Esports


<p>Welcome to the second installment in our new blog series, <em>Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem</em>. The goal of this blog series is to detail how we are working to develop a healthy and sustainable ecosystem for Halo esports. If you’re interested in our philosophical approach to esports as a fan, player, team, tournament organizer, or even sponsor, then this blog series is for you! If you’re hoping to learn specifics about format and roadmap, stay tuned because that info will come as we get closer to the launch of Halo Infinite.</p>



<p>In the first blog we set the table and talked about our approach at the highest level, as well as our role in the ecosystem. Thank you to everyone who read the first installment and gave feedback, it’s great to see so much interest in how we are thinking about the ecosystem strategically. </p>



<p>In this month’s blog we’re going to do a deep dive into tournament operators. What’s the role of tournament operators? (outside of the obvious running of tournaments) What are the types of tournament operators we’ll be working with? How does HCS Grassroots fit into the picture?</p>



<p>Let’s do this!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ROLE OF TOURNAMENT OPERATORS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/hcs/body/halowc-kyle-409ce836c4f841df86f71feada960be7.jpg" alt="H C S tournament operator "/></figure>



<p>Tournament operators (TOs) are a critical part of any esports ecosystem and Halo is no different. In Halo, we are taking a tiered/multipronged approach with the relationship and types of TOs that we work with in the ecosystem. The reason we’re taking this approach overall because it allows for long term and sustainable partnerships in the ecosystem, as well as scaliblity on a global scale so that we can better support the participating regions. This starts with Official HCS events which are fully funded by us. There’s also a hybrid approach where we are jointly funding events with tournament operators. As well as the grassroots scene where we are there to support with promotion, prize pool, and more. Over the last few years, we’ve been experimenting with different business models at different times to learn and inform how we want to structure Halo Infinite’s esports ecosystem. While the different models had been done in a more staggered way, Halo Infinite is when all the tournaments in this tiered system will be taking place at the same time.</p>



<p>At a high level, TOs are the executional arm of both competition and broadcast typically made up of tournament administrators and broadcast producers. Additionally they are responsible for booking event venues, setting up the stage and event, and ultimately executing the event. Even for Official HCS events (think HCS Invitational at SXSW) we hire tournament operators and spend months working with them closely on executing and delivering our vision. Often times the vision will start at a high level and then will be molded and crystalized as both parties share ideas and collaborate, as well as make adjustments due to logistical hurdles that might arise. We prefer to work with partners who can bring ideas and creativity to the table and are as passionate as we are at delivering a great player, fan, and viewer experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ESPORTS ENGINE</h2>



<p>To take this a step further, we created a role for Halo Infinite esports called “Global Management Partner”. We knew that as a relatively small team we would need support in solidifying and executing our vision for the Halo esports ecosystem from competition, broadcast, sponsorship, and so much more. That’s where <a href="https://www.esportsengine.gg/">Esports Engine</a> comes in. As an extension of our team, we work day-in and day-out with Esports Engine. On top of that, we’re excited to say that we’ve hired Esports Engine to be the main operating partner for official HCS events for Halo Infinite as well as the Halo World Championship. We stated in the past that we see Halo Infinite esports as a continuation of 2018 programming and events, and this the same core team (plus more!) who we worked with back then.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="684" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-1024x684.jpg" alt="Event Staff and 343 employees at the 2018 Halo World Championship on stage with fire works exploding around them" class="wp-image-5531" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-768x513.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069-1568x1048.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p2_2.26.2021_1600x1069.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GLOBAL OPERATORS</h2>



<p>While the HCS team is based here in the United States, we do have a global vision in place for Halo Infinite esports where we are looking to host competition for players in Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand to start. To help us operate in those regions, we’ve also been working to enlist the help of tournament operator partners local to those regions. Our vision is to find operators who are able to partner alongside us in the local Halo community to grow the scene. Often times in esports, tournament operators are running events on a game but have little to no support from the publisher and are often left to fend for themselves. As architects in the ecosystem, we want to work with tournament operators in a way that is sustainable long term so that they can see return on their investment and increase their investment over time as the scene grows. Finally, it’s important that TOs are investing alongside us in our players and ecosystem because it means they are more incentivized and ultimately care more about the success of everything. This philosophy allows us to scale globally at the start of Halo Infinite’s esports journey and sets the path for future expansion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HCS GRASSROOTS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="229" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p3_2.26.2021_1120x250-1024x229.png" alt="HCS Grassroots logo" class="wp-image-5544" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p3_2.26.2021_1120x250-1024x229.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p3_2.26.2021_1120x250-300x67.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p3_2.26.2021_1120x250-768x171.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemFebruary_HCS_In_Article_p3_2.26.2021_1120x250.png 1120w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p> Like always, HCS Grassroots will continue to support standard tournament operators (UGC Classic or Gamers Outreach are good examples) as well as community tournament operators (think Halo Australia, GTHalo, etc). For us, it’s about supporting these existing partners who had already been operating before HCS Grassroots even existed, but also about adding new partners to the Halo ecosystem and working to ensure that each of them have opportunity to grow. Philosophically, we still very much believe that these tournaments are great for the ecosystem and players (new and veteran alike) – and in the future, they will supplement the main HCS league.</p>



<p>Ultimately for some HCS Grassroots TOs (not necessarily community TOs), deciding to invest in Halo is a business decision as well as one of passion. We’ve been talking to TOs and learning more about what it would take for them to run Halo tournaments not just at launch but well beyond that as well – our goal is to help lay the foundation for a long term sustainable ecosystem. And we’ve also been learning about what things we can do to help in this area, while also keeping in mind the scenes on a regional level and what the player experience is. Our vision and aspiration is that players feel like there’s always something to compete in, which would be a mix of official HCS tournaments, HCS Grassroots tournaments, and other partner tournaments. This would also include a variety of formats and game settings/modes which would make up a bustling and varied tournament scene.</p>



<p>Finally, as an evolution of HCS Grassroots, certain events will be made eligible for sanctioning which means they would adhere to the same game settings and rules as the official HCS league, as well as give players the opportunity to earn HCS points that will help improve their seeding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOSING</h2>



<p>At a high level, our aim is to have an ecosystem with a healthy group of tournament operators in the scene, on a global level, who have the ability to run tournaments on a consistent basis over the long term.</p>



<p>If you’d like to learn more about the HCS Grassroots program, you can read more and even apply.</p>



<p>Finally, if you’re a tournament platform interested in participating in the Halo esports ecosystem, you can feel free to reach out to me.</p>



<p>As always, interested to hear what folks think so feel free to send any comments on <a href="https://twitter.com/Tashi343i" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twitter </a>as well.</p>



<p>Until next time,</p>



<p>Tashi</p>


Tashi

Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem – February


<p>Welcome to the first installment in the <em>Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem </em>blog series where month by month we will do a deep dive examination into how we at 343 Industries are working to develop a healthy and sustainable long-term esports ecosystem for Halo Infinite. The main focus of today’s blog is to set the foundation for how we think about the ecosystem as a whole, and details our mission, our overall goals, and more. The core of his blog and specific sections like Our Mission and Goals were ripped straight from our Power Point presentations that we share internally as well as with external partners. If you’re interested in our philosophical approach to esports as a fan, player, and even potential partnered team, sponsor, tournament operator or otherwise, then this blog is likely up your alley. We know there are some folks who are just interested in seeing the roadmap and format – we totally understand but fair warning, this blog might not be for you. That information will come down the road as we get closer to launch, and you can get the latest on that (and some more items) in last month’s Community Update.</p>



<p>Let’s get right into it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUR MISSION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-1024x279.png" alt="Crowd looking at the main stage of the 2018 Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-5466" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-1024x279.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-300x82.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-768x209.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300.png 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Our mission is to provide epic entertainment to Halo fans through the thrill of competition.</p>



<p><strong>We believe in:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Cultivating and uniting communities</li><li>Providing sustained content for fans around the world to watch</li><li>Creating a platform for players, teams, and partners in the ecosystem to thrive on.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PROGRAM GOALS</h2>



<p>These are the goals and how we will determine the success of the program and ecosystem. Success in these areas means we can expand and grow over time, failure in these areas means we may need to rethink our approach.</p>



<ul><li>Extend engagement outside of our games with players, and potential players. (Viewership and social media impressions/reach)</li><li>Build a platform that players, teams, sponsors, tournament operators, and content creators can sustain successful businesses around. (Participating and investing in Halo needs to provide returns based on their goals)</li><li>Build a vision and aspiration for our fans, players, and gamers to create a movement. (We want to create as many 1 + 1 = 3 scenarios as possible. If we all band together, we can truly create something special)</li><li>Create exciting and epic moments in gaming culture. (When are the times we are creating a moment and capturing the attention of the greater online gaming community?)</li><li>Player retention, loyalty, engagement, and more in-game. (The development team will own these goals more than the esports team, but still important for us to track and contribute to.)</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT’S A PLATFORM?</h2>



<p>You might have heard about certain things in tech being called “platforms”, like Xbox for example. Try to imagine all of the different people and groups who see the Xbox as a valuable platform to invest their time and money into. If you’re a player, you want to get enjoyment out of your Xbox with the games you play and apps that you invest your time and dollars into. As a developer, you invest a lot of resources to bring your games to the Xbox platform either as multiplatform or exclusive.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="597" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1024x597.png" alt="Shapes showing how connected players, developers, and Xbox are to the HCS ecosystem." class="wp-image-5479" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1024x597.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-300x175.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-768x448.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1536x896.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1568x915.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Now, try to imagine all the things that Xbox does to provide value back to these groups. For players, the Xbox team created the most powerful console ever in the Series X and also put a ton of work into backwards compatibility – both of which are great for players. For developers, the Xbox platform is easy to develop for, and offers a ton of power to give developers the freedom to make great games. Having the games be great is also very valuable to players as well, and thus Xbox is providing “indirect” value to players that way. By putting out great games on a platform that has a lot of players, the developer has an opportunity to see a return on their investment. This is just a tiny snapshot of the overall picture, but hopefully you can start to see the dynamics of how platforms work and how interconnected all of the different groups are. And not only are they interconnected, they depend on each other for their success in the ecosystem, this is a critical component.</p>



<p>This is the type of platform we have been working to create for Halo Infinite esports, but obviously with our own set of groups and means to provide value to those groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE KEY GROUPS</h2>



<p>For the launch of Halo Infinite esports, who are the key groups or audiences that invest their time and money into Halo that we need to provide value back to?</p>



<ul><li><strong>Players (Pro, Amateur, and general competitive players): </strong>This one is obvious. The players are central to the entire ecosystem and without a healthy player base for the entire game, the ecosystem is not sustainable. This is mission critical.</li><li><strong>Fans (Viewers, Event Spectators, fans who engage in-game): </strong>Fans and viewers are also critical – we want as many people watching Halo Infinite tournaments and content as possible, and it’s important for us to take strides to increase viewership.</li><li><strong>Teams</strong> (Tier 1 and Tier 2 esports teams)</li><li><strong>Tournament Operators</strong> (Live event operators, online tournament platforms, and HCS Grassroots partners)</li><li><strong>Sponsors</strong> (Endemic to gaming/esports, as well as non-endemic)</li><li><strong>Other</strong> (Viewing platforms, Content Creators, Talent)</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="600" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1024x600.png" alt="Key pillars of the HCS Halo Infinite program." class="wp-image-5492" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1024x600.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-300x176.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-768x450.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1536x900.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1568x919.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Once we identified these groups we started to think about and talk to them about what their goals are, what they were trying to accomplish, and how Halo can help them achieve their goals. From there, we were able to see how one group could provide value to back to us to meet our goals directly, or indirectly by providing value to another group. The priority is finding ways for one group to provide value directly to another group first. As an example, it’s more important that teams use funding to support their roster and fans, than it is for funding to go directly to us or other partners in the ecosystem.</p>



<p>This is just a high-level overview, and we’ll do a deeper dive on each of the key groups in the upcoming blogs so you can get a more granular view of the relationship and our approach with each of the groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUR ROLE</h2>



<p>While we truly believe that we need to all rely on each other in order to have a successful Halo esports ecosystem, we understand that we play a larger role and have a larger impact than any of the other groups. So, what do we at 343 Industries consider our role in the ecosystem to be?</p>



<ul><li><strong>Developers</strong>: First and foremost, we are of course the makers of the game which is at the center of this all. It’s our responsibility to create a great Halo game that fans and players love. The esports team specifically does not develop the game, but we consult on various aspects including features and gameplay, and we provide insights from the competitive community.</li><li><strong>Architects</strong>: From an esports perspective, we see ourselves as the architects of the ecosystem. It’s our responsibility to identify the puzzle pieces and work to make them fit together. How do teams fit in? How to tournament operators fit in? That’s on us, and that thinking is really the foundation of the esports ecosystem. Ultimately however, we don’t own the decisions of the each of the groups, we try to provide the best opportunities possible for them. And finally, as architects we also believe it’s our duty to take in feedback, and be the catalysts for growth and improvement in the ecosystem.</li><li><strong>Sanctioning body</strong>: We are also the central sanctioning body for the ecosystem. While there are many tournament organizers big and small, we determine who runs official HCS tournaments and dictate the rules and regulations for those tournaments including but not limited to format, game settings, and Code of Conduct. We don’t want this to seem as a sort of dictator-like function however, we are collaborators in the space and work closely with our tournament operator partners to determine the best way forward. And of course, we are closely partnered with Esports Engine who are our main partners in the ecosystem and really act as an extension of the 343 Esports team.</li><li><strong>Broadcasters</strong>: Additionally, we are the main broadcasters for Halo esports. That means for official HCS events, it’s our responsibility to decide the broadcast scope and execute on it alongside our operator partners of course. It’s important to us that we’re not the only ones broadcasting in the ecosystem however, as we generally believe that the more broadcasters covering matches in the Halo Infinite ecosystem the better. Finally, we also determine broadcast talent for official HCS shows, and overall creative direction and tone for those shows.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OPEN ECOSYSTEM</h2>



<p>By now you’ve probably realized that Halo Infinite esports is an open ecosystem. This means that while we don’t officially partner with everyone in the ecosystem, we do not control who enters and leaves the ecosystem. To provide an example, if a brand new team organization decided that they wanted to pick up a pro Halo roster and earn their way to the championship, then that’s totally ok. If you’re a long-time competitive Halo fan you might be thinking, “well yea, that’s just how it’s always worked right?” and the answer is yes. This is consistent with the legacy of Halo esports and not only touches on organizations like teams and tournament operators, but also players. Halo esports was built on open tournament structures where any group of players could work their way up to the top and would have opportunities to play against the best in the world. This will still be true for Halo Infinite esports. Esports as an industry has continued to evolve and grow however, and while there are some leagues that more closely resemble closed ecosystems like you see in traditional sports, Halo Infinite’s journey will begin as an open ecosystem. We are however, as noted above and will be detailed in future blogs, partnering more closely with groups in the ecosystem than Halo ever has in the past.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/hcs/body/trophy-354edc4bb0204a13876bd72cdd9b0f79.png" alt=""/></figure>



<p>Ultimately this decision was based on where the ecosystem is at today and what we’re trying to accomplish. If some numbers of years down the road we decide the best way to improve and grow the sport and ecosystem is to change our approach, then we will adjust our strategy. For now, Halo Esports will be an open ecosystem, and we’re very thankful for the groups that want to participate in it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOSING</h2>



<p>Well, that will do it for the first entry in this blog series. We made a promise to be more transparent about our plans and intentions and we hope you enjoyed and appreciated this look behind the curtains.</p>



<p>As this is the first in the series, we’d appreciate hearing your thoughts overall. Did you enjoy it? Do you have any more questions about our goals, ecosystem design, and platform aspirations? Hit us up on twitter and we’ll work to incorporate answers in future blogs.</p>



<p>Thanks – see you online!</p>



<p>-Tashi</p>


Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem-January


<p>Late last year we added Halo 5 to the “Pro Series” tournament programming and the global support for the online events both in terms of participation and viewership has been great to see – thank you so much!</p>



<p>With Halo Infinite now set to release this fall, we wanted to provide some more Halo 5 and Halo 3 tournament action in the first half of the year. As a reminder, here are our goals:</p>



<p><strong>Our goals:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Provide regular competitions for players around the world to compete in</li><li>Continue to experiment with new formats and broadcast experiences where it makes sense</li><li>Provide support for players of both MCC (Halo 3) as well as Halo 5.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg" alt="Image of Pro Halo player playing his game." class="wp-image-6363" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-300x82.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-768x209.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MCC COMPETITION</h2>



<p>For the most part, the format and structure here hasn’t changed from what we had set in place last fall. These are still weekly tournaments in Halo 3 with a $1,000 prize pool, but there are a few key differences:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Double Elimination format:</strong> Thanks to the Faceit team for upgrading their platform, these MCC tournaments will now move to a Double Elimination format.</li><li><strong>Sunday competitions:</strong> In hopes of increasing participation in these tournaments, they will now be taking place on Sundays rather than previously on Fridays. We will continue to monitor player feedback, number of teams participating, and the overall tournament experience to evaluate the need for any adjustments.</li></ol>



<p><strong>Remember, there are no roster transaction restrictions, so you can feel free to compete with whomever you’d like to on a weekly basis. And as a reminder, with MCC now featuring crossplatform play, players on both Xbox and PC are able to participate. See below for all dates:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Sunday, February 14</li><li>Sunday, February 21</li><li>Sunday, February 28</li><li>Sunday, March 7</li><li>Sunday, March 14</li><li>Sunday, March 21</li><li>Sunday, March 28</li><li>Sunday, April 11</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO 5 PRO SERIES ON XBOX</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg" alt="Image of Pro Halo player playing his game." class="wp-image-6376" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-300x82.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-768x209.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p> With the main competition moving to Halo 5 last fall and the reintroduction of the 4 major regions, it’s been amazing to see the energy week in and week out from the community. Just like with MCC, the format and structure here remains the same but there are some notable changes:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Double Elimination Format:</strong> For the open tournaments, the format will move away from single elimination and into double elimination. The formats for the Pro and Championship tournaments (group play into single elimination) will remain the same.</li><li><strong>ANZ Schedule:</strong> For the upcoming seasons of Halo 5 Pro Series, we have reduced the number of tournaments featured in ANZ and have spread out the dates a bit further as well. Overall, the participation numbers in ANZ at the moment aren’t to the level we had anticipated. Our hope is that with more time between tournaments, we will allow for individuals and Teams of 2 or 3 more time to complete their rosters and sign-up for each tournament. We will of course continue to monitor participation in the region and feedback.</li></ol>



<p>Here’s the full list of dates for both Halo 5 Pro Series seasons:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">NORTH AMERICA:</h4>



<ul><li><strong>Saturday, February 6</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 13</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 20</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 27</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 6 </strong>– Championship (Broadcasted on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.twitch.tv/halo/" target="_blank">Twitch </a>and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/halo" target="_blank">YouTube</a>)</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 13</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 20 </strong>– Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 27 </strong>– Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 3</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 10</strong> – Championship (Broadcasted on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.twitch.tv/halo/" target="_blank">Twitch </a>and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/halo" target="_blank">YouTube</a>)</li></ul>



<p><strong>Prizing:</strong></p>



<ul><li><strong>Open </strong>– $1,000</li><li><strong>Pro</strong> – $5,000</li><li><strong>Championship</strong> – $10,000</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">REST OF WORLD:</h4>



<ul><li><strong>Saturday, February 6</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 13</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 20</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 27 </strong>– Championship</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 13</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 20</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 27 </strong>– Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 3 </strong>– Championship (Includes ANZ)</li></ul>



<p><strong>Prizing:</strong></p>



<ul><li><strong>Open</strong> – $1,000</li><li><strong>Championship</strong> – $5,000</li></ul>



<p>Finally, in North America, the Top 8 teams from the prior season will automatically advance to the first Pro tournament on February 13. Teams must submit their rosters to <a href="mailto:haloevents@faceit.com">haloevents@faceit.com</a>, and the roster must maintain 3 of the 4 players from the prior season championship. <strong>Rosters for the first North American Pro tournament must be submitted by Tuesday, February 9.</strong></p>



<p>Registration for the tournaments is now live and you can head over to the following links to sign up for free: <a href="https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/20664c35-7e42-4c7b-a45b-8eb49c754557/Halo%205%20Series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HALO 5</a> – <a href="https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/ccdbefc7-97c9-49a3-9502-2d79ab4b1cb4/Halo%20MCC%20Series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MCC</a>. For those competing, please continue to monitor emails and official communication channels for limited time opportunities to offer feedback and input throughout the program. For the latest on Halo esports and the MCC and Halo 5 Pro Series’, be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hcs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@HCS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FACEITHalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@FaceitHalo</a> on Twitter.</p>



<p>Best of luck to all players competing!</p>


Official HCS

PRO SERIES EVENTS CONTINUE

What’s Next For HCS


<p>Since the HCS Grassroots program was announced, it’s been amazing to see just how many people in the community are continuing to produce content, and how many are starting out for the first time. <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/hcs-grass-roots-content-creators-update" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In February,</a> we revealed which content creators were accepted into the HCS Grassroots program in Wave 2. For Wave 3, we received hundreds of applications and after reviewing each and every one of them, we’ve narrowed down the list to just four.</p>



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<p>Let’s meet the content creators!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WAVE 3 CONTENT CREATORS</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SAIYAN</h3>



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<p> If you’ve been watching the HCS, then you’ve seen Saiyan snipe and slay his way up the professional scene for the last few years. With Saiyan’s primary focus now on creating content, Saiyan has impressed his fans day in and day out providing high level Halo 5 gameplay!</p>



<p><strong>Follow Saiyan:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Twitch: <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/TheOneSaiyan_">https://www.twitch.tv/TheOneSaiyan_</a></li><li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjqYkWG30kot0uzZxlH3GA/featured">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUjqYkWG30kot0uzZxlH3GA/featured</a></li><li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOneSaiyan">https://twitter.com/TheOneSaiyan</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">RECLAIMER</h3>



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<p> Boasting fun and high-level gameplay on Twitch and YouTube has seen Reclaimer make a name for himself in the Halo scene. As an HCS Grassroots partner, we can’t wait to see him grow both his audience and as an entertainer!</p>



<p><strong>Follow Reclaimer:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Twitch: <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/reclximer">https://www.twitch.tv/reclximer</a></li><li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/reclaimer">https://www.youtube.com/reclaimer</a></li><li>Twitter: <a href="https://www.twitter.com/reclaimercr">https://www.twitter.com/reclaimercr</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">ISHII</h3>



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<p> This Seattle-native is most known for his YouTube montages where no-scope Overkills are the minimum. With a mix of FFA, Team Snipers, and Social playlists, Ishii provides high-level play in a variety of modes for his stream.</p>



<p><strong>Follow Ishii:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Twitch: <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/IshiiVids">https://www.twitch.tv/IshiiVids</a></li><li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMLGIshii">https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMLGIshii</a></li><li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/IshiiVids">https://twitter.com/IshiiVids</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">SHYWAY</h3>



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<p> If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “How the heck did Roy do that?!” then Shyway has you covered. Providing in-depth analysis of pro-level play and tactics, Shyway has been educating his fans for years. You can also watch Shyway perform these high-level plays himself on his live stream on Twitch as well, and as the host of the HCS Weekly show by UGC.</p>



<p><strong>Follow Shyway:</strong></p>



<ul><li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shyway">https://www.youtube.com/shyway</a></li><li>Twitch: <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/theshyway/">https://www.twitch.tv/theshyway/</a></li><li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheShyWay">https://twitter.com/TheShyWay</a></li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEXT APPLICATION WINDOW</h2>



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<p> If you didn’t make it into Wave 3, don’t give up! The HCS Grassroots program is an important part of the future of the Halo esports ecosystem. We believe it’s important we nurture its growth slowly and build it over a long period of time, expanding organically as we get closer to Halo Infinite’s launch and beyond. Our plan is to continue to accept applications and keep growing our network.</p>



<p><strong>The next application window will be open from July 1 at 12PM PT to July 31 at 12PM PT</strong>.</p>



<p>Continue to innovate and entertain and be sure to apply once the window opens again. As always, thank you to everyone for your continued support of each other and the HCS Grassroots program. For all the latest on the Halo Championship Series, keep it locked to <a href="http://halo.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo.gg</a> and follow <a href="https://www.twitter.com/hcs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@HCS</a> on Twitter.</p>


Content Creators Wave 3


<p>It’s now been over six months since the HCS Grassroots program has launched and as we look back we can’t help but feel thankful for the amazing support the community has shown towards the program as well as the incredible partners we’ve joined forces with.</p>



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<p>While we’ve had a tremendous start already, the future looks even brighter and today we’ll be looking at Community Tournament Organizers that will be joining the program. Community Tournament Organizers and the competitions they run around the world are crucial to the grassroots competitive scene for Halo – and their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thank you to everyone who has submitted an application – we’re still continuing to receive and review applications, and more community tournament organizers will be partnered through the program as the year progresses. Let’s jump right in and meet our newest partners!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EUROPA HALO</h2>



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<p> With the goals of creating a platform to grow European Halo as a competitive force in the HCS, Europa Halo has been running online leagues and tournaments for over two years. Now partnered with the HCS Grassroots program, Europa Halo will be offering monthly tournaments for Halo 5: Guardians. Here’s a look at the next six months of tournaments with the first kicking off this weekend!</p>



<ul><li>Team Takedown (4v4) Sunday, May 5, 2019</li><li>Double Down (2v2) Sunday, June 9, 2019</li><li>FFA Frenzy (FFA) Sunday, July 7, 2019</li><li>Team Takedown (4v4) Sunday, August 4, 2019</li><li>Double Down (2v2) Sunday, September 8, 2019</li><li>FFA Frenzy (FFA) Sunday, October 13, 2019</li></ul>



<p>You’ll see promotion for Europa Halo tournaments and broadcasts each month from <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hcs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@HCS</a> on Twitter, and both competitors and viewers will have a chance to receive the coveted HCS Grassroots nameplate and Battle Rifle skin. Thank you to Europa Halo for the continued support of the Halo community!</p>



<p>For all the latest, be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropaHalo">@EuropaHalo</a> on Twitter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GTHALO</h2>



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<p> For over ten years, the Greater Toronto Halo group (GTHalo) have been running consistent competitions and creating content with the goal of growing the love for Halo in Toronto and also fostering Canada’s next greatest Halo players and content creators. Their impact thus far has been immense, and they’ve also begun inspiring other city-based communities to form within North America. A huge thanks is owed to the crew behind the GTHalo, including <a href="https://twitter.com/MartinOmes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOnlyZoltan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colten</a> for their dedication to the Halo community. Now part of the HCS Grassroots program, we hope even more people will join the cause and participate in their upcoming tournaments:</p>



<ul><li>GTHalo LAN at Lords Gaming Centre (703R Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G 1L5) – Saturday, May 24, 2019</li><li>GTHalo Schoolyard Roulette Tournament at Yorkdale Microsoft Store (3401 Dufferin St #305, North York, ON M6A 3A1) – Sunday, June 30, 2019</li></ul>



<p>For more information including details on how to register, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/GTHalo">@GTHalo</a> on Twitter.</p>



<p>As part of the HCS Grassroots program, you can expect to also receive the HCS Grassroots nameplate and BR skin for competing, as well as chances to win for viewers that tune in.</p>



<p>Once again, thank you to everyone who has applied to the HCS Grassroots program, and supported the people and organizations we’ve partnered with along the way. In June, we’ll be sharing the content creators who have made it into the program in Wave 3. For all the latest on the Halo Championship Series, stay tuned to <a href="http://halo.gg/">Halo.gg</a> and follow <a href="http://twitter.com/hcs">@HCS</a> on Twitter.</p>


Grassroots Community Tournament Organizer Update


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<p>Back in November we announced the HCS Grassroots program for content creators and tournament organizers alike. A few months and over 500 applications later, we’re humbled by the response and reception to the program. We are very thankful for the support shown not only for the program itself but also for the tournament organizer and content creators we have partnered with thus far.</p>



<p>The HCS Grassroots program is an important part of the future of the Halo esports ecosystem and we believe it’s important we nurture its growth slowly and build it over a long period of time, expanding organically as we march towards Halo Infinite’s launch and beyond. In the long run, we’re aiming to have a strong network of partners and build a strong relationship with each of them. These are content creators we hope you love to watch, interact with online, and hang out with at events like the upcoming HCS Invitational.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">APPLICATION PROCESS UPDATE</h2>



<p>Since the program launched, we’ve discovered some places to improve not only our partnership with the content creators, but also our application process. We’ve also heard feedback that many creators are looking for clearer understanding of when they should apply and when they should anticipate hearing back. The HCS Grassroots program is meant to grow and evolve over time, so thank you for all of your thoughts, feedback, and contributions so far.</p>



<p>Going forward, applications will be only be open for month-long windows during certain points throughout the year. As a content creator, this will give you time to work on your content and craft, and build up your channel in anticipation of each application window opening. Once the window closes, we’ll be diligently reviewing applications and selecting the next group of content creators that make it into the program – and then re-opening applications for another window.</p>



<p><strong>The next application window will be open from March 1 to March 31.</strong></p>



<p>Thank you to those who create Halo content to entertain the entire Halo community! If you didn’t make it into the program this time, we encourage you to keep creating content and reapply in the future. There were many great creators that applied but only a small group were selected for this wave. For those that applied, be on the lookout for an email with more tips on how you can improve your application and chances for future entry into the program!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WAVE 2 CONTENT CREATORS</h2>



<p>Selecting the next wave of content creators to be accepted into the program was no small task. For this wave, we’ve selected another four creators who we felt had been creating a wealth of content both live and VoD for quite some time, and have also been positive influences in the community. Help us welcome the crew!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">PROXIMITTY</h3>



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<p> Known for streaming and creating videos ranging from casual to competitive multiplayer, Proximitty has been bringing the excitement and laughs for years. We can’t wait to see how he evolves as an entertainer!</p>



<p><strong>FOLLOW PROXIMITTY</strong></p>



<ul><li>YouTube – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fc%2FProximitty&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020613199&sdata=IlVEstZVFWcYtKHOVdgspOZSFUSAxBpCiA2YVVnoDPo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/c/Proximitty</a></li><li>Twitch – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitch.tv%2FProximitty&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020613199&sdata=7mpNbY%2BMFP6X6EkwjqwxyvD8F2fqLN6y%2BZBmZolgo2I%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.twitch.tv/Proximitty</a></li><li>Twitter – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FProximittyCE&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020623203&sdata=HnuuI43Fab8T1YLEcsCPEKNTTxSB59kcI7GkON3W0ZA%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/ProximittyCE</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">STRESS</h3>



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<p> Stress is an HCS competitor and has not only been on the grind to improve his skills, but also to create as much content for the community as possible. As part of the HCS Grassroots program, we hope to see Stress grow both as a player and creator.</p>



<p><strong>FOLLOW STRESS</strong></p>



<ul><li>YouTube – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fjeremystress&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020633212&sdata=gxWvOoIt3jtLXZP4bYBsfVRRRmxlRI6Gwq99atAAqAw%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://www.youtube.com/jeremystress</a></li><li>Twitch – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitch.tv%2Fstresss_&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020883429&sdata=VFK0Ih81gP0Jcv%2B2eZ2H%2FwCUeW9C4QLnshT8h74at5s%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.twitch.tv/stresss_</a></li><li>Twitter – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FStressJS&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020893437&sdata=EhbQa6McMdTBcQuc%2BBlvhOhWunIEsHYJDguHgMMm738%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/StressJS</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">ELI X</h3>



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<p> Eli X has been creating live content for years across casual and competitive multiplayer, and everything in between. Eli X’s stream has seen consistent growth, and we’re excited to have him part of the HCS Grassroots program.</p>



<p><strong>FOLLOW ELI X</strong></p>



<ul><li>YouTube – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fuser%2Fyxrikuxy&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020893437&sdata=d4HHxj5tVIV7%2FXn21RCm7Yuk%2FS3NC1DbG3Fai3FJTCY%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/user/yxrikuxy</a></li><li>Twitch – <a href="https://nam06.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitch.tv%2Feli_x&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7C9c4e5952159e4c3d9f7308d68c7ee82b%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636850874020903446&sdata=KMbNFxeikz7RM17JVIJE5twtf84XuIybykgRv38jcJ8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.twitch.tv/eli_x</a></li><li>Twitter – <a href="https://twitter.com/EEli_X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/EEli_X</a></li></ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">HCS WEEKLY BY UGC STUDIOS</h3>



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<p> While individual creators are an important part of the content ecosystem, we also recognize that many creators like to partner on larger productions. The folks at UGC have not only put their efforts towards LAN events and esports broadcasts, but have also been putting together weekly content in the form of the HCS Weekly. The HCS Weekly is the destination for the latest news and interviews from the competitive Halo community and is quickly becoming a mainstay each week. </p>



<p><strong>FOLLOW HCS WEEKLY<br></strong></p>



<ul><li>Homepage – <a href="http://www.hcsweekly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">http://www.hcsweekly.com/</a></li><li>YouTube – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9ICqfPFQod_fJDzsy2VAA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9ICqfPFQod_fJDzsy2VAA</a></li><li>Twitch – <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/ugc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.twitch.tv/ugc/</a></li><li>Twitter – <a href="https://twitter.com/HCSweekly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://twitter.com/HCSweekly</a></li></ul>



<p>Not only will they will be bringing regular content for everyone to enjoy, but you’ll also see them at the HCS Invitational at SXSW next month on March 15-17!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THANK YOU</h2>



<p>Once again, thank you to everyone who has supported the HCS Grassroots program thus far – either as a tournament organizer, creator, or fan who has supported the HCS Grassroots partners. This is just the beginning of the program, and we’re excited to partner with the community in an all-new way to grow and evolve Halo esports like never before.</p>



<p>For all the latest on the Halo Championship Series – keep it locked to <a href="http://halo.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo.gg</a> and follow <a href="http://twitter.com/hcs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@HCS</a> on Twitter.</p>


Content Creators Update


<p>Today, we’re launching a new initiative for Halo esports called <strong>HCS Grassroots</strong>. Designed to support the community directly, HCS Grassroots will help tournament operators and content creators continue to do what they love and also introduce new opportunities. Let’s jump in!</p>



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<p>Halo esports would not have such a rich history without the contributions from the community over the years – in particular the tournament operators that unite the community to play Halo, and the content creators that tell their stories both in and out of the game. We believe that these contributions are crucial to building the foundation of Halo esports and competitive Halo, and we aim to strengthen this foundation with HCS Grassroots.</p>



<p>For tournament organizers, our goals are to help them continue to run tournaments both in North America and around the world. These will range from in-person LAN events to online tournaments, seasons, and leagues to encourage participation from everyone and unite communities big and small under one roof.</p>



<p>For content creators, our goals in the first year are to build out a network of partners to help them achieve their viewership goals and also shine a spotlight on entertainment for the community to watch on a regular basis. We hope to help grow the culture of content creation within the Halo community.</p>



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<p>For both groups, we also want to take feedback and look for ways that the HCS Grassroots program can grow and evolve to provide even more opportunities down the road. In the long run, our ambitions are for HCS Grassroots to be the platform that tournament organizers and content creators leverage to thrive on and grow their own communities in a sustainable and long-lasting way. In addition to our very own 343-driven official HCS competition, we intend to have a vast network of partners who are able to provide competitions around the world as well as content for everyone to enjoy when Halo Infinite releases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOW DOES IT WORK?</h2>



<p>HCS Grassroots is not a new league – it’s a partnership program where tournament organizers big and small, along with content creators, can apply for support that comes in a number of different ways that will evolve over time. We also want to support all flavors of competitive multiplayer, as well as all Halo games from Halo: CE to Halo 5: Guardians and everything in-between. If the community has interest in a particular game or mode, we want to be there to support that desire.</p>



<p>If you’re a <strong>tournament organizer</strong>, you can apply for support and potentially receive things like:</p>



<ul><li>Prize pool contributions</li><li>Loaner consoles</li><li>Giveaways and digital prizes</li><li>Promotion on social media and Halo.gg</li><li>Content</li><li>Graphics</li><li>Sponsor acquisition support</li><li>Sanctioning</li></ul>



<p>If you’re a <strong>content creator</strong>, you can potentially receive:</p>



<ul><li>Promotion on social media and Halo.gg</li><li>Giveaways and digital prizes</li><li>Hosting on broadcast channels</li><li>Content</li><li>Graphics</li></ul>



<p>This initial offering is really just the beginning – we hope it will continue to grow and evolve over time alongside the support of community and partners.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INITIAL PARTNERS – TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">THE HALO CLASSIC BY UGC EVENTS</h3>



<p>In partnership with HCS Grassroots, UGC have stepped up to the plate and will deliver the first LAN event supported by the program. HCS Grassroots will be supporting this event by providing the entire prize pool, promotion, content, and more.</p>



<ul><li>Date: January 11-13</li><li>City: St. Louis, Missouri</li><li>Game: Halo 3 on MCC</li></ul>



<p>Tournaments: Halo 3 4v4 and MCC side tournament</p>



<p>Prize pools: $30,000 for Halo 3 4v4, and $5,000 for MCC side tournament</p>



<p>For more information on the tournament and how you can be involved, check out <a href="http://ugc.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UGC.gg</a> and follow <a href="http://twitter.com/ugcevents" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@UGCEvents</a> on Twitter.</p>



<p>Get your tickets and team passes now at: <a href="http://ugc.gg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ugc.gg</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GAMERS FOR GIVING 2019</h3>



<p>Halo returns to one of the biggest LANs in North America – Gamers For Giving. The team at Gamers Outreach have been running Halo tournaments since Day 1 and we knew we had to lend our support of the event, the Gamers For Giving community, as well as the amazing charity efforts. For this event, HCS Grassroots will be providing prize pool, promotion and content, and we’re also donating a Gamers Outreach Gaming Kart.</p>



<ul><li>Date: March 23-24</li><li>City: Ann Harbor, Michigan</li><li>Game: Halo 3 on MCC</li><li>Tournaments: Halo 3 2v2</li></ul>



<p>For more, be sure to follow <a href="http://www.twitter.com/gamersoutreach">@GamersOutreach</a> on Twitter and head to <a href="http://gamersforgiving.org/">gamersforgiving.org.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INITIAL PARTNERS – CONTENT CREATORS</h2>



<p>The four content creators we’ve decided start with as HCS Grassroots partners should be familiar faces to many in the Halo community and we’re proud to partner with positive, fun, and entertaining creators who have already contributed so much to the community.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">VETOED</h3>



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<p> Former Halo competitor and current streamer and YouTuber, Vetoed has been consistently bringing high quality gameplay, analysis, and content to the community for quite some time now. We’re excited to see how he grows and evolves his craft as a creator and a player.</p>



<p>Follow Vetoed: <a href="https://twitter.com/vetoed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITTER </a>| <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/vetoed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITCH </a>| <a href="https://www.youtube.com/vetoed" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YOUTUBE</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">AC7IONMAN</h3>



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<p>Few creators out there can bring the level of skill, comedy, and passion to Halo and its community that Ac7ionman does. With dedication and consistency, Ac7ionman has quickly risen to be one of the fan-favorites in the community, and we can’t wait to share his antics with even more people.</p>



<p>Follow Ac7ionman: <a href="https://twitter.com/ac7ionman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITTER </a>| <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/ac7ionmannn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITCH </a>| <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Ac7ionMan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YOUTUBE</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UBERNICK</h3>



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<p> UberNick has been creating content for Halo since the Halo 4 days and has worked hard to build his audience on YouTube, while also expanding to live streaming. Uber Nick is no slouch on the sticks, and delivers content across a variety of Halo games and modes.</p>



<p>Follow UberNick: <a href="https://twitter.com/UberNick_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITTER </a>| <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/ubernick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITCH </a>| <a href="https://www.youtube.com/ubernick" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YOUTUBE</a></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NADED</h3>



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<p> Last but not least, we’re thrilled to partner with a Halo esports legend. Naded has been one of Halo’s biggest streamers for years now, and delivers a unique mix of pro-level gameplay as well as his own unique flavor of humor while building a strong community at the same time. It’s never a dull moment with Naded both on mainstage and in his stream (including extra live coverage at events).</p>



<p>Follow Naded: <a href="https://twitter.com/naded" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITTER </a>| <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/naded" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TWITCH </a>| <a href="https://www.youtube.com/naded" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YOUTUBE</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EXCLUSIVE IN-GAME ITEMS</h2>



<p>In anticipation of the HCS Grassroots program launch, we’ve also created a new Battle Rifle skin for Halo 5: Guardians as well as a nameplate for MCC.</p>



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<p> These in-game items will be given out <strong>exclusively</strong> by HCS Grassroots partners by attending and participating in tournaments, and entering giveaways by content creators. 5×5 codes will be given out as part of the redemption process, which will net you BOTH the BR skin in Halo 5 and nameplate in MCC at the same time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">APPLICATION PROCESS</h2>



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<p> We are excited to grow the HCS Grassroots partner program, and starting now, you can apply at Halo.gg/Grassroots. Before you do, here’s what we’re looking for in partners:</p>



<p><strong>Types of partners:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Tournament Organizers (LAN events, online tournaments and leagues)</li><li>Content creators (streamers and VOD content)</li></ul>



<p><strong>Criteria for selection:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Established track record of tournament operation or content creation</li><li>Established track record of community outreach, engagement, and support</li><li>Consistent positive influence and contributions to the Halo community</li><li>Established track record of investment in the community</li></ul>



<p>If you’re just starting out or the news of HCS Grassroots has you wanting to contribute – that’s great! We encourage you to jump in and create your own consistent tournament program or consistent content, build a solid relationship with the community, and then apply. We’re here for questions along the way, so feel free to tweet @HCS if you’ve got any.</p>



<p>Applying is easy – you’ll just need to sign in at <a href="http://halo.gg/grassroots" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo.gg/Grassroots</a>, tell us if you’re a tournament organizer or content creator, and fill out the application. We anticipate a large volume of applications in the first month, so we appreciate your patience as we carefully review each application and reply via email.</p>



<p>If you’re not accepted at first – don’t give up! We’ll be providing feedback on ways to continue to grow so that you can join the program later down the road. If you are accepted, we’ll be sending an acceptance email welcoming you to the program along with what level of support you’ll be receiving. Once you accept – you’re in!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THANK YOU</h2>



<p>The HCS Grassroots program is our way of giving back to the community and those who invest so much into the Halo franchise and the scene, and while we’re excited to take this first small step, we can’t wait to see how it grows and evolves. We’ve heard the calls for more community support, and this is just one way we’re doubling down. Halo esports could not thrive without you, and we can’t wait to begin the next chapter in our journey with you. Thank you!</p>


Grassroots Program


<p>With HCS 2018 Season Finals at DreamHack Atlanta rapidly approaching, we know many folks across the competitive community have questions regarding what’s next for the HCS and what they can expect from Halo esports going forward. So today, we’d like to share some important esports updates around Halo 5, MCC, and more – and we’ll have more to share at DreamHack Atlanta and beyond.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO 5 ESPORTS</h2>



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<p>After three years of tournaments, unbelievable moments and matches, and more than $6,000,000 awarded, the HCS Finals 2018 at DreamHack Atlanta will be the final, official Halo 5 esports tournament for the Halo Championship Series – though competitive Halo will continue on in brand new ways (more on that below). We’re so thankful to all the amazing players, teams, and fans that have invested so much in supporting Halo 5 competitions to help us continue the growth of Halo esports together.</p>



<p>While we’ll all fondly reflect on so many incredible Halo 5 HCS memories, we’re also excited as we look forward to an even brighter future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT’S NEXT</h2>



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<p> Esports and supporting the competitive Halo community continues to be an important focus for the studio and there will still be events and activities for competitive players to participate in beyond Halo 5. With MCC receiving improvements and new features, and Halo Infinite in development, we are excited to seize an opportunity to lay the foundation for the entire competitive scene to build up from there and support the community as it grows. From official grassroots programming and events, to the ongoing Microsoft Store tournaments, we will continue to explore new opportunities and initiatives for the coming year.</p>



<p>As competitive Halo morphs and evolves, we’re mindful of our guidelines and our priorities for the pillars we want to be reflected in the Halo Championship Series. We want to continue to be open to and accessible for all players, we want to continue to communicate openly about our plans for the future of Halo esports, and we want Halo esports to be successful for those that invest in it.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GRASSROOTS</h3>



<p>Later this year, we are kicking off a program to support grassroots tournaments and content creators across all Halo titles, and will have full details to share at DreamHack Atlanta. We believe that Halo esports is only as successful as the community and foundation it’s built upon, and investing in grassroots is an important part of setting that foundation for the future. Stay tuned – we’re excited to share more information next month including how you can get involved to play, watch, and apply.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION</h3>



<p>With the recent updates and improvements to MCC, and even more feature work underway, there’s a renewed sense of excitement and reinvigoration for these games – particularly with Halo 3. We’re excited to support this with the 2v2 Showdown at DreamHack Atlanta and would like to continue to deliver similar experiences in the future. The scope and specifics of potential MCC competitive offerings will be largely dependent on how well the 2v2 Showdown performs in terms of participation and viewership. We’re eager to kick this off and will be keeping a close eye on the community response as we continue to evaluate plans and opportunities for MCC moving forward.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO INFINITE</h2>



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<p> As we look further ahead, we know there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding Halo Infinite. We’re not ready to pull the curtain back just yet, but the Halo esports team has been working closely with the development team to represent the wants and needs of the ever-evolving esports community in terms of gameplay, features, viewership, and more. Halo 5, both as a game and esport, has evolved a great deal over the years with new maps and gametypes, spectator and observer modes, local server, and more – and we’ve learned a tremendous amount along the way. We’re excited to carry our learnings (and industry learnings) forward in Halo Infinite in a more integrated way than ever before here at 343.</p>



<p>While we wait for the right time to share more game details, we want to remind folks about the community flighting program that Chris Lee mentioned in his blog back in June:</p>



<p><em>In the future, you will be able to join early flighting programs that will let members of the community play the game with us, and give direct feedback, much like the current Insider flighting program for Halo: The Master Chief Collection. It will take some time for us to be ready to kick those flighting events off, but when they do they will start small and grow along the way.</em></p>



<p>We can’t overstate how important the flighting process will be to the development of Halo Infinite, and the team is excited to share the journey with the entire Halo community, including competitive players. We look forward to sharing more details as soon as the team is ready.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THANK YOU</h2>



<p>On behalf of the HCS team and the entire 343 studio, we want to thank everyone who has supported Halo 5 esports over the past three years and we look forward to continuing this journey together to grow Halo esports for years to come. With some intense competition and rivalries heating up and the Halo 3 2v2 Showdown looming, Dreamhack Atlanta promises to be an awesome finale. Join us at <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.halowaypoint.com%2Fen-us%2Fesports%2Fhcs-finals-2018&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7Cbf062bf7b5a14d538bda08d634538006%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636753930569208852&sdata=tCjtA3WARoAMmn1GvBm98Imk3dJh1JfZumWfH5LGbqo%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DreamHack Atlanta</a> to celebrate Halo 5 esports with player-voted awards, flashbacks to the greatest memories from the past three years, and more. What are your favorite Halo 5 esports memories? Have any photos or clips? <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fhcs&data=02%7C01%7Ctahirh%40microsoft.com%7Cbf062bf7b5a14d538bda08d634538006%7C72f988bf86f141af91ab2d7cd011db47%7C1%7C0%7C636753930569218857&sdata=Isck9Scaf3LUamCuZOK2OWvwNPd9qgiR%2BjC3DcVWU3s%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tweet @HCS</a> to share them with us!</p>



<p>Thank you, and we’ll see you when the HCS Finals kick off on Friday, November 16.</p>


2018 Update


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<p><strong>Halo Championship Series League Introduction</strong></p>



<p>The Halo Championship Series is the official Halo eSports league, designed to curate a quality experience for pro players, enthusiasts and spectators. The HCS will celebrate Halo’s rich competitive gaming legacy while building an all-new platform for the future of Halo eSports.</p>



<p>We’ll be releasing the official HCS rules in the coming weeks, but for now, here’s a quick look at what the Halo Championship Series is all about.</p>



<ul><li>The first season of the Halo Championship Series will kick off shortly after the launch of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and run from November (preseason) through March of 2015.</li><li>The official game of the Halo Championship Series is Halo 2: Anniversary.</li><li>Teams of four Spartans will compete in a structured series of online and in-person LAN events.</li><li>All officially sanctioned tournaments (LAN and online) will award HCS points to the top teams.</li><li>HCS LAN event point allocations will be broken down into tiers based on total prize pool and bracket size. For example, a tournament with a $5,000 prize pool will award less points than a tournament with a $25,000 prize pool.</li><li>Several established tournament organizers are already on board, and will be announcing their events shortly. In the coming weeks, additional tournament organizers will be able to apply to become an official HCS sanctioned partner.</li><li>At the end of season 1, teams with the highest HCS point totals will be invited to compete at the HCS season finals in March 2015. More details to be announced.</li><li>In addition to awarding official HCS points, 343 Industries and Twitch look forward to working with and supporting tournament organizers in a variety of ways to ensure the best experience possible for players and fans alike. This includes, but is not limited to financial support, tech support, promotional support, talent and production support, and more.</li></ul>



<p>There’s lots more on the way, and we hope you’re as excited as we are. Tune into the Launch Invitational this weekend at <a href="http://twitch.tv/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitch.tv/Halo</a> to learn more about the Halo Championship Series and what’s ahead for Halo.</p>
