Major League Gaming - Pro Circuit

Pro Circuit

The MLG Pro Circuit roster currently includes Starcraft II and League of Legends for the PC. Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur V, and King of Fighters XIII for the PlayStation 3 are the only console games. Starcraft II is currently commentated by DJ Wheat, Day 9, Rob Simpson, Tasteless, Artosis, JP, dApollo, and Totalbiscuit, with other personalities coming on time to time. Fighting games are commentated by Juicebox Abel, Tom Brady, and Bibulus. No League of Legends casters have been announced yet.

Major League Gaming also hosts a series of online qualifier ladders for the online-only pro circuit titles leading to the national championship. In the past, MLG hosted Super Smash Bros Melee tournaments during the 2006 MLG season and other games such as Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Tekken 5, Gears of War, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas, Shadowrun, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War 2.

Each team/player must purchase a team pass to compete. These passes normally go on sale several weeks in advance of the next Pro Circuit event. Passes are limited, so participants are encouraged to purchase a pass as soon as they go on sale.

On February 6, 2009, MLG Commissioner John Nelson addressed the MLG community about changing the format for the 2009 pro circuit. Semi-pro teams now have the opportunity to gain pro status. The rolling rank points system and the championship bracket were also modified.

In March 2010, it was announced that fighting games will be returning to the pro circuit, with Tekken 6 exclusively on the PlayStation 3, and the return of the Smash competition with Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These two games will appear in the season opener in Orlando, along with the league's flagship, Halo 3, which will make its third season with the league. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be making its debut on the Online Pro Circuit on Gamebattles for PlayStation 3. Originally, the game was on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Due to excessive hacking on the Xbox 360 console via JTAGs, it has been stripped of its "Pro Circuit" branding. Prize payouts will remain the same on both consoles. PlayStation 3 players will be eligible to accumulate Pro Points. Those who have enough Pro Points at the end of the 3rd season of the Online Pro Circuit will be eligible to compete live at the MLG Nationals held in Dallas. Those competing on the Xbox 360 will not earn pro points and will have championships held online. On July 30, 2010, it was announced that StarCraft II will be added to the Pro Circuit. It made its official debut at MLG Raleigh.

The 2011 season featured four titles: Halo: Reach, Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and the mid-season addition of League of Legends. Also, something that the MLG Pro Circuit hasn't seen since the 2005, Pool Play. The top 16 team will be seeded in 4 pools of 5 teams, where the 5th team would an undefeated amateur team. The team with the best record throughout pool play will advance to the winner's bracket semi-finals, securing themselves a top 6 finish.

The 2012 season saw many title changes in the Pro Circuit. Starcraft II was brought on as the league's main title. Fighting games for the PS3 and League of Legends were announced as additional titles. Halo Reach is no longer on the Pro Circuit, nor is Call of Duty: Black Ops. Call of Duty was dropped from the circuit due to the cease of funding MLG received from PlayStation to put the title on the circuit. The 2012 tournament format has also drastically changed, with the introduction of seasonal events. The new format features 4 season, within each season are 2 Arenas and a Championship. The Championship features all Pro Circuit titles, and has a free SD broadcast option. The Arenas are PPV events and for now only feature Starcraft II, and are broadcast in HD from MLG's Studio in New York.

Also in 2012 came many new partnerships for MLG. So far, MLG has partnered with CBSi to increase its broadcast capabilities and to integrate with CBSi's website, GameSpot.com. This new partnership hopes to increase exposure of MLG to a larger more casual audience.

During 2012, MLG has also partnered with KeSPA (Korean eSports Association) in a multi-year agreement. This agreement allows MLG exclusive access to KeSPA's Starcraft: Brood War players. The partnership will see KeSPA Brood War pros come to the US to compete in MLG events throughout the year. The participants will not be allowed to compete at any other foreign tournaments with MLG's approval. The deal is set to take effect in June, when KeSPA Brood War pros are slated to participate in an exhibition event at MLG Anaheim.

Beginning on November 2, 2012, with the commencement of the MLG fall championship in Dallas, TX, Halo will be reintroduced to the pro circuit. Halo 4, due to be released on November 6, will be one of the five games to be played competitively at MLG Dallas.