EA's "Apex Legends" video game is "getting an esports series" that will "carry a total prize pool" of $3M, according to Noah Smith of the WASHINGTON POST. The Apex Legends Global Series will have an "open format tournament series for the battle royale game with four types of events, ranging from online tournaments to big ticket global live events." The first competition will be held in January. Eligible players "must live in one of 60 approved countries and meet minimum age and PC processing requirements." The decision to "forgo franchises and professional players is in line" with other EA sports titles, such as "Madden NFL," "FIFA" and "Fortnite." However, it differs from "franchised leagues with professional players," such as those of Blizzard's Overwatch League, Riot Games' League of Legends Championship Series and Activision's Call of Duty. EA Senior VP & GM Competitive Gaming Division Todd Sitrin said that the series will "include 12 live events, an additional 10 online tournaments, and other events that have yet to be announced." There will be a total of "four Majors, ending with the Apex Legends Global Series Championship, the crowning tournament of the series." Each Major will "include 100 squads, each consisting of three players." Sitrin said that like EA's other esports properties, some Apex events will be "broadcast on linear TV in addition to digital distribution." However, he "declined to say which network will air it and which events will be shown" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/18).
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