The future of VR eSports is about to expand as players and fans alike prepare for the X8 League. Announced by publisher Thirdverse, Inc., the eight-week season will kick-off on 25th September, 2023, with an official pre-season beginning on 4th September, 2023. Players will form their own teams and compete in a 5v5 demolition match each week. Those who climb the rankings can aim for a piece of the $10,000 cash prize pool.
X8 has been gathering significant speed of late. The game is a 5v5 hero shooter. The plot takes on a little Wreck-It Ralph, with characters from fictional FPS games meeting to battle against each other. Each hero has access to three special abilities and their hero-specific items offer situational advantages.
In the game, players use funds to purchase a loadout of weapons, armour, and items to equip during each round. The objective is to deploy a ‘Syphon’ at specific sites on the map during an attack, or deactivate it within 30 seconds using ‘The Defuser’ during defense. If the defenders eliminate all attackers and prevent deployment of the Syphon or defuse a deployed Syphon, they win the round. Attackers win if the Syphon detonates. One session of X8’s gameplay consists of 14 rounds, first to 8 or drawing at 7/7.
X8 eSports League
The launch of this new X8 eSports League by Thirdverse aims to bring the world of VR gaming to the forefront of competitive eSports entertainment. For those of us who have been in the VR scene for some time, you’ll know this has been attempted many times before. However, despite there being many challengers, few have failed to truly make an impact on the eSports scene.
The X8 eSports League adopts a skill-based matchmaking system (MMR) across the season, aiming to deliver matches that will captivate players and observers alike. Each match is a best-of-three-maps encounter, intensifying gameplay excitement.
Players keen to partake in this historic event are encouraged to sign up via the official website, https://valvr.com/seasons/2/x8-preseason. Are you keen to see VR crack the eSports scene? Do you think X8 could be the game to finally do it? Let us know in the comments below!