X Games competition will spill off slope and into gaming shack

The gamers are back at the Winter X Games.

For the second year, the competition won’t just be on the slopes — it also will be in the gaming shack at the base of Buttermilk.

Eight of the top eSports teams — six from North America and two from overseas — will compete in head-to-head group play in “Halo 5: Guardians” at the X Games this weekend. For the first time, highlights of the competition will be folded into ESPN’s telecast of the event. The competition also will be streamed live on WatchESPN, Twitch.tv/Halo and mlg.tv/halo. The teams are competing for medals.

Last year proved that gamers take the event very seriously. Some fans interviewed by The Aspen Times said they came specifically for that event. They couldn’t have cared less about the concerts or what tricks were flashed by snowboarders, skiers and snowmobilers on the slopes. They were mesmerized watching some of the world’s top video game players perform on big screens in the video shack.

Last year there were three teams from North America, four from Europe and one from Brazil battling in “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive,” for $30,000 in prize money.

ESPN worked with Major League Gaming for the first season of gaming at the X Games. This year, ESPN teamed with Xbox to bring the competition.

Two five-member teams were positioned in soundproof rooms at the front of the small arena. Big screens were positioned on both sides of the booths to show the animated action. Last year’s crowd let out exclamations of awe or disappointment as the short, intense games unfolded. Meanwhile, casual newcomers to the sport were left scratching their heads at what they missed.

The competing teams in Aspen are also in the running for the Halo World Championship, but no points will be awarded at the X Games Aspen Invitational. However, $30,000 in prize money will be up for grabs.

The competitors include the Evil Geniuses, Leftovers, Dream Team and Team Liquid. There’s also Team Allegiance, CLG, Epsilon eSports from United Kingdom and PENTA Sports from Germany.

scondon@aspentimes.com