The entire world is now in a state of extreme alert and caution due to the new COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, restrictions on holding mass events have also affected the esports sphere. Because of this, the FLASHPOINT League organizers had to make adjustments to the format of their tournament.
FLASHPOINT organizers, held in Los Angeles from March 13, announced the transfer of all League matches to an online format because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. A new match schedule and more detailed information about the event should be available soon.
Currently, the League provides team houses for all teams located in Los Angeles. The company wants to provide the highest quality of service and convenience for teams to create the most comfortable competitive atmosphere.
FLASHPOINT made this decision based on the recommendation from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Previously, the United States prohibited mass events that gather more than 50 people. In Los Angeles itself, security measures are being increased to prevent the disease.
Let us recall that a number of esports organizations have founded a new franchise CS:GO FLASHPOINT League. Previously, the League working title was B Site. In the period of 2020, FLASHPOINT planed to hold two seasons with a total prize fund of two million dollars. Ten teams bought places in the League. Another two passed through the qualifications.
In the first FLASHPOINT season participate Cloud9, MIBR, MAD Lions, Team Dignitas, Gen.G, C0ntact Gaming, HAVU Gaming, Copenhagen Flames, Chaos, Team Envy, FunPlus Phoenix, and Orgless.
Three strongest teams will be selected among all participants of the first season. They will be determined into three groups. After that, each of them will choose one opponent. The selected team will also choose one opponent, and so on until the group will be filled. The team selected last will be able to suggest one change in the fulfilled group.
The first part of the group stage would be taken according to the GSL system with matches up to two wins. The team that scored the most points during the first stage gets the opportunity to select opponents in the group before the second part of the group stage.
At the end of two stages, teams earn points: 75, 50, 30, and 15 for first, second, third and fourth place. The eight teams that gathered most points will be qualified for the playoffs. Other teams leave the competition.
In the final stage of the season, matches are held in the double-elimination format up to two wins.
The COVID-19 wasn’t the only problem associated with the League. RuHub Studio couldn’t hold a Russian-language broadcast for the first League matches. Representatives of the Studio stated that the requirements of the tournament operator violate the legislation of the Russian Federation. The exact reason was not given, but users believe that the reason was the advertising of a bookmaker that is banned in the country.
