WoW Arena Tournament With $200,000 In Prizes

Blizzard has announced a new format for their 2008 World of Warcraft Arena Tournaments that are set to begin this April, with more than $200,000 in cash prizes. This new type of competition will be using the game's Arena system, and it will take place on special realms that will allow competitors to instantly create level 70 characters with epic equipment. Thus, they say, the focus will be placed on tactics and execution, rather than normal adventuring.

"The tournaments are scheduled to start in April with two rounds of online qualifiers in Europe, South Korea, North America, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Each qualifier round will have a per-competitor entry fee - €15/£12 in Europe; 20,000 won in South Korea; $20 in North America; and NT$450 in the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau - and will run for six weeks. During this time, teams will play 3-vs.-3 matches on the tournament realm in their region, with the top four teams from each round advancing to the regional finals to compete for more than $27,000 in cash prizes. Winners from each regional will then be invited to a global championship event to compete for $120,000 in cash prizes, including a $75,000 grand prize."

Further details will be posted in due time on the World of Warcraft website.