Xbox-One-is-the-home-of-competitive-console-gaming.aspx
