gamescom 2015: Introducing the Halo World Championship

The Halo series has always been synonymous with console eSports and online competition. And with Halo 5: Guardians, we’re fully embracing that legacy with the announcement of the inaugural Halo World Championship – which launches later this winter, and features a prize pool starting at $1 million dollars.

The Halo World Championship will focus on Halo 5: Guardians’ hyper-competitive Arena multiplayer experience. During our gamescom 2015 briefing today, we showcased through the new Spectator Mode a thrilling match-up between two of the best pro teams in the world, Team Epsilon and OpTic Gaming, on a brand-new Arena multiplayer map: Coliseum. 

Coliseum has everything that makes a great competitive arena experience: It’s a symmetrical, two-base map that includes a unique mix of elevation and sight lines, and it’s purposely built for a wide variety of fast-paced multiplayer modes. The map’s story harkens back to the first incursions of the Flood into the Forerunners’ outer territories signaled the beginning of a centuries-long war. Although they immediately summoned the full strength of their navy, most Warrior-Servants recognized that this conflict would be won or lost on the ground. Hidden safely in the shadows of the Burn, this military compound provided a necessary proving ground, strategically honing those who were destined for sacrificial glory.

Also this week, the Halo 5: Guardians gamescom Invitational 2015 will take place on Friday, August 7 in the ESL Arena on the gamescom show floor. The Invitational will feature a first look at high-stakes Arena gameplay – which focuses on pure, skill-based 4v4 combat, and features four of the top teams in the world: Epsilon Esports (EU), Supremecy (EU), CAZ.Esports (EU) and OpTic Gaming (NA). Gamescom is the perfect place to demonstrate the excitement and caliber of Halo eSports that we’ll see coming to the World Championship later this year.

Microsoft and 343 Industries will be working with major pro game leagues and partners worldwide, and we’ll have more details to share on that front later this year. Make sure you pick up your copy of Halo 5: Guardians launching worldwide on October 27 for Xbox One – and brush up on those Arena skills, so you can show the world how good you really are!