By Ginx eSports<\/p>\n
Pok\u00e9mon is one of those eSports that has been ticking along for the longest of times, that combination of smart strategy and forward planning making it a modern day chess.<\/p>\n
Despite that, though, it\u2019s remained on the periphery, appealing to a dedicated audience but failing to garner little of a wider audience. It seems the Pok\u00e9mon Company is looking to change that by changing things a little bit.<\/p>\n
Both the Pok\u00e9mon Trading Card Game and the latest version of the game, Pok\u00e9mon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, will let players compete for an additional $250,000.<\/p>\n
But now players will compete for Championship Points as they attempt to qualify \u2013 through the regional rounds \u2013 for the international tournament at the end of the year.<\/p>\n
This will create a better schedule for multiple events, and no longer employ a residency restriction \u2013 meaning pro players will be able to attend more than one event if they are able to.<\/p>\n
On top of that, Play! Pok\u00e9mon will now sanction third-party competitions, too, opening up for more opportunities to earn Championship Points for pro players \u2013 a necessity to help expand the pro scene outside of the handful of official events.<\/p>\n
This can only ever lead to a much more robust Pok\u00e9mon competitive scene and \u2013 all being well \u2013 open up the eSport to many more players. It\u2019s good to see Play! Pok\u00e9mon being objective about its tournament, and understanding what it needs to open the game up.<\/p>\n