Gfinity to launch new Elite Series with CS:GO

Esports business Gfinity announced the launch of the Gfinity Challenger Series as the first stage of the Gfinity Elite Series on Monday, with the Counter Strike: Global Offensive game as the first of three titles to form part of the Elite Series.

The AIM-traded firm described the Elite Series, first announced in November 2016, as a “dynamic new” eSports league format which would provide the eSports community with a new platform to play and watch games in a “fiercely competitive” online environment.

It said the series was expected to attract an active audience of eSport enthusiasts and competitive gamers to generate sponsorship and broadcasting rights for the company, and provide a unique set of sponsorship, media and franchise opportunities for potential partners.

Registration was now open for gamers to participate in the Challenger Series tournament, where aspiring gamers could acquire ranking points and the opportunity to be drafted into one of eight pro-franchises.

The Challenger Series was expected to launch on 27 March, where gamers will compete in a series of online competitions to determine who will be selected to play in the Gfinity Arena in the Elite Series, which was expected to be launched in May this year.

“The launch of the Challenger Series is a major strategic milestone for the company and goes some way to highlighting the growing demand for eSports competitions,” said chief executive Neville Upton.

“Furthermore, we're delighted that the popular multiplayer first person shooter game, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, published by Valve, is the first of three titles we expect to announce over the coming weeks as we continue to build out the Elite Series.”