Super Evil Megacorp, the developer of mobile MOBA Vainglory, and esports production group ESL announced a partnership to bring regular programming into the game’s competitive circuit. The live streamed events will begin June 24 with the start of the summer season of the regular high-tier competitive league, Vainglory8.
“We’re very excited to partner with Super Evil Megacorp and work in tandem as leaders in mobile esports,” said Sean Charles, VP of Publisher and Developer Relations, ESL, in a press release. “Vainglory has inspired the mobile gaming industry by sustaining a viable esports ecosystem and we are pleased to bring mobile esports to the top with Super Evil Megacorp.”
“Partnering with ESL to bring broadcasts of the Vainglory8 to more viewers across more channels only makes sense for us;” Bo Daly, Co-Founder & President of Super Evil Megacorp, also stated in the release, “as we strive to serve our players and fans, and to keep our place as the leading mobile esport, we want to partner with top talent of esports production, and that for us is ESL.”
ESL is the world’s largest esports event and production company, hosting events for the likes of Valve and formerly League of Legends. The group, owned by Turtle Entertainment, also owns an online competition platform that runs tournaments for a wide selection of games, including Vainglory, Dota 2 and mobile first-person shooter Critical Ops.
SEMC and ESL UK partnered already to produce the Spring Season Championships in London, England in late May. It was held live in the city’s famous O2 arena and brought teams from around the world to compete for the season’s championship title.
According to press releases by ESL and SEMC, the productions will continue into the end of the 2017. This will likely culminate with this year’s instance of the Vainglory World Championship, held previously in Hollywood’s famous TCL Chinese Theater. There are no plans thus far to continue into the 2018 season.
Esports Insider Says: This felt inevitable, but it only spells good things for the mobile gaming scene. Bringing in ESL’s brand gives the game’s esports circuit a better reputation, and Vainglory’s leagues get a boost of value. Here’s hoping it amounts to solid numbers, as this could make or break mobile competition.