eSports

The second most amazing battle of EVO 2012 was the King of Fighters 13 grand match between Mad Kof representing South Korea and Bala representing Mexico. If you want to see this spectacular fight then go straight to the video below. I will warn you though, the hype is pretty intense and I'll have to advise you to buckle up.

 If you want more of that delicious EVO hype then head over to the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 EVO 2012 Grand Final - -FilipinoChamp vs. Infrit match to see the most amazing battle ever.

One of the most amazing battles at EVO 2012 was the Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 grand final championship match between FilipinoChamp and Infrit. For those who missed it, or for anyone who just wants to witness the epic battle again, we have the full 21 minute match to put you on the edge of your seat. It's Mahvel Baby!!

EVO 2012 has begun! If you're reading this then you're probably not in Las Vegas taking in the action for yourself. Don't be sad though, G4 has your back! Below you'll find the videos for all three gameplay streams. Now you won't have to miss a single second of the fighting game action. If you need help deciding which stream to watch, check out our EVO 2012 Live Stream Schedule.

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EVO 2012 starts tomorrow and to make sure you're in the mood, we decided to share the movie FOCUS with you. FOCUS follows the trials and tribulations of professional gamer Mike Ross as he trains for EVO, one of the biggest tournaments in his life. Ross, who signed with pro gaming team CompLexity, is one of the most passionate and well respected fighters in the entire Super Street Fighter 4 community.

G4TV.com is proud to present the full length movie FOCUS, directed by Steve Hwang, as the first installment of G4 Films.

Please check out FOCUS below or for an even better experience watch FOCUS in HD. 

Don't miss G4's coverage of  EVO 2012 this coming weekend! We'll be live-streaming everything. The live event will take place on July 6-8. Check out our EVO 2012 schedule to make sure you don't miss anything!

What did you think of FOCUS? Did it make you a believer in Mike Ross?

Hori's PlayStation 3 Fighting EDGE fight stick is a top-of-the-line piece of tech. It's got a simple, sleek design, excellent, responsive buttons, and great touch screen options. In the video below, Blair Herter and Morgan Webb go in-depth with the exquisite stick and find that it's perfect for every rich fighting game fan.

You can get a Hori Fighting EDGE Fight Stick of your own at Hori's website.

To the untrained eye, fighting games like Mortal Kombat and SoulCalibur can often seem like little more than a cacophony of exposed flesh, pyrotechnics, and incomprehensible catch phrases. According to professional Street Fighter player Arturo Sanchez, however, there's a science to all of eSport's redheaded stepchildren.

When we met up backstage at MLG Anaheim 2012, Sanchez, who is also now MLG's Fighting Game Director, was taking a break from the production line. In front of us, sharply dressed shout-casters were narrating every wince-inducing blow traded by the players in a Mortal Kombat match.

"It's ... a little different from Street Fighter, isn't it?" I said, clumsily, feeling every bit the fighting game neonate that I was.

That was what got the ball rolling. Within moments, we were discussing the little things that made up the games on the MLG Pro Circuit, the subtleties that help the experienced differentiate between an irrevocable loss and a possible comeback.

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The MLG Spring Championship took place in Anaheim, CA this past weekend, where $200,000 was awarded to professional gamers and new StarCraft 2: Heart of Swarm multiplayer units were playable for the first time. This upcoming SC2 expansion isn’t ready for competition yet, so the pros were competing in StarCraft 2, League of Legends, Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur 5 and The King of Fighters 13. MLG events have included everything from FPS to racing competitions in the past, but in Anaheim, RTS and fighting games were half of the focus.

KeSPA was the other major attraction at this Major League Gaming event. So, not only did this mark the 60th tournament for MLG, it was the first in which the uber-popular Korean eSports Association flew some of its team members to the U.S. to play StarCraft 2. Previously, these South Korean rockstars of the eSports world were staying true to 1998’s StarCraft: Brood War. The eight players who were part of the KeSPA Invitational on Saturday night demoed a different style and strategy than everyone else, bringing their hardcore skills of Brood War to Wings of Liberty. In the end, KeSPA team member Flash won this live-streamed tournament.

KeSPA’s entrance into this arena in Anaheim proves the global reach of Major League Gaming. “I’m thinking our global broadcast from this event will crush [previous MLG events],” said Major League Gaming CEO Sundance DiGiovanni in the speech to kick off the weekend-long competition. “We’re going into China, France, all over the globe.”

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Blizzard announced the new multiplayer units that are coming to Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. Although the next expansion will focus on the Zerg, all three races will be getting new units. We've detailed those for you here, and we'll be getting some hands-on time with the game soon to let you know how they feel.

• PREVIEW:  StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Preview Part 1 -- Getting to Know the Swarm

Blizzard's Dustin Browder did stress that, "This is absolutely a work in progress, and this could all change at any minute. If it doesn't meet our players expectations, we will take it out". So, we aren't even sure if they'll be in the final game. There will be a Heart of the Swarm beta, although Blizzard did not announce when that will be. With that in mind, here's what's new:

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ShootMania Storm is a first person shooter tailored for the eSports community. Ubisoft showed Shootmania at their E3 2012 press conference where they had pro gamers compete to demonstrate the competitive attributes of the game.

For more on Shootmania Storm, check out the Shootmania trailer and some Shootmania Storm screenshots.

What we see of eSport competitors doesn’t always reflect the reality behind the scenes.

Imagine this: a crowded show floor, lights, and cameras pinioned to your every movement. Tens of thousands of people riveted by each of your keystrokes. Your every kill arouses a cheer, your every death a chorus of disappointment. If you win this match, you and your team will go on to receive the kind of money normally reserved for those blessed with incredible business acumen or an inhuman grasp of general knowledge. Today, however, the prize goes to the men with the highest actions-per-minute.

• VIDEO: Major League Gaming MadCatz Controller Review -- Just In Time For MLG Anaheim

For many, this is eSports: glamorous, lucrative and paved with afterparties.

Like the video game industry itself, eSports is growing. In Korea, professional gamers are idolized in a way the Western world usually reserves for football prodigies. Barcrafts - the practice of watching Starcraft II in tandem with the communal consumption of alcohol - are springing up everywhere in the world. TV channels dedicated to competitive video games are no longer an idle dream. Last year, Gamescom played host to the 'The International', a DotA 2 tournament that rewarded the triumphant team with a million USD.

But is the reality as alluring as we think it to be?

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The Officially Licensed Major League Gaming Pro Circuit Controller for Xbox 360 was designed with customization in mind. Just in time for MLG Anaheim, this episode of Tech Junkies goes in-depth with this innovative controller and find that it's perfect for competitive gamers on the go.

Within a few quick seconds, you can switch the controller to one of three styles, thanks to the controller's ProModule system. With it, you can freely move the D-Pad and analog sticks to make your own layout, or stick with a classic Xbox 360 or PS3 layout. You can also buy additional ProModule kits in different colors, tensions, lengths, and textures.

The Pro Circuit Controller also has easily swappable, magnetic top and side plates for even more individualism. Remember that since this controller is for tournaments, teams can use these customization options to emblazon their controllers with a logo. 

For more information about the Officially Licensed Major League Gaming Pro Circuit Controller from MadCatz check after the break.

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Competitive gaming on the go is coming thanks to Major League Gaming, Sony Mobile Communications, and Gameloft's Xperia Mobile Gaming Arena (XMGA). The Arena will let gamers compete for thousands of dollars worth of prizes from just about anywhere. The first game to be featured is Gameloft's own first-person shooter Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation.

“For Gameloft, partnering with strong brands such as the MLG and Sony Mobile Communications to promote a new age of competitive mobile gaming is a very exciting time, “ said Baudouin Corman, vice president of publishing in the Americas at Gameloft. “Given the millions of gamers that have participated in competitions online and via console over the years, there’s a great future for the online multiplayer experience with the Xperia Mobile Gaming Arena.”

Whenever you play Modern Combat 3, your stats will automatically be updated to the leaderboards once you register for the service at Major League Gaming's mobile portal. Currently, gamers are competing to get the most kills by May 20, 2012. $1,000 will be awarded to first place, $500 to second, and $150 for third. As an incentive to get people to compete using Sony's Xperia Play, anyone who wins using one will get an extra $100.

Some people live and breath competitive gaming. Will you be competing in the XMGA, or would you rather watch a live stream of your favorite games on your phone instead? Let us know in the comments section.

Riot Games have announced the League of Legends Season 2 Championship tournaments, where $3 million will be on the line for those participating in the Regional Finals and World Championships. The $3 million prizepool is the largest prizepool in eSports history, and in Riot's own words, the tournament is, "a massive level up for eSports." In total, Riot has spent an unprecedented $5 million throughout League of Legends' second season to support its competitive community, which I think is pretty amazing.

Before we move on, check out this awesome video showcasing League of Legends' second season, as well as what you can expect from the World Championships. Plus, it's got a cinematic Teemo, something every League of Legends fan needs to see.

“We’ve already awarded more than $1,000,000 in prize money to the incredible competitors of League of Legends this season,” said Brandon Beck, co-founder and CEO of Riot Games. “It’s been humbling to watch the level of competition and the enthusiasm of the live audiences – it’s something you really have to see in person.”

• GUIDE: League Of Legends Dominion Guide: Strategies To Dominate In The Crystal Scar

Additionally, Riot's just added Spectator Mode to LoL, which allows players to drop in and spectate their friends' games. The mode also lets spectators timeshift and control the camera, but one of the best features that Spectator Mode adds is the ability to watch top LoL players compete live via the Featured Games section in the League of Legends client.

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Major League Gaming have released the details for their upcoming fighting game arena event on April 28. Both Soul Calibur 5 and Mortal Kombat will be featured in tournaments at the arena where $3,400 in prizes will be on the line. The top eight finishers from each tournament at the MLG Winter Championship will be competing between 2 PM to 10 PM EST.

If you want to check out the streamed event, you have a lot of options. MLG is broadcasting two live streams, the first featuring constant gameplay cast by Juicebox Abel, Tom Brady, while the second stream, Dr. Pepper Ultimate Access Stream, hosted by Gootecks, will feature behind-the-scenes coverage, interviews and more.You can watch both streams for free in SD over at MLG's website, or you can throw down five bucks and get an HD viewing pass.

After this arena event, MLG will hold another fighting game tournament at their Spring Championship event on June 8-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. Mortal Kombat, Soul Calibur 5, and King of Fighters XIII will all be featured.

After the break you can check out a full schedule breakdown of the Spring Arena event.

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Major League Gaming has announced it will be one of Blizzard's partners in promoting this year’s StarCraft 2 World Championship Series.

The StarCraft II World Championship Series USA Nationals will be held at the MLG Spring Championship – June 8-10 at the Anaheim Convention Center. 64 participants will be invited through a combination of qualifiers and the StarCraft 2 ladder to compete in a best of three games, double elimination tournament for $15k in prizing. The top 16 finishers in the USA Nationals will receive an invitation to compete in the StarCraft 2 World Championship Series North America Finals.