Abyss eSports

Current Hallam student Joel Shiels and his brother Hayden (past student) travelled to Atlanta for the first ever world championships for Paladins, a first-person multiplayer fantasy shooter.

As members of the Australian team Abyss eSports, Hayden (Captain), Joel and the the rest of the team made a name for themselves, surprising spectators, commentators, and analysts alike by dominating in the early stages, only to be knocked out by Burrito in a nail-biting overtime decider. Eventually team Burrito took home the grand prize of USD$75,000 in a close final against fellow European team District 69. 

The Hi-Rez Expo brought more than 4000 attendees to the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and boasted more than 100,000 concurrent viewers on livestreams.

Esports like Paladins often operate like in soccer, where the more successful regions get more funding and spots in the World Cup. Europe and North America dominate the other game made by Paladins’ creators, Smite, and that was the assumption going into this tournament.

But with Abyss’ success there are now enormous possibilities for them and other teams in Australia.

 

Please see the links below for more information and footage.

Foxsports

Powerup Gaming

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg0BQrc7_go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nalunZVzpQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-tWhtrX5ho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo5lPkRt1dU