Major League Gaming
Encyclopedia
Major League Gaming founded in 2002 by Sundance DiGiovanni and Mike Sepso, is a North America
n professional Electronic sports
organization, headquartered in New York City, New York. MLG has held official video game tournaments throughout the United States
and Canada
. Major League Gaming competitions have been broadcast on television, ESPN.com
, and other broadband sites. The company has also been involved in television production, and game development. MLG's aim is to elevate computer and console game tournaments to viable competitive and spectator events.
Major League Gaming acquired Agora Games
on August 18, 2009.
for the Xbox 360
and Starcraft II
for the PC. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
for the PlayStation 3
is the only online Pro Circuit title. Chris Puckett (Puckett) is the lead Play-by-Play commentator for MLG Live Events. Scott Lussier (Gandhi) provides professional insight into many MLG broadcasts. Danish Maqbool (DMAQ) is the co-host of the MLG Pregame show. Julie Alexandria (Julie) hosts the Old Spice Report, as well as reporting from the sidelines at MLG Live events.
Major League Gaming also hosts a series of online qualifier ladders for the online-only pro circuit titles leading to the national championship. In the past, MLG hosted Super Smash Bros Melee tournaments during the 2006 MLG season and other games such as Halo: Combat Evolved
, Halo 2
, Tekken 5
, Gears of War
, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
, Shadowrun
, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War 2
.
Each team must purchase a team pass to compete. Halo 3, Gears of War, and Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 teams include 4 members, while World of Warcraft teams include 3 members.
On February 6, 2009, MLG Commissioner John Nelson addressed the MLG community about changing the format for the 2009 pro circuit. Semi-pro teams now have the opportunity to gain pro status. The rolling rank points system and the championship bracket were also modified.
In March 2010, it was announced that fighting games will be returning to the pro circuit, with Tekken 6
exclusively on the PlayStation 3, and the return of the Smash competition with Super Smash Bros. Brawl
. These two games will appear in the season opener in Orlando, along with the league's flagship, Halo 3
, which will make its third season with the league.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be making its debut on the Online Pro Circuit on Gamebattles for PlayStation 3
. Originally, the game was on both the Xbox 360
and Playstation
3. Due to excessive hacking on the Xbox 360
console via JTAGs, it has been stripped of its "Pro Circuit" branding. Prize payouts will remain the same on both consoles. Playstation 3
players will be eligible to accumulate Pro Points. Those who have enough Pro Points at the end of the 3rd season of the Online Pro Circuit will be eligible to compete live at the MLG Nationals held in Dallas. Those competing on the Xbox 360
will not earn pro points and will have championships held online. On July 30, 2010, it was announced that StarCraft II will be added to the Pro Circuit. It made its official debut at MLG Raleigh.
The 2011 season is set to feature four titles: Halo: Reach, Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and the mid-season addition of League of Legends
. Also, something that the MLG Pro Circuit hasn't seen since the 2005, Pool Play. The top 16 team will be seeded in 4 pools of 5 teams, where the 5th team would an undefeated amateur team. The team with the best record throughout pool play will advance to the winner's bracket semi-finals, securing themselves a top 6 finish.
As of October 19, 2010
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n professional Electronic sports
Electronic sports
Electronic sports comprises the competitive play of video games. Other terms include competitive gaming, professional gaming and cybersports...
organization, headquartered in New York City, New York. MLG has held official video game tournaments throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Major League Gaming competitions have been broadcast on television, ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
, and other broadband sites. The company has also been involved in television production, and game development. MLG's aim is to elevate computer and console game tournaments to viable competitive and spectator events.
Major League Gaming acquired Agora Games
Agora Games
Agora Games works with game developers to build online features and web-based communities for video games. It has worked with publishers such as Activision, Konami, RedOctane, and Nintendo, and with game studios such as Vicarious Visions, Neversoft, Splash Damage, id Software, Vicious Cycle...
on August 18, 2009.
Pro Circuit
The MLG Pro Circuit roster currently includes Halo: ReachHalo: Reach
Halo: Reach is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360 console. Reach was released in North America, Australia, and Europe on September 14, 2010. The game takes place in the year 2552, where humanity is locked in a war with the...
for the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Starcraft II
StarCraft II
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed and released by Blizzard Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. A sequel to the award-winning 1998 video game StarCraft and its expansions, the game was released worldwide on July 27, 2010...
for the PC. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 video game consoles and the Microsoft Windows operating system. Officially announced on February 11, 2009, the game was released worldwide on...
for the PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
is the only online Pro Circuit title. Chris Puckett (Puckett) is the lead Play-by-Play commentator for MLG Live Events. Scott Lussier (Gandhi) provides professional insight into many MLG broadcasts. Danish Maqbool (DMAQ) is the co-host of the MLG Pregame show. Julie Alexandria (Julie) hosts the Old Spice Report, as well as reporting from the sidelines at MLG Live events.
Major League Gaming also hosts a series of online qualifier ladders for the online-only pro circuit titles leading to the national championship. In the past, MLG hosted Super Smash Bros Melee tournaments during the 2006 MLG season and other games such as Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo: Combat Evolved
Halo: Combat Evolved, frequently referred to as Halo: CE, or Halo 1, is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The first game of the Halo franchise, it was released on November 15, 2001 as a launch title for the Xbox gaming system, and is...
, Halo 2
Halo 2
Halo 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios. Released for the Xbox video game console on November 9, 2004, the game is the second installment in the Halo franchise and the sequel to 2001's critically acclaimed Halo: Combat Evolved...
, Tekken 5
Tekken 5
is the sixth installment in the popular Tekken series. It also marks the tenth anniversary of the series. It was updated for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 as Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection and succeeded by Tekken 6.- Story :...
, Gears of War
Gears of War
Gears of War is a military science fiction third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios...
, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas is the fifth game in the Rainbow Six series of video games. It was released for the Xbox 360 on November 21, 2006 and Windows on December 12, 2006. The PlayStation Portable version was released on June 12, 2007, while the PlayStation 3 version was released on June...
, Shadowrun
Shadowrun
Shadowrun is a role-playing game set in a near-future fictional universe in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspiracy fiction, horror, and detective fiction.The original game has spawned...
, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 is the sixth installment in the Rainbow Six series. It is a first person shooter video game and the sequel to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. It was announced by Ubisoft on November 20, 2007...
, Call of Duty 4, and Gears of War 2
Gears of War 2
Gears of War 2 is a third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games with lead design by Cliff Bleszinski, and published by Microsoft Game Studios for the Xbox 360. It is the second installment of the Gears of War series. The game was officially released in North America, Europe and...
.
Each team must purchase a team pass to compete. Halo 3, Gears of War, and Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 teams include 4 members, while World of Warcraft teams include 3 members.
On February 6, 2009, MLG Commissioner John Nelson addressed the MLG community about changing the format for the 2009 pro circuit. Semi-pro teams now have the opportunity to gain pro status. The rolling rank points system and the championship bracket were also modified.
In March 2010, it was announced that fighting games will be returning to the pro circuit, with Tekken 6
Tekken 6
is a fighting game developed and published by Namco Bandai. It is the eighth game in the Tekken franchise. It was released in Japanese arcades on November 26, 2007 as the first game running on the PlayStation 3-based System 357 arcade board. The game received an update, subtitled Bloodline...
exclusively on the PlayStation 3, and the return of the Smash competition with Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBB or simply as Brawl, is the third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games, developed by an ad hoc development team consisting of Sora, Game Arts and staff from other developers, and published by...
. These two games will appear in the season opener in Orlando, along with the league's flagship, Halo 3
Halo 3
Halo 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie for the Xbox 360 console. The third installment in the Halo franchise, the game concludes the story arc begun in Halo: Combat Evolved and continued in Halo 2...
, which will make its third season with the league.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will be making its debut on the Online Pro Circuit on Gamebattles for PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
. Originally, the game was on both the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and Playstation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
3. Due to excessive hacking on the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
console via JTAGs, it has been stripped of its "Pro Circuit" branding. Prize payouts will remain the same on both consoles. Playstation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
players will be eligible to accumulate Pro Points. Those who have enough Pro Points at the end of the 3rd season of the Online Pro Circuit will be eligible to compete live at the MLG Nationals held in Dallas. Those competing on the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
will not earn pro points and will have championships held online. On July 30, 2010, it was announced that StarCraft II will be added to the Pro Circuit. It made its official debut at MLG Raleigh.
The 2011 season is set to feature four titles: Halo: Reach, Starcraft 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and the mid-season addition of League of Legends
League of Legends
The BetFred League of Legends was a darts tournament featuring some of the legends of the game of darts which commenced in May 2008. The tournament is broadcast on Setanta Sports in the United Kingdom....
. Also, something that the MLG Pro Circuit hasn't seen since the 2005, Pool Play. The top 16 team will be seeded in 4 pools of 5 teams, where the 5th team would an undefeated amateur team. The team with the best record throughout pool play will advance to the winner's bracket semi-finals, securing themselves a top 6 finish.
National Championships
MLG archive, as of January 2011, includes national championship results from 2004 to 2010.2011 - Providence
| 2010 |  |
 |
 |
4th |
| Halo: Reach 4v4 |  eon Instinct |
Warriors |
TGN Believe The Hype |
FnaticMSi.Classic |
| Halo: Reach Stride Pro 2v2 | Lunchbox/Roy |
Cloud/Clutch |
OGRE 2/iGotUrPistola |
Flamesword/Enable |
| Halo: Reach Pro FFA | StrongSide |
Heinz |
TiZoXiC |
Hysteria |
| Halo: Reach Bic Flex 4 FFA | SuperStr8Sick |
Kampy |
TitoMatic |
Hoaxer |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 4v4 | Quantic Nex-TT-hreat |
eon EnVyUs |
eon OpTic Gaming |
SvG Collapse |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops Pro FFA | JKap |
|
|
|
| StarCraft 2 1v1 |  FXO.Leenock |
 coL.NaNiWa |
coLMVP.DongRaeGu |
QIM.Mvp |
| League of Legends 5v5 | Solo Mid |
Epik Gaming |
Dignitas |
RFLX Gaming |
2010 - Dallas
| 2010 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 3 4v4 | Final Boss |
Status Quo |
Instinct |
Triggers Down |
| Halo 3 Bic Flex 4 FFA | SuperStr8Sick |
Krunchy |
Amish Acorns |
Phenom |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl 1v1 | Gnes |
Tyrant |
ESAM |
Ally |
| Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2v2 | Ally/Lee Martin |
Nick Riddle/Shakey |
DEHF/Gnes |
ESAM/MVD731 |
| Tekken 6 1v1 | ATL Anakin |
GMMA Kor |
NYC Fab |
ATL Knee |
| Tekken 6 3v3 |  Anakin/Bronson/Trungy |
Holeman/Knee/Nin |
Pokchop/ShinBlade/Lil Majin |
Crow/Kor/Mr Naps |
| Starcraft 2 1v1 | Liquid`Jinro Jonathan Walsh Jonathan Walsh , nicknamed Jinro, is a Swedish professional player of the computer game StarCraft 2. He lives in South Korea, and plays for Team Liquid in the GOMTV Global Starcraft II League , but currently lives with the oGs house due to an agreement between both teams. He plays as Terran... |
 FnaticMSi.TT1 |
PainUser |
Liquid`Tyler |
| Halo Reach 4v4 | UoR SyA |
Hot Shots |
UoR Victorious Secret |
Darkest Hour |
| Halo Reach Pro FFA | Hysteria |
iGotUrPistola |
Snip3down |
OGRE 2 |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 4v4 (PS3) | Influence |
Victory Without Sacrifice |
HSG Xtravagant |
OpTic Gaming |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 4v4 (360) | EnVyUs |
OD Xtravagant |
iNF LeveraGe |
iNF Art of Xecution |
2009 - Orlando
| 2009 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 3 4v4 | Believe the Hype |
Classic |
Carbon |
Instinct |
| Gears of War 2 4v4 | Energy |
Type-Z VisioN |
Get Bronco |
Infinity |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 4v4 | pT RAGE |
EFX Rewritten |
Vengeance |
Carnage and Chaos |
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4v4 | iCn Xtravagant |
BgR EnVyUs |
DpG FeaR |
MoB Genesis |
| World of Warcraft 3v3 | CompLexity Black |
CompLexity Red |
Button Bashers |
SK.EG |
2008 - Las Vegas
| 2008 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 3 4v4 | Str8 Rippin |
Instinct |
Carbon |
Final Boss |
| Gears of War 4v4 | Energy |
Infinity |
FRAG > High Caliber |
Dynasty ReTaLiaTioN |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 4v4 | MoB RAGE |
Iconz |
InStill FeaR |
MoB LoSt CauSe |
| Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4v4 | CA FeaR |
EnVyUs |
Head Trauma |
TBRE |
| World of Warcraft 3v3 | Fnatic Fnatic Fnatic is a professional electronic sports organization based out of Australia, UK and The Netherlands. Fnatic was founded in July 23, 2004. Fnatic is particularly well-known for its highly successful Counter-Strike team, which is the single most financially-successful Counter-Strike team in... /Orz |
Gravitas Gaming |
Pandemic |
Got Game West |
2007 - Las Vegas
| 2007 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 2 4v4 | Final Boss |
Carbon |
Str8 Rippin |
FBI The Agency |
| Halo 2 FFA | KGB Soviet |
Cloud |
Naded |
Legit |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 4v4 | New Era |
Harmony N Havoc |
Profe$$ional $kill$ |
Explicit |
| Gears of War 4v4 | Infinity |
TH3 NSAN3Z |
Vision |
LGD Red |
| Shadowrun 4v4 | Three Shot Killers |
Shoot to Kill |
Secret Weapon |
UprisinG |
2006 - Las Vegas
| 2006 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 2 4v4 | Carbon |
Final Boss |
Str8 Rippin |
Legendz |
| Halo 2 FFA | Karma |
StrongSide |
Legit |
OGRE 2 |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 | PC Chris |
KoreanDJ |
Ken |
Mew2King |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 | Ken/Isai |
Chudat/ManaCloud |
King/Mew2King |
Husband/Wife |
2005 - New York City
| 2005 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo 2 4v4 | Team 3D |
Team Phreaks Team Carbon -Current roster:-Accomplishments:-External links:*****... |
Str8 Rippin |
XiT Woundz |
| Halo 2 FFA | Karma |
StrongSide |
OGRE 1 |
Walshy |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 | Ken |
Azen |
ChuDat |
|
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 | Ken/Isai |
Azen/Chillin |
2004 - New York City
| 2004 | |
|
|
4th |
| Halo: Combat Evolved 4v4 | Team Domination |
Filthy Jackalopes |
Business Decision |
The Dream Team |
| Halo: Combat Evolved 2v2 | ||||
| Halo: Combat Evolved FFA | Zyos Zyos Matt Leto , pseudonym "Zyos", is a former professional player of the first-person shooter video game Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2.- Biography :... |
OGRE 2 |
Walshy |
Gintron |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 1v1 | Ken Ken Hoang Ken "Kenny" Hoang is a Vietnamese American professional electronic sports player who plays Super Smash Bros. Melee and has earned $50,000+ USD doing so.... |
|||
| Super Smash Bros. Melee 2v2 |
Promotion and relegation rules
Here are the promotion and relegation rules (Starting in 2011):- The Top 5 teams according to the Halo 3 Points Standings will be exempt from relegation, but will be eligible for relegation the following year.
- The next three teams (#6, 7, 8) will be relegated from the table. Three teams from the following year (#11, 12, 13) will replace the then #6, 7, 8 teams.
- The #10 team will remain open for the winner of the Doritos Pro-Gaming Combine and will gain an automatic berth to be #9 for the next year.
- The #9 team will be eligible for promotion or relegation the following year.
As of October 19, 2010
| Team Name | Year Promoted | Year Relegated | |
| 1. | Instinct |
2010 | |
| 2. | Final Boss |
2010 | |
| 3. | Status Quo |
2010 | |
| 4. | Triggers Down Team Triggers Down Triggers Down is a professional Halo: Reach team. In 2009, Triggers Down became the first team to win back to back Halo 3 events.-Current roster:-Tournaments:-External links:****... |
2010 | |
| 5. | Believe The Hype |
2010 | |
| 6. | UoR Dynasty |
2010 | |
| 7. | Str8 Rippin Str8 Rippin Str8 Rippin is a Halo:Reach and formerly Halo 2 and Halo 3 team which compete as a part of Major League Gaming, an American video gaming league. They are currently sponsored by Dr Pepper.-Current roster:-Winnings:-External links:********... |
2010 | |
| 8. | Carbon Team Carbon -Current roster:-Accomplishments:-External links:*****... |
2010 | |
| 9. | Heaven and Earth |
2010 | |
| 10. | l SwiftKil l |
2010 | |
| 11. | UoR Warriors |
2010 | |
| 12. | Purgatory |
2010 | |
| 13. | Darkest Hour |
2010 | |
| 14. | Ambush |
2010 | |
| 15. | Legendz |
2010 |
| Exempt from relegation, but eligible for relegation the following year | |
| Relegated | |
| Eligible for promotion or relegation following move from 10th to 9th place | |
| Awarded to winner of the Doritos Pro-Gaming Combine | |
| Eligible for promotion for following year |