Major League Gaming Brings Its 50th Live Circuit Competition to North Carolina; Milestone Pro Circuit Event Expected to Draw Thousands of Pro/Amateur Gamers and Spectators

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Gaming (MLG), the world's largest professional video game league, will host its 50th live Pro Circuit Competition in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 27-29 marking a key milestone in MLG's evolution. Since its inception in 2002, MLG has staged a series of live competitive gaming events in more than 16 major cities in North America drawing thousands of Pro and amateur players, video game fans, and league enthusiasts.  

The Raleigh competition is the third in a challenging five city US Pro Circuit tour that will pit formidable pro players against each other as well as passionate and aspiring amateur players to culminate in a national championship event in Dallas this November. A record number of attendees is expected for the August event at the Raleigh Marriott City Center which includes additional competitive game titles, more exciting live broadcast programming and an impressive prize pool.

All eyes will be on Team Instinct at Raleigh to see if they can continue their winning streak and make it to their third straight win in the Halo 3 4V4 tournament –  the team has stormed through the first two 2010 Pro Circuit events  in Orlando and Columbus with two straight tournament wins. Team Instinct, sponsored by Old Spice, features Kyle "ElamiteWarrior" Elam from Union, KY and 18-year-old Scottie "Cloud" Holste of Elk Grove Village, IL who join top twin competitors, Jason "Lunchbox" Brown and Justin "Roy" Brown of Urbana, IL.

"MLG's live Pro and Combine events celebrate the sheer talent of Pro players and identify and encourage the next generation of Pros, said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CEO of Major League Gaming.  "We look forward to celebrating MLG's community achievements at our milestone event in Raleigh and uncovering even more talented competitors in North Carolina".

Over 200 teams and single player competitors will compete in the three-day tournament in Raleigh, which includes an enhanced and diverse game lineup for 2010. Featured games include Halo 3, now in its third Season on the Pro Circuit, and Tekken 6™, the fast-paced fighting game that demands immense technical skill. World of Warcraft also makes a return to the circuit with 16 of the top rated international 3v3 Arena teams fighting it out for supremacy as well as Super Smash Bros.® Brawl for the Wii™, which regularly draws an energetic and passionately devoted 'Smasher' fan base to the MLG Pro Circuit.

In addition to the 2010 Pro Circuit's stellar games lineup, Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty, the military science fiction game, makes its debut at the Raleigh Pro Circuit event and has already attracted huge attention.

Raleigh spectators will get the chance to see world-class competitive gaming up close, interact with fan favorites during "Play-a-Pro" matches, put their own skills to the test in exhibition matches, participate in merchandise giveaways and be in the audience for MLG Pro.com's daily stage broadcasts throughout the weekend.

Registration for the Raleigh event is open until August 23rd. Full details about the event and the Pro Circuit are available at http://www.mlgpro.com/pro-circuit/2010.  

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING

Founded in 2002, Major League Gaming (MLG) is the dominant media property exclusively targeting the approximately 40 million consumers in North America who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity. The company exclusively represents the best professional gamers and gives millions of aspiring gamers around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through our thriving online competitive community and live Pro Circuit competitions. For more information: www.mlgpro.com.

SOURCE Major League Gaming