Skip to main content
Category

Events

Get in the Game: A Guide to some of the most popular Esports games worth checking out!

By Events, News

Esports has exploded in popularity over the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. With millions of fans tuning in to watch top players compete in the world’s biggest video games, it’s no surprise that the industry is flourishing. With the massive popularity of Esports, it’s difficult to cover all the games worth exploring. However, we’ve gone ahead and highlighted some of the most popular Esports games that are worth checking out!

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) CS:GO is a well-established game in the Esports community, boasting a massive following of over 20 million players worldwide. The game pits two teams of five players against each other as terrorists and anti-terrorists. The teams are given two distinct objectives to complete in two different game scenarios: Bomb defusing and Hostage Rescue. In Bomb defusing, the terrorist team aims to plant a bomb while the anti-terrorists work to prevent it. On the other hand, in Hostage Rescue, the counter-terrorist team must rescue hostages and bring them to safety. With its fast-paced, tactical gameplay, CS:GO has become a leading first-person shooter Esports game, capturing the attention of fans globally.

Credit: thatshelf

Dota 2 – Dota 2 is an Esports game that has maintained its popularity over the years. Created by Valve Corporation in 2013 Dota 2 boasts a large player base of over 7.7 million players globally. The game consists of two teams of 5 players each, Radiant and Dire, battling to destroy the enemy Ancient with players choosing their preferred Hero from a roster of over 100 characters. The International, the biggest Dota 2 tournament also hosts the largest single tournament prize pool of any Esports event, reaching 40 million US dollars. The tournament takes place annually and has been hosted in various cities around the world, such as Cologne and Stockholm, since 2011. Its intricate gameplay and strategic depth attract top-notch players and make Dota 2 a highly competitive and entertaining esports game.

Credit: talkesport

League of Legends (LOL) – This game is a staple of the esports scene and has been at the top of the competitive ladder for years. LOL is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) developed by American video game developer Riot Games in 2009 boasting a monthly player base of over 117 million. In LOL, two teams of five players each control unique Champions, taking on roles such as Toplane, Midlane (Carry), ADC (Attack Damage Carry), Support, and Jungler. The team must work together to gain the advantage over their opponents by destroying objectives and ultimately infiltrating the enemy base to destroy their nexus. The League of Legends World Championship is the premier professional tournament in the League of Legends scene, organized annually by Riot Games. It boasts a substantial prize pool of 2.23 million US dollars and drawing top talent from around the world.

Credit: pinnacle

Fortnite – Fortnite, the popular third-person shooter esports game developed by Epic Games in 2017, has managed to maintain its original hype even after several years of its release. With three modes to choose from, Save the World, Battle Royale, and Creative, players can explore different aspects of the game. The player-versus-player Battle Royale mode hosts up to 100 players, with the objective of the game being to be the last survivor. Fortnite’s unique focus on resource gathering and building structures for tactical advantage is what makes it stand out from other Battle Royale games and it is widely considered as the battle royale game to beat. The major competition in Fortnite known as the World Cup, is sponsored by Epic Games offering a prize pool of 100 million dollars and has been held annually since 2019, attracting players from all over the world to showcase their skills.

Credit: The Guardian

Overwatch 2 – Overwatch, a game that debuted in 2016 from Blizzard Entertainment, has left a lasting impact in the gaming industry. In 2022, Overwatch 2 was introduced and with the intention of unifying players and creating a seamless transition to the new game, the original was discontinued. Players are divided into two teams with each player choosing a hero from a roster of 35 characters. The heroes are categorized into damage, support, and tank classes, each with their own set of active, passive, and ultimate abilities. The objective of the game is to engage in player versus player (PvP) combat across a variety of modes and maps, with both casual and ranked matches available. Overwatch 2, much like its predecessor, offers a unique and thrilling experience for players, combining elements of first-person shooter and MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena). The Overwatch League is an international Esports league presented by Blizzard Entertainment offering a prize pool of 4.20 million US Dollars and featuring some of the best Overwatch players in the world.

Credit: Robert Paul / Blizzard Entertainment

The AEL is proudly supported by

Upcoming Events 2023

By Events, High School Cup, News, University Cup

Are you a gaming enthusiast looking for your next fix? Look no further! The AEL is excited to announce our upcoming Esports events for the year. We have a lineup of exciting and engaging events that will cater to gamers of all skill levels and interests. From esports tournaments to conventions, we have something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready for a year of non-stop gaming action. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for some fun, our events are sure to be a hit. So, come and join us!

To kick off the year the AEL University Cup will be opening up registrations February 1st with tournaments beginning March 16th. The tournament will feature Rocket League and CS:GO in the division 1 league with Rainbow Six Siege, Dota 2 and others TBD in the open series which is played monthly. The AEL Uni Cup will run for several weeks with matches taking place on designated days and times TBD. Season 2 of the AEL Uni Cup will begin taking registrations in July with tournaments beginning in August featuring the same games as Season 1 with more TBD.

Next up we have 2 new and exciting additions, The Acer High School Summer Series powered by Predator and The Acer High School Spring Series powered by Predator! These tournaments will feature some of the most popular gaming titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2 and Rocket League with an extra game to be announced soon. The Acer High School Cup powered by Predator will take place in between the Summer and Spring series, starting in Term 2 with registrations closing May 2nd. Qualifying teams will continue the competition in Term 3 with tournaments beginning in August. Registrations for the Summer Series close February 20th with tournaments beginning February 27th while registrations for the Spring Series close September 15th with tournaments beginning October 16th.

In addition, the AEL will be heading to Goulburn Comic Con 18 – 19th March, where we will be hosting a free play gaming zone and the Goulburn Cup with tournaments TBD. This will be followed by the Logan Cup 25 – 26th March which will also feature a free play gaming zone with tournaments TBD.

Finally, the AEL will be heading to Oz Comic Con:

  • Perth 1st – 2nd April
  • Adelaide 3rd – 4th June
  • Melbourne 10th – 11th June
  • Canberra 5th – 6th August
  • Brisbane 16th – 17th September
  • Sydney 23rd – 24th September

The AEL area will feature a free play area and tournament zone with tournaments TBD. As part of the convention, we will also have booths where attendees can check out the latest gaming gear and merchandise, as well as meet our team members and learn more about our company.

We can’t wait for our upcoming events and can’t wait for you to join us. Whether you’re a competitive gamer looking to test your skills or just looking for some fun, we have something for everyone. We want to thank you in advance for your support and look forward to seeing you. Remember to follow us on social media for updates and information. Let’s make this year a memorable one for the community!

The AEL is proudly supported by

2021 Clubs League Season 1

By Events
88
Unique Smash Bros. Players
54
Unique Tekken Players

Club Champions

City Diggers Wollongong

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Thrillhouse
  • Tekken Champ: Qazsdfgvhn

Norths

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Kamik
  • Tekken Champ: SaMB0Y

Brothers Leagues Townsville

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Artrix8
  • Tekken Champ: hbkarl

Call of Duty: Mobile Community Challenge Season 1

By Events

Prize Winners!

1st - Mindfreak | $2,500

Chill
mayurii
MF | Pxngu*
MyDarling
Raîka
Supreme

2nd - IFM | $1,250

Compact
Dxnger
IFM | Natty
IFM_TheF1ghter
rezi

3rd - Invictus | $500

ivs. diaperr
ivs. Dinka
ivS.bell
ivs. Kana
ivs. fai
ivS.tissue

4th - KND | $250

BigMíke
Bugz
Guïnn
HostileCow
Flopsy
Pyro
Youdot

5th - No Mercy | $150

Arocky
NM-Yoda
NM-Sultan
NM-Traze
邶邶
쇼Haki
饭家是你爸爸 (RiceHouse)

5th - Yakuza | $150

Apricotx-
Cold
elysia
stoke
ykz.gronk
Leaves

7th - PRIDExIVORY | $100

Aura¿
Basiq.
PRDx | Gonza
PRDx | Havok
PRDx | Kæyn
PRDx | KLAUS
PRDx l Hmm

7th - S.W.A.T | $100

_CallMeHoney_
KaimaruYoutube
Mander
oreo
Rust
sL CC
xWA

2020 Clubs League Grand Finals

By Events

The annual AEL Clubs League Grand Finals but online this time, seeing the culmination of the 2020 AEL Clubs League.

$5000 prize pool

1st: $750
2nd: $500
3rd: $375
4th: $275
5-6th: $175
7-8th: $125

Tekken 7

Full Top 8

1st – Qazsdfgvhn [Wollongong City Diggers]
2nd – CINDERELLA [Wollongong City Diggers]
3rd – TheWolfsLunch [Lismore Workers Club]
4th – Setsuna [Wollongong City Diggers]
5th – Danish Koo [DOOLEYS Lidcombe]
5th – TheBrett [Wollongong City Diggers]
7th – SaMB0y [Norths]
7th – Ar1dayy [Norths]

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Full Top 8

1st – PillowTalk [Lismore Workers Club]
2nd – Bjschoey [Wollongong City Diggers]
3rd – 4ParX [Wollongong City Diggers]
4th – Violet [Wollongong City Diggers]
5th – Artrix8 [Brothers Leagues Townsville]
5th – Thorpenado [Wollongong City Diggers]
7th – CloudyOCE [Wollongong City Diggers]
7th – malanaks [C.ex Coffs]

Run It Back

2020 Clubs League Season 3

By Events
83
Unique Smash Bros. Players
58
Unique Tekken Players

Club Champions

City Diggers Wollongong

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Bjschoey
  • Tekken Champ: Qazsdfgvhn

Norths

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Potato
  • Tekken Champ: Shivstar

Brothers Leagues Townsville

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Riceps
  • Tekken Champ: hbkarl

2020 University League Semester 2

By Events

Prize Winners

CSGO

1st Place | $2000
RMIT Black

  • Tham
  • TwistEZ
  • Roflko
  • dangeR
  • Mayker
  • Jusi9n
  • RlootS

2nd Place | $625
UNSW Roar

  • Serquest
  • viridiancity
  • Stosh
  • phfyieyszch
  • Mal
  • deadset

3rd Place | $250
Team Monash

  • Gravinz
  • Spudwrecker
  • PEARSS
  • Bogeymanh
  • pz
  • tieay
  • Yeti

DOTA 2

1st Place | $2000
RMIT Black

  • Baosu
  • spag
  • FishHead
  • Sludgy
  • Kofaa
  • konrean

2nd Place | $625
UOW Esports

  • Markbtw
  • Cebtember
  • Davai Llama
  • Avi
  • Mayo
  • Goobala

3rd Place | $250
UQ Big Chads

  • Oogway
  • GACHI
  • infamousamos
  • cool
  • Danka Danka

Rocket League

1st Place | $1200
UOM Help Desk

  • cavemanben
  • Tulendeena
  • Riv
  • Coop0

2nd Place | $375
Griffith

  • Noizee
  • Baked Potato
  • Paradise

3rd Place | $150
Swinburne University Black

  • Scout
  • LethalForLife
  • Zukoe
  • Magmaz
  • JBrad

Rainbow 6 Siege

1st Place | $2000
RMIT Black

  • Raindrops
  • 9tJin
  • Vendii
  • ndb
  • warmoj
  • HERP_DERP
  • redd

2nd Place | $625
Monash Onyx

  • CrxmSpec.Onyx
  • Sconic5.Onyx
  • ATH-Owen500Mk2
  • PIkaa
  • aHao-.
  • JumpStream

3rd Place | $250
æUTS

  • ybTea
  • Boba
  • FreakingBlue
  • Smooth-Brain
  • DoRaN
  • Shazznick

2020 Bendigo Esports Cup

By Events

“Greater Bendigo has a fantastic reputation for hosting a great range of high-quality sporting and cultural events,” Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke said.

“With COVID-19, many of these events have had to be cancelled so it’s wonderful to be able to host a new event remotely, to ensure Bendigo’s name and reputation as an events capital stays strong”.

Rocket League Prize Winners

Smash Bros. Prize Winners

1st Place | $300
Ibises

  • Pagsi
  • ailgin
  • Jkero

2nd Place | $150
Team 7

  • PeteJones
  • Angery Wigglefloof
  • Riz

3rd Place | $75
3 Fast 3 Furious

  • Prod
  • samewlharris
  • Jonny3175

1st Place | $100 – Luda
2nd Place | $50 – Seer

Proudly presented by

2020 Clubs League Season 2

By Events
92
Unique Smash Bros. Players
63
Unique Tekken Players

Club Champions

City Diggers Wollongong

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Thrillhouse
  • Tekken Champ: Qazsdfgvhn

Norths

  • Smash Bros. Champ: Potato
  • Tekken Champ: Shivstar
  • FIFA Champ: Runaway

Brothers Leagues Townsville

  • Smash Bros. Champ: KB
  • Tekken Champ: DShrike
  • FIFA Champ: TheSK

2020 Riverina Esports Cup

By Events

Wagga Wagga City Council and the AEL hosted the ‘AEL Riverina Esports Cup’, an online video game competition dedicated to gamers who live in the Riverina area, featuring Rocket League and CSGO!

Rocket League Prize Winners!

1st Place | $300
Don’t you fix potholes?

  • Lishy
  • Thomas!
  • Blip
  • donebus the GOAT

2nd Place | $150
Crack Powered

  • Mr Baggins
  • ras
  • Robert
  • CecLad

3rd Place | $75
Don’t Dog the Boys!

  • BeastyBrent
  • Don
  • Penguu

CS:GO Prize Winners!

1st Place | $500
373

  • Tesh
  • Dexta
  • nixon
  • Kcrevo
  • Yuko

2nd Place | $250
Killer Disposition

  • John
  • RoboP4nd4
  • Karl
  • That_Spud
  • undead
  • Tortilla Man

3rd Place| $125
Disabilited

  • Harvs
  • ClassicalDig
  • lipriee
  • Simonster
  • Sloppy

Proudly presented by