MLG X Games Invitational

The idea of playing video games is a great way have fun, as there are different types of game available depending on your preference. They’re also a good way to interact with other people online, and you can play with friends as well.

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However, have you ever thought of making it a career by becoming a professional gamer? The idea might seem strange, but just think about it for a second. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, this fantasy can become a reality.

The X Games Austin starts on Friday, and this event also marks the first-ever MLG X Games Invitational. This is where MLG’s top eight Call of Duty: Ghosts team will battle for X Games medals.

The teams include Evil Geniuses (formerly CompLexity), Team EnVyUs, OpTic Gaming, OpTic Nation, Team KaLiBeR, FaZe Red, Curse Orange and Strictly Business.

The three-day tournament starts with top-seeded team Evil Genuises (winners of the recent Call of Duty $1 million championship) taking on Strictly Business (winners of the recent MLG Call of Duty US championship).

Fans can watch the competition via MLG.tv on the web, MLG.tv apps for both iOS and Android and MLG.tv app for Xbox 360. The action begins Friday, June 6 at noon CT (1pm ET, 10 am PT). It will continue through Sunday, June 8 with the medal matches slated to start at 3:30pm CT (4:30pm ET, 1:30pm PT), and the top three teams earning X Games gold, silver and bronze.

There will be commentary provided by eSports personalities: Chris Puckett, Fwiz and Benson all weekend long. In addition to the MLG.tv broadcast, MLG’s presence at X Games Austin will be highlighted during X Games telecasts airing on ESPN, ABC and on X Games digital and social platforms.

I recently had the chance to pose some questions to Seth “Scumpi” Abner of OpTic Gaming and Joe “Merk” Deluca of Team EnVyUs.

In replying to what it’s like being a pro gamer Scumpi said, “Being a pro gamer is an amazing experience. It’s pretty remarkable that I can be paid to do one of things that I, as well as many others, love. Getting up every morning to “work” (I say it like this because I wouldn’t it consider work) doing the one thing I really enjoy is incredible.”

Merk answered the same question by saying that, “We work hard every day and everything depends on how we perform at tournaments. Similar to traditional athletes, we have to constantly try to become better and put as much work as possible in. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Scumpi in answering how many hours does he put in per week to get ready for tournaments said, “He and the team puts in roughly 40 hours or so to prepare for tournaments especially one as large as the MLG Invitational at X Games! It varies from tournament to tournament, but it is usually anywhere from 30-40 hours a week.”

Merk in replying to the same question said that, “To prepare for tournaments we usually put in 6-8 hours a day as a team and then individually put in our own time. It is important to put so much practice in at length because we may be playing 8-10 hours per day at a tournament.”

As you can see becoming a pro gamer, isn’t something that comes easy.

This is the MLG X Games Invitational Schedule – times are subject to change based on length of matches.

Friday, June 6 – all times CT

12:00 PM                            Group A – (1) Evil Geniuses vs. (8) Strictly Business

1:30 – 2:30 PM                  VIP Play a Pro

2:30 PM                              Group A – (4) OpTic Nation vs. (5) Team Kaliber

4:00 PM                              Group B – (3) OpTic Gaming vs. (6) FaZe Red

5:30 – 7:00 PM                  All Star Matches

7:00 PM                              Group B – (2) Team EnVyUs vs. (7) Curse Orange

Saturday, June 7 – all times CT

11:00 AM                            Group A – Losers Match

12:30 PM                            Group A – Winners Match

2:00 – 3:00 PM                  All Star Matches

3:00 PM                              Group A – Final Match

4:00 PM                              Group B – Losers Match

7:00 PM                              Group B – Winners Match

8:00 PM                              Group B – Final Match

Sunday, June 8 – all times CT

11:00 AM                            Semifinal #1

12:30 PM                            Semifinal #2

2:00 – 3:30 PM                  All Star Matches

3:30 PM                              Bronze Medal Match

5:00 PM                              Gold Medal Match, followed by medal ceremony

The MLG X Games Invitational should be a great event to watch, as the top teams in MLG will try to earn X Games medals.