Competitive gaming has always been with us, but not to anything like the extent we are witnessing in the 21st Century – the realm of esports is quite simply exploding all around the globe. From long-term gaming fans to punters more used to assessing the latest Racing betting offers, competitive video game competition is dominating the industry news headlines and betting discussion like never before.
Dota 2, CS:GO, Fortnite, League of Legends, PUBG, Valorant, Apex Legends…. the list of competitive gaming giants goes on and on. Granted the mass appeal of the aforementioned games, developers are becoming increasingly focussed on creating games that are particularly suited to the esports arena.
One of the latest games set to be given that esports push is Ubisoft’s Roller Champions, with the game receiving a major boost following the recent announcement of an international Challenger Series esports tournament.
Receiving a cross-platform launch on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on May 22, Roller Champions sees two teams of three players do battle on a roller-skating circuit featuring a goal. Points are scored by launching the game ball through the goal, but players are only able to score after they have completed a full circuit in possession of the ball – the more laps you complete before taking your shot, the more points you will score if successful. That risk and reward mechanic adds a nice layer of strategy to the game and also means that even should your team falls behind, you will still always be only one goal away from taking the lead. The first team to reach five points wins, or whoever holds the lead once seven minutes have elapsed.
Likened to the smash hit Rocket League by many gamers, the exciting all-action gameplay, bright visuals, and absorbing soundtrack of Roller Champions looked like a natural fit for the esports arena, and the game is now set to be given its big chance.
Teaming up with recently launched esports production company Greyscale, and tournament platform Challengermode, Ubisoft’s new Challenger Series will see teams from across the European continent initially do battle on a national level, competing for the chance to represent their country in the Roller Champions international championship.
Generating understandable hype in the gaming community, the event is already eagerly anticipated, with that partnership with Greyscale undoubtedly adding considerably to the appeal. Greyscale co-founder Jakob “Atroix” Szmyt certainly seems to be getting caught up in the excitement, stating, “We’re excited to be working alongside Challengermode to provide the first broadcast for the Roller Champions esports ecosystem. Having an opportunity like this to help shape an esports scene is rare, especially for a publisher as big as Ubisoft, but we’re going to do it justice.”The success of the Challenger Series will likely go some way to determining the viability of Roller Champions as a long-term esport prospect and, for those looking to don their virtual skates and get in on the action, team registrations open on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022.
