The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) is gearing up for its most exciting Year yet, with several significant announcements set to shake up the competitive scene following the successful Year 4 Championship held recently.
For the first time, the ALGS visited three continents for major LAN tournaments, culminating with the grand finale taking place at the prestigious Sapporo Dome. This adventure culminated in selling out 32,000 tickets over the week, bringing global attention to the esports scene surrounding Apex Legends.
With the conclusion of the Year 4 Championship, many would expect to settle back and wait for the next competitive season. Not this year, though! Registration for the Preseason Qualifiers is already open, with the first matches kicking off on February 22. This transition marks the ALGS's continuous growth and commitment to the esports ecosystem.
The competitive structure is changing, and it's getting bigger. The ALGS Open Tournament will replace the Split 1 Playoffs this year. This format will see every Pro League team able to compete, even welcoming 40 teams from the preseason qualifiers, creating one of the largest competitions across battle royale esports history. ALGS commissioner John Nelson heralds this as transforming the event atmosphere: "It's going to feel like a gigantic LAN party, reminiscent of MLG events or EVO-type tournaments."
User engagement is being prioritized with these expansions. The implementation of Legend bans will shake up the current tournament meta, allowing for more strategic play and excitement across matches. Although introducing such changes is complex, the ALGS will automatically ban the most-used Legend from prior rounds, creating fresh dynamics for every series.
During the Year 5 season, there's also excitement brewing with the introduction of the new map, Broken Moon, eleviting player engagement. The change is expected to provide varied experiences for players and spectators alike.
The structure for qualifying for the championship is undergoing refinement as well. Playoff Points will now transition to Championship Points, allowing teams to gather success across Pro League matches as well as LAN performances. This adjustment creates more opportunities and inclusiveness for aspiring professionals.
Looking forward, the ALGS plans to maintain its global reach, with marketing lead Jasmine Chiang expressing their eagerness to bring ALGS events to fans worldwide. She remarked, "We are always on the lookout for community engagement opportunities globally." This sentiment echoes throughout the community following the thrilling atmosphere of the Year 4 Championship.
Year 4's grand finale will undoubtedly set the bar high, showcasing highlights such as captivating live band performances during the opening ceremony and electrifying gameplay witnessed at every tournament match.
The ALGS aims to expand its horizons. Nelson encapsulates the overarching goal: "Our goal is to make ALGS the biggest and best battle royale esport globally." This dedicated effort suggests exciting times are on the horizon for fans of Apex Legends and the broader esports community alike.