BY RYAN RUTKOWSKI / VN Columnist
The weekend of Aug. 29-30 saw champions crowned in multiple esport categories, including Call of Duty, Valorant and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The inaugural season of the Call of Duty League concluded with the Dallas Empire defeating the Atlanta Faze 5-1.
The Dallas Empire, led by Ian “Crimsix” Porter and James “Clayster” Eubanks, became the first team to win the Call of Duty League Championship and take home $1.5 million.
Valorant’s Ignition Series concluded with Pop Flash in North America and LVL Valorant Clash 2 in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Sentinels, led by star player Jay “Sinatraa” Won, dominated Pop Flash with a decisive 3-0 victory against Team Envy.
Sentinels contested Team Solo Mid (TSM) as the best team in North America, especially since TSM did not qualify for playoffs in this tournament.
G2 Esports continued their string of first-place victories with another dominant tournament. They expanded their run to five gold medals in a row and three in August.
One question remains for Valorant esports: Can Sentinels or TSM beat G2 Esports?
Because of travel restrictions, a match-up between NA’s best and EU’s best may be months away.
ESL One Cologne North America and Europe crowned champions last weekend as well in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Tournament favorites Evil Geniuses took home the North American title after a close 3-2 battle with Team Liquid.
EG and Team Liquid will continue their North American rivalry on Sept. 22 during ESL Pro League 12.
Heroic took home the European Division trophy with a convincing 3-0 upset of the Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut-led Vitality.
Heroic was not favored to come out on top but their exceptional team play carried them past star-studded rosters.
Overwatch League playoffs begin this week.
This year’s playoffs will determine the two best teams from North America and the two best teams from Asia-Pacific and send them to one final four-team tournament.
MVP candidate Jae-Hyeok “Carpe” Lee and the Philadelphia Fusion will have to defend their NA regular-season title against the Countdown Cup champion San Francisco Shock and Summer Showdown Champion Paris Eternal.
In APAC, the favorite Shanghai Dragons will look to end on top against the league-veteran New York Excelsior and high-flying attacks of the Guangzhou Charge.
The Dragons have been one of, if not the, best team in the Overwatch League all season on the back of DPS Byung-sun “Fleta” Kim.
The top four teams will face off in South Korea on Oct. 8-10 when the league champion will be crowned.
