Last week, MLG Chairman and Co-Founder Mike Sepso sat down and discussed the 2009 MLG spectator experience, via the MLG website.

Sepso highlighted MLG's growth over the last few years, specifically 2008. MLG had over 500,000 spectators tune in to watch the live stream of the 2008 Dallas Playoffs. In person, however? Over 10,000 people were handed wristbands at the playoff event. That's significant.

To encourage even more spectators and to cater to the gamers that already show up to pro circuit events, MLG has added several new attractions and features. Spectator Passes are $15 online or $20 at the door and now include a variety of things. For example:

Halo 3 FFA (formerly $10, now included free with Spectator Pass)

• Play as often as time permits
• 6 rounds per hour at each of 4 dedicated FFA stations
• 192 total rounds run throughout the weekend
• Runs throughout Friday and Saturday
• Top finisher will win $500, but more importantly, they will be featured on mlgpro.com where top players and teams may take notice

Gears of War 2 Wingman Tournament

• Play as often as time permits
• 2v2v2v2 tournament running Friday and Saturday
• 4 dedicated stations
• 16 rounds per hour for 96 total rounds
• Top finishers will win $500 ($250 to each player), but more importantly, they will be featured on mlgpro.com where top players and teams may take notice

MLG High Rollers

As an additional incentive to MLG community members, word of mouth now pays. In the Spectator Pass online purchasing system in the MLG Store, users can purchase passes for up to 20 people at a time. Each time a pass is purchased, there is a field to fill in "who referred you." Each time your name is used, you receive one referral. The top five community members (in total referrals) will be VIP guests at the Meadowlands Event.

Being listed as an MLG High Roller gets you:

• A VIP pass to the entire Meadowlands event, including a pass to the Pro Lounge.
• A pass that allows you to go directly to the head of every FFA line at the start of every hour.
• A private, winners-only group meeting to discuss the future of MLG on Saturday night.
• A private backstage tour of the entire event and a behind-the-scenes look at MLG's live broadcast studio.
• During the ESPN Saturday Night broadcast, you will join Senso in the owner's box above the main stage to watch a complete match and meet the MLG broadcast team.
  

MLG runs their company well. The level of advertising, marketing and professionalism carried by Sepso and team is remarkable. MLG is, however, the only true pillar of competitive gaming.

What will it take for competitive gaming to continue in its push towards mainstream? The ESPN - MLG deal is still going strong, providing interesting content, top 10 lists, and interviews each month. Gamebattles.com is still thriving, as well. It seems that every young upstart company that makes an attempt on the professional gaming world falters after a year or two. Does the industry need another MLG? A more amateur-driven organization - a type of farm system for gaming?

For details on Major League Gaming, Mike Sepso, and the Spectator Experience, check out mlgpro.com.

Written by :

cakeytaste

 

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

 Report