In an Australian-first for the battle royale esports scene, Red Bull and HP have partnered to create the biggest PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS (PUBG) esports tournament in Australia. The Red Bull Fight or Flight tournament, powered by OMEN (HP’s purpose-built gaming rigs) and in collaboration with ESL, features three rounds of fast-paced, action-packed qualifiers leading into a huge Grand Final in front of 500 spectators and streamed live on Redbull Twitch.
“At HP, we have long shared our users’ passion and love for gaming, supporting gamers with purpose-built OMEN technology that can make the difference between a chicken dinner or defeat,” said Ken Maher, Director Personal Systems at HP. “HP believes gaming is for all, so we’re excited to be partnering with Red Bull and empowering Australia’s best PUBG players to challenge themselves.”
What makes this tournament unique is the rulesets used within PUBG to keep matches lasting less than 15 minutes. Aiming for shorter and more intense formats, similar to what Big Bash has done for cricket matches, the Red Bull Fight or Flight matches are aiming to level the playing field between amateur and pro esports gamers. This will be achieved by utilising unique in-game settings, different to other PUBG esports, with the playing field shrinking much more rapidly.
Loot spawns are much more concentrated and care packages drop more frequently with better loot. Players will heal up with energy drinks and first aids only, and squad mates can revive in only 2.5 seconds instead of the usual 10. This will create some frantic end-game zones which will be great viewing for spectators, both in the Grand Final stadium and also streamed live on Redbull Twitch. Players looking to practice these settings can find image links as well as all the tournament rules on the Red Bull Fight or Flight website.
The tournament consists of three qualifier events, two of which have already been run and won earlier this month, and the final qualifier event is being held on Saturday November 2, 2019, in the iconic Sydney venue of Carriageworks. The first two qualifier events, held at PAX Australia in Melbourne over the weekend of October 11-13 and the second held online via ESL Play over the weekend of October 18-20, saw six squads emerge victorious and straight into the Grand Final. The third and final qualifier is still open for squad and spectator registrations and will be run from 11:30am-5:00pm AEST at Carriageworks, Sydney on Saturday 2 November. All attendees must be 18 years of age on or before the date of the qualifier they participate in.
The Redbull Fight or Flight tournament will culminate in a best-of-three Grand Final, streamed live on Redbull Twitch with the top 12 squads playing like pros on an immersive stage in front of 500 spectators from 5:30pm for a chance to win a prize pool valued at up to $45,000, including an all expenses paid trip to the PUBG Global Championship Grand Finals in California and four OMEN gaming kits. Spectator tickets to the full day event (11:30am – 7:30pm), including the Grand Final, are on sale from A$5.00 (plus GST + fees) for a single ticket. 4-person squads can sign up for A$60.00 (plus GST + fees) at www.redbull.com/FightorFlight.
“PUBG is such an exciting game because you could always be a moment away from being taken out. With the Red Bull Fight or Flight rules, this effect is doubled,” said Kritikalmotion, one of Australia’s most prolific PUBG streamers.
Be sure to tune into episode 149 of the Game on AUS podcast, streamed live on Twitch.tv/GameonAUS next Wednesday 30 October from 5:30pm AWST/8:30pm AEST where Pete and Dan will ask Kritikalmotion all about the tournament and the upcoming Grand Final event. We at Game on AUS wish all the contestants the best of luck for the third qualifier and Grand Final next weekend!
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